Preparing for a bungee jump includes ridding your pockets of all loose objects, tying your shoelaces properly and tucking the laces back neatly, having a giant elastic band fastened to your ankles and numerous counts of deep breaths. It may sound like a death trap but it is said that many jumpers become addicted to the intense adrenalin rush that overcomes you when you take the leap; the leap of faith that everybody should attempt at least once.

What’s it all about?

Bungee jumping is one of the world’s premier extreme sports which involve jumping off a high point, usually a bridge, with an elastic rope and harness secured either to the ankles or waist. The fun starts when the jumper leaps over the edge; the bungee cord stretches to its maximum length and as it snaps back the jumper is shot upwards again. As the energy of the elastic rope is dissipated the jumper is shot back and forth in a bouncing motion until the jumper is safely lowered to the ground.

Bungee locations in South Africa

South Africa is an ideal holiday location for adventure sport enthusiasts across the globe as it is home to not one of, but the tallest bungee jump in the world. The Bloukrans Bridge near Plettenberg Bay measures 216 meters and currently holds the official title in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the highest place that you can bungee from.

But bungee jumping is not the only way to experience the addictive adrenalin rush at the Bloukrans Bridge. Because the region has become a real tourist hub for anyone who passes through South Africa, a milder, less scary addition has been added to the Bloukrans menu: the Flying Fox. The Flying Fox was designed for families and the individual who’s not really amped yet for the big air drive.
The Flying Fox (known to the locals as a “Foofy Slide”) works like this: You will travel along a 200 meter cable slide secured by a harness all along the archway of the bridge. The Flying Fox is an adventure on its own though it is also used by the very daring as a “warm-up” to the bungee jump.

There is of course a little something for the faint-hearted, to keep you entertained as well. The Bloukrans hosts a live bungee show where the public can observe as the daring take their leap of faith. Seeing the jumpers’ bodies being catapulted through the air and hanging down so many feet off the ground is enough of a thrill for anyone who cannot muster up the courage to jump.

There are many other bungee jumping spots in South Africa, including the Gouritz River Bridge near Mossel Bay, and further north of the border, the bridge over the Zambezi River in between Zambia and Zimbabwe. And other variations of bungee jumping include bridge swinging, the “catapult”, which is in essence a reverse bungee: the cord is pulled down and the jumper is shot upwards!

The Gouritz Bridge bungee jump is equally exhilarating as the Bloukrans, though not as daunting. However all things are relatively equal when you’re plunging off a bridge. You exit the platform over 65 meters with your elastic band secured safely to your ankles and as you leap, feel the forces of gravity pulling you closer to the riverbed. Nowhere in the world would you get to view the river from this angle again. The Gouritz Bridge bungee is an excellent taster to bungee jumping and makes for great training ground when you make the ultimate jump at the Bloukrans Bridge.

Bungee jumping started ages ago as a tribal ritual for young boys to enter manhood. For most people staring down the edge of a 216 meter bridge can be plenty intimidating. Although there is much controversy about the safety level of bungee jumping, South Africa has world class bungee equipment that is designed to protect the jumper while taking the plunge.

Apart from the equipment we have experienced and trained bungee trainers at every bungee jumping location to make sure that every safety precaution is taken. So the next time you’re in the mood for something extra-ordinary, do yourself a favour and get down to one of South Africa’s world class bungee jumping locations for an adrenalin rush like no other.

O país que sediou os jogos olímpicos em 2000 com a cidade de Sydney tem a população cosmopolita, formada especialmente por europeus e asiáticos. A mistura de culturas pode ser atribuída ao incentivo que o governo australiano oferece aos estudantes estrangeiros, o que não quer dizer que não haja controle sobre eles. O governo australiano estimula pesquisas nas áreas médica, biológica, oceanográfica, física e tecnológica.

Conhecida pelos exóticos cangurus, koalas e até pelas tribos aborígenes. A Austrália apresenta uma beleza natural e preservada que encanta os estrangeiros. Suas mais de 10 mil praias são o sonho de consumo de qualquer surfista. A diversidade de climas encontrada no território australiano vai desde o calor do “Outback” (nome dado ao deserto no país por estar fora da costa), no centro do país, até as geleiras das “Snowy Mountains” (montanhas de neve), a pouco mais de uma hora de Camberra, capital do país.

Com clima tropical, praias bonitas, surfe, população hospitaleira e um câmbio melhor do que o dólar americano são as principais motivações dos estudantes que escolhem a Austrália como destino de estudo. Segundo estatísticas da Belta (Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association), o país é hoje o segundo preferido dos brasileiros que vão ao exterior para estudar inglês, ficando atrás apenas do Canadá.

Os estudantes podem, ainda, aproveitar as horas de folga para praticar atividades radicais, entre elas “rafting”, surfe, “canyoning”, mergulho, vôo livre, “bungee jumping”, paraquedismo e “mountain bike”.

A qualidade de vida na Austrália também se deve ao bom funcionamento dos serviços públicos, desde transportes e hospitais a áreas de lazer gratuitas. A Austrália foi colonizada pelos ingleses em 1.770 e já faz parte da lista dos países mais ricos do mundo.
Atualmente, o país apresenta uma das sociedades mais organizadas e um dos melhores IDHs (Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano) do mundo – é o 3º na lista da ONU (Oraganização das Nações Unidas) de 2007. A Austrália tem uma sociedade mais igualitária que a brasileira. Ou seja, há menor diferença entre as classes sociais australianas que entre as brasileiras.

It’s been about half a year since my last European vacation and I’m just now writing about it. I wanted to wait and see what memories really stuck with me after the novelty of the trip wore off before I commented on the things worth mentioning.

I packed up my things and set off for a late April road trip through Austria into the northern half of Italy and into Switzerland. It was somewhere I had never been and had always wanted to go and I was doing it with a great friend of mine I hadn’t seen in ages : Jan.

