Sunday, July 8, 2012

7/8/12 Queenstown

Today Jay, Dad, and I up the Skyline Gondola up the mountain to the Ledge area. We had a great day planned.

I woke up at approx. 9:10. We all got ready for the day. By the time Jay was brushing his teeth, it was already 10:35 and we were supposed to catch a bus in front of the hotel at 10:40. We rushed down to the bus and made it just before it left. The bus was taking us to the bottom of of the Skyline Gondola. The gondola was just a cable car that would take us to the top of a mountain to The Ledge area. There were many things to do up there. There was a luge course, a souvenirs shop, bungee jumping, and a restaurant.

We were having lunch at the restaurant with the other ACR conference people. The gondola is one of the steepest in the world and we got an amazing view from so high up. We had to be at the Skyline restaurant at 11:45 for lunch so we had about an hour. First we explored the building. We saw a cafe, a shop, and a balcony where Dad got some pictures.

Then we decided that we wanted to try out the luge. Dad got us five tickets to share. We all went on our first ride on the beginner course rightfully called "The Scenic Route". Then Jay and I did another ride. I did the advanced route and Jay stuck to the beginner course. Dad took pictures.

After we finished, it was already 12:05 so we hurried down to the room that we were going to eat in. Instead of ordering for all of us (a little over 100), it was a buffet. There were so many options I didn't know where to start! I filled about four plates including dessert. Eventually, I felt like I would burst if I had another bite. Dad overate and was groaning!

When we had finally gotten up from the table, the person who was running the conference gave us each a voucher for two more rides on the luge! This time it was a race. We all went on the advanced course and tried to beat each other. In the middle of the course, Dad passed me and stayed right in front of me the rest of the way down. Jay was way behind us. Now it was time for bungee jumping.

We went into a small place to check in. We were already booked for 2:30 which was lucky because they were completely booked for the whole day. Dad and I had to sign release forms saying that the company was not responsible for any injuries we might get while bungee jumping. Then we got our passes saying that we payed and made our way to the bungee area. Dad positioned Jay to take some photos of us jumping off the platform. By this time I was starting to get nervous. Fortunately the bungee rope was attached at the stomach not the ankles so it wasn't as scary. 


Dad and I walked down to the platform that we would be jumping off of. We saw some other people go and when they came back up, they said that it was amazing. I got into my harness and  waited. Dad kept telling me to jump out with my arms and legs spread out. The people attached me to the bungee cord and led me to the edge of the platform for a photo. Of course I couldn't help looking down.  Then I backed up, waved to a camera, ran, and jumped. 


The first few seconds were terrifying. I was just free falling! Instead of spreading out while falling, I was gripping on to the rope right in front of me. Then I bounced and I felt ok. It became the most exhilarating thing I had ever done! I bounced a few more times then they pulled me up. When I got back to the platform, I asked Dad if he was nervous. He said no. I told him that there was something wrong for him. Dad jumped. When he came back up, he said that it was amazing. 


We went back to the place that we checked in and got our video, photo codes, and free t-shirts. Jay and I then convinced Dad to check the price for the paragliding. He got us booked for tomorrow's early bird cheaper paragliding slot.


Then we did our last luge ride. I passed two really slow people on the advanced course and then I looked back. Dad was right behind me! Fortunately I kept moving in front of him so he couldn't pass me. I beat him that time! Jay came in last again.


We walked back to the hotel. We had decided to meet some of Dad's ACR friends for dinner which we did at 5:50. We all shared some pizza and nachos. Now I am about to go to bed.

4 comments:

  1. You and your dad are both crazy but brave! Weren't you nervous? I would have been terrified just watching someone bungy jump!

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    1. oh I was nervous. The picture of me smiling was when I saw the rope coming down to pull me up :) But it was so much fun.

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  2. I'm glad I didn't go with you all, after all! I'd have been so nervous and stopped you from doing all this jumping into space and been a real 'wet blanket' 'fun stopper'! Enjoy yourselves! Jay, I forgot to tell you, you did a great job of the action photography!

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  3. You are very very brave Sheila. I would never do this. I would not even have been able to look at it through the camera lens - so am glad Jay was brave as well to watch and take such nice photos.

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