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![I Believe We Can Fly [I believe we just touched the sky]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/535a8b5ee4b00a1a8a7975e6/1453896991499-W0TQ4403CXK2O6NGHVED/image-asset.jpeg)
I Believe We Can Fly [I believe we just touched the sky]
"he finally woke up, rising to his feet, clearly utterly oblivious to what had just happened."
I Believe We Can Fly - I Believe We Just Touched The Sky
At home in the U.K., Taran took me indoor skydiving and paragliding, whereas I made him do something he never wanted to do, and that was a bungee jump.
So naturally we had to take the thrills up a notch in Australia, with Taran adamant that a real outdoor skydive was going to happen, despite my flat-out refusal.
It wasn't so much the heights, or flying, that was off-putting to me, just the part when you manoeuvrer yourself to the edge of an open door, thousands of feet off the ground, which seemed beyond extreme....
Well, it took ten months but he finally got it booked and paid for, and there was no going back. I had agreed to do this and only 2 days before the event.
We used the Australian website, book me, to locate the best deal, but we knew we wanted to jump near or over Fraser Island. Working there for 2 months, we naturally developed a connection with the place, and this felt like a cool and almost symbolic way to wrap up that phase of our travels. Plus its a beautiful part of the Queensland coast!
Skydive Hervey Bay were the ones we chose, and we are so glad we did. Great reviews online plus competitive rates were good enough, but Pete and his team were also a solidly friendly and exuberant bunch, who put us at ease immediately. It's hard to be super happy at 7.45am on a Monday, and it's surely hard to be enthusiastic after 6000 jumps, but these guys made us feel good way before the dive.
Soon after arriving, we were into our harnesses, tightened around our legs and shoulders, as we went over the jump procedure. Then came the walk to the tiny plane, just the 5 of us including the pilot and our two jump buddy's. Leaving the ground along the runway, which we have travelled on with Air Fraser, it felt familiar and definitively okay. No nerves just yet. Taking off up into the plush white clouds, we travelled across Hervey Bay and toward Fraser and the ocean. The clouds created giant shadows across the water, the sun glinting off the rest of the blue-green expanse.
There was some mild turbulence as we passed through some thick marshmallow formations, and then it was time for a pre-dive recap...Taran is pulled onto Pete's lap, and attached tightly to him. I am too, and notice how the tight the pull is across my waist; it's all good, it reassured me that the jump wouldn't go like this.
Pete shouted some numbers to the pilot, co-ordinates of where we would jump from I assume, over the din of the loud engines. Then came the great whoosh of reality, as the door was levered open, and we were suddenly not just on a plane ride. This plane was landing without us.
Taran pulled his legs out of the door, dangling out the edge, and suddenly, he was gone!
I couldn't really take in the cartoon-like blue and white outside. I just stared numbly at the empty space on the plane floor, which I soon filled as my instructor shuffled us to the edge. I pulled my resistant feet out of the hole, pulled my hands across my chest, and tilted my chin up. My survival instincts were clearly switched off, and I felt mildly zombie-like, forcing my limbs to hang out a tiny object suspended in the air.
And then we were out! Rolling, spinning, then flattening out into the free-fall, hands moved out to the side, peter pan style. I had expected a strong mighty wind in my face, making breathing a tad hard, but amidst the assault on my senses, I felt quite peaceful. My fear dissipated, and a little voice in my head told me to take it all in, marvel at this true sea-view, and love every second...
All too soon the parachute deployed safely and I was gently gliding slowly down to earth. We spotted a dugong, or maybe a big dolphin, and I steered the parachute briefly. It was then I began to feel nauseous. I get motion sickness all too easily, so it was no surprise, but it did make me want to land faster. Soon enough we were speeding up and purposefully lowering, turning, and coming in to land, legs and bottom pushed up for a seated landing.
I sat there, very aware of the feeling of the sand beneath me, the hardness of being back on the ground, contrasted to the lightness of flying. I took a moment to gather myself, looking to the horizon and breathing deeply to relieve the sickness, when I looked over to Taran.
Slumped forward, limbs limp, Pete was trying to rouse him, speaking loudly to him, repeating his name and telling him to wake up.
