Why live life on the Edge when You can Jump off it...

The Sunday after I arrived in New Zealand I got the bus down to Taupo about 4 hours away from Auckland. I had only one intention for going to Taupo, and that was to Bungy Jump! I arrived Sunday afternoon and for the second time since I started my trip I was going to be staying on my own. But this time I had made no previous plans and I did no plan on staying in 4 star hotel, it was hostelling all the way. So into the information centre I went and I asked the lady to tell me some hostels where I cold stay. I picked Tiki Lodge which was about a 5 minute walk away from the town. I was really nervous because I had never stayed in a place like this before. It was all self service and everyone talked to everyone. I spent the first while in my room, got to know my room mate from Holland and after a while I had the courage to go out and start meeting new people. And meet new people I did. Within hhalf an hour I was on my way down to the local supermarket with 2 guys who work in the lodge- clean every day for about 2 and a half hours for free Accomadation, one from England the other from Auckland- to buy food for making dinner! We all decided to chip in some money and keegan, the Kiwi, was going to cook us dinner!! Probably 3 hours later- I will get n major trouble for saying that but it is true!- We sat down to dinner and I got to meet some more people. A guy from Northern Ireland, another Dutch person, an American,funny stories to follow later, and I also heard about 2 Argentinians who were working there to. We spent the evening chatting and I really had a nice time.

The next day was bungy jump day. I had to be up there before 11 to get a cheap rate and by 10 I was on my way with the rain drizzling around and on me. I arrived about 20 mins later payed my money and the extra for the photos and dvd and I was on my way. I stepped out on the platform and immediately thought "Why the heck did I pay to do this". The view was really fabulous, the water was a gorgeous colour and the surrounding rocks were really stunning. But at that moment in time I would have much preferred to just look at the rocks instead of jumping off them! But at this stage I didnt really have a choice anymore. My feet were tied the ropes were being prepared and I was going bungee jumping. The questions to try and distract me did not really help and my answers were very brief. Finally I was ready to go and I was walking towards the ledge. Attached between my feet was this huge red thing that was holding the rope and I was convinced instead of jumping off the ledge I would be pulled over by this thing. After a few questions about what I was going to do once I had jumped I couldnt put it off any longer! There I was standing on the edge in New Zealand, the mean opened his mouth and said "3 2 1 BUNGY!!" My feet didnt move. I couldnt move.

I looked at the men apologetically, "Im sorry! Try again Ill do it this time!" After a few encouraging and assuring words the words came out again "3 2 1 BUNGY!!" This time I had no choice! I had to do it, and I jumped!! And for a total of about 8 second I was flying through the air! Heading straight for the water and I loved it! I was terrified and at first I let out some terrified screams but after that I was screaming a sense of freedom-and probably relief!- It felt so good! I was rescued by the boat and brought back to shore where my legs felt like jelly and I had to walk a ridiculous amount of steps to get my photos and dvd. But it was all worth it! It felt so good and I have to say I was very proud of myself after it. In the van back to the hostel I asked the question that I couldnt bring myself to ask before, "How many people have died here from doing the bungy jump?" The man looked at me and said "Here none, worst ive seen people look is a few black eyes from going face first into the water". I didnt choose to go into the water but was glad that I picked a place where no one had died yet to bungy jump!!!!