AM and B's Travels: Eight and a half seconds

Today we slept a little late, ate some breakfast and checked out of our campsite by 10am. The drive back up to Queenstown was short, only an hour and a half. When we arrived, we checked in to the Heartland Hotel, which had a lovely view of the lake and was only a 5 minute walk from the Town Centre.

After unloading our luggage, we took a walk into town. We had some time to kill before the Nevis 4WD and Bungy, which was at 2:40pm. We were also hungry for lunch. After walking around a bit, we decided on some Thai food. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful, warm weather. When we finished lunch, Bernard stopped at a local barber and got a much needed haircut. Afterward, we headed to AJ Hackett's to check in.

We were still a bit early, so we used the free internet and watched some of the bungy footage. Finally, the bus was ready to head out. It was a 40 minute drive from downtown Queenstown to the bungy site. When we got to the base of the hill, we switched to a 4WD van and headed up a pretty steep dirt road. At the top was the Nevis Bungy Center. The actual “jump-off” point was on a large, enclosed platform, which overhung a huge canyon with a river flowing beneath. The only way to access it was by gondola.

View from the gondola .. loong way down

As soon as we checked in, Bernard as a jumper and AM as a spectator, we were both fitted for harnesses. We then joined a group for instructions. After waiting for 2 other groups to be sent over by gondola, it was our turn. The ride over to the base was pretty cool and very scenic. When we got to the platform, the energy was intense and exciting. Music was pumping and everyone was stoked. Bernard ended up being second in line and AM had the camera ready to go!

B showing off his bungy digits

The jump was 134 meters and took 8.5 seconds. It was awesome! (see video in next post, along with Am's jump!)

When Bernard got back up to the platform, he was pumped.

How was it? "Effin awesome!!"

We watched a few more people jump, then the gondola took us back over to the base. After about 15 minutes, the bus took us back into town.

When we arrived back in Queenstown, we got some dinner at Pog Mahones, an Irish pub/restaurant overlooking the lake.

View from Pog Mahones

We each had a Stonegrill trio: Bernard had beef, lamb and venison and AM had scallops, shrimp and venison.. along with an ice cold beer. They give you the meat raw and you cook it on this very hot rock that they bring. Hence, a stone grill. It was very tasty! Afterward, Bernard decided on some apple pie for dessert, while AM indulged in some gelato :-)