So here’s the thing. Rubber band around the legs, transform yourself into a t-shape and leap. Easy, eh.
Only you’re 43m above the churning, icy waters of the Kawarau River. Oh well, you wanted adventure, right? You didn’t come to this part of the world to collect stamps, did you? Though there’s a charming philatelic shop at... oh, never mind.
In late ’88, the shy and retiring... OK, crazy and boisterous Kiwi AJ Hackett and his cohort Henry van Asch launched the world’s first commercially operated bungy jumping site, over said historic Kawarau River. Nearly three decades on and it’s still going strong: if you’re a bungy virgin, this is a good place to begin. If you need to rope in a friend for support, you can tandem here, too – although, as they’ll tell you with glee, ‘sharing the thrill doesn’t halve the fear’. Nice one, AJ. True, though, this is about challenging yourself. And wearing clean boxers. Perhaps rubber ones.
And if this bungy lark is all, ‘been there, done that, got the rubbed ankle marks to prove it’ kinda stuff, a vertical game of tiddlywinks to you, then go do the jump off Nevis bridge, 134m above the bleak Nevis River.
Now you’re talking. Well, you won’t be, really, or at least only to yourself, if at all. Remember, in space, no one can hear you scream. Joking, it’s awesome!
Suspended 134m above friendly, stable ground – well, the canyon floor – you’re freed of all earthly burdens and sent hurtling to the bottom of the valley. Open your eyes, clench your buttocks and, wow! That’s crazy right there. And you’ll be straight back up there, asking if you can go backwards. This is a thrill that is kind of unmatchable. If you’re in Queenstown, you just gotta bungy, baby.
‘OK Brad, let’s bouuuuuunnnnnnnnnncccccccccceeeeeeeeee . . .’