The Dolmides Drive

Our first stop was more of a pit-stop really as after a day of flying for me and driving for Jan we just needed a break, so upon entering Italy we stopped in Bolzano, Italy (German: Bozen).

Bolzano, Italy

This town was a German-Italian mixed community in the Dolmides Mountains region of northeast Italy. The town itself was quaint, high in the mountains and beautiful, but we would quickly learn that everything in Italy is beautiful – this beauty only to be matched by wherever our next stop would take us. Bolzano was nice : we did some walking around , drank some local chocolate beer and had a horrible breakfast at our Gasthaus. After about 24hrs though we ran out of things to do and it was time to move south.

Verona to Venice

Our next stop was Verona where the next memory included taking in the second largest Coliseum in Italy, doing some walking around medieval fortresses and most interestingly eating a local delicacy : Horse. Horse meet, in my humble opinion, is not so great. Save your time and money before listening to Fodor’s and checking

Po River Verona, Italy

out the local horse meant cooked up in gnocchi in Romeo and Juliet’s hometown. The Coliseum on the other hand is definitely worth a stop, as is the historic part of town which has been re-vamped as an upscale shopping area.

Next stop : Venice. Venice was nice. I’m not really sure how I feel about the city itself. We only stayed for a day and a half including Easter. The beautiful aspects of Venice were beyond belief : The Canals, The Architecture, The Gondoliers, and all the things that everyone expects from a Venetian visit. Venice also offered me my first taste of a truly amazing, reasonably priced Italian dinner : Something that would quickly become the norm. It seems that if you take your most high scale Italian restaurant in the states, the quality of food of

Grand Canal Entrance, Venice Italy

any small maw and paw Italian place is going to be equal to it. That said the negative aspect of Venice is that the people who live within the city limits are usually very wealthy and after years of foreign tourists coming into their city, getting drunk, and being loud all night – the city council has banned venues from operating late – so essentially the entire city lacks a nightlife. The only exception being the amazing drag queen that attracted a huge crowd in one of the lesser known piazzas of the town with his/her voice. The other exception being the club I went to where unbeknown to me at the time I got to enjoy the musings of Arisa singing her hit “Sincerita”. I had no idea at the time but learned later this was at the time one of the biggest songs in the entire country –  so I guess I was lucky? or something.

Rome

Rome is fascinating. I’m not really sure where to begin – in fact I think sometime this weekend I’ll write a separate posting just about Rome, because there is so much going on there it doesn’t really fit in with the rest of this brief rundown.

Rome By Night

Toscany

From Rome we moved north, each morning stopping to enjoy our espresso, cigarette, and optional pastry (the Italian breakfast). We drove through the countryside and I have to say that Tuscany has to be among the most beautiful places that I’ve seen first hand. It’s right up there with Hawaii, and the Big Sur area of California. Even while focusing on going 150km/hr in a foreign car on foreign roads with cheesy European music playing in the background on a cloudy day you can’t help but realize how amazing it really is.

Siena and Florence

Both beautiful places although Siena more so. Florence on the other hand has all the comforts and entertainment of a big city. Siena has too many Germans. Florence has too many Americans. Oh Man! Both are great and you should see them both. By the way, best steak I’ve ever had in Europe is the local Florentine style steak. It’s still not as good as American steakhouse steak however for Europe it’s pretty damn tasty – and the lasagna I got with it as a primo was better than my Mom’s lasagna which is saying something!

Florence :

The Jump – Varazca

Our last thing we did on the trip was goto Varazca Dam in Switzerland and after a night at theCasino in Locarno we woke up at 6am to go make the 220m jump in the early morning canyon drizzle.

The Video of the jump can be found following this link:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=103793171080

Thats it for now. I leave you with a constantly heard Italian song on our trip :

Ciao!

The adventure tours to India can be enjoyed in various adventure sports that are always organized in India. Whether it is angling, mountaineering, rock climbing, scuba diving, snorkelling, bungee jumping or white water rafting, sailing etc. just be the master of your life while enjoying the sport.

If you want some thrill, some change in life, than river rafting for sure can add spice to your desires. White water rafting is a high-altitude, water adventure.

Persons suffering from a weak heart, epilepsy, diabetes, or any other serious ailments or expecting mothers are not permitted to do this sport. Non-swimmers may be restricted to certain sections of the river.

The main equipment that you have to take along is a raft which is made of special materials. Rafts mainly have inflatable compartments with vulcanized rubber bodies reinforced by nylon fabric and neoprene which enables the raft to go over sharp rocks without tearing. The clubs and organizers through which you participate can make you available with a raft. Other kits include life jackets and helmets.

Other than these a sleeping bag, sneakers, light synthetic quick drying clothes for the river, swimsuit, shorts and T-shirts, sun shades or glasses, suntan lotion, a torch and two pairs of shoes must be carried while you go for this sport.

There is no fixed time to be a part of this sport. But still you have a stretch of around 8 months starting from May to November to participate in in white water rafting.

The major destinations for water rafting is the Devprayag to Rishikesh which is the venue of this young sport. Uttar Pradesh has many other sites where one can go river rafting. In Garhwal, the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers provide excellent river-rafting opportunities.

In Kumaon, the river Sharda or also known as Kali Ganga flows down from Nepal to meet the Gori River at Jauljivi. Other sites for white-water rafting include Barkot to Lakha Mandal and Damta to Yamuna Bridge on the river Yamuna, Mori to Tuni on the river Tons, Kalisor to Srinagar and Srinagar to Bagwan on river Alaknanda, Ghansali to Gadolia on the river Bhilangana, Chandrapuri to Rudraprayag on the river Mandakini, and many stretches along the river Bhagirathi.

Sikkim also offers good river opportunities for rafting. The Teesta and Rangeet are two major rivers on which river rafting is possible. Makha-Sirwani-Bardang-Rongpo on the Teesta and Sikip-Jorethang-Majitar-Melli on the Rangeet are the two major stretches for water rafting. Beginners can also enjoy white-water rafting wearing life jackets and crash helmet for precaution.