I was very confused, and thought, if anyone was gonna take a funny a turn it would be me, and I would be mocked for weeks to come. But nope, Taran blacked out for about 2-3 minutes, which felt like an age. Such relief when he finally woke up, rising to his feet, clearly utterly oblivious to what had just happened. Once we were in the van, headed back to the base, Taran said “Yeah I felt very constricted by the harness, but nope, never fainted in my life” to which I got the trainer to confirm, yep mate, you did just faint.
He laughed in disbelief, as we recounted his little brain reboot session. Turns out Taran was struggling to breathe once the parachute deployed, his arms going numb, but he had managed to hold it together just enough to pull his legs up for landing, stand up, then sit down again, proceeding to switch off.
Relieved, exhilarated, a tiny bit sickly, but with a lazy satisfied smiles on our faces, we sat down as our awesome souvenir video's were edited. Oh yeah, they go-pro the whole thing, if it wasn't enough that they are being safe and making it the best dive experience possible, they also have to be camera-men.
Skydive Hervey Bay were so good to us, and it made something we were apprehensive about, not just a smooth and safe adventure, but they left a really great impression on us. Not everyone in Australia has treated us with much regard or respect, lumping us in the category of middle-class English small-minded loutish backpacker, following the crowd, will work for shit money and tolerate crap. But there's clearly some good guys out here, and luckily there the ones who push you out of planes.
Thanks for reading!
Hannah and Taran here. We hail from Southern England, where we met online and are now realizing our mutual passion for travel here at NomaderHowFar. We discuss Nomadic Living, Simplifying your Life and Long-term Travel, to empower, motivate and inspire our readers. Get to know us here!
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![Crying Over Big Fish [Whale-Watching on the Fraser Coast]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/535a8b5ee4b00a1a8a7975e6/1441869208016-PHCZDEQGNHVP1GYVU811/image-asset.jpeg)
Crying Over Big Fish [Whale-Watching on the Fraser Coast]
Speeding out of the harbour on a baking day, we hit the windy extremes of the open sea, coming up alongside Fraser Island (which looks as cool as we imagined it might), we headed out to find them.
Crying Over Big Fish [Whale-Watching on the Fraser Coast]
We have gone and done the first real tourist-type activity since arriving in Oz 5 months ago, and paid for a 3 hour speed-boat trip at Hervey Bay to watch the Whales that come into the bay between May and October.
We weren't sure if we would definitely see some (although that would be an expensive watching of the sea), if the Whales didn't feel like being followed that day. But lucky for us and about 10 others, they came out in force.
Speeding out of the harbour on a baking hot day, we hit the windy extremes of the open sea, coming up alongside Fraser Island (which looks as cool as we imagined it might), we headed out to find them.
About 30 minutes in, in the distance, a giant shining white and grey arm flailed about in the horizon. We had found them!
Slapping their monumental fins, coming down heavy against the ocean, i found myself getting a little bit teary-eyed at the sight. Seeing these majestic gargantuan creatures in their natural environment, just letting us roll up alongside them.
We all found ourselves chasing each and every sight of them, as they'd disappear and then reappear very close to the boat. Jaw agape, we just stood marvelling at them.
Their skin looked smooth, solid and like it had seen a fair few fights.
Eventually these guys got bored of being watched by several gormless humans, and we set off to find the next group. This time we just caught a whale breaching as we raced up toward them.
And one point the two of the second group we found seemed to be sleeping, or sitting still, staring in our direction under the water. Ominously planning our demise, or considering whether to come closer and inspect. And that they did. Yet again sinking below the deep blue water and coming up again only a few foot beside our boat.
It was a really amazing way to spend an afternoon, just observing these peaceful giants in their element. Whales should always be watched and appreciated in this respectful way. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing nature thrive in its natural habitat.
Thanks for reading!
Hannah and Taran here. We hail from Southern England, where we met online and are now realizing our mutual passion for travel here at Nomad'erHowFar. We discuss Nomadic Living, Simplifying your Life and Long-term Travel, to empower, motivate and inspire our readers. Get to know us here!
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That Wasn't Flying, It Was Falling With Style!
