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Rita & Ellie's Travels
Saturday 16 September 2006 - Taupo (Skydive!)
Spent the morning willing the clouds to disappear as it was Skydive day! Had booked for 1pm but were not able to go due to the clouds! Back again for 2pm, no such luck, one more attempt for 3pm!
Got the go-ahead, they were coming for us!
They collected us and drove us to the Skydive centre. Spent the journey signing our lives away (again!)... All very nervous but so excited!
Sat down to watch a video - which just consisted of lots of people jumping out a plane! They looked happy!....
All kitted up and got assigned our jumping buddies! We were good to go....
Ellie and Damo in first. Sat at the back next to the pilot... then Sel, Beth and Rita and Charlie in last...... to be out first!!
As the ground disappeared we were shown how high we were..... surprised when we were only 2,000 ft..... only 10,000 to go!
Not having been told anything about the actual jump, we asked about the landing only to be told they would go through that on the way down! One bit of information Rita was told - "shape yourself like a banana!".....
A lot of talking in code amongst the guys, and Damo trying his best to unsettle Ellie by undoing her buckles! Didn't really enjoy the camera constantly in our faces.
At 12,000 ft circled around for what seemed like ages to find the perfect jump spot - break in the clouds! Door opened, Rita ready to go...... oh no, not just yet, there was a plane in the way!!! Door closed and more circling around....
Attempt 2, doors opened! Charlie sits on the edge as Rita dangles out the plane. Her camera man gets himself sorted hanging onto the outside of the plane!
Seemed to be there for ages then suddenly she was gone!! Struggling to breathe as the air was suffocating she fell 7,000 ft in 45 seconds, falling 220 mph, totally forgetting the banana shape! Through cloud the ground was becoming more and more visible. Couldn't smile for the camera for holding her breath. More comfortable once the parachute opened, she could breathe again and even manage a conversation! Gliding along was amazing and seemed to last for ages.
Ellie watched as Rita, Beth then Sel fell from the plane! Then it was her turn. Spent the 45 second freefall thinking it was cold, thinking her goggles, gloves and trainers were going to come off while trying to wave to the camera guy! The parachute opened and spent 5 minutes gliding down over Lake Taupo and even getting to steer the parachute and do some spins! (and go through the landing!) Amazing!
Landing was easy just got told to put our feet up and they would do all the rest.
All safely on the ground the camera guy still chasing us making us scream and jump up and down for the video. All absolutely loved it, wanting to get straight back up there!
Watched our video straight away and was just crying with laughter, so cringeworthy! Rita with her 'call me!' hand signal and her pob face holding her breath, and Ellie with her 'Fantastic!!' Didn't realise the camera also captured our Hi5!
Loved it!
Celebrated our jumps with a flippin hot curry! Glad we had the wine to help us along! Had a little night out, making it to Mulligans (and a quick in and out visit to Holy Cow).
Rita was surprised to find Charlie helping behind the bar, sporting a very tight t-shirt acting very camp. She was only glad she saw him after the dive, not the night before!
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