Try to study the river stretch from the land to decide on the grade before becoming a part of the sport. Also avoid breathing when you are going under a rapid or when you are submerged. Wearing synthetic clothes, sarees, or dupattas are not recommended. Natural cotton products will be very helpful.

So, with @joeyelle joining the Peace Corps and leaving for two years, I’m a little on my own and need some things to occupy my time. I’ve had a list of things that I’ve wanted to do that has been doing nothing but growing and growing. I think I’m going to take all of the free time that I’m going to have and fill it with completing all of these things that are on my list. It will be like my own little renaissance! If you see anything on the list that you are interested in doing and live in an area somewhat close to me, feel free to join me for any of these things. I might not finish them all because some take longer than two years to complete, but I at least want to get a start on them.

So, here is a list of things Patrick needs to accomplish in the next two years….

Buy and live-aboard a Sailboat
Get a yacht surveying certification
Speak fluent Spanish
Scuba certification
Become a Certified Public Library Administrator
Ham Radio License
Knot tying
Guitar Lessons/Classes
Bungee Jump
Skydive
Learn Celestial Navigation
Present at two conferences
Publish 2-5 professional articles
Begin either a Masters in Business Admin or PHD in Information Ethics
Finally finish reading the Harvard 5 foot shelf of books
Learn HTML and other programming languages
Hang glide
Build/learn a bunch of stuff (I can do it here)

• Build a radio from scratch
• Welding
• Build a Cigar Box Guitar
• Build a Telescope
• Cabinetry
• Automotive/diesel repair

And does anyone have any other suggestions?

With all its beaches, it will come as no surprise that water sports are high on the agenda. Bali is a surfer’s paradise, with the best surfing for experts in Uluwatu and Canggu and in Kuta for beginners. Scuba diving is another popular choice, as the water in Bali is warm all year long. The best diving spots are in the east in Amed and Tulamben where you can take PADI certified diving courses. You can also snorkel here, or head to the west to Menjangan (Deer) Island, which supposedly has the best variety of fish and coral.

Other water activities include white water rafting in Sayan, west of Ubud; kayaking on some of the quieter rivers and on Lake Tamblingan; canoeing at Lake Batur; and dolphin watching by sunset in Lovina in the north.

In Nusa Dua, Sanur and other coastal resorts, wind surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, and other water related fun such as banana boat, flying fish, etc. can be found in abundance.

Hiking through the rice paddies is a good way to explore the inland and small villages of Bali. And so is mountain biking. Bike-Baik or Banyantree tours organize downhill cycling tours with visits to farms and plantations. Both activities can take you up the volcanoes, which are definitely worth a visit, and overall not too strenuous.

If you decide to stay in a resort, you can make use of the golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pools. You can also go fishing, bungee jumping, or sailing to one of the smaller nearby islands. If you go sailing, you can either rent a luxury yacht for the day, or hire a local perahu for an hour or so.

Not being an athletic person myself, I have undoubtedly missed a few sports, but we did go parasailing in Sanur, which was great fun.

Next: Shopping

Related posts:

About Bali

Quick guide to local customs and culture

10 Things not to miss

Cultural highlights

A sister friend sent this to me this morning. And it is a rainy Friday here in Baltimore and I wonder how well I’m dealing with the rain and gray mustiness that has set into my brain. And what would Maya Angelou think of me if she met met this morning since my  mood is rather crappy and I’m feeling challenged on many fronts. Missed phone meeting this morning, dealing with potential hosts in New Zealand and their shifting moods on when I can stay with them when I first arrive there next week. Yes, I fly to New Zealand next week on 11/19 for a three week trip! But the travel logistics are determined to keep on shifting with the sands of whim, it feels. Sigh.

And then there are my breasts, which are not so small. And they are determined to join the race of Maya’s boobs. Not sure if I’d want to compete with hers but mine seem to be determined to have their own plunge at the slow pace that gravity tugs at them. At least they are not at the velocity of a bungee jump. thank god. That would scare me to wake up one morning and discover they tried to plummet to the bellybutton zone overnight. ;~) And no, even though Bungee Jumping was something created by the Kiwi’s in New Zealand, neither myself or my boobs will be doing any jumping on that scale. I like terra firma, thank you very much. ;~)

Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was ‘exciting…

‘
Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day…..like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:
’I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.’

’

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.’

‘I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.’

‘I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life.’ ’

‘I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.’

‘I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back….’

‘I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.’

‘I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.’

‘I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.’

‘I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.’

‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

—–

thank you, Maya… for your brilliance and humor and being the gift whom you are to all of us.

Today I went down to the beautiful Darling Harbour to check out the Travel mania that has swept through Sydney this weekend. My focus was on the Adventure Travel & Backpacker Expo but it was easy to get distracted with Mind Body and Spirit as well as two other festivals going on around there.

My greatest surprise of the day was to get into the Expo at around 3pm (closes at 4pm) and see that it was already time to start celebrating the success of the day. However, my sources inform me that the whole expo is like one big backpacker travel party. Good people, travel on the brain, beers and other beverages flowing and generally a great vibe throughout the whole place.

The expo is run by  http://www.myadventureexpo.com/and sponsored by Myexpotravel (http://www.myexpotravel.com/) aswell as TNT Magazine and YHA Australia. The goal of the event is for people interested in travelling in Australia and Around the World, who have a focus on Adventure and Backpacker style travel to connect and learn more about what’s on offer. And man was there a lot on show!

From overseas work to Incredible India, Bungee Jumping in New Zealand and Volunteering in schools in Africa. You had the latest in backpacker accessories, the best in accommodation and backpacking locations around Australia as well as the cream of the crop for Travel agents and guides. Throw in some competitions, live music, 1000’s of brochures, lollies and FREE giveaways and you’ve got the traveller’s dream day.

