On the bus to Taupo on Tuesday (12th) we signed up to skydive AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. From 15,000 feet too. So with the weather not looking so good in Waitomo in the morning but it was ok in Taupo but showers were expected we bombed it through to Taupo. When we got there they were still jumping so Lauren (our sweet as driver) randomly chose 10 people to go jump there and then… unfortunately we were not part of it! So we then went to check in at Base Backpackers and shopped around for a bit. We met some of the other Irish lads in one of the pubs and got talking to them and a few Irish lasses. We then went for food and a few drinks deciding not to call it a big one due to our booking into skydiving at 10am the next morning.

So Wednesday arrived and when I woke up it was perfect blue sky and I was properly excited now!! Not a single one of us could sleep so got up with 2 hours til pick up. When the bus turned up to take us that's when nausea set in and it became real. We arrived at Freefall and watched a safety briefing dvd which made the dreaded disease of nausea crop up on the rest of the group then went to get suited up and meet our tandem masters and videographers. My guy was called Dan and he was really cool - made me feel more nervous with a few jokes but generally looked after me. I asked him if he was happy with life haha (classic hey?) to which he said - I caught my wife in bed with the post guy yesterday and then ran over my children as I am so depressed… So I quickly responded saying I would gladly be his wife and it was agreed he was not going to kill me today! Then the three of us walked over to the plane and waited what seemed like forever to arrive. The plane arrived and oh my god… the worlds tiniest plane. Steph was going last so she hopped in first, followed by me with Loz sitting at the front jumping first. It took off - scary! - and it's the worlds loudest, coldest wobbliest plane - not helping by the nerves. After about 5 minutes we looked out the window and it was really high so we thought it was about time - however when my guy showed me his altitude watch it was only at 5000 feet and we had to go up 10,000 more L When we reached the altitude, the shutter came up it was just like a school canteen shutter) and I made the dreaded mistake of looking out. Then I lost it - crying etc etc and as Loz left the plane and my guy moving to the edge ready for me - my hands and feet were kicking out and holding onto everything possible screaming at the guy that I didn't want to go (with a few more profanities I'm afraid to say). I looked back at steph who simply stuck her thumb up looking sooooo scared too and Dan released my arms and legs from the tight grip and held on to them whilst moving to the edge of the plane. The worst bit of my life was sitting on the edge - well I say sitting on the edge but your guy is sitting on the plane and your kind of just dangling above air 15,000 feet up in the air. My camera guy jumped on top of the plane and it was time to go. I seriously do not remember the first 10 seconds of the jump but I do remember it being the best feeling in the world… I did write Catch Me on my hands but I was so blown away (no pun intended) by what was happening that I forgot to show them) It was crazy and by far the best thing EVER!! After about a minute freefall it was time to wave goodbye to my cameraman and pull the parachute. It was crazy as when you freefall you cannot hear a thing then as soon as the parachute goes up its crystal clear and you can have a conversation and hear perfectly fine whilst still in the air. The first word Dan said to me was Don't worry Claire, our parachute opened this time. To which I replied B*****d! With a giggle of course - sorry ma and pa! He then told me I owed him breakfast in bed seeing as though it was valentines day and I was going to be his wife!! We landed and watched our DVD and was on such a high! Best thing I have ever done in my life!!!

We then headed back to the hostel and went to play crazy golf with the 2 Paddys, T and John and then to the pub with the rest of our bus who had jumped that day! Needless to say with all the adrenalin pumping we did not have to spend much to get drunk that night!! End of Taupo L xxxxx