So upon arriving in Cairns I met up with a lovely chap called Matt that I've not seen for a little while, we shared a drink or two to catch up on what we'd both been up to and then Matt mentioned he might be doing a Bungee jump... and after turning to my chum Ed and grinning, we'd agreed to join. Now it's very easy to say yes to something like that from the comfort of a bench in a bar with a cold beer in front of you... which is why on Monday morning we weren't quite so sure it was a good idea... turns out no-one was sure it was a good idea. Now the Bungee site is about a 20 minute drive out of town, and the oly way the company will come ond pick you up is if someone has paid to do the jump in advance... turns out that person was me, and then inspired by my actions 2 others agreed and did the same so we could take a few spectators along! So with our money handed over all that was left was to wait for about an hour to be picked up.... a surprisingly long hour! Once in the minibus disclamer sheets were handed round, basically signing away any right to take legal action against the organisers in case something was to go... ahem.... wrong, they really know how to install a sense of confidence don't they?! Upon arriving we suddenly realised that 50 meters isn't so high up after-all, once again... very easy to think that whilst your feet are placed firmly on the ground! So we were all revved up to go, only to be told it would be another half hour or so as the crew were on their lunch break, awesome, more waiting! As the minutes ticked by, we all started to go a bit quieter as we had time to lok up at the platform, which startet to look higher and higher as time ticked on! Finally the time had come, and we started the long walk up the staircase to one side of the tower to the jump platform. I can safely say that the higher we got, the more it was sinking in exactly what we were about to do, and the crazier it seemed! Once at the top I had a few minutes to contimplate whether I actually wanted to do this, that question popped into my head again as the towel was being wrapped round my ankles (They assured me it was a NASA certified towel!), and then again as I had to hop towards the edge... and looked over, and the countdown begins...
5... what am I doing.
4... I can't do this.
3... it's only $100 wasted.
2... right I'm outta here...
1... No I'm not, I'm so jumping.
GO!... **** it!
I'm so pleased I jumped, the freefall was awesome, scary, thrilling, seeing the ground approaching fast, feeling the cord take the strain, and seeing the world disapear again as I spring back into the air being tossed around like a ragdoll! Naturally as I was hanging there waiting for the Dinghy to paddle out to come fetch me I had a massive grin on my face. Any regrests? Sure, I didn't go up for another jump... still, it was only 50 meters, there are bigger jumps out there for me to challenge myself with!
After that I needed to do something a bit more low key, so for the next day 8 of us hired a people carrier, and went up the coast to Cape Tribulation, and the Daintree rainforest. We got up noce and early to make the most of the day, and after stopping off for a bit of brekkie made ourway up to Daintree, where we stopped off for a nice stroll in the rainforest towards Mossman Gorge. Naturally the forest was a humid mass of trees, weird and wonderful plant life, and as many bugs as you could want to see. How the humidity might have been a bit of an irritation, were it not for taking a swim in the fast flowing waters of the river running through the gorge. I went in for a bit of a paddle, and jus as my feet started to go numb I knew I had to take a dip, I think it was just about the most refreshing sensation I've felt in a long time, icy cold water running past you as you hold onto a rock to avoid being washed away! After hopping out of the water after 15 minutes or so, we moved a litle further north to take in a river tour where we saw wild saltwater Crocs, treesnakes and tree frogs, we also had the rare oppertunity of seeing a Crocodile nest being guarded by the expectant Mum, who didn't look too happy to see us, so naturally we made a hasty retreat before heading back to the shore. Again more driving north to Cape Tribulation itself, where we wandered down to the beach for a bit of a walk, and a head to head race between Lucy and myself (Well I needed my adrenaline rush for the day!), I'll be a gent and not publish the outcome... ;-) As it was getting dark it was time to head back to Cairns via Port Douglas, for a couple of quiet drinks and an early-ish night!
We've had a couple of lazy days since, although I hope to make a trip to the Reef before I fly to Darwin on Tuesday for the next leg of my travels... the long slog back to Sydney!
Much Love to everyone.
5... what am I doing.
4... I can't do this.
3... it's only $100 wasted.
2... right I'm outta here...
1... No I'm not, I'm so jumping.
GO!... **** it!
I'm so pleased I jumped, the freefall was awesome, scary, thrilling, seeing the ground approaching fast, feeling the cord take the strain, and seeing the world disapear again as I spring back into the air being tossed around like a ragdoll! Naturally as I was hanging there waiting for the Dinghy to paddle out to come fetch me I had a massive grin on my face. Any regrests? Sure, I didn't go up for another jump... still, it was only 50 meters, there are bigger jumps out there for me to challenge myself with!
After that I needed to do something a bit more low key, so for the next day 8 of us hired a people carrier, and went up the coast to Cape Tribulation, and the Daintree rainforest. We got up noce and early to make the most of the day, and after stopping off for a bit of brekkie made ourway up to Daintree, where we stopped off for a nice stroll in the rainforest towards Mossman Gorge. Naturally the forest was a humid mass of trees, weird and wonderful plant life, and as many bugs as you could want to see. How the humidity might have been a bit of an irritation, were it not for taking a swim in the fast flowing waters of the river running through the gorge. I went in for a bit of a paddle, and jus as my feet started to go numb I knew I had to take a dip, I think it was just about the most refreshing sensation I've felt in a long time, icy cold water running past you as you hold onto a rock to avoid being washed away! After hopping out of the water after 15 minutes or so, we moved a litle further north to take in a river tour where we saw wild saltwater Crocs, treesnakes and tree frogs, we also had the rare oppertunity of seeing a Crocodile nest being guarded by the expectant Mum, who didn't look too happy to see us, so naturally we made a hasty retreat before heading back to the shore. Again more driving north to Cape Tribulation itself, where we wandered down to the beach for a bit of a walk, and a head to head race between Lucy and myself (Well I needed my adrenaline rush for the day!), I'll be a gent and not publish the outcome... ;-) As it was getting dark it was time to head back to Cairns via Port Douglas, for a couple of quiet drinks and an early-ish night!
We've had a couple of lazy days since, although I hope to make a trip to the Reef before I fly to Darwin on Tuesday for the next leg of my travels... the long slog back to Sydney!
Much Love to everyone.
0 Responses to “Trials and Tribulations”
Post a Comment