My favourite stand was definitely the crew from Cairns! They set up a bar and the tunes were pumping out all day. Win friends and influence people with FREE Beer, these guys are on to a good thing.  I was also very impressed with an up and coming group, DragonBus. www.dragonbuschina.com was launched last night and they will be offering a hop on/ hop off bus service in China. You also can’t miss the fun teams at TNT Magazine and TravelManagers for their down to earth vibe and great advice (Contact NickBowditch for all the best deals!)

I really took away from this Expo just how little I know about Australian Travel and the many wonderful places that this great country has to offer. I have been to some of the “must see” destinations in the world- Eiffel Tower in Paris, Taj Mahal in India, Pyramids of Mexico and Oktoberfest of Munich. Sadly though, I have not seen Australia’s Great Barrier Reef or Ayers Rock. I haven’t even been to some of our major cities like Hobart, Adelaide or Darwin. It was definitely a bit of home truth for me and Australia is now at the top of my travel list!

The event is on again tomorrow, 8 November 2009 at the Exhibition & Convention Centre (Darling Harbour). Grab a few mates, cool down with a beer and you can start planning your next big adventure!

For FREE ENTRY visit: http://mytraveladventure.com.au/free-sydney-expo-ticket/

What an adventurous time with Sunday scribblings till now…Here’s one more:

Don’t look down ! Don’t look down !

I say to myself….

Feels like a hundred hearts beating out of my chest

So scared to death the ever brave soul,

It screams but even  the voice has escaped this drill

I close my eyes and seal them tight

I don’t wanna see this frightful sight

As i take that dreadful leap

feels like my skin will rip

and i may vanish in that thin air

I open my eyes after a thud

Yippee i am out of this alive !

]]> http://discovershareinspire.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/how-travel-has-developed-character-in-my-children-and-myself/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:55:18 +0000 racheldenning http://discovershareinspire.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/how-travel-has-developed-character-in-my-children-and-myself/

I sit on the edge of the bridge while the Spanish speaking attendants tighten my ankle and waist bands, and try to push all thoughts of fear and anxiety from my mind. Instead I picture exactly what I want to take place in just a few moments: stand, walk, leap, fly, fall.

I get the signal to go, and my visualization now becomes reality. I look at the deep green jungle ahead of me, keep my eye on the horizon, take three big steps and then leap into the air, allowing gravity to have it’s way with me.

The air rushes past, blowing back my hair and skin. Instead of flying, I’m definitely falling. I feel like a boulder that’s been dropped from the top of a 30 story building. My eyes leave the horizon and instead look below at the Costa Rican river that was previously 262 feet beneath me, but is now fast approaching. I’m scared, and all I can think is, “What have I done? Why did I jump off that bridge?”

Before I know it I reach the end of my rope (no pun intended:) I snap back up into the air and get the sensation of a fish wriggling on the end of a fishing line. Finally it’s over, and I hang completely still, upside down while my body tries to recover from the shock, cursing me for having put it through such trauma. When I finally reach the bridge again, the 5 year old daughter of a friend says “I thought you were dead.” “So did I,” I think to myself. I’m glad I did it, but I don’t think I’ll do it again.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

My husband is next, and springs from the platform with his usual zeal while letting out a yelp of enthusiasm. In a moment he is back on the bridge.

Then comes the shock when our daughter Kyah tells us she wants to jump. “There’s no way,” I think to myself, “she’ll be scared out of her wits (at least I was).” I consider trying to talk her out of it, telling her that it might be too scary, but I believe in encouraging my children to try new things, so I keep my mouth shut.

She’s confident she wants to do it, so they strap her tandem to a guide. As they stand on the edge of the platform, she’s holding on tightly to the neck of a perfect stranger with complete trust and self-assurance. If mom and dad did it, and they’re okay, then I’ll be okay too. She doesn’t look the least bit worried.

262 Feet!

A large crowd has assembled on the bridge to watch this unconventional sight. Right before Kyah and her sky escort leap into the air, the kid standing next to me says to his friends, “That girl is amazing, she can’t be more then ten.”

I pipe up, “She’s four.”

“FOUR!!!??”

They jump, doing a somersault in the air, then falling 262 feet. All at once it’s over and they’re pulling her back up. As she reaches the top of the bridge, the crowd spontaneously erupts into applause for this brave little girl. She beams from ear to ear and tears well up in my eyes. For some reason I’m overcome with emotion. I can look at her and see that her confidence and self-esteem grew ’10 sizes that day,’ and for me this is what it’s all about.

Instructions For Personal Growth: 1) Get Uncomfortable

I’ve learned through experience that personal development is most likely to occur when you’re pushed out your comfort zone. You know, that cozy little place where things are exactly the way you expect them to be- the foods you’re familiar with, the beliefs you ‘know’ to be true, the traditions and social customs that are ‘just the way things are’. Nothing out of the ordinary.

We don’t like those boundaries to be pushed because, well, it gets a little uncomfortable. Yet it’s that discomfort which, when embraced, leads to exciting character development. It’s facing fears but instead choosing courage, questioning beliefs and then accepting truth, encountering obstacles and finding you can overcome, and letting go of the usual to replace it with the extraordinary.

Travel provides the perfect laboratory for personal self-experiments. It plucks you from your ease and comfort and challenges you in nearly every way: taste, touch, sights, sounds, smells, ‘social norms’, ‘accepted beliefs’, traditions, culturally acceptable behavior, customs, fashion, etiquette, and standards of living. It can turn your world upside down.

Bastimentos Island, Boca del Torros, Panama

Discomfort = Growth = Character

Almost from the start of our parenting career, my husband and I have held the belief that  travel would play an essential part in our children’s education. We want them to have the experiences and growth that result from facing situations, people, and circumstances that they’re unfamiliar with.

