Lake Taupo...feel the fear and do it cos you like it!

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Hiiiieeeeeee!!!!!

Am writing this from Wellington cos there simply was way too much to do in Taupo to sit on tinternet!

This place was on my hit list because I'd heard it was the cheapest in NZ to do a tandem skydive and the view was meant to be fantastic. Didn't intend to stay quite so long but it really was a great place and I was meeting up with the squady from Yorkshire that I met in Piahia. (The answer to the question is yes, he he!)

On arriving in Taupo I started to get a bit lost looking for the backpackers and decided to ask a local for directions....

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Me-"Hi, do you know where Heuheu St. is please?"

Local-"No, sorry love, we're from out of town, from ......(can't remember), there's a famous song about the place have you heard it?"

Me...laden down with 2 backpacks and another rather irritating bag-" Errr..."

Local then bursts into song...very loudly whilst I try to remain upright from the weight I'm carrying and the force of laughter that threatens to erupt out of my mouth. By the beginning of the third verse of this song about a woman serving a cup of tea for christ's sake, I decided it was time to move on, thanked the man, and made a mental note to avoid the crazies where possible.

Anyway...Taupo sits on the side of a very beautiful lake, from which you can see Mt. Tongariro covered in snow on the other side on a clear day. This heads up the Tongariro National Park where the Lord of the Rings trilogies were filmed which makes this a great place to stay for jaunts into the park and various activities. The park has 3 active volcanoes and I do love a good mountain!!

Sun 17th Sept.

We started the day with a big fat breakie in a posh restaurant (not usual backpacker style but it's all so cheap out here, it's great!) Probs not the best thing to do just before you throw yourself out of a plane but hey...Now Mum I didn't tell you I had plans to do this because I knew you freak out...but obviously I'm fine so stop worrying!!

Our first slot was canceled due to high winds, but then we got the go ahead and I began to really need a change of undies! Another ridiculous outfit later and we were good to go.The fear kind of came and went as we got prepared and by the time it came to getting in the plane I was fine...ish! . Simon, poor sod is scared of heights so of course it made me giggle a little to see this big army lad with a shaky leg! The view was fantastic as we went up but would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't hyperventilating!

When it came the time for me to jump it was a good job I was strapped to another person or I tell you there's no way I'd have got out of that plane! They actually dangle you over the edge whilst they fiddle about sorting stuff out...and off course I was screaming my head off....and then...

OMYGODOMYGODOMYGOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

I won't repeat what I actually said as this is a family show but you get the general idea.

12000 feet...not bad eh!? God, I'm proud of myself....talk about liberated!!! Whoa...I certainly got the rush I was after...oh yes! Danm near passed my own whatsit on the way down but what a feeling! We tumbled for what seemed like ages before flattening out in the freefall position. Another freezing experience but to be honest I was more concerned with staying alive than the rush of cold air up my trousers. The freefall seemed to go on forever and on the ground I had been worried it wasn't going to be long enough!!! Greed!!! It'll get you in all sorts of ridiculous situations!

When the canopy opens your dive buddy releases some catches and you drop slightly into more of a sitting position. Now when your that high up this slight drop can feel like you're about to plummet to the earth all by yourself. But it's incredible up there...strangely peaceful and I could see the snowcapped mountains in the distance (through my tears!)

Once on the ground you can't help leaping around slapping all your fellow jumpers on the back, everyone's suddenly your best mate! As you stagger about shaking like a leaf it's hard to take in the magnitude of what you've just achieved.

I've decided this is the perfect way to spend a Sunday...jump out of a plane, then down to the local thermal hot springs for a dip and some beers to watch the sun go down behind the hills. Then top off with a lovely meal in an Italian and then collapse with a big grin!