Lake Taupo, New Zealand 25th Sept
AHH, lovely morning again and ate my cerial by the water, fed the ducks and felt relaxed and contented. Went to Huka Falls - a large wide rapid river and small but ferocious waterfall, from which the majority of NZ power comes from. Walked the woodlands beside the river which was tapwater clear except for by the falls, where it became light aqua blue due to the air in the water. Next off to craters of the moon & thermal area. Looked strange to see friendly gentle countryside with steam leaking from it - like it was hiding something much more sinister. Then Simon "just wanted to enquire about skydiving" and before I knew it he was all kitted out in his flying suit & goggles and waiting for the plane to come! While Simon was being instructed how to take the shape of 'Big Banana' in the air and the other instructions, I was sat having a cup of tea (that I wished was Brandy) and watched them pack the parachutes. Then a goodbye kiss for good luck and off he went into the tiny plane and I could see him right by the perspex door. Did feel strange that I wasn't sat there crying or sat on the toilet, but just hoping that he would enjoy it to the full. Half an hour later the plane no longer being visible, there was a shout that they were coming down and I looked up to see a few tiny dots that were the parachutes - there was no way you'd beable to see them freefalling - just too high up. I ran to the field they were due to land in and watched the slow calm desent. I knew what colour chute Simon had, so could follow him gliding gently - and then later doing a few stunt turns and spirals. I wondered what on earth sort of experience he'd had falling from a plane at 200km per hour and seeing the world from a totally different perspective come hurtling towards you - then the silent decent and the amazing views of this stunning countryside, lake and mountains. I knew that no matter how well he would describe it to me, there would be no way I would ever comprehend it without doing it myself, and couldn't help but feel a little pang of jealously that I couldn't do it myself. This is the first thing this year that we haven't both experienced, but I think my little bird heart would have actually stopped if I'd have gone up! What a smooth landing - like stepping off an escalater - but then not the jumping up and down with excitement that I expected... he simply looked stunned to the core. His eyes - my god, I couldn't work out what they said as I've never seen that expression before - the expression of a man shocked and exhillorated and having seen life from the other side. I knew then it had been beyond his expectation. Afterwards watched the video they took from the ground, to up in the plane and then jumping out and following them down (didn't show Simon jumping out - you had to pay for a skydiving cameraman to jump with you). This is when I freaked. I couldn't believe that he had just done that - you really got to see what it was like jumping out and the views of falling - you can the curve of the world - beyong amazing. I was nervous, giddly, excited and hyper (thank god I didn't see the video before he went up!) Can't believe we pulled up at this place and the next minute he's falling from a plane. Drove to the lake and pulled up for a cup of tea and to hear all about it (which was fantastic hearing him talking about it on an absolute high). We needed to chill big time so went to the thermal baths for a lovely soak in natural hot mineral water - skin smoothed, mind soothed. Absolutely shattered by night fall but still talking about the fall whilst eating our chip supper. Think Simon will always remember today!
