Sunday, April 4, 2010

BUNGY!

I am currently at the Mossel Bay Backpackers hostel- enjoying some sunshine and relaxation (and a quick bit on the internet) after a busy and active couple of days. On Sunday we stayed in Knysna, on Monday we traveled to Addo Elephant Park where we saw elephants, warthogs, kudu, zebras, buffalo, dung beetles, and jackals, and on Wednesday we traveled to Tsitsikamma National Park and spent a couple of days ziplining and hiking along the Indian Ocean. It was beautiful!

Yesterday was the big day- BUNGY JUMPING! We arrived at the site of the world's highest bungy jump, Bloukrans Bridge (see below), at about 10AM. I had a moment of hesitation as I watched a couple of jumpers go, but I ignored it and registered as soon as possible. The walk up to the platform was long and quite terrifying, as the metal we walked on was completely see through. When we got to the center of the bridge, there was loud music playing and we all were totally pumped up and excited. The guys up there were awesome- encouraging and made each of us feel very safe. I was attached at the ankles, so I had to hop out to the edge of the bridge (with help) and put my toes over the edge. They then counted down for us 5-4-3-2-1-BUNGY! The jump was incredible. It was hard to tell what position I was in, where I was in relation to the ground or the bridge, or even whether I was falling or being pulled upwards. It lasted probably 2 minutes before I started coming to a stop. The feeling of hanging in the middle of a beautiful valley, listening to only my racing breath, was amazing.

After we got back to solid ground, we bought our photos (coming soon) and DVD of the jump and headed back onto the bus. What an incredible experience! I am so glad that this was part of the trip because I don't think I ever would have done it on my own.

We celebrated Easter at a quaint church we found right next door to our hostel, and one of the American guys we met there is "fetching" us shortly to show us around the beach town of Mossel Bay. I am still loving this country and cannot get enough of it! Tomorrow we are going to the Cango Caves, an ostrich farm, and a South African arts festival.

I hope you all are enjoying some warmer weather and the joy and peace of the resurrection!

3 comments:

  1. Wow, that bridge looks sooooooo scary! I can't believe you are related to me and still jumped!

    Love you lots! Happy Easter! I will try and call you again this week sometime.

    Take good care of yourself. . . but have the time of your life!

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  2. Hey girl...way to live out LOUD and conquer that little jump (ha-ha). That story is so amazing and am so thrilled of all your experiences thus far. Can't wait to see what God has in store for you all next. Be well, travel smart and love ya bunches.

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  3. Oh goodness. SCARY!!! I am so excited that you did this...and kind of shocked. Congratulations! That had to have been a wonderful feeling after you did it! Can't wait to chat more!

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