Gap Year Experiences

Pepper takes the Plunge!

Tuesday 17 March 2009

From Hogsback we ventured further South to Plettenberg Bay where we were all getting ready for an adrenaline fuelled few days.

We had just lost an honorary member of the group along the way as we said our fond farewells to Larry aka ‘The Snake’ at Port Elizabeth. But before reaching our final destination we had a quick pit stop at the quaint and idyllic town of Jeffery’s bay which is notorious for its amazing surf and the infamous Billabong shopping outlet. I do seem to recall the shopping outlet got us girls a little more excited than the surf –except of course our very own surfer girl Eloise! So after a good two hours shopping and a few wallets feeling a little lighter (mine mainly!) we continued our journey in the Pepper van – so we would make it to Plett in time for a Braai.

We stayed in a great little backpackers called Albergos and after a good night’s sleep everyone was pumped and ready for some heart pumping activities. Unfortunately the group was split on the day’s activity choice with the usual suspects of Jules, Ricky and Doug wanting to go on a 5 hour hike (yes another one!) and the rest of us keen on some Canopy zip wiring.

So, myself, Eloise, Lucy and Johnny headed off to the top of the trees to imitate monkeys whilst the others got their walking boots on one more time.

After being kitted up in some very attractive harnesses and helmets the 4 of us set off into the trees with another group of travellers to whizz about from tree top to tree top. Unfortunately for us the other group of travellers we were ‘swinging’ with were not really to the pepper taste! In fact the words ‘retarded’, ‘inbred’ and ‘special’ were used on a few occasions! However, the day was still a huge success and I am pretty sure our screams could be heard from a fair distance off – especially Johnny’s girlish yelps which kept the rest of us very amused for the remainder of the day!

We then picked up our favourite hikers and all headed to a nearby bar for some late afternoon cocktails and to exchange stories and photos of the day’s events.

Monday was a big day for everyone – we were going to be taken sky high and plunge 10,000 feet from a small plane with a man and parachute strapped to our backs! Yes, it was sky diving day! Adrenaline and nerves were definitely visible as we pulled up to the air field and as we all witnessed another couple land from a jump. Jules and Lucy were up first and both of them were raring to go. As we all waited patiently on land, trying to decipher a small plane in a crystal blue sky – we suddenly heard the radio go with the pilots instructions of “Dropping 2 skydivers in approximately 2 minutes”. Off and out of our seats we then spotted the tiny resemblance of a plane. Watching carefully we then saw what seemed to be a tiny white spot, and then another emerge and falling from the sky at a rapid rate! Jules and Lucy had done it and were free falling at 10,000 feet and at 203 km per second! We then saw the parachutes flare up and the faint whoops and cheers from our girls in the sky. After 2 safe and very graceful landings it was over to me and Eloise to take to the sky. With our harnesses on and our heart rates increasing we jumped into the tiny plane and got ready for take off! The plane journey was a treat in itself as we got the most incredible view of Plett, and as our instructors pointed out the main sights of the area. After 15 minutes though it was back to business and Eloise was up first! Goggles on, a last minute safety check and a quick exchange of ‘I love you’ from the 2 of us the door was suddenly open and a powerful surge of air rushed through the plane. Eloise and I looked at each other with a look of both terror and sheer excitement! But, before we could think anymore I watched Eloise tumble out into thin air. She had done it and I was next! Donovan my instructor shuffled me over to the edge and started rocking me back and forth shouting, ‘READY?’ I gave him a thumbs up and we were off! I can’t describe the feeling you get when skydiving but the fact my screams could be heard from the moment I left the plane to landing, by the guys on the ground hopefully will give you some idea of the sheer excitement, adrenaline, and fear that you go through. After myself and El were safe on the ground the boys were up next! Doug’s face was quite a picture as they walked away towards the plane – but after 4 young girls had faced the challenge – and might I add very calmly – the boys had no excuse! 20 minutes later they were jumping from the same height, screaming just as loud as us (the Mule in particular) and making us girls on the ground very proud! All of Pepper had successfully skydived!

After a thrilling morning we all headed to the beach to soak up some well deserved sun. It was a scorching day and everyone was ready to just sit back and relax – well all except El and Ricky. There plans consisted of beach gymnastics much to our enjoyment. Ricky’s back flips and El’s back-arches into flips were quite incredible. However, all did not end well as Ricky seriously hurt his knee while practising, and therefore counted him out for the next day’s activities. El also managed to get stung in the sea by a jellyfish – but this was quickly rectified by a certain someone’s urine being drizzled on her leg (cough cough Ricky!).

After a very eventful day we headed back to the backpackers all pretending not to think about what tomorrow had to bring. Tuesday morning – alarms went off early. Not much was said as we collected our last minute thoughts about what was ahead of us. It was bungy day, and not just any old bungy – the highest bungy jump in the world! After many weeks of “I am definitely going to do it,” and “Pah! It doesn’t scare me!” it all suddenly became a bit too real. As we then pulled up and saw the bridge itself the blood physically drained from our faces (Doug’s in particular!)– I can’t even begin to explain the sheer height of this bridge! But before we even knew it, or had time to back out, we were on top of it! Not only were we the first group of the day, I was the first person! As I crept my toes to the edge, and looked back at the group – girls’ giving me looks of sympathy and support and the Mule just laughing at me I took in one big sigh and looked directly at the mountains in front of me – this was it. The bungy guys held my arms and gave me the dreaded countdown…3…2…1…BUNGY! Before I could think I had physically thrown myself off in a superman-style pose, screaming all the way just praying this piece of elastic tied to my feet would save me from a plunging death! Luckily it did! It was the most exhilarating and scariest thing I had ever accomplished – but I had done it and I was now buzzing! After being hauled up 216 metres I was safe on solid ground and the other guys were already firing questions at me as to what it was like, all I could say was “You will love it”. Half and hour and 5 jumps later it was done – it was a Pepper first, every single person had jumped the highest bungy jump in the world and we had never been more excitable!

All in all a heart-racing, blood pumping and breathtaking few days that I don’t think anyone will forget!

Lots of love

Carrie xxx