After we left the hostel we went for a short walk around the Ruakuri Reserve which took us past some of the caves we had been through the day before. We also went to see some Angora rabbit shearing which was very strange but seeing the big fluffy rabbit stretched across the table was incredibly funny. After that bit of excitement we set out for Taupo.

Taupo is situated in the Central Plateau region of the North Island and is famous for its lake, aptly named Lake Taupo. This 606 sq/km pond is New Zealand’s largest lake and is so big you could fit Singapore in it. It was formed 26’500 years ago when the Oruanui volcano erupted; throwing 750 cu/km of ash into the air (Krakatoa only heaved 8 cu/km). It was also the site of one of the largest recorded eruptions when in 186AD ancient Roman and Chinese records tell of darkened red skies that were linked to a Taupo explosion. But enough of that boring stuff, Taupo was also the place I did my skydive.

Thankfully the weather had cleared up by the time we arrived so the jump that had threatened to be called off was definitely on. We arrived at Taupo airport, were briefed on the impending jump and then suited up. As I put the jump suit on and was strapped into a harness the excitement was almost unbearable. A skydive was something I had wanted to do for years and I was ecstatic that I was finally doing one. I met Cane, my dive master before climbing into the small plane with 5 other jumpers, their dive masters and some cameramen. After we were all inside the cramped cabin, sitting on each other’s laps, the engine started and we took off. As the plane ascended my anticipation grew with every 1000 foot we climbed and a new wave of enthusiasm rushed over me. We climbed and climbed, I didn’t realise how high 15’000 feet was. As we passed through the few clouds that were patching the sky, oxygen masks were handed out to help us breathe in the ever thinning air. A short time after that the engine quietened and 70 knots was shouted by the pilot, 15’000 feet had been reached and the time had come.

Within no time at all the door had opened, the first girl was perched over the edge and like that... she was gone. She dropped so fast that I didn’t even hear her scream. I witnessed another 2 girls sucked from the plane like dry leaves following a speeding train into a tunnel, I was so excited. The next thing I knew my legs were hanging over the side of the plane and my eyes were saucers fixed at the ground 15’000 feet below. Without hesitation Cane tucked my head back into his chest and gave the count; ready... steady... go! With that he pushed us away from the safety of the plane and sent us hurtling downwards. The first few seconds of the jump were the most amazing, adrenaline filled, incredible seconds of my life. You actually feel gravity take hold of every square inch of your body and pull you straight down with a force like nothing you have ever experienced. Every roller coaster you have been on, insignificant, every time you have topped 100 mph in a car, trivial, this is literally the most intense thing your body will ever experience. Once the first few seconds of acceleration were over and I had reached maximum velocity of over 200 kph, a tap on the shoulder meant I could free my hands from the harness and the air rushing through my fingers. This began 60 seconds of free falling towards the earth that felt like a lifetime. My excitement was released in constant screams, cheers and laughter until the parachute was deployed, speed was greatly reduced and I had time to relax.

I shuffled back into the harness and took in the spectacular views of the enormous Lake Taupo and the beautiful Hauhungaroa Range behind it. This relaxation was occasionally interrupted with dizzying downwards spirals performed by Cane which gave me another shot of adrenaline. As we floated back towards the airport I decided skydiving is definitely something I will be doing again. We landed on the grass with a bump and a slide on our backsides before the three girls that jumped before me. I’m not sure if that was due to the extra weight I carrying compared to them or because I’m just a kickass adrenaline junkie like Jack Osbourne! As I sat in the office I was totally shattered. I flet like I had just ran around a Litherland 7-a-side football pitch for 2 hours on a Monday night but of course it was totally worth it. One of the best experiences of my life.