Taking the Plunge

There we were in Bali. Nope, we were not hitting the beach or riding the waves or visiting temples. We were off for some adrenaline fix. We were going bungy jumping.

Truth be told I was not totally down with the idea. In fact I’ve been dreading this the whole day. It was not the plunging off a 45m platform that I was afraid off, it was the height that’s going to kill me. I’m afraid of height big time!

It was too late and not to mention too wussy to bail now. We’ve paid up and the guys were shitting talking already. We had a drink at the hotel bar while waiting for the pick up. I know the waiting and the anticipation would make me shit in my pants and chicken out so I volunteered to go first. No, I demanded to go first!

By the time we got there, I was absolutely resolute to jump first. I thought my knees would go jello on our way up. They didn’t! My heart was pounding hard and fast but I wasn’t sure if that was the fear or the Bintang I downed before. Even when they kitted me up, I didn’t feel a thing. I look afar into the sunset! I was all ready.

I bunny hopped to the edge of the platform. This time I looked down. Dumb move! I knew I shouldn’t but it was a reflex reaction, totally involuntarily.

"Whoa!"

That hit me like a wall, head on. God that was freakin’ high and freakin’ scary!

“I can’t do this!”

“Fuck it, I’ll do it!”

Hands rose a part to the sides forming a cross. Body leaned slightly over the edge. Eyes stead fastened into the horizon.

Deep breath… Deep breath… Happy thoughts…

The jump master counted me down for the jump: “5-4-3-2-1-Jump!”

Nothing!

I was still on the platform. My hands found their way to the handrail, gripping it tight. Another reflex reaction, totally involuntarily.

“Chicken… pok pok pok…” The guys were boo-ing me.

A couple of moments collecting myself

Second count down: “5-4-3-2-1-Jump!”

And aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh…..

I leaped off and scream my head off.

Scary? Yes, for that few nanosecond of free falling. Then a quick yank upwards by the bungy cord. I was dangling like a rag doll and I was still screaming like mad! That was it. Quick and painless. Thrill? Yes, but that lasted too quickly too, very much like you know what, wink!

Feeling alive afterward? Yes

Kissing the ground? Yes.

Grateful for the cord? Yes.

Happy? Yes.

Do it again? Oh yes!