As Brave As I Get

Queenstown is the action-adventure capital of New Zealand...and arguably the known universe. Honestly, the place is teeming with folks from all over the world who are eager to jump off or out of something. Planes, bridges, cliffs, highwires strung between cliffs, mountain ridges--you name it, you could jump off of it somewhere near Queenstown. Myself, I'm not so keen about entrusting my life to a piece of elastic rope tied around my ankles or a parachute or a hangglider or anything of that ilk.

But we were in Queenstown so we couldn't JUST sit around on the balcony sipping the very fine local sauvignon blanc. I suggested white-water rafting but the rivers were very low and the verdict was out on how good that experience would be. So, we ended up doing the Shotover jetboat--an awesome choice. (Aside: the West Indies cricket team were booked on this jetboat for the following day, so I figured we couldn't be far wrong.)

I took this photo from the bridge over the Shotover River, right after we'd had our ride. The driver's sole aim is to get as close as possible to those rock cliffs and go like the clappers. Ever five minutes or so, they throw a complete 360 and revel in the screams and squeals. Our driver's name was Olly and he claimed to hold the record of grounding the most boats. As I mentioned, the river is very low so we did scrape the bottom more than once. He also said to look out for whitewater rafters floating by. He tries not to run them down but offers no guarantess. He was a real joker, that Olly!

So...what's the most adventurous thing you've tried? Do we have any skydivers, bungy-jumpers or paragliders in the audience? (And if so, WHY??????)

posted by Bronwyn Jameson @ 3:24 PM

Comments:

Sounds fun, Bron!

I'm not into rides that go upside down, or jumping out or off of anything, but I have been white water canoeing in Canada, years ago. "Baby" rapids, but it was awesome!

posted by

Heather : 4:41 PM

I sometimes think the most adventurous thing I've done is raise two boys. *g*

My DH wants to go parasailing and I've told him to go right ahead (after he's made sure his life insurance is up to date).

Now that I think about it, I did climb to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Part of the climb is up these winding metal staircases. It's a miracle I didn't faint. But once you're at the top, the view is breathtaking. Does that count???

And then there was the moped in Bermuda. The DH drove and I rode on the back. Factor in roundabouts and driving on the left side of the road and that's a real adventure for an American. *G*

Marilyn

posted by

Playground Monitor : 6:06 PM

oh my gosh how fun.

posted by

kim : 3:49 AM

That looks so fun! Thanks for sharing the pic. As an aside, ever since my Torts lecturer told me that bungy jumping could detach your retinas (!) I've had a morbid fascination with the sport (but not enough to do it). *g*

As for adventure, I've climbed part of the Great Wall - believe me, it may look all pretty and windey but it's got broken sections that require more climbing than walking and 45degree angles that kill. I was jelly by the end. But like Marilyn said - the view, the view. Amazing.

posted by

Nalini Singh : 11:51 AM

Heather, I will do the white-water thing one day, I swear. And "baby rapids" sound just my speed!

PM, LOL at raising your 2 boys. Does raising 3 make me a real thrillseeker, then? I consdier you very brave doing that climb. I'm not a fan of heights, myself. WHEN you come to Sydney, you will have to do the Harbour Bridge climb. I'm told it's awesome.

There you go, Nalini. I knew there was a sound reason not to bungy...apart from I'm-chicken! OTOH, I'd love to climb the Great Wall, for the view and just because it's the Great Wall, truly one of the world's wonders.

posted by

Bronwyn Jameson : 4:28 PM

I'm with you Bron,no jumping, flinging,or falling for me too!
They do have those huge plastic balls that originated in NZ,you can go in that seems like it would be fun though.Those jet boats would be fun I think too except a little scary.Especially with a driver like crazy Olly,lol.

The most adventurous thing I've done is innertubing down a river in Oregon. Every summer we would go down to Oregon to visit our grandparents and we would camp by this river,we would fish and innertube. One time I went to far and got knocked upside down and hit my head,when I finally found a place that I could get out of the river at I stepped into some mosquito nests,thousands of them!! I was so bit up it was horrible. Thankfully my Dad found me and I didn't have to walk miles back upriver to everyone.

posted by

Dena : 1:59 AM

Ugh, on the mosquitoes, Dana. My skin went all shuddery just reading that! But I love inner-tubing. The rural city of Wagga Wagga (in my part of Australia) used to host an annual Gummi Race, the "gummis" being any form of device floated on tubes. There were always some pretty inventive craft floating down the Murrumbidgee in that race!

posted by

Bronwyn Jameson : 9:10 AM

I can imagine, theres so many funny water races in different parts of our country.One where they make a floating boat out of pumpkins,lol.very inventive and funny.

posted by

Dena : 1:10 AM