Why live on the edge, when you can jump off it?

Some people find it appealing to shop until they drop. They get contentment out of finding great deals and unique pieces. Others get overwhelmed with reading a fantastically written book. Well, I’m different -- I’m part of the adrenalin-seeking, adventure-searching subset of the population. 

My mission is to push myself to the limit. Last October, I booked a flight to Macau with my friends. To gamble? No. To experience a gastromical feat? No.

I chose Macau because they have the world’s tallest bungee platform. It stands 233 meters above ground (that’s roughly 61 floors up) with a view that intensely shatters your notion of ‘keeping it cool' and dares you to plunge right smack into the heart of the city. 

I was ecstatic! The glass lift which carried me to the secured floor gradually rose and showed me what I would have to face. Buildings kept on getting smaller, bit by bit, until they became just a tiny piece of what completes the vast scenery. 

Taking the plunge

There were three choices: 1) I could just walk around the circular platform to experience being on the edge; 2) I could jump with a body harness and fall for just a few meters, before being hoisted up again so I could take the elevator down; or 3) I could jump off the edge and experience the whole she-bang.

Of course, I chose the latter. 

First stop, I have to sign the waiver that whatever happens will not be the organizer’s fault. Good to know that A.J. Hackett Bungy hasn’t had a single casualty since it opened. 

After signing, they gave me a short briefing about what is going to unfold. A girl weighed me in, strapped me on and told me “Off to the deck, you go!”

I entered the deck with much anticipation, the atmosphere was different -- blood pumpin’ music was blasting through my ears. Two foreigners were ahead of me, one from Australia and another from Europe. When I saw one getting ready, I shouted “Make your country proud!” to which they laughed and that broke the ice. They excitedly told me that this was their first time and were amazed that two girls (because I was with my friend) would want to jump off as well. So to help each other out, we started getting into the “I can do this” zone through jokes and laughter, as we put our fears in the backseat.

No going back

Then, my moment came. 

As I stepped on the edge, I heard them say, “Are you ready?” To which I smiled. But my head was going nuts. For a few seconds, I thought I wanted to take back that signature on the waiver, but then it was replaced with a “Go for it!” mantra. I did not journey all the way to Macau to chicken out. So, in slow motion, they counted, "Four, three, two..."

Before I even heard "One," I let gravity do its thing. I slid off gracefully from the platform at an angle without hesitation as I shouted, “Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!” My tummy rumbled but it was all worth it. Priceless.

The experience was fantastic! I fell for a good 10 seconds and hung upside down for five minutes as they slowly pulled me down.

It was such an exhilarating experience. You have to try it. The question is: Do you have what it takes?

Location:
Just look for the Macau Tower.
For more information on bungee jumping in Macau, visit www.ajhackett.com/macau/.