As a family we’ve faced:

the discomfort of driving (each other crazy?) in a car for six weeks from Utah to Costa Rica;

the nervousness of crossing borders into countries we’d never been before;

the panic of running out of money (and gas) and being hassled by cops in third world countries;

the terror of getting stuck at borders for hours on end (without necessary documents);

the unnerving exhilaration of wading through crocodile infested rivers;

the overwhelming gratitude for our ‘ease and comfort’ after visiting homes with no running water and three beds for a family of eleven;

the weariness of living abroad in a house with no hot water and washing laundry for 6 by hand;

the inconvenience of riding in public transportation (‘gua-guas’) meant for 5 adults but filled with 6, plus our 4 children;

the dread of driving at night on pot-hole ridden roads and facing vehicles that have no lights;

the heart-wrenching of visiting orphanages of severely handicapped and abandoned children;

Riding a 'Gua-Gua' in Las Galeras, Dominican Republic

the vicarious pain of physical abuse and broken marriages;

the wretchedness of poverty;

the endurance of endless bus rides and airline flights, all the while endeavoring to haul 12+ pieces of luggage (and four small, sometimes sleeping, children);

plus numberless other adventures that would fill a book or two.

The result of all these ‘discomforts’? Nearly 12,500 photos, more than 600 hours of video, countless memories and immeasurable personal development for each individual.

I see my children comfortably speaking a second language, having a willingness to try new things, and a flexibility to ‘go with the flow’ that many adults still lack (and my oldest is only seven). I know these character traits come as a result of travel.

We have also realized that the ‘hardships’ weren’t really that hard after all. The things we feared most before beginning, turned out to be not as difficult as expected, or were only an invention or limitation of our mind.

Sosua Bay, Dominican Republic

Have Family, Will Travel

Travel has given our children (and myself) opportunities for growth and development that we could not have had any other way. It’s provided situations and circumstances that we would not have found at home, among the familiar and routine.

Travel has brought us closer together as a family and created stronger friendships between siblings. It’s also helped us in developing flexibility, tenacity, compassion, creativity, courage, sense of contribution, gratitude, patriotism, adaptability, cooperation, tolerance, open-mindedness, wisdom, perspective, new friendships, love and countless other values.

For our family, travel will continue to be on the curriculum.

We have all become somewhat accustomed to going through security metal detectors or submitting items to go through an x-ray machine at airports and many public buildings.  Typically, before you walk through the metal detector, you are asked to empty your pockets into a  tray or bowl that is then put through an x-ray machine.  Well, this guy in Abilene, Texas went to the Taylor County Courthouse to visit a friend who had been arrested.  Before going through the metal detector, he emptied his pockets.  Shortly thereafter, he was put in jail.  You see…the man put a bag of marijuana into the bowl and handed it over to the sheriff’s deputies.   Lesson here is that, if you are a dope smoker, make sure to empty your pockets before you go visit the courthouse.

Pretty Scene and Pretty Nuts

On This Date in History:  Bungee jumping has become rather popular.  You even see set ups at county and state fairs. Some people have gotten rather daring.  This video of guy who grabbed a bunged cord with his hands, lept several hundred feet and let go just as his feet hit the ground is a good example of how people try to enhance the experience.   It can be dangerous and hoaxers have taken advantage of this fact.   This Spike TV phoney video shows a bungee jumper getting his head bitten off by a crocodile.  However, there have been a number of harrowing true experiences, like this video from Thailand of a man who lept 165 feet only to have the bungee cord break.   None of this should be a surprise because we have a lesson from the past.

The Great Peters Really Did Lose His Mind and his Head

Aloys Peters used to do a performance in the circus in which he dove from a platform 75 feet high with a noose around his neck.  Like the guy who let go of the bungee cord at just the right moment, Peters would grab the rope seconds before it tightened.  His powerful arms and the ropes elasticity would absorb the shock.  He did the act for about 12 years, but that was it.  He was forced into permanent retirement.  On this date in 1943, The Great Peters lept from his 75 foot perch at the Fireman’s Wild West Rodeo and Thrill Circus in St. Louis.  Peters made some sort of mistake because before he could grasph the rope, it tightened violently and his neck snapped before 5600 spectators.  His wife Catherine had not missed a show during their 3 years of marriage but opted out of this performance as she rested due to her pregnancy.  Lesson here?  Keep your  feet on the ground.

NAM Rainfall through Friday 8AM

Weather Bottom Line:  Weather story remains the same.  There is a little bit of a dispute between computer  models as the NAM wants to bring us a little more than 1.75 inches of rain starting on Thursday night and carrying through Saturday morning with over 1.5 inches falling by midday Friday.  The GFS advertises less than an inch of rain through Saturday morning with the bulk of that Thursday night and early Friday morning.  So, if we say 1-2 inches of rain from say, midnight Thursday to noon on Saturday we will be in the ballpark.  Most of the weekend will be dry but cooler with highs in the 50’s.  First part of next week looks lovely with highs in the low to mid 60’s.

La Vidraru,  in septembrie,  Alina invata sa zboare.  Profesori de renume – lastunii.

I can meet a target if I set my mind to it. All I have to do is desire the outcome enough, and I will find a way to achieve it.  It’s funny the excuses we throw up for not doing things, but I think the bottom line is desire. Desire is  the fuel that feeds the flame of one’s determination. Or so. That phrase made perfect sense to  me when I was thinking about this piece. This is a realisation I have recently come to, however belatedly it might be. I’ve had a busy day, busier than most, yet here I am, writing.

The event on the 17th was absolutely beautiful, it was well planned and perfectly executed, and I am pleased to have been a small part of it, even if only by showing up. In my outfit.

