Last weekend I did my first bungy jump – the Auckland Harbour Bridge Bungy. I let someone tie a rope around my feet and willed myself to take a headfirst leap into thin air from a small metal cage attached to the side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge…
WHY?!
If you’ve done a bungy jump before and are wondering why I’m making such a big deal out of it, you should know that I’m so scared of heights I actually had to sit down and hold the seat in the centre of my pod on the London Eye because my legs were too shaky to stand. But everyone says, of all the things to do in New Zealand that get your blood pumping, a bungy should really be top of your list.
I’d been staying in my sister’s room in Auckland. Her words of encouragement went something like this:
Elin: ‘Think about it logically. What are you actually scared of?’
Me: ‘Um, launching myself from a massive height and flying through the air headfirst??!’
Elin: ‘But it’s silly to be worried about that. If you’re worried about anything it should be the cord snapping.’
With these thoughts in mind, we strolled over to the pickup point at the Maritime Museum in time to meet the previous group as they got out of the bungy van.
‘It’s fine,’ said one smug guy. ‘Only one of us needed a medic!’
GETTING SET UP
On arrival at the bungy centre, we had to fill out a form with personal information, which they joked was to make sure they spelled our names correctly on our toe tags! Then they weighed us and wrote our weight in fat red marker pen on our hands. No secrets between bungy friends!
With harnesses attached, we each grabbed a helmet for the walk along the lower platform of the bridge. They suggest you don’t take anything with you since a lot of mobile phones and car keys have apparently taken a dip in the sea during bridge walking and bungy tours.
WALKING OUT TO THE PLATFORM
If you’re thinking that the scary fun starts when you arrive at the bungy platform, you’d be wrong. It’s a fairly long walk along a thin metal-gridded walkway, and you can see the swirling ocean through the gaps by your feet getting further and further away as you gain height.
Now I’ll let you in on a little secret so you can mentally prepare yourself and/or eat a few strategic burgers before your jump. The bungy staff give the impression that the jump order is random, but they actually start with the heaviest and work down, since it makes it easier to prepare the rope each time. If you want to get it over and done with, it pays to be heavier!
Just before they called my name, I spotted a sign with a list of celebrities who’d done the jump before. It was exactly the motivation I needed…
If Justin Bieber could do it then so could I.
By some miracle, at the end of my first countdown, I leapt from the platform. For that, I’m really chuffed with myself. Having said that, I definitely need to work on looking more brave/cool in my adventure activity photos. Spot the sister with the biggest fear of heights…
There’s a rope to pull that releases you so that you spin back around to a sitting position. Remember to listen to the instructions on how to free your legs after your jump, or you’ll be winched all the way back upside down!
USEFUL INFORMATION
Once everyone has had their turn, they offer you a second bungy for half price, and you can try different jumping styles or request to be dunked in the water. There’s a variety of photo and video packages to purchase after the jump, including photos online and/or in print and a DVD. They say that if you request any of these before your jump and they mess up with the camera, you can do another jump for free!
Now it may be common knowledge that I like a good bargain, but I’d achieved the unthinkable and got the T shirt (literally). Even free of charge, I wouldn’t have put myself through that level of fear twice in the same afternoon! As for the rest of my trip, though…watch this space!
GETTING TO AUCKLAND
There are so many exciting things to do in Auckland, of which the Auckland Harbour Bridge bungy is just one, that you will probably want to set aside at least a few days there.
Many people arrive in New Zealand via Auckland’s international airport. If you’re already in the country, Intercity Buses provide services to and from the following popular destinations (rough times in brackets): Paihia (4 hours); Hamilton (2 hours); Rotorua (4 hours); Taupo (5 hours); and Wellington (11 hours). Click the banner below to find out about their day trips and various bus pass options.
You can follow my Kiwi adventures on Twitter via the hashtag #ScaredBritless or check out my Facebook updates here. For more information about travelling in New Zealand, visit 100% Pure New Zealand.
Yay you did it! I am most scared of embarrassing myself and throwing up while hanging upside down or something. But one of these days, I’ll take the leap.
Jennifer recently posted..5 Summer Festivals Not to Miss in Northern Italy
Haha! I don’t think that would happen. I tend to find that my natural reaction to anything involving heights is to tense up and then come over really shaky. That’s slightly lower on the embarrassment scale :)
I’d be freaked out for sure, although I like the idea of water being below. That would give me some peace of mind.
Mike | Earthdrifter recently posted..An Impromptu Wedding Guest
The water definitely helps because you know you at least have a chance of surviving if something goes pear shaped!
Congratulations! Fantastic post and I am so impressed that you were brave enough to jump!
Michelle recently posted..Speedway at Heusden-Zolder
Thank you! I wasn’t sure I’d do it, but when you’re on the edge and your feet are tied, the easiest way to get back to safety is just to jump and get it over with!
I’m scared shitless of bungee jumps and its the one thing I won’t do. I’m adventurous but I’ve always drawn the line at that. However, with water below, it seems far less scary and I would actually give it a go! New Zealand having the best reputation as well…
I thought I might draw the line at that too, but then my sister booked it as a birthday present! It definitely helped to have her there with me for my first one. ANd yes, it’s good that it’s a country with a great reputation for safety! I’ll do another one with you in Oz if you like! :)
OMG, this looks so scary. I don’t think I could do a jump. Any other adventure I am up for, but parachuting and bungee jumping are a tad too much for me. Love the comparison photos of you and your sis!
TammyOnTheMove recently posted..Flashback Friday: The time my bum went numb
Yeah, she’s definitely the cool one. I am working on pulling false-confident poses though! I always said I’d never do a bungy but look what happened! You just never know…
Aw sis – I genuinely was trying to make you feel less scared… I will work on the motivational pep talks… You were awesome though! Very brave! :)
Haha. I know you meant well! Thanks for the moral support. It was so much better having you there sharing in the fear! :)
Well done Ari! I can’t believe you did this. It makes me feel so nervous just looking at it. Now you’ve done this you can pretty much do anything ;)
Monica recently posted..Camping in the Sahara Desert
Hmmmmm, thanks. Trouble is, I am just as scared as I ever was of anything involving heights…but I guess it’s good to know I’m capable of it if I ever find myself in a similar position again!
You did it! That’s brilliant and you should be really proud of yourself. Monica’s right, you can do anything now!
Charley M recently posted..Off the beaten path? Give me tourist traps any day
The bungy in Queenstown is about three times the height of this one. What do you think? Should I take the challenge up a step?!
Definitely! There’s no stopping you now :)
Charley M recently posted..Off the beaten path? Give me tourist traps any day
So it would seem – I just signed up to fly a stunt plane in loop-the-loops!
Ha, this is brilliant! I’m loving all your bungy adventures! I’ve done Kawarau twice, and the Ledge once. Next time I should do the Nevis… make sure to remind me of that when I’m next in NZ…
Christina recently posted..Zorbing in Rotorua
It’s funny. I didn’t think I’d do a single bungy. I was going to draw the line at that. Now I’ve done three bungy jumps, a massive swing, a swoop and the Auckland SkyJump! It hasn’t got any easier! But yes, you need to do the Nevis next time you’re here! If you need words of encouragement, get back to me ;)
Wow! I am impressed. You have a sense of adventure that I will never have. Amazing! And I love the photos!
Laura @Travelocafe recently posted..Wine Tasting & Chateaux Hopping in Saint-Emilion
Thanks! You never know… I always said I’d never do a bungy!