Today was a day of rest from the hiking tour but just so happened to occur in Queenstown, the adventure capital of NZ. There’s numerous activities one can choose: jet boats, mountain biking, zip lining, luge from the terminal at the top of the gondola and so on. One sport stands out, however, given it was invented, as a commercial going concern, by two NZ’ers in 1986. Bungee jumping off the Kawarau bridge outside Queenstown has become world renown. So of course we signed up.
We spent a portion of the morning wandering along the harbour enjoying the weekly craft fair trying not to spend too much time thinking about the jump. Would we? Could we? Heck it’s only 145 feet off a bridge over a river in a canyon. What possibly could go wrong?
The bridge is 25 minutes out of town so having been weighed, identified with markings on our hands (body recovery purposes?) and signing various waivers at the office in town it was onto yet another bus. The bus drivers’ warped sense of humour was evident as he played “Another Bites The Dust” over the PA.
The operation at the bridge was a well oiled machine and in no time we were front and center being told to empty our pockets and sit calmly while the harness and ankle wrapping was very, very firmly attached. The call to the jumping ledge was made and any thoughts of turning back had to be banished. Given the ankle harness one has to shuffle to the edge. Rock music blaring (to muffle potential screaming?) and young jump assistants casually moving around without a care added to the surreal atmosphere. Then it was arms up to effect a swan dive, 3, 2, 1 GOOOOOO. And shockingly, we did! Mo and Mark were joined by Liz Monson, one of the tour members, as we each completed perhaps the biggest leap of faith ever.
Once the bouncing stopped a small boat arrived to pull the jumper to safety. Can you see the relief in Mo’s face?
It was heart-stopping, exhausting, exhilarating, and reflectively, well worth it. As they say, been there, done that, got the tee shirt.
We finished our day of rest by taking the Gondola up above Queenstown where Mo and Liz raced small carts down the luge run multiple times. The view over the town and lake was beautiful as our run of hot sunny days continues.
Tomorrow it’s back to work as we’re off to Wanaka to hike the Rocky Mountain track with the reward of a winery visit later in the afternoon.
The Bennetts On Tour 
Incredible. You are both so very daring and adventurous. Congratulations; you did it!!!
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