Egirl is learning to play the piano. I have never had an interest in learning anything to do with music, but I now find myself determined to learn how to play the piano too. Not because I hope to give a performance one day, but because I want to be able to help her. I believe that as a mother, the best gift I can give my children is to assist and encourage them to be the best that they can be in everything that they do. I haven’t started learning yet, I told her I would though, so now each time she practices, she says ‘Mama, it’s your turn now’ and I smile and reply ‘If I come now, how will the dishes get washed? Or ‘who will cook your lunch?’ etc. I am not stalling though, I desire to know how to play, and learn I will. For now, I listen to her while I stand at the sink or the cooker, and I listen hard. And when I hear a note that doesn’t quite sound right, I ask her ‘Was that supposed to sound like that?’ and she grins at me and says ‘No, mama’ and then plays it again. Till she gets the note right, or gets tired of trying.

There are some things I won’t ever learn to do, not because I am unable to, but because my desire to do so will never be strong enough. I will never know how it feels to have a bungee strap attached to my ankle. For the simple reason that bungee jumping just ain’t for me.

I’ve gone jet skiing before, never mind the fact that I did it kneeling on the skis as I was too terrified to stand, and had to be rescued  by lifeguards afterwards from water that was only about 4 feet deep as I was convinced I was drowning, but the fact remains that I did it. Even though I couldn’t and still can’t swim.

I will now go away and have a think about the things I desire to do, and I’ll come back and tell you some of them. I’m not ready to make any promises yet, But I think one of them might be to give you a definite timescale in which you can expect to read an update on life - as I see it.

5 Amazing Places to Bungee Jump in the World

1. Victoria Falls Bridge, Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls Bridge straddles the two South African countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe, and is situated amidst the spectacular Victoria Falls, which is one of the largest waterfalls in the world and home to a wide range of biodiversity. It is a superb setting for bungee-jumping; in fact, it is considered to be one of the highest bungee jumps in the world. Enjoy the spectacular views of two countries as well as a thrilling bungee jump experience, all at the same time!

2. OO7 Goldeneye Bungee Jump, Switzerland

Remember that scene in Goldeneye when James Bond did a breathtaking bungee jump? It was voted the best movie stunt of all time in 2002 and now you too have the opportunity to replicate his thrilling bungee jump at Ticino in Switzerland. This was the actual place of the shooting. Surrounded by a stunning Swiss landscape, this is an amazing place to bungee jump and will surely make for a fantastic story to tell the next time you watch Goldeneye with your friends at home.

3. Bhote Khosi Bungee, Nepal

In the heart of the Himalayas lie the Bhote Khosi River, both a source of life for the locals and a source of adventure for tourists wanting to white water raft. That is not the only adventure opportunity the river offers though, as right above it is a special suspension bridge used for bungee jumping. With spectacular sights of the surrounding jungle and the rushing rapids below, you will find this to be truly thrilling bungee jump experience.

4. Great Canadian Bungee, Canada

This is not just the highest bungee jump in Canada; it is also the only place in the world where you get to experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of literally jumping off a cliff. Below is a huge sparkling blue lagoon that you can choose to frolic in and relax after taking the best bungee jump of your life.

5. Bungy Bullet, Australia

The Bungee Bullet in Queensland, Australia, will allow you to experience bungee jumping with a twist. It is actually reverse bungee jumping, in which you are stripped into a seat which gets shot back into the air. The seats are for two, which means you get to share this exhilarating experience with a friend or loved one. This is one of the first reverse bungee jumps in the world and the experience has been highly praised by bungee jump enthusiasts.

I hope you enjoy if you read this one :

Skate Boarding

BMX

Motocross

rock Climbing

Mountain Bike

Para Sailing

Skydiving

By : Orson Johnson

How it is not be scared about hights? I think pretty normal. But hights that measure 180m?

32 base jumpers thrilled the crowd in Penang with their skydiving skills as they leaped off Komtar’s 62nd and 64th floors. That was a 180m jump! Kinda’ scary for anyone who is not in the business:) The jumpers took turns taking off from the two floors from 8.30am(very early !!!!!)  to 5.30pm on the 18th of October as the crowd was watching. Cool! One of the jumpers, Australian Gary Cunningham, started jumping since he was 16.

,,When I first started doing the jumps, it felt like my soul was separated from my body.

I was very scared but after a number of jumps, I managed to overcome the fear,, , he said.

Great feeling I think! We should try it some time! What do you say?

Why do we need adrenaline so much? Guess because it makes us happy. Have you ever felt as you’re the master of your own fears and you want to test your limits? Ever tried bungee? What about base jumping? Base jumping is a sport using a parachute and participants jump of the fixed objects like towers, buildings, bridges. In my opinion this is a great start for ones who want to try skydiving and jumping from plane. It’s almost like bungee jumping but in this case you are secured with a parachute:)

This week 16 base jumpers from around the World (11 from Malaysia, others from Australia, New Zealand, India and Turkey) got together to jump from the Teruntum Complex in Kuantan. The building measures 96 m (3 times an 8 floors block of flats) and it is going to be a real challenge for the participants. This demonstration is the first of the KL Tower International Jump in Malaysia 2009. The next stops for jumping will be in Felda Residence Hotel (Terengganu), Menara Alor Star (Kedah), Menara Pelita (Kuching), Menara Tun Mustapa (Kota Kinabalu), Menara Komtar (Penang) and Menara Taming Sari (Malacca).

I came home this weekend for the first time since school started (since the beginning of August really).  It was perfect timing to see my parents and spend some time with them.  I needed it. Today, my mom decided she and I would have a girls’ day out.  So after lunch with my mom and dad, me and my mom set off.

First order of business for girls day out? Bungee Jumping.

Okay, so technically we didn’t do the bungee jumping one, because I’m working with a bad knee, but we did the skyflyer where they hook you in a harness, pull you way way way up, and then you get to swing.  If you’ve ever been to Six Flags over Texas, they have one there.  Then we decided to do this one where they strap you into these seats inside of a round frame, and then catapult you into the air, where you go way up, way down, and you spin around for a lot of it. Headache.

But so much fun.

And I have to say, I love that that’s how my mom and I spend girls’ day.

I mean, okay, we did go shopping too (clearance rack + extra 30% off = really great deals), and watched a movie.