Preparation for the real thing? Hannah says no, Taran say yes :D
That Wasn't Flying, It Was Falling With Style!
While in England me and Hannah went indoor skydiving!
It was her Xmas present from me. I thought we'd squeeze one more awesome activity in before we head to Oz! Plus it's prep for the real skydive!
I'm definitely not skydiving, but Taran is pretty adamant, so I will remain adamant until the moment we are jumping out of a plane together...
I just wish they had let go of us more so we could fly ourselves :P
Taran booked our indoor flights through Airkix, a company with centres in Manchester, Basingstoke and Milton Keynes. The deal was called Shairkix and was based on two people/a couple doing two flights (with the instructor) and then a flight together.
We watched everyone else doing their flights first, and it was quite a sight, seeing everyone's faces being pushed back on their heads by the force of the wind tunnel haha! And it looked ridiculously fun!
Our instructor Zac then called us all through for a pre-flight safety chat, then we all got suited and booted.
We all had to file in to a seating area next to the tunnel, and just like the para-glide we did in the summer, Taran volunteered us to go first. I feel like that's gonna happen a lot in Australia...
Taran immediately got the technique down. Effortless. The lady sat next to me said ""Has he done this before? and I proudly shook my head; "No but he knew he'd be good at it!". Because Taran is always good at physical stuff, whereas me, I am on the other end of the scale in terms of co-ordination, clumsiness and strength.
At the end of the flight, he was brave enough to do the whirly-twisty thing the instructor does (technical term) where he takes you up and down the tunnel. You remain in the flight position and hold still, and then he grabs hold of you, spinning crazy fast right up to the top and down again.
Then came time for my flight. I took my position at the entry way, arms in front of me, firsts balled, and i just leapt forward and let myself fall. Except you don't fall, the whoosh of the air lifts you up, and you get into the flying position, watching out for the instructors hand signals. I was constantly told to straighten my legs, and i think i was seeing the signal, understanding it, but too flummoxed to follow it through!
The sensation of flying and not falling, achieving a feat that is impossible in any other situation, is so overwhelming you almost forget to enjoy it because your body is so focused on holding position, thinking that the slightest adjustment or movement could see you plummet down. But you don't really, its pretty idiot-proof!
I opted out of the whirly-twisty-thing, and just before the end of my flight I realized I wasn't breathing, as I had my jaw clamped shut and the air was coming up with such force I just couldn't regulate myself, so I panicked a bit and left the tunnel just before the end of my flight :(
Then came the couples flight!
Taran kept saying to me, "breathe through your mouth!" and it helped. Once we got in there I focused on that and I was suddenly able to enjoy it! We both got into our positions quite nicely, and the instructors did some cheesy posing guiding us to kiss each other. I was laughing hysterically. Taran was loving it.
The only bad thing about it, it was all over so fast. By the time you learn how to breathe with air whooshing into your face, and manage to hold the right position, the clock runs out of time. But it was such a buzz albeit a brief one. We'd definitely do it again and more regularly, so that we could then go in without an instructor and really mess about!
Another awesome experience ticked off, and an amazing birthday gift.
Thanks for reading!
Hannah and Taran here. We hail from Southern England, where we met online and are now realizing our mutual passion for travel here at Nomad'erHowFar. We discuss Nomadic Living, Simplifying your Life and Long-term Travel, to empower, motivate and inspire our readers. Get to know us here!
Recommended reads:
Falling To Earth... From 160ft.
Parking up, walking toward the lake, we saw the crane, and it was, rather tall...
Our first ever bungee jump!
I can blame the paragliding on Taran, but I actually booked this adrenaline-filled adventure..
So Taran was immediately reluctant when I told him about it in August. It was his birthday present and it looked like it might have been a bad choice by the look on his face... I was all "but it's a tandem, which means we hug! and go together! its romantic...". He was not keen!
Once over the initial wide-eyed "I'd rather not", Taran came around to the idea, and so the date was set for October 4th!
A nice view, horrid weather.
