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Writer's pictureNeil Greenwood

Around the World Trip - Day 52 - 22nd Feb 2009 – Cairns

Updated: Dec 17, 2022

Got up at 8am and got showered etc ready for my Skydive. The bus came for me at about 9:15am and took us to the office, which was just a few blocks away. Once we got there we had to fill in all the paperwork about if you die its not our fault blah blah, who to inform if you go splat etc.


Once done we had about an hour wait as the group before had only just left due to bad weather in the area they were gonna jump. Had a bit of a sleep and then it was time to get into gear. We were given some long pants to put on as it might be wet where we land and then were strapped into our harnesses. I think my voice may be higher once that shoot opens and the straps go tight lol. Once in our gear the bus was back and we met our tandem partners, mine was Elisa who seemed really nice. She fiddled with my straps and then went through with me the various positions, head back arms crossed as we leave, tap on the shoulder and arms out and then legs up for landed. Sounds like we land on our ass so this could hurt, it’s the landing I’m worried about as I kind figure the rest is out of your control.


After the briefing, it was over to the airport which was just 10 minutes away. A small plane came round to the gate where we were lined up and we got in with our partners. There were two small benches on either side and we lined up with one leg on either side of the bench sat in between our partner's legs. Then we were on our way up. It was only a small plane and there was a roller shutter door that was open while we took off so they could film, but his was closed as we got higher up. The film guy was hooked on as he was next to the opening. Me and Elisa were behind him and a Chinese girl and her partner was at our side of us. There was a Chinese guy behind her and an American guy behind us. Camera guy would go first as the Chinese girl had paid for the full on filming thing with your own camera guy (I didn’t know or I woulda had that, I just said the DVD and pics). Elisa just had a handy cam that she would film the jump with strapped to her hand. After Camera guy it was Chinese girl then me, Yikes


On the way up Elisa filmed bits and kept showing me the altitude gage so I could see how high we were. Once we reached 14,000 feet the first warning light went one to let us know to put on our goggles. Then soon after the next light and the hatch was opened again and it was time to start jumping. You could see out and we were above the clouds, the view was amazing. Inside my stomach was churning with excitement and I couldn’t imagine what it was going to feel like. The camera guy went first followed by the Chinese girl, then it was my turn. I shuffled to the edge and hung my legs over the edge with Elisa right behind me (she would be though being attached lol).

We rocked back and forth twice and then on the second one we were falling forward and our of the plane. We rolled over twice and then we were horizontal. She tapped me on the shoulder to signal to put my arms out and then we were racing towards the ground at great speed. The air was rushing past you put it didn’t feel like you were falling more like flying. Elisa made us to a few turns etc which was great and we passed through some of the clouds. I’ve never felt anything like it. As we got to the next set of clouds I could see through the gaps in them, the ground below. It seemed to be getting close at a rate of knots.

Then Elisa pulled the cord to open the shoot and we flew upward into the air as the wind got underneath it. We started gliding down and once we got through the clouds she gave me the straps and talked me through doing a few turns left then right. She pointed out the area that we would land in a field below and then steered us in the right direction. As we got close to the ground she told me to lift up my legs and then in seconds we were sliding on the wet grass on our arses. It was so smooth it just felt like you were sliding, no bumps no crash bang wallop like I was thinking. It was an absolutely amazing experience and I would recommend anyone to try it and I definitely want to do it again somewhere different.


We got up sharpish as it was wet and muddy and then headed back to the van that was waiting for us. Took off the harness and then ditched the wet pants and got back in the van back to the office. When we got there Matt and Andrew were there ready to go for their jump (we had found out they were doing their jump the same day when we spoke last night). Matt was really excited and Andrew looked pretty nervous lol.


Got something to eat while I hung around for the DVD and photo discs to be done and then walked back to the hostel. It was SO hot on the way back I was dripping wet by the time I got there so jumped in the shower again.


Just as I got in it started to lash it down and didn’t stop for hours. When it finally did stop I went over to the shopping centre to get some money out and also check where the bus stop was for tomorrow morning as I’m off to start my wildlife conservation project for two weeks in a place called Ravenshoe. Apparently, Erin told me last night its kinda in the arse end of nowhere and there’s nothing to do there. It doesn’t bother me as I’m not going there as a holiday destination I’m going to work so should be busy enough.


Got myself something to eat and then sat in the room and read for a bit then used the hostel internet to upload my pics and this blog.


Early night as up at 5.30am.


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