I did learn some things though. First – my mom is braver than I am.  Okay, so maybe I didn’t learn that, cause I’ve always known that, but I was reminded of it today.  But, like I’ve also known forever, she encourages me, and pushes me, and helps me to make it through.  Second – I’m scared of heights still.  Third – I really love adrenaline rushes. Fourth – I scream when dropped from high places or shot into the air.

All in all – I had some crazy new experiences today. But mostly, I’m glad to be home. If only for a weekend.

Nein, mein holländischer Onkel Oskar war nicht beim Bungee Jumping. Aber diese Woche ist das eingetreten, wovor ich mich schon seit Langem fürchtete. Ich habe eigentlich erst gegen Ende des Jahres mit diesem Ereignis gerechnet, aber da habe ich mich wohl getäuscht: Mein CD-Regal ist voll.

Als das vor knapp 2 Jahren schon einmal der Fall war, habe ich einfach die Drahtgestelle aus dem Regal genommen und CD an CD gestellt. Als das vor einem Jahr auch nicht mehr ausreichte, habe ich ein drittes Regalbrett dafür in Beschlag genommen. Aber was mache ich jetzt??

2,4m CD neben CD.

I took my nephew to Mt. Rainier over the weekend

I’ve scheduled the whole month of October out so take a look and feel free to reach out to me at Elliott@nwevolution.com if you want to come out for one or multiple days. If you do come out remember that I’m going to have cameras rolling the entire time so if you’re camera shy let me know in advance. In addition if you think there is something else that I should do than what’s on this list leave a comment.

31 Activities in 31 Days:

October 1st – 3rd: I’ll be in San Francisco since I’m speaking at West Coast Green so it’s going to be running on the pier an some nice hikes (you never know I might sneak something crazy in).

October 4th – 5th: I’m going to be in Phoenix with Small Leaks Sink Ships and I’ll be hitting up Squaw Peak and hopefully some rock climbing.

October 6th: Hiking Poo Poo Point

October 7th: Canoo Lake Washington

October 8th: Bike Ceder River Trail

October 9th: Stand Up Paddle on Lake Union

October 10th: Skydiving!

October 11th: Little Si Trail

October 12th: Rock Climbing

October 13th: Cougar Mountain Trail

October 14th: Bike Mercer Island

October 15th: Kyak in the Puget Sound

October 16th – 18th: Hike the American Ridge Trail

October 19th: Wakeboarding Lake Sammamish

October 20th: Para Gliding off of Poo Poo Point

October 21st: Hike Rattle Snake Lake

October 22nd: Hike Burt Gilman Trail

October 23rd: Hike Snoqualmie falls

October 24th: Bungee Jumping!!

October 25th: Hike Mt. Si

October 26th: Sky High Sports

October 27th Hike Squak Mt.

October 28th- 30th: Mountain Biking

October 31st: Hike Mail Box Trail and party afterwards!

Come out an join the fun or you can also follow me on Twitter.

I haven’t seen the movie Bucket List; at this point I think I’d rather scoop out my own brain with a spoon than see a recent Jack Nicholson film. But of course I have heard about it, and a lot of people I know seem to have made their own bucket lists.

I haven’t really made one for myself, not the grand “sometime in my life” kind of list, but I have been working on a list of things I want to do in the interest of changing my life.

Part of this has been because there has been stuff that needs to change. I’ve been a single parent for about about 16 years, and for most of that time (and for a lot of reasons) I tended to stay pretty isolated, focused on my kids, and really just trying to get through each day. I was depressed, I gained a ton of weight, and most of my friends kind of drifted off. I can’t say I was happy like that, but I was just trying to get by, and I couldn’t really hope for anything more than that. It got to a point when I knew this was going to have to change.

My kids are 18 and 16 now (that might be a surprise to those of you who have been reading me since the beginning, since they were 12 and 10 or whatever they were). Soon enough, they will leave home. I decided it was time to start thinking about the next part of my life and what I wanted that to look like. I definitely didn’t (and don’t) want it to look like the last 16 years, so I started  thinking about what, specifically, I wanted to change. I started losing weight, and I went to work on myself.

About 6 months ago, a friend and I talked about putting together a list of things that would help me along, concrete things that I could do to help me feel more confident and less shy, and also just to kind of figure out what I like to do. It’s not a bucket list; it’s more like a “things I plan to do in the next year” list. I’m constantly adding to the list and making mini-lists of steps I need to take to get the bigger thing done–so I can be working on things without them seeming so overwhelming. Some of the items are things my friend has challenged me to do.

So here are some of the items from my list:

do a triathlon (not an Ironman or anything, a much shorter one)
run a marathon (I really don’t know if I can do this one, and it won’t be within a year; the Portland Marathon is in October so the earliest would be October 2010)
learn to surf
get SCUBA certified
do something really scary like bungee jump or skydive (as a way to deal with fear)
go to Toastmasters
learn to shoot a gun
apply to law school

some of the things I’ve already done:

eat sushi (and I actually liked the outside part, which was salmon and mango and avocado, but when I got to the crab center, I had a hard time getting it down and was grossed out about it for a couple of weeks)
wear a tennis skirt (which I love)
get out of that hell for a job
go to the doctor for a physical now that I have adequate insurance (it had been years since I had been to the doctor, and I was scared to go)

It’s been fun to make the list and fun to do things from the list. It’s been super fun for this to be a project with a friend. I think it’s made us closer friends, and it’s made me accountable–and I never back down from a challenge, so anything she throws at me, I will do.

New Zealand is just the right place for those who have thirst for thrills and adventure. The activities out here are wide ranging, from some of the world’s best skiing, heli-skiing and snowboarding, to adventure activities such as bungee jumping, flybywire, dam dropping and zorbing.

The Kawarau Bridge Bungee:

Some people call it crazy, but enough find it exciting. The Kawarau Bridge Bungee is the first commercial bungee site in the world. Located a few miles outside Queenstown, it is set in a picturesque valley overlooking the Kawarau River. It’s the only bungee where you can choose to bob above the water, touch it or be fully immersed. No trip to Queenstown in New Zealand would be complete without at least considering a bungee jump!

