As most of you know, Jack is the writer in the family so the blog is his baby on our trips. It is up to me, however, to tell you about one of our side trips on the Garden Route today.
One of the first things that caught my attention while reading travel books about South Africa was the Bloukrans Bridge. Not because of my love for civil engineering (sorry Dan), but because it's the site of the world's highest commercial bungee jumping at 216 meters - approximately 708 feet. I've been going back and forth for several months leading up to the trip trying to decide whether or not I would do it, but it wasn't helpful being married to Mr. Logical Thinking who consistently told me that based on his "risk to reward calculations" there was no way he would join me.
Luckily, the bridge just happened to be on our way to Port Elizabeth, so we decided to stop and at least watch some of the other insane people take the plunge. After watching two other people jump, you guessed it, I signed up. I figured, if you're going to cross bungee jumping off your bucket list, it might as well be at the world's highest, right?
Jack and I enjoyed a Windhock together at the Cliffhanger Pub before it was my turn to go. (Perhaps I enjoyed it a bit more...I can only assume Jack was planning how he was going to explain some freak bungee accident to everyone back home!)
Within a few minutes, it was time to get the show on the road. The absolute worst part was walking to the center of the bridge over a walkway with a grated bottom and open sides. I didn't look down once! Once we reached the center, it was decided (not by me) that I would go first of the three people in my group. The workers strapped me in and assured me I was now the safest person in South Africa. They led me to the edge, and 5,4,3,2,1...BUNGEE!
I kept my eyes open the whole time, and it definitely was an experience, but I'm glad it's over. I am excited I did it and can say now that I am pretty certain I will NEVER do it again!
(Mom and Dad, you can now say that one of your children builds bridges, and the other jumps off of them!)
For more pictures, check out my Picasa Album:
One of the first things that caught my attention while reading travel books about South Africa was the Bloukrans Bridge. Not because of my love for civil engineering (sorry Dan), but because it's the site of the world's highest commercial bungee jumping at 216 meters - approximately 708 feet. I've been going back and forth for several months leading up to the trip trying to decide whether or not I would do it, but it wasn't helpful being married to Mr. Logical Thinking who consistently told me that based on his "risk to reward calculations" there was no way he would join me.
Luckily, the bridge just happened to be on our way to Port Elizabeth, so we decided to stop and at least watch some of the other insane people take the plunge. After watching two other people jump, you guessed it, I signed up. I figured, if you're going to cross bungee jumping off your bucket list, it might as well be at the world's highest, right?
Jack and I enjoyed a Windhock together at the Cliffhanger Pub before it was my turn to go. (Perhaps I enjoyed it a bit more...I can only assume Jack was planning how he was going to explain some freak bungee accident to everyone back home!)
(Mom and Dad, you can now say that one of your children builds bridges, and the other jumps off of them!)
For more pictures, check out my Picasa Album:
 |
| Bloukrans Bridge Bungee |
That was awesome Jen, mike did it too but I have never been brave enough to. And mike also swears he will never do it again.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the safari.