We found a local sitter through an online service. She stayed with the kids during their nap for two days at the B&B while we did some not-so-kid-friendly activities. It worked out great. The kids got some really good rest and we got to try some new things. We were running late getting back the first day so Mick and Teresa took care of the kids until we got back. They were playing outside with the kids when we returned. They were so incredibly good to us.

First off we went on an extreme jet boat ride. It was like a 16-passenger jet ski. It was amazing to see the control the driver had. What a complete blast. We got an amazing view of the Huka falls too.

The next activity is something I have NEVER had the desire to do. But when I read online that this establishment was so confident and precise with their measurements that you had the option of getting wet anywhere in the range of your wrists to you ankles I decided maybe I would think about it, and since Chad wanted to do it. When we arrived at Taupo Bungy I changed my mind.

Elisa needed some convincing to go bungy jumping. How could I seriously consider jumping 160 feet–that is almost a 15 story building. I wasn’t concerned about the harness or cord safety. I was more worried about getting a giant dose of whiplash and/or Chad and I hurting each other in our free fall; we won’t even get into my potentially orphaned children in a foreign country. When I made my decision I was done. Elisa didn’t hesitate after she decided to do the jump. I encouraged Chad to go with out me.

In the end I had straps tightened around my ankles and the operators were counting down 3…2…1. Were my eyes opened or closed? Did I scream? I am fairly certain I hunched into a sort of semi-fetal position. Chad reminded me at the last moment to break our fall into the river with my hands. It’s really hard to remember anything about the free fall. I just have an image in my mind of the river way above our heads. It felt like we plunged 10 feet deep–but these guys were true to their word and we were only dunked above the waist. I held on to Chad for dear life after the dunk.

The worst part, besides feeling terrified, was getting ripped back out of the water. My nose filled with water and being upside-down gave it nowhere to go but my sinuses. I had the worst sinus headache for the rest of the day, until all the water drained out. I like thrilling things a lot but bungy jumping is one thing I never plan to do again. In the future I’ll trust my instincts. I don’t think I ever need to do it again either. Most other bungee jumps aren’t from so high, and they don’t end underwater.

The next day we went horseback riding. The scenery was beautiful but an hour half at walking speed became quite long. Maybe we need to take a lesson so we do not have to go at a snail’s pace next time. I kept wanting excuses to trot. Elisa and I need to do an intermediate ride sometime together. After that we went ZORBing. It is basically a giant plastic hamster ball with another ball suspended inside and filled with a bit of water. You get in, start doing the hamster run and then down the hill you roll. Chad got some ill-suited advice for our tandem roll down the hill which resulted in a number of colorful bruises on MY knee, shin and shoulder. Rude. But it was all worth it and really great fun.