Queenstown and our biggest falling out.......of an aircraft!

Well we've only gone and done it! This morning we were up early (due to the cold or the fear) and had a hearty breakfast before heading into town to the NZONE skydive centre. We had a briefing and signed various forms and a special one for wanting to dive at 15,000 feet! After watching the video explaining what was about to happen we boarded the minibus which took us to the airfield some 20 minutes away!

On arrival Mark was very quiet and due to his 'worry genes' went through everything that could go wrong in his mind! Rach was a perfect example of calmness! Within minutes our names were called and we were kitted out with the jumpsuit, harness, gloves and hat. We had brought a small rucksack with us and were asked to put it in a locker - Mark picked number 13 unknowningly but changed to number 3 quickly! We were then given another briefing on how we would leave the aircraft before meeting our jumpmasters. Tom looked after Mark and Marius looked after Rach. Mark had been told that Tom's parachute didn't open on his first jump this morning - Mark was delighted and Tom confirmed it was true later after this one opened!

Before we knew it we boarded the aircraft within two others who were jumping at 9,000 feet. The plane journey took about 5 minutes before the first two were thrown out! We then climbed further up to 16,200 feet above sea level. The door opened and Mark was first to go followed by Rach 30 seconds later.

The sense of leaving a perfectly serviceable aircraft is bizarre as you fall below it! But then after the sensory overload has washed away all you have is the stunning 360 degree views around you. You don't feel like your falling just flying! We were so lucky as there wasn't a cloud in the sky and you could see Mt Cook some 400km away! As we reached 5,000 feet the parachute opened and we then spent the next five minutes taking in more of the scenery! This was the one bit Rach didn't like so much as when we spun into land she felt a bit sick - or was it just the adrenaline?

Mark was down first and watched Rach land safely. A truely incredible experience and as ever Mark was the one buzzing the most after being such a prophet of doom earlier in the day!

It's hard to think of an experience like it and it remains to be seen whether we'll ever do a skydive again and plummet towards the ground at 200km/hr (Terminal velocity)??!!

Tonight we're going out for a celebration curry and a few beers!

Love to all at home.

Mark & Rach. xxx

PS:

I must not fear, fear is the mind killer.

Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.

(Frank Herbert) - he never skydived!