16,500ft with SKYDIVE AUCKLAND

This is the type of experience that is hard to blog about. Feelings/emotions will undoubtedly vary between individuals - but I thought I would share mine nonetheless. The 'I am scared' argument simply does not comply with me, as I feel we only have one life and should try things at least once (Great white shark cage diving does not apply). Yet this was my second jump in Aoteroa (meaning I enjoyed the first one - although I did think at the time I was going to die), and I chose to go with the lovely, cool bunch of people that form Skydive Auckland. 

Apart from the fact that yet again, you are putting your life in the hands of the guy behind you, the safety procedures remain the same - something that the company makes sure is understood by everyone on the 'load', or those sharing the plane ride up. Safety is the primordial aspect of this sport, and yes, there is roughly 1 in 100,000 chances to die, but you get over that by thinking 'nah, that can't be me'.

Getting all geared up, you meet with your instructor (Mick for me), or tandem partner, who takes you through what is going to happen, or the basic laws of physics which state that what goes up must come down.

Getting ready

It takes roughly 20 minutes to get up to 16,500ft (just over 9,000m). During that time you have time to chat about what you had for dinner last night, who your favourite football team is (it was easy to guess from Mick's Liverpudlian accent), or just generally enjoy the view.

Can you detect any stress?

What happens next is the 'scary' bit. The bit where the plane door opens and suddenly your whole body and legs are dangling out of it because, well because Mick needs to be sitting down to push us out. If you hold faith, now is the time to pray to your God.

Goodbye, cruel world!

This is the part which is hard to describe. the first time round, my heart jumped out of my chest and the falling  feeling was too overwhelming. This time around, the eyes stayed open to admire the scenery, no fear was felt - it was simply enjoyable. at 16,500ft, you have approximately 75 seconds to enjoy the freefall.

Mick and I enjoying the view

Time flies when you're having fun flying. Next thing you know, the chute opens.  I warn you now, this is going to hurt tomorrow. Don't forget you are falling at over 200km/h and suddenly more than 800 Newtons is exerted on your body. But as you can tell from my face below, all is good.

Doing spins in the air (optional as can make you feel dizzy)

The air suddenly becomes breathable again, which is a nice feeling. I compare the breathing style up there to when dogs stick their heads out of a car on the motorway - difficult. Before you know it, it's time to land and feel slightly nauseous from all the adrenaline that's been pumped.

The eagle has landed - job done!

You will only know once you try. Once you get over the fear factor, sunny skies and a smile on your face is all you need to go skydiving. Because the sky is no limit.

Skydive Auckland offer free pick-up and drop-off from Auckland CBD. Book through 4SightSeeing and receive a free t-shirt (offer valid until 22/06/2013). Choose from 13,500ft or 16,500ft.

RANGITOTO VOLCANIC EXPLORER TOUR with FULLERS FERRIES

When you translate Rangitoto from Te reo Maori, you can't help but shudder at the idea that something terrible happened. From its literal meaning 'Bloody Sky', the island's full name is Ngā Rangi-i-totongia-a Tama-te-kapua ('The day the blood of Tama-te-kapua was shed'). Tama-te-kapua, captain of the Arawa Tribe waka (Maori canoe) was badly wounded in a battle that took place at Islington Bay around 1350. Although Maoris never lived there, they often went to the island to fish or hunt.

Rangitoto is the most recent and largest volcano of the Inner Hauraki Gulf, and so the sky would have gone rather red, yes. It was formed by a series of eruptions between 550 and 600 years ago. The eruptions occurred in two episodes, the first forming neighbouring Motutapu Island. 10–50 years later, a second eruption occurred, thought to have lasted for several years. The island is well known to Aucklanders for its iconic shape rising at 260m high.

Rangitoto Island - view from Narrowneck Beach, Devonport

With a short 20 minute ferry ride to the island courtesy of Fullers Ferries, Rangitoto is accessible to all those with a passion for places with no shops whatsoever. Indeed, there is nothing of the sort on the island, so make sure you grab a snack and plenty of water (and sunscreen) before you alight the ship. I also advise to wear sturdy walking shoes and light gear as it gets quite warm, Louis Vuitton handbag not necessary (yes, there were a few). Yogi and I board our cart, which shall be pulled along by a tractor -  if not the most active way to discover the island, perhaps the most informative thanks to the commentary provided during Fuller's Volcanic Explorer Tour. It's a bumpy but fun ride, and the landscape unfolds as quite bizarre. 

Rocks - a lot of them!

The Island is home to  the largest forest of pōhutukawa trees (NZ's Christmas trees) in the world, has many types of ferns, orchids, bird life is lacking as the forest is still very young due to the lack of soil caused by the lava fields. Due to the many pests living on the island (mice, hedgehogs...), action was taken by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to eradicate them and re-introduce protected birds such as the kiwi.

Rangitoto was purchased for ₤15 by the Crown in 1854! In 1892, salt works were created  near Mackenzies' Bay and became very profitable until the economic downturn of the era. From 1925 to 1936, prison labour also built roads on the island and a track to the summit, and so traditional Kiwi holiday homes (Baches) started to crop up in the 1920's and 1930's. These were banned in 1937 due to their illegality but a few remain, conserved by the trust, and stand as proof of  the island's heritage in what was once a thriving community of around 100 people.

A 10-15 minute walk up to the summit leads to beautiful views!

Auckland Harbour Bridge - view from the summit

Old quarry fields, baches, lava caves and amazing vegetation such as mangrove can all be seen on Rangitoto, so put on your adventurer's hat and.....

GO EXPLORE!

Steph

Tour duration including ferry travel is 4 hours, daily at 9.15am and 12.15pm. Come and book your tour at 4SightSeeing!