BUNGEEEEEE!

My announcement that I was going to bungee jump was met with mixed reaction, from total horror, to "I wish it was me." In spite of all my bluster and bravado I was not sure that I would do, or could do it - not that I was about to tell anyone that little secret.
And when I got there, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy I nearly chickened out. Iit was only my pride that kept me going. How does one describe the emotions – trepidation while waiting for your turn,

worry as you are helped to the edge, you can't run away, as your ankles are tied together,

terror as you are launched into the abyss

and then pure joy

 the thrill of the jump as you plummet ......... a long, long way down

 relief as you are hauled up

and then a grin like the Cheshire cat.

Face Adrenalin really did us proud. Will I do it again? I think I could.

Mini vs Maxi Tour #2 - BUNGEEEEEEEE

I was sitting in the quiet comfort of my office this morning, when a Facebook message from Susan Wilson, organiser of the “Mini vs Maxi Tour” popped up, with the question, “HOPE YOU DON"T HAVE A FEAR OF HEIGHTS???”

Do I have a fear of heights? How do I put this delicately? It is not really the height that I am afraid of; I am terrified of the drop, especially if there is nothing restraining me from plummeting into the abyss.

My mind quickly jumped into gear and considered the possibilities. My first thought was of bungee jumping. “Ai Chihuahua,” I thought as the sweat trickled down my forehead, “do I have the stomach for that?”

Of course I can do it; my cardiologist just told me my heart is very strong.
Then Susan came to the rescue with a convenient way out, “You could always volunteer to manage the video camera capturing your team mates’ adrenaline rush.”

“Nah,” I quickly dismissed the idea. For the last twenty years or so I have been threatening to ride the big roller coaster that comes to Port Elizabeth every year. This year Sue persuaded me to put my money where my mouth is and I took the plunge – literally – proving to my family who STEADFASTLY REFUSED to join me that I am not a wimp after all.
This is an adventure challenge, so bring it on and I’ll do the plummeting, as long as that elastic band is securely attached to me.

But then I thought, it may just be abseiling down a slight incline or a gentle canopy tour in the forest – that is enough to scare many people off.
Whatever it is world, I’m ready for it.

PS:  I had no sooner finished writing this when Susan well and truly committed me to my fate, “Great news - I think you then well and ready for the BUNGEEEEEE”

MOMMMMEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From my archives: Bloukrans Bridge bungy jumping - if you use a microscope you will see the victims ready to take the plunge from the centre of the arch

B for Bloukrans Bridge and Bungee Jumping

On a recent trip to Knysna we stopped at the recreation area at the Bloukrans Bridge, in the hope of finding a restaurant that would cater for my new "heart friendly" eating habits.
Alas, there was no suitable eating place, but I took the opportunity to take a quick snap of the bridge.


Aside from its architectural appeal, the bridge also has the distinction of being the world's highest commercial bungi jump. The bridge is 216 m high but the jump is only about 160 m, from the arch support of the bridge. Here you can see some intrepid people preparing for the jump.



Jumper being hauled up



There were a lot of adrenalin junkies wandering about when we were there, kitted out in their harnesses, patiently waiting for their turn to jump. Would I do it .......... I don't think so.

But then who knows what could happen. There is the delightful story of a prim and proper lady from Port Elizabeth, in her mid sixties, who drove past the entrance to the recreation area on her way home, having no intention of bungi jumping. She was probably the least likely bungi jumper in the world. That was the theory anyway, but she had a sudden rush of blood to the head, did a u-turn and yes, you guessed it did a jump.