taupo

up early in a crazy morning that saw lydia lose her ring and me manage to lock my clothes in the laundry room. pretty slick spies. result was lydia having to run ahead to catch the bus while i put up posters for her lost ring and flagged behind with her gear. apparently, the driver told her i had 30 secs to show when i got onboard.

the big drive northwards to taupo, 80km south of rotorua, took us right through the centre of the north island. we passed through new terrian. lost was the mountains and lakes of the south island for rolling hills and agriculture. many a sheep, but more cows. as we neared taupo we entered the tundra of mordor, and drove right past mount doom. note on taupo: it is the site of new zealand's largest lake of the same name. the landscape surrounding the town is rugged, and "mordor-esque" with geothermic badlands to the north. it is new zealand's resort town for resident kiwi vacationers, famous for its spa treatments and world renowned trout fishing.

(cue fatboy slim's sunset if you have the track)
lydia and i came to taupo to skydive, to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. again like with the nevis we went big to the tune of a 15,000 ft jump. that height is the max you are allowed to do in the world, and needs to be oxygen assisted. i wasn't even nervous. i told my jump master that i had wanted to sky dive since seeing the movie point break. he said he started skydiving because of the movie too. lyds and i got suited up and fitted with a harness and helmet, gloves and goggles and got into the little plane. after takeoff it took some time for the little plane to make it to 15,000ft. apparently it is basically the ceiling for the make of plane. as we climbed i told my dive master that i wanted the ride of my life. we planned a little and decided for the "elevator shaft." when we reached the desired height the lights went green and the door slid open. one by one people got into position and with a jump disappeared into the cold. as we shuffled over to the door so many thoughts were going through my head: you are about to jump out of a perfectly good airplane; snippets of band of brothers; death from above (and assorted other credos). when i reached the door and stuck my legs out i was surprised by the force of the wind. i leaned back on my dive master and then ..... the drop.

the elevator shaft is acheived by jumping and following you legs under the plane into a head first dive. 200km/hr. terminal velocity. biggest grin ever on my face as we cut a hole in the clouds for 10,000 feet. near the bottom of our run we levelled out to do spins and just lay out with the wind rushing past your ears and face, you clothes flapping widly about you. in the distance mordor and mount doom were partially covered with clouds. when we deployed the canopy i was surprised at the forceful jerk upwards. when i looked up i could see lyds doing the same. the instructors, knowing we were dating, had our canopies circle each other while we descended so we could watch each other and call out. the landing was smooth baby. but already i wanted another fix of this wonderful drug. falling never felt so good as when you dive out of a plane and arc your arms behind with no fear. the ground doesn't even seem to get bigger. you do. i used to be an atheist but now i realize that i am god.

unfortunately, after the jump a storm blew in and cancelled our proposed trek through the tongariro crossing. we waited for three days but no let up forced us to move on without taking part. two parts of the point break reality tour complete. a bank robbery is next.

safe and fun travels to mom and dad in ireland. slainte.

5 neil - death 0

all lion and no fox.