New Zealand: Bungy Jumping // 蹦极

I’ve heard some people say that skydiving is easier than bungy jumping. That’s because technically the instructor does the jump for you. While I’m not sure if that’s true, I guess it does take some amount of crazy to throw yourself off a bridge.

Jumping off a bridge was never on my bucket list or things I was “dying” to try, but it seemed like an opportunity too thrilling to pass up.

When I arrived in Queenstown I realized that most of the locals had all done bungy before which made it feel like a totally sane thing to do. Just your casual adrenalin rush, ya know.

I had a brief think. I considered my options. I contemplated the best and worst case scenarios of this decision. And then I swiped my card and booked it. No going back.

I was going to bungy and that was that! I didn’t even tell my parents until after I did it to prevent any unwanted stressors (love you guys). Now I just had to keep my mind occupied so I didn’t freak out about the fact I would be free falling through the air in about 72 hours.

On the morning of what was maybe the last day of my life, I woke up feeling ready and excited. I wasn’t nervous at all. Well, more like 90% excited and 10% nervous. I knew it was going to be a shock to the senses and I wanted to feel it all.

My excitement/nervous ratio immediately flopped when I was standing on the edge of that platform looking 43m below. My feet were strapped in and the bungy instructor was sending positive vibes to keep my mind far away from those worst case scenario thoughts.

“Ready.…ONE…..TWO….THREE…..JUMP!” the bungy instructor yelled from behind. He held my harness and was bending his knees like he was going to jump with me. Hold on, dude! This platform is fucking high! I am not ready to end my life yet!

I missed the first cue and was flailing a bit now. Okay Ally, okay. You can totally do this. It’s not that high anyways… and the water below looks like you’re jumping into a river. Fun! Yes fun! I told the instructor to count once more.

“Alrighty you got this! Ready….. ONE…..TWOOO……THREEEEEEEE!! “

The last trail of e’s disappeared behind me as I flew through the air.

To be honest, the feeling of free falling is totally terrifying. Your body’s automatic response is to try to fight back the feeling and protect yourself from the impact of the fall.
I 100% recommend it if you’re up for the rush. I was in total terror for about 3 seconds and then the bungy chord caught me. Praise Allah!

Bouncing through the air with adrenalin gushing through my veins, I felt totally and completely alive. As I flew through the air I wondered why can’t we feel like this all of the time? I couldn’t control my laughter – that was one of the most fun and craziest feelings.

I was rescued from my upside down mid-air suspension and lowered into the safety of the river raft. I closed my eyes in disbelief and smiled.

I guess skydiving will be a sinch now.