New Zealand Day 8

Day 8 Taupo

We woke up rather late due to the late mahjong session yesterday and we headed to Mount Ruapehu after breakfast. It was around 250 km away from Taupo and we spent around 2 hours in the vehicle.

The grass is different at lower temperatures and higher altitudes.


Mount Ruapehu from afar


Sheeps!

We finally reached the peak of Mount Ruapehu and the wind was very strong. The moment we got out of the car, the cold wind and dizzle instantly froze us and we only spent a little time outside the car.


Near the peak of Mount Ruapehu (freezing cold!)


Rainbows are abundant in New Zealand

We headed down to Okahune for petrol after the trip to the ice-capped mountain. Next was the 2 hour ride back to Taupo before having our late lunch.

Taupo Bungee was next! Actually, i did not intend to do bungee jumping but after seeing Jingru jump down into the scenic landscape, i couldn't help myself but try the bungee jumping experience. (NZ$99 for the bungee jump, NZ$50 for the video and the photos)


Before my bungy jump! The scenery is awesome! Check out the dingy in the lake below, there are people in the dingy to unlatch the bungee jumper.


My bungee jump!

The preparation before the bungee jump is really simple. Just clear all your pockets of anything that can drop out and the personnel just hook your ankles to the bungee attachment. The moment i look down from the dizzying height, intense fear gripped my mind. It was like i was going to commit suicide. It was 10 times scarier than sky diving in my opinion.

Why bungee jumping is one of the scariest thing i've done so far
1st) We can see where we will be dropping, unlike sky diving.
2nd) There is no one pushing you down, unlike tandem sky diving where the sky diver pushes you out from behind.
3rd) Your body keeps accelerating due to the short distance drop unlike sky diving where the body reaches terminal velocity and there is more air resistance.

Bungee jump is really an incredible adrenalin rush. Highly recommended for people with no prior head tramas. Jr got 'G-measles' (gravity induced small red spots) on the face after the jump due to fine capillaries bursting from the sudden rush of blood to the head. Nothing serious actually as it disappears completely after 2 days. For me, I didn't get any G-measles but felt a bit of weird feeling in the head the moment i bent my head down up to 2 days after the bungee jump. Nothing serious but people too mindful of their health might reconsider trying bungee jumping.

We headed back for a rest before going back to Jolly Good Fellows for dinner. They have awesome staff, service and food.


The 4 musketeers plus restaurant cum bar owner and bartender.