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Did it in New Zealand. Hated it, would not do again.
My GF at the time bought it for me for my birthday. I guess I should have read the signs then and there that this relationship wasn't going to work out. Sadly for her, I survived. GFs parents were there also, watching.
I was in my early 30s. Next to me was a child of maybe 12-13 years old. They happily hopped to the end and hurled themselves off. The dude then counted me down, I tried to launch, but everything in my body stopped me. Knew I'd never live it down. A few seconds later I managed to launch. As you hurtle towards the ground all that goes through your head is "this is wrong, this is wrong, this is wrong". Honestly, my brain just kicks in some kind of survival mode, then the cord started to tigthen, I sprung back up and quite enjoyed the springy part.
Did it in New Zealand. Hated it, would not do again.
My GF at the time bought it for me for my birthday. I guess I should have read the signs then and there that this relationship wasn't going to work out. Sadly for her, I survived. GFs parents were there also, watching.
I was in my early 30s. Next to me was a child of maybe 12-13 years old. They happily hopped to the end and hurled themselves off. The dude then counted me down, I tried to launch, but everything in my body stopped me. Knew I'd never live it down. A few seconds later I managed to launch. As you hurtle towards the ground all that goes through your head is "this is wrong, this is wrong, this is wrong". Honestly, my brain just kicks in some kind of survival mode, then the cord started to tigthen, I sprung back up and quite enjoyed the springy part.
Well, given the fact I'd be dead had it snapped (The girl in the vid survives but she is an ace swimmer - I'm not) - I don't regret not doing Vic Falls.
But given it will now be super safe (they don't want to kill anyone - would be bad for business) I'd defo do it.
But look down and you'll likely struggle. Keep yer head up and you'll be fine.
I have also stood on that Bridge and all I can say is, if you do it, you have bigger balls than me !! Just looking over the edge gave me the heebie jeebies
I've sacked it off. I've genuinely never said that I'd want to do a bungee jump (I'd skydive again any day of the week), and didn't even realise you could do it here until a couple of days ago, since which time I've been trying to convince myself that I actually want to throw myself off a bridge (I don't). Today was also my last day before retuning to the UK tomorrow, and also the first chance all holiday I've had to relax and do nothing, which I chose to do instead.
Basically this thread was ultimately pointless. Still some interesting stories to read about, though!
I've sacked it off. I've genuinely never said that I'd want to do a bungee jump (I'd skydive again any day of the week), and didn't even realise you could do it here until a couple of days ago, since which time I've been trying to convince myself that I actually want to throw myself off a bridge (I don't). Today was also my last day before retuning to the UK tomorrow, and also the first chance all holiday I've had to relax and do nothing, which I chose to do instead.
Basically this thread was ultimately pointless. Still some interesting stories to read about, though!
Not doing it is a lot cheaper than paying for it and not doing it!
So where have you been other than Vic falls? Lots of proper awesome places in that part of the world.
Not doing it is a lot cheaper than paying for it and not doing it!
So where have you been other than Vic falls? Lots of proper awesome places in that part of the world.
Absolutely. I have no regrets at all. Whereas if I'd gone, paid and then backed out I'd be slating myself.
I've had six nights in Botswana, at three different safari areas (Chobe, Kadizora, Khawi), then three here in Zimbabwe, with a very brief trip over into Zambia yesterday while visiting the falls.
It's been absolutely brilliant. The last time I was in Africa was 2010 (Kenya) which was also great but this one has been really special.
And you have another 'chute for if that one doesn't work.
There is no plan B for if the elastic breaks!
I did a parachute drop with the territorial army - a couple of friends were in it and there was a space. So I rocked along. After drinking all night in Hastings or somewhere I crawled out of a tent to face the day. God I felt ill.
An instructor droned on for ages and we were shown the packing area and invited to jump off a box a few times. None of us were happy about that with the hangover from hell. To cut a long story short we got to mid afternoon. We collected chutes and bone domes. Mine was too tight until this big sergeant slapped the top of the helmet on to my head and announced it a perfect fit as the stars twinkled before my eyes.
They took us up in twos in a converted Cessna 172. Pilot, jump master and two idiots a time. None of the idiots looked entirely happy. We clambered in and attached the static line to the floor. The grim faced jump master checked us over then announced that there was only one way out now and started waving an iron bar about. He reckoned he’d never failed to get somebody away. We believed him.
The aeroplane circled up to around 3500 feet. I was second out. My buddy went first and looked like he was going to need the loo sooner rather than later. My turn. You had to climb out onto a step. Hold on to the strut holding the wing up and let go. All that was hard and nutty I was holding back. On the thumbs up I let go.
The theory was that you pushed your chest out so you cleared the tail looking down. I didn’t nor did I used the count thousand and one, thousand and two etc. I just shouted fu#£!! Long and loud as the tail whizzed past my feet.
‘Bang!’. The chute opened pulling whirling me 180 degrees to the normal. I’d tightened the straps as tight as I could bear so no damage done to the business area!
Floating down. That was nice. But where the heck was I? A long way from the field, I had gone out late. Second stroke of fortune - I’d done a lot of flying so could gauge height and ‘read’ where I was. I steered to the field and turned into wind late and landed six foot inside the perimeter barbed wire fence.
One bloke landed on the hanger roof, another in the road, fields, you name it so my effort wasn’t the worst. One guy forgot to turn and face planted into the field like a rag doll. No harm done.
it’s an odd thing. You don’t hit the ground. It rushes up and hits you. Good thing I was young. If I did it now they’d need a dustpan and brush to sweep up the bits.
Frankly, I was terrified. The whole time. The adrenaline rush though was epic, especially after when you knew you’d done it.
