10 days in Fiji already sounds like a dream. Add on whitewater rafting, snorkeling, riding on
a catamaran and a jet boat, ziplining, hiking to two waterfalls, visiting 5 resorts and a village, and driving buggies and it starts to sound like The Amazing Race. Just when I thought it was physically impossible to add any more to our itinerary, we decided, on our last day in Fiji, to take the plunge and jump from an airplane with Skydive Fiji.
Jumping from 14,000 has its advantages. The flight was almost 20 minutes over one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Normally being crammed into such tight quarters with 5 other people would have caused me great anxiety. I don’t even like riding in an elevator with others because I feel trapped, but the view was mesmerizing and kept me distracted.
I knew we reached our desired altitude when the instructor attached to my friend, Stefanie, opened the door. I thought jumping second would give me some time to process everything that was happening but I never realized that that’s not always the best thing when you’re about to do something totally unnatural. Shifting from the back of the plane to the door seemed endless and it was like I forgot how to breathe. I focused on my instructor, Tim, and mimicked his movements until my feet were hanging outside the plane. It doesn’t get much more intense than hanging out at 14,000 feet.
When he pulled my head back, I knew we were about to jump. I embraced the fear, opened my eyes, and smiled for the camera.
The first two seconds are the most extreme and adrenaline filled. I could feel my feet flip over my head and the complete lack of control was liberating. My life was in someone else’s hands.
I was free, uninhibited by daily worries or restrictions.
During the free fall, I had time to focus on the cameraman, pose for photos, look around, think about how warm the air felt against my body, and adjust my top that was blowing in the wind. That’s a lot of processing while plummeting through the air at 200 km/h!
The free fall is, without question, the best part, but when the parachute opened I was able to see Fiji from a different perspective. With nothing obstructing my view, I soared above the islands, trying to take in as much as possible. This is what dreams are made of!
When I’m 65, 70, 80, or beyond, moments like these will remain ingrained in my memory.
“The true value of time is that you’ve got to make your decisions in each day count, otherwise you could live forever and it won’t make much difference.” Mitch Albom
Seriously would love to try it, I’ve ziplined and to this day, it is something I will never forget, to try skydiving….on the bucket list….
I’ll post about ziplining in Fiji this week sometime. It was an excellent experience as well. Where did you do it?
I would never do most of the things you do, but I still agree with the quotation at the end in my own small way!
AWWEEESSSSOME! I hope I can have this experience someday!
Wow! Great photos Lesley! I’m glad you had a great time. I’m even happier you were able to photograph the amazing trip. This is what I love about your blog. Your sole mission is overcoming your fears (many of which I share) while exploring the great wonders of the world.
it looks so FUN! my heart is pounding!
You are the second person I know to have jumped from a plane recently. And funny, the words are almost the same. Good job.
You’ll have to try it yourself to see if you feel like us
Awesome..I dream of sky diving. Following dreams is similar to sky diving. At first it looks scary, then when you are amidst land and sky,it’s awesome. And once you are done, you have the most powerful feeling of your life. I guess I am not wrong
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BLP: wow! what an experience…& i’ve reposted…thx for sharing. RT
Awesome! Inspiring! I hope I have the courage to try this someday!
Looks really cool, not sure the free fall is for me, but nice to see you following your heart. Wish more people did. What a beautiful world it would be.
I believe that the more unrealistic I am with my dreams and goals, the more I am able to achieve
Wow, I would have been afraid that we would miss the ground and hit water. You are so amazing. What a beautiful view up there.
The thought of swimming with all that gear on did cross my mind, especially since I just watched a shark tv show the night before. You are prepared for such events although it has never happened there.
Exactly my thoughts! Am jealous but in deep in my heart, I know I will be too afraid!
Wow, another awesome adventure. I liked that saying at the end, it is so so true.
Mitch Albom is my favorite writer and I just finished reading his book so this quote stuck with me.
You are so brave! A beautiful place to be.
I can’t wait to return with my family. Although Athena will not be jumping with me, I’d be happy to fit this in again
Wow! That looks breathtaking!
All of the places in Fiji that we visited were amazing. I look forward to returning.
I am going to live vicariously through your photos, since I am a big chicken. Thank you for sharing your exciting life!
Amazing adventure – we all need to grasp our chances while we can.
Words to live by
probably my favorite post from you! Fiji is truly breathtaking, you are so lucky!
