Well, today I took a zero for some Queenstown adventures. I got up by 9am and packed up my backpack to put it into the luggage storage downstairs. I was informed the previous day that I could use any of the facilities I wanted, even after checking out. Well, that is good to know. By 10am I had reached the Bungy Base in Queenstown from AJ Hackett and got myself checked in for my triple adventure. I had bookings to do all three Nevis adventures. The Bungy and the Swing again, as well as the previously absent Catapult. After getting weighted and having my information double checked, I was ready to go onto the 4W bus, that would take us up to the location.

After a bumpy 40min ride, dropping of some people at the Kawarau Bridge, we arrived at the Nevis location. Here we were split into groups, depending on who was doing the Bungy and who was “only” doing the Swing. We got our harnesses out on and then ventured to the cable car that would take us over to the Bungy platform.

While everyone was waiting for everyone to get there, so that we could get our safety instructions, we watched as other people jumped of the platform. One unfortunate person had to wait quite some time, before they were pulled up, as the rope that pulls you up didn’t properly lock into the attachment on the bungy chord, and someone had to abseil down, to manually attach it. This was an interesting process to watch, and all of us had a good time talking about our upcoming adventure. We were told that people who also plan to do the Swing should head over there first, as there would be a delay now, due to the prolonged time it took to get the person back up. I didn’t want to leave the group that I had just become acquainted with and settled in for a bit of a longer wait.

Finally we were in the cable car and on our way over. There were a couple of people ahead of me, before it was my turn. It was interesting to watch, as half of the didn’t manage to unlatch their feet and were pulled up by their ankles, looking like fish pulled out of the water.

After getting checked again that everything was attached and that the information they had on the paper matched the one that was written on my hands, they hooked me into a loop at the top so that I could sit down in the chair and have my feet strapped in. I’ve heard people tell me in the past, about people standing at the edge and jumping before being properly secured as they misunderstood something that was being said. Let me tell you, there is no way someone jumps without being properly attached. You do not go anywhere close to the jumping platform unless you are secured and it has been double checked by a second person.

So, with me all strapped in I was ready to jump and made my way slowly and wobbly to the edge. Some opportunities for a picture, and then came the countdown for me to jump of. 5… 4…. 3…. 2… JUMP. And I jumped!. It was as exhilarating as the first time two years ago and I screamed all the way down until I started laughing on the bounces. On the third bounce I managed to unhook my feet as per instruction and was in a nice seated position to be pulled back up again.

With my bungy jump done and over with, I waited for a bit to see the other people jump. There was an older gentleman, who had come from America with 2 friends, planning to go on a 2 week guided hiking trip around the South Island. He really wanted to scratch this of his bucket list. His friends weren’t as keen and only came as observers. About 15 min later, I made my way back with the cable car and then over to the Swing and Catapult. S

Upon reaching the platform, I was informed that I would have to wait for a bit, as there was quite a line for the Swing, but I could go ahead with the Catapult first if I wanted to. So I did that. I had to take of the harness I was wearing, as I needed to put on a completely different harness, where my body would be hanging in before the Catapult sets of. At first I thought that the moment I had to lean into the pull, I would already be pulled over the canyon, but then I realised that I was only suspended in the air, so that I could be pulled off. Then the thing went off, and it went off with a bang. The impact was quite hard and I actually got quite a knock to the back of my head. While this could have been an enjoyable experience, I ended up getting a small headache I was dangling back and forth over the canyon and wish the operators would have given me clearer instructions. I think that if I had put my head further down to look into the valley, the thing wouldn’t have hit my head to hard. Nevertheless, it was interesting and now I have done it.

Afterwards I sat back and watched the other people on the Swing, thinking about the way I wanted to sit on it this time around. Last time I sat right side up front facing. So this time I decided to go upside down looking into the valley. No point in going when you cannot see where you are going. That was interesting and a lot of fun. The Swing is something I feel even the ones who are a bit more wary can do. It is especially nice to swing back and forth over the canyon and looking at the surroundings.

Being done with my adventures for the day, I went back to return my harness and look at my pictures, as well as pick up my goodies for doing these activities. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to have the Bungy T-Shirt in size M or L, and while indecisive, the guy just packed up one of each size for me. Very nice:) The T-Shirts look differently to the one I got 2 years ago, and I must say that I prefer the previous design and feel of the shirt. I now have to take really good care of that, as they do not have them anymore. With everything done, it wsa time to head back to Queenstown. In town I repacked my backpack and send the things I just received off to Christchurch as I didn’t fancy carrying them. The American couple informed me that they had managed to hitchhike all the way around the lake to the trailhead. I tried to do the same, but with it being after 5pm already, there weren’t many cars going there anymore. With the weather forecast being particularly unfortunate for the next day, I knew it would be hard to hitch a ride and so I booked the shuttle service at 8am the next morning. Then I went about to find a new bed for the night, as the place I stayed the previous night was completely booked.

With new accommodations found I ventured out to grab some food. I found a nice little fish and chips shop and grabbed a portion which I enjoyed with great views of the lake. I even found a tiny rest of tomato sauce in the free food box of the hostel.

Later on in the evening I decided to venture out again to get one of the fancy donuts they have at Balls and Bangle. The selection wasn’t as big anymore, but nevertheless mouth watering.

With all the chocolate I had been consuming on the trail over the last few weeks I decided to go with the Strawberry Pav and was very happy with my selection. Afterwards I saw the sign about the deal of a shake and a novelty donut. Well, to late now. I’ll just have to come back in the future. I’ll probably pick up a rental car after finishing the trail anyways, so I might get one then. With my sweet dessert for the night finished I went back to the hostel and watched a movie before turning in for an early rise the next day.