A sense of trepidation and excitement accompanied sunrise (which was, yet again, gorgeous). For today was the day that we would be jumping out of a plane at 16,500ft! However, we’re not there yet! The views from the campsite this morning were special as we got to enjoy sunrise out to sea whilst standing between two valley walls. Our duck had waddled off though.
One problem with having a campervan is having to use it as the day time mode of transport. So, despite the fact we would be back tonight, we had to pack everything up for taking with us. Ho hum. First world problems. The drive out of Marahau was as lovely as the drive in, up and over the mountainous hills.
We were booked in to skydive at Skydive Abel Tasman. Pulling up at the airfield in Motueka began the adrenaline release. We had picked a good day weather wise with largely blue skies and only some cloud. Heading inside, we completed our forms confirming that if we died we were responsible before heading out to watch others whilst waiting for our jump buddies to get back to terra firma (as this was our first jump there was no way we were going alone!).
It wasn’t long before we were called through to put on our super sexy sky diving suits. We looked awesome! And then it was time to go! Walking out to our little plane was quite daunting, knowing that in 20 minutes we would be exiting into thin air!
I was the first to board, clambering over to the fair side before taking my seat. Nine of us ended up in the back, three jumpers (Laura, myself and one other), three instructors (each of us were strapped to one) and three cameramen who would be capturing our descent. It was a bit of a squash. The excitement really started to build as we taxied and very soon we were up, up and away, watching the earth fall away below us and knowing that soon we would be falling towards it!
As we continued to climb, I was given one final briefing from my instructor as to where to put my legs when jumping, and then had an oxygen mask fitted as we were going above 10,000ft. At 13,000 the other jumper evacuated the plane, leaving Laura and I (mostly) alone with the mounting excitement and ever growing sense of trepidation.
In what seem like moments, we had arrived at 16,000ft. Oxygen masks off and Laura was sitting at the edge of the plane, door open and looking out. One rock back and she was gone! Instructor, jumper and cameraman had vanished from view. No turning back now, even if a large part of me did want to stay sitting in the plane. Shuffling over to the open door was fantastic. The views were excellent. Having tucked my legs underneath the airplane, it felt like I was no longer in the plane and instead dangling from it, secured by connection to the instructor. One rock back and out we went!
Wow that’s fast was probably the first conscious thought that went through my mind as we plummeted. The sense of speed was incredible. We were hurtling towards earth yet seemingly free and unharmed. A sensory overload if ever I have had one! Breathing, whilst not difficult, required a little bit of focus. And on top of all that, the scenery was fantastic. Blue sky above and Abel Tasman and the sea below.
Whilst free falling, the cameraman was zipping around, coming in for close ups before disappearing off again.
Now, despite it being terrifying, I loved the freefall. It was fantastic! However, once the parachute was deployed and our downward rush slowed, the real sense of peacefulness appeared. There we were, now seemingly suspended in midair, gently moving through the sky and taking in the wonders that lay below. I spotted Laura’s parachute, lower down and little offset from our own descent, moving gracefully through the air. Hanging there, whilst I’m sure we were still rapidly descending, felt like time was standing still and there was nothing to worry about. Sure the ground was still rushing up to meet me, but it was looking awesome whilst doing so!
I can only imagine that my instructor thought I was getting bored, but when he asked if I was ok on rollercoasters, what he was really asking was whether I wanted to spin! So once I said I was good, round and round and round we went! It was great! Everything spun as we whipped round in circles with the canopy acting as our pivot point. The feelings were yet again overwhelming, even if I could feel my stomach protesting!
Coming out of the spin, I was surprised to see how close to the ground we now were. Don’t get me wrong, we were about to crash, but it had got considerably closer. Gliding in towards landing, my instructor decided we were going to try and land on our feet, and so with one final turn over the airfield, here comes landing! Despite my clumsy stumbling and almost entirely due to his skill, we managed it! Landed my first ever skydive standing up!
It wasn’t until standing there being unclipped that I appreciated fully just how much adrenaline was coursing through my body. And I had survived! Turning to see Laura, I was greeted by a massive grin (which I imagine I was mirroring). I believe we fairly skipped off the airfield heading back to return our jumpsuits.
Once out of our suits and after thanks for our instructors, we got to watch the footage of our jumps. We looked terrified! Completely contrasted with the euphoria flowing through us.
Clutching our precious jump footage, and with certificates testifying our achievements, we heading back to campervan and back towards the campsite, stopping off for lunch at a small fruit and veg store apparently world renown for its sausage rolls (they were yummy). Once back in Marahau, fed and having finally calmed down from our adrenaline filled morning, we opted to make the most of the sunshine and take our air loungers and go and relax on the beach. Getting to the beach meaning walking first through wetlands on a boardwalk and then along the coast through trees. It was very calming and relaxing.
The sand on the beach was lovely and soft, and the beach was devoid of fellow humans. It was wonderful. So peaceful and lovely. Airbags inflated (a process that had me running up and down the sand), we plopped into them and let out a combined sigh of contentment. Life seemed pretty perfect!
Laying on that beach the polar opposite to our adventures in the morning, yet was the first time we had truly stopped and relaxed on our holiday. We were just so busy! Perhaps unsurprisingly, it didn’t feel all that long before we needed to head back to the campsite to prepare dinner and get ready for bed. Fortunately, packing down the airbags is much easier than inflating them and so we were soon meandering back towards our home on wheels. Even now with the light beginning to fade, it still looked brilliant.
One task that was necessary before dinner was packing. See, tomorrow night we are not staying in the campervan and instead we are off on a two day adventure! Once we were packed (I’m not going to spoil the mystery!), fed and warmed by the kitchen’s log fire, the moon had emerged meaning it was time for us to head to bed. What a terrifyingly fantastic day it had been!