The morning of the jump I woke up nervous and couldn't stomach breakfast. I had a little cry (yes really) and a moment of being unsure if I wanted to jump, the tables had turned and it was Taran reassuring me about how amazing it would be this time :P The weather was looking pretty poor for the whole day, but it wasn't windy which would be the only reason for the jump to be called off.
So we drove to Windsor, Bray Lake Watersports, around midday, the rain didnt stop at all and we knew we were going to get a tad wet!
Looking a tad uneasy..
Taran looking a bit more happy about the jump..
Parking up, walking toward the lake, we saw the crane, and it was, rather tall... Oh crap. More nerves set in. It was raining quite hard now so I had cold shivers as well as scared ones.
First things first we had some forms to fill out. We were weighed, and then sent to the seating area opposite the crane. Fitted with our waist harnesses, we watched as the first people started to jump. UKBungee run the jumps, and everything ran smoothly and professionally.
Drowned rats soon to be flying rats.
One guy's jump was very much him flailing about, waving his arms in absolute terror. I hoped our jump would be more graceful.
So came the time for our ankle harnessing. All the guys at UK Bungee were super friendly and relaxed, which rubbed off on us. By the time it came for us to jump our nerves were totally under control and we couldn't wait now!
It was our turn! So we carefully hopped over to the crane cabin, ready to go up!
Taran teeters on the edge! I am in front of him, holding tight.
Here we go!!
The guy chatted to us as we rose higher and I winced at the view. It was an amazing view but I was just a little too apprehensive to let go of Taran and really look around.
Taran remarked it was like being in the cage from Jurassic Park 2, high up above the trees...
Within moments we were positioned, Taran with his feet half of the edge, myself with my arms tightly squeezing him, my chin tucked in. My job was just to cuddle tightly and enjoy the jump! And also not look up or we'd of had a big old head-butt.
Our bungee guy did the pre-checks and told us not to grab him, or the side of the crane when we jumped. This was the most scary part, letting go of the cage and just standing half off the edge!
We didn't actually have to force ourselves to jump, the guy would be helping us off the edge. He then proceeded to rock us back and forth, counting down from 5... Taran said "Your gonna push us on 2 aren't you..." he replied "I'm not gunna push you on 2" and with that off we went, on 3...
Falling through the air!
A happy taran!
Down we went, like a lead balloon!
I screamed, twice, with the initial drop feeling incredible, unlike anything we'd ever felt before. Brief weightlessness, flying, falling! Taran 'woohed' with excitement. I then laughed hysterically.
At no point did the drop hurt or feel jolting, it simply felt amazing. We were both giggling and Taran started seeing stars. Such a buzz, such a cool feeling!
We were then hoisted down onto padding where they took our harnessing off and I was in a bit of a daze, smiling like an idiot. The buzz was so awesome, it didn't leave us for quite a while that rainy October day :)
We would definitely do it again, maybe from higher up as it was the few seconds of free-fall that made it all worth it!
Yo!
We are Taran & Hannah from the South of England. After meeting online, we realized our mutual passion for travelling. Follow us, as we prepare to travel the world and set off on little more than our wits and a few £s, and maybe get inspired to see a little more of the world as well.
Recommended Reads:
Ever been bungee jumping?
Paragliding Is Awesome! And Scary..
So we both tried paragliding, here's what happened :)
Hannah tentatively getting into the backpack
Who's bright idea was it to run off the edge of a rocky cliff of a sunny Saturday afternoon? Taran's, obviously.
A few weeks back I was presented with my birthday gift, via a youtube video of a B&B on the Isle of Wight, which specialized in, yep, Paragliding.
I was surprised and a tad bemused. I'd never thought about doing it before, and so up until the day we flew, I decided not to over-think it.
Then, all of a sudden, came the moment we sat in a windy field overlooking the sea, and I was volunteered to go first by Taran and the flying man Josh who tandemed with me and prevented my untimely death.
Helmet on, reinforced by a hat, then it was into the giant backpack/parachute thingy, strapped in and checked over.
Josh behind me ready to steer and Dave the owner of the B&B and Butterfly Paragliding, in front of me telling me to look at a patch of blue sky and focus on that.
He could probably sense the fear. And then we started walking, running, and I took a tumble, forgetting I had to provide a run-off to get us off the ground.