Flybywire:

With a top recorded speed of over 170 kph, FlyByWire is said to be the fastest adventure flight in the world. FlyByWire is a self-drive flying machine which is built of premium grade aircraft material using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques and is powered by a 60 hp aircraft engine. You experience a force of three G’s to weightlessness within a three second interval as it accelerates you.

The machine is suspended from an overhead cable system, which allows it to fly in circles within a spectacular steep-sided canyon. The flight lasts 6 minutes.

Dam Dropping:

Dam Dropping is a form of river surfing, commonly know as river sledging. Through some of New Zealand’s most picturesque river scenery, down the Waingongoro River, under the shadow of Mount Taranaki in New Plymouth, it’s an experience of a lifetime.

Zorbing:

Ever wondered what it would feel like to get inside your washing machine on a spin cycle? Try Zorbing! New Zealand offers the opportunity to have a go at zorbing which is a unique, exciting, downhill, adventure experience. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages who don’t mind being strapped inside an enormous clear plastic, air-cushioned ball.

As all the violent bouncing is absorbed by the bigger outer transparent ball, you are quite secure inside the inner capsule. As the ball rolls down a long grass-covered slope, you spin around in a virtual anti-gravity form of weightlessness like an intoxicated space traveler. Liquid-zorbing is a more recent development of this zany downhill roller coaster ride. Two or three buckets of water are added to the mix and you remain unattached to the inner ball like a loose cannon tumbling out of control. Grab the chance to zorb, wet or dry!

This weekend we went to Baños as a big group.  I think there were only about five people who didn’t go.  It was a lot of fun.  It started out as quite an adventure trying to get there.

First off for those of you who don’t know, my program has three different tracks: marine ecology, evolution, and politics.  Well, the evolution people had a field trip on friday, and they were supposed to get back at five-thirtyish.  They were late, to start, and didn’t get back until around 6:15.  But that was ok because the bus we were supposed to take didn’t call back, so we had no transportation.  We managed to get a bus byt the time the evolution people arrived, and then one of our directors, who went with them, said he had found us a driver for less than the one we got.  So then it was interesting finegaling to figure out which driver and get only one bus.  We finally got one and managed to leave by 7:30.

It was a very long drive to Baños, about 3 and 1/2 hours.  We finally got there and our hostel was actually pretty nice.  Clean bathrooms, towels for everyone, a pool and a hot tub, and internet to use (though the computers were always busy).  Since we were all hungry we went out to find food, this massive group of people (we didn’t look like tourists at all, nope), and that was night one.

The next day was a little weird finding something to do, but we were told about a lady who had a tourist activity place, one among many in the town, so we talked to her and managed to decide what to do.  That morning, at 10:30, we all headed off to San Francisco bridge, where most of us bungeed off.  It was 300m high, and the bungee was 100m I think, so it was pretty freaky.  The way it worked was you jumped off and then when the rope went taught you ended up swinging back and forth under the bridge until they lowered you and you caught a rope to get pulled back to land.  It was pretty intense.  By the time it was my turn I was really scared.  I was actually crying up on the platform before jumping, I was so scared.  But when we counted to three, I spread my arms and swan dived off, because i knew I would be really upset if I just got back down.  And it was AWESOME.  I don’t really remember much of the jump, it was too much of an adrenaline rush.  But I remember swinging around under the bridge and it was really a lot of fun.  I’m glad I went.  The only bad part was when the rope went taught, I smacked my lip on one of the buckles on my harness.  It was just a little swollen though, and it’s ok now.  The cool thing was, this was only $15.  It would have been so much more back in the states.

Then a bunch of us were going to go horseback riding, but it had been raining all morning and we were wet and tired.  In the end, most people went anyway, b/c all twelve horses were used.  Two other girls and I didn’t go, and someone else took our spots.  Instead, I went biking with some other members of our group along the path to the waterfalls.  We saw some pretty cool sights, especially when we made it to el Pailon del Diablo, the Devil’s cauldron.  Now that was an impressive sight.  Clouds of water drops shooting into the air, the fall roaring.  You couldn’t get close without getting completely drenched, and it was very cold, but very very cool.  Some people took the little trail that led behind the waterfall, but by the time I decided to go they were coming back, so oh well.  It was still very cool.  My jeans got completely soaked though, so that was rather unfortunate and made the walk back not so much fun, but it’s all part of the adventure.

The ride back to the hostel was…interesting.  A guy with a truck took us and all twelve of our bikes back.  Ten of us and the bikes were in the back, the bikes balanced precariously over the back .  An entertaining ride, but that’s kind of how you get around Ecuador.  I think that was kind of his job because the side of his truck had the name of some tour/driving co or something.

That night we went out to dinner and then a bunch of people went out to party/bars.  Me and a couple other girls didn’t really feel like it so we went back.  We all had wanted to go to the hot springs, but they were completely full, with a two hour wait to get in.  This morning we were going to go again, but it seems they were full at 9am.  Because it’s a sunday, I guess they fill up when they open at four am and stay full all day.  There were some others that we were going to go to instead, but again, they were full.  Ah well.  People just kind of did whatever then.  I went in the hot tub with a couple other people for a bit and then roamed the streets of Baños for a while.  I got a shoulder bag for $5, and I got my alpaca wool sweater!!!  For only $10 too.   Yay!  I’m still going to go to Otavalo, because I hear it’s quite an experience and I still have lots of gifts to buy.  Then it was the long drive back to Quito and that was my weekend.  All in all it was pretty fun and I’m glad I went.

On tuesday night I leave for the coast for two weeks.  I don’t know how much access I’ll have to the internet, so I might put up two or three posts at the end of those two weeks.  Or maybe just a really long one.  But I dunno.  I’ll be in touch.