Hats off to sky divers, bungee jumpers, base jumpers mountaineers etc etc.
Absolutely. I have no regrets at all. Whereas if I'd gone, paid and then backed out I'd be slating myself.
I've had six nights in Botswana, at three different safari areas (Chobe, Kadizora, Khawi), then three here in Zimbabwe, with a very brief trip over into Zambia yesterday while visiting the falls.
It's been absolutely brilliant. The last time I was in Africa was 2010 (Kenya) which was also great but this one has been really special.
[Post edited 11 Jun 2023 16:31]
Africa is magical. Spent 3 days in the Masai Mara on safari. Got to see a crossing which was the most amazing sight and sound. Did a dawn balloon flight there , and crash landed cos some stupid Japanese bloke didn’t stow his enormous camera away so we couldn’t land as planned. No harm done though.
Africa is magical. Spent 3 days in the Masai Mara on safari. Got to see a crossing which was the most amazing sight and sound. Did a dawn balloon flight there , and crash landed cos some stupid Japanese bloke didn’t stow his enormous camera away so we couldn’t land as planned. No harm done though.
Also did a dawn balloon flight at the Masai Mara. Magical like you say.
I did a parachute drop with the territorial army - a couple of friends were in it and there was a space. So I rocked along. After drinking all night in Hastings or somewhere I crawled out of a tent to face the day. God I felt ill.
An instructor droned on for ages and we were shown the packing area and invited to jump off a box a few times. None of us were happy about that with the hangover from hell. To cut a long story short we got to mid afternoon. We collected chutes and bone domes. Mine was too tight until this big sergeant slapped the top of the helmet on to my head and announced it a perfect fit as the stars twinkled before my eyes.
They took us up in twos in a converted Cessna 172. Pilot, jump master and two idiots a time. None of the idiots looked entirely happy. We clambered in and attached the static line to the floor. The grim faced jump master checked us over then announced that there was only one way out now and started waving an iron bar about. He reckoned he’d never failed to get somebody away. We believed him.
The aeroplane circled up to around 3500 feet. I was second out. My buddy went first and looked like he was going to need the loo sooner rather than later. My turn. You had to climb out onto a step. Hold on to the strut holding the wing up and let go. All that was hard and nutty I was holding back. On the thumbs up I let go.
The theory was that you pushed your chest out so you cleared the tail looking down. I didn’t nor did I used the count thousand and one, thousand and two etc. I just shouted fu#£!! Long and loud as the tail whizzed past my feet.
‘Bang!’. The chute opened pulling whirling me 180 degrees to the normal. I’d tightened the straps as tight as I could bear so no damage done to the business area!
Floating down. That was nice. But where the heck was I? A long way from the field, I had gone out late. Second stroke of fortune - I’d done a lot of flying so could gauge height and ‘read’ where I was. I steered to the field and turned into wind late and landed six foot inside the perimeter barbed wire fence.
One bloke landed on the hanger roof, another in the road, fields, you name it so my effort wasn’t the worst. One guy forgot to turn and face planted into the field like a rag doll. No harm done.
it’s an odd thing. You don’t hit the ground. It rushes up and hits you. Good thing I was young. If I did it now they’d need a dustpan and brush to sweep up the bits.
Frankly, I was terrified. The whole time. The adrenaline rush though was epic, especially after when you knew you’d done it.
Hats off to sky divers, bungee jumpers, base jumpers mountaineers etc etc.
"Mine was too tight until this big sergeant slapped the top of the helmet on to my head and announced it a perfect fit as the stars twinkled before my eyes."
Ooh err matron.
"They break our legs and tell us to be grateful when they offer us crutches."
"Mine was too tight until this big sergeant slapped the top of the helmet on to my head and announced it a perfect fit as the stars twinkled before my eyes."
Absolutely. I have no regrets at all. Whereas if I'd gone, paid and then backed out I'd be slating myself.
I've had six nights in Botswana, at three different safari areas (Chobe, Kadizora, Khawi), then three here in Zimbabwe, with a very brief trip over into Zambia yesterday while visiting the falls.
It's been absolutely brilliant. The last time I was in Africa was 2010 (Kenya) which was also great but this one has been really special.
[Post edited 11 Jun 2023 16:31]
I did Victoria Falls about 5 years ago with 5 girl and guy mates. Didn’t fancy that bungee jump either and got my thrills from going to Devil’s Pool and leaning over the top of Victoria Falls from Zambia.
Interesting little town there - we were surprised to stumble across a newly opened brewery owned by a European bloke which had decent beers and played the Six Nations on a projector screen. Slightly surreal - I wonder if it’s still there. Also spent a lot of time in that bar near the train track - Three Monkeys or something?
We did Chobe in Botswana via a budget camping safari - thought we’d be in like a guarded compound but they just pitched the tents metres away from where we’d seen an Impala mauled to death by a lion about 6 hours previous. Honestly one of the most terrifying camping experiences of my life.
Later in the trip we went down to Plettenberg Bay in SA and my mate did pay to jump off the bridge there which I think is the highest or second highest in the world. He immediately regretted it and says it’s the worst thing he’s ever done, and he’s quite a daredevil in general.
Absolutely. I have no regrets at all. Whereas if I'd gone, paid and then backed out I'd be slating myself.
I've had six nights in Botswana, at three different safari areas (Chobe, Kadizora, Khawi), then three here in Zimbabwe, with a very brief trip over into Zambia yesterday while visiting the falls.
It's been absolutely brilliant. The last time I was in Africa was 2010 (Kenya) which was also great but this one has been really special.
[Post edited 11 Jun 2023 16:31]
Botswana will be the setting for when I get round to writing my first novel. It will be about a group of women missionaries. I'm calling it 'The Nuns of Gaberone'.
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