Then we were running again, and suddenly, the edge is approaching fast; this feels unnatural and crazy and I probably looked the most terrified I ever have. We go off the edge, and we fly! We don't drop like lead balloons, we actually fly, and soar through the sky.
Hannah flying through the air
Three words to sum up the 15-20 minute session; unbelievable, beautiful and nauseating.
I began to feel sick around the same time we gained height and I was looking down at nothing but the vast open ocean.
I felt light yet terrified to move so kept my hands still and my legs tightly bent.
Then we came in for landing, and lowered over a field and a fence in a perfectly-timed and smooth descent, thankfully. The first thing I did was stare silently at Taran who was waiting for me, forcing a nervous smile, and then I found myself crying a little bit...loser.
So I went and had a lie down so my stomach and legs could remember what it felt like to be, well, not flying and twirling through the sky, with little more than some straps and string to stop yourself falling.
I didn't yet know how I felt about the whole experience, as I watched Taran prepare for lift-off...
Here goes Taran!
I rushed in to take Hannah's seat and get in the air before I could really think about what I was doing..
The feeling you get when you feel the lift pull you up into the air is an incredible feeling, and is made even more amazing (if not quite terrifying) by the view down below your feet!
Off the edge we go..
Unfortunately we didn't have any cameras to take with us and we didn't want to drop our phones, but when you start to gain some height its really inspiring to look at the landscapes.
Towards the end of my flight we moved in front of the landing area and hovered in the same spot, looking out to sea and into the strong wind that was hitting us!
We got blown around quite a bit, and I have to say I was quite nervous, I then looked up at the wing and noticed the ends were folding inwards under themselves which I didn't like the look of, but was reassured that he was doing it on purpose to lose some altitude in the strong wind so we could land.
As we came in to land the wind forced us to make an off course landing in the field behind which was full of nettles which was when I regretted wearing shorts :P
Facing some strong wind!
In the end, I think my favourite part was the taking off. That was the easiest yet most frightening part, but wow, I can't explain the feeling of doing something that would, in any other circumstances, be certain suicide.
Scary things are the most fun I suppose. Why else do we watch scary movies and force ourselves to ride horrible roller-coasters?
Yo!
We are Taran & Hannah from the South of England. After meeting online, we realized our mutual passion for travelling. Follow us, as we prepare to travel the world and set off on little more than our wits and a few £s, and maybe get inspired to see a little more of the world as
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Jet Boarding Is Insane!
I got to try out something super awesome.. Jet-boarding! I love surfing and body-boarding but this is another level!
Jet Boarding Is Insane!
I have been waiting to do this since Christmas, and the day finally came!
So to start with you are instructed to do some 'swimming' which is actually just laying on your front in the water with your hands by your side and propelling yourself forward.. Which is quite fun by itself, but you best be prepared for the real fun to start!
Falling with style :P
You will be told to move your legs under you, so you are standing straight and the power will start!
As you rise out of the water like some kinda water demon for the first time, its an incredible feeling but one that will probably be over in seconds when you fall straight back into the water after you lose your balance haha!
Falling without style!
After a few falls, and these falls are from about 15 feet so it is quite a knock when you slam into the water, you start to get the balance figured out and you'll be able to hover above the water really quite high!
Its a weird feeling, standing on a little board that high above the water!
I was loving it so much that I started trying to do some turns, which ended badly to start with.. but I managed to learn it pretty quick.
Then as the session was coming to the end I shouted and asked the instructor if there was anything cool I could try, and he suggested because i was getting the hang of turning that i should try a loop around the jet-ski he was sat on, which I managed to ace :P
Zooming across the water!
I look like I'm posing here..
It really was great fun, and if I had the opportunity/could afford it, I would definitely do it again!!
Thanks for reading!
Hannah and Taran here. We hail from Southern England, where we met online and are now realizing our mutual passion for travel here at Nomad'erHowFar. We discuss Nomadic Living, Simplifying your Life and Long-term Travel, to empower, motivate and inspire our readers. Get to know us here!
Recommended Reads:
Taran & Makoto here, together we form Nomader How Far photography.
Check out my photo journals