So…I promised myself I would jump out of a plane in my 50th year. I turned the big 50 on 12.2…I doubt I will get to do it anywhere nearly as cool as Fiji but since I am only about 2 hours from Fort Bragg…home of the 82 Airborne. I believe it is quite attainable. I understand there are several private companies available in the area that specialize in the art of dragging screaming middle aged women out of planes. You have inspired me…embarrassing the fear..that is just too damn cool. GREAT JOB!
As soon as the weather in NC gets warm…I am so there.
Are you near Charlotte, NC? I’ll go with you
OMG…now that would be completely awesome! By the way, ,my 23 year old son told me using OMG was not cool at all, So I do it at every available opportunity. Yes I am in Winston Salem…this is going to be fun. I will find out the scoop from some people I know in Fayetteville …YAY! and Thanks!
Let me know when would be a good time for you and we’ll try to figure it out. Email me at info@bucketlistpublications.com I’m always up for a jump
I cannot believe my luck! I will find out and let you know…how fun is this going to be?!! I can’t wait until it gets warmer..thank you again. I did not want to go alone and unfortunately none of my friends or family has quite the same sense of adventure. I am sure they will come watch from the ground …silly people
My husband and I are skydiving for the first time when we visit Kauai in less than a month. I can’t wait
Your post makes me even more excited!
Wow, you’re having such a great trip! And I’m having such a great time reading about it
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What a wonderful experience, but I could never do it. I’d be throwing up just from the thought of falling. But I love living those scary things, like sky diving, through you while I’m nice and safe and still on the ground. You are right though, you will always have the memories even when you are very old, just be sure you keep some pictures handy and your blog alive so when those days come, and they will faster than you can imagine right now, You’ll have proof of your adventures when no one believes the Old People couldn’t possibly have done all those things.
Great advice.
Wow! You certainly know how to live life to the fullest. It gives me much hope and inspiration for my life.
WOW…just WOW!
Wow eh .. awesome … high five
I like my adore line kicks but I’m not sure I could skydive! What a place to do it though, over a Pacific island seascape – awesome!
Oh my God I just felt like I jumped out of that plane with you!!! Wow!!!
Reblogged this on i cittadini prima di tutto.
I LOVED skydiving – one of my favorite activities of all time! Like you said – it’s such an adrenaline rush! I remember I had an adrenaline rush for almost days afterwards!! I found it so much less scary than bungee jumping, since you don’t see anything rushing past you, your brain just doesn’t really register that you’re falling (plus the free fall lasts so much longer!). I definitely want to try to go in other places, and jumping in Fiji would definitely be amazing!
Do you think you’ll try and train to be able to jump solo?
If I could experience even a fraction of the things you have done, I would be a very happy woman! I’m turning 40 next year and I’m making my own bucket list. Thanks for inspiring me!!!
I have a great imagination and ability to visualise but when it comes to actually doing what you do I am very happy for you to be my enthusiastic surrogate. I’m full of admiration and I will continue to be in awe.
I had the chance to do a tandem jump a few years back and loved every minute of it. But jumping where you did must have been magical. Stunning photos
This is the skyfall . .
{ bond song ! }
Looks amazing but the idea still terrifies me!
Wow, the views, the adrenaline – sounds amazing! Have only done bungee jumping and you don’t get so much time to enjoy the scenery with that
This is definitely on my list of things to do!!
Reblogged this on Danny Breslin and commented:
I reblogged this because the photos are spectacular and I thought you might enjoy them. Not something I’d do though!
Oh. My . God. I can’t imagine a more spectacular place to jump. When I saw the post title, I immediately thought “I wonder if she’ll take pictures .” And there they were! Awesome!
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
Forty-four years ago I said I would never ride a motocycle. Well I own and ride a motorbike everyday for over a year now. I feel secure when I say; “I will never jump out of an airplane.” There are not forty-four more years ahead, and I don’t anticipate any unusual encounters of the third kind to speed me to have to eat my words.
I cheer your courage.
A double dose of awesomeness!
Wow!!!!!!Good on ya!!!!!!!
These photos are incredible!
Incredible !! Thank you so much for sharing !! Good for you and great post !
Wow! Great adventure. A friend of mine has jumped thousands of times, but I’m chicken. He tells me the thrill is better than sex. Really???
Absolutely breath taking. Way to go! I feel like I was right there beside you!
Reblogged this on Lutaya Shafiq Holmes.
i enjoy watching you live life,……………very nice,……….
Looks absolutely incredible. Nothing else is quite like flying!
That is freaking awesome!!!! The photos turned out amazing!
Your living makes me want to live! Sounds weird indeed, but you have truly found a terrific way to BE, in a time where being is a real challenge. Thank you for sharing all of your adventures!