Amazing view of Waikato
River Ahmad Shazali Zakaria |
It’s not everyday you
get the chance to travel to New Zealand, so wouldn’t you want to make your trip
as memorable as you can? For me, it would absolutely be bungy jumping as that
is what New Zealand is famous for. But what else is there to do besides bungy
jumping in New Zealand’s North Island. Well, let me tell you. Here are my top
things that you must do when visiting New Zealand’s North Island.
Bungy jumping
Of course bungy jumping would be top of mind activity when
in New Zealand. But did you know that it is one of the most expensive activity
that you can do in New Zealand? It can cost you from NZD80 – NZD210 per person.
That’s RM221 – RM580 in Malaysian currency. But is bungy jumping really worth
it? Even though the exhilaration part only last for seconds, for me I can
definitely cross it out from my bucket list and I can boast to all of my
friends about it.
Depending on your budget and your
appetite for the extreme, there are quite number of companies that you can
choose from. For my wife and I, we’ve gone for Taupo Bungy in Taupo (about 3
hours 45 mins drive from Auckland airport). At 47 meters (about 14 storey high)
it’s one of the highest bungy jumping spots in North Island. Go big or go home
as they say. We have budgeted the activity during our planning so that we will
get the best bungy jumping experience that New Zealand’s North Island can
offer.
Ahmad Shazali Zakaria |
Ahmad Shazali Zakaria |
Ahmad Shazali Zakaria |
Overhanging 47 meters above
Waikato River, the bungy platform projects out from the cliff-top providing an
amazing backdrop to your jump. We have chosen the tandem bungy jump and opted
for the water touch where your head will momentarily dip in to the river for
that added thrill (yes, we are crazy). The experience was amazing! Props to the
staff for ensuring the safety of our jump. The amount of safety checks prior to
the jump gave me a peace of mind so that I can just focus on the jump itself. Once
the jump is completed, you will be greeted by the staff on a boat (at the
bottom) and will pull you and dismantle all the equipment and will send you to
the river bank where you can head back up to your vehicle.
3...2...1 Geronimo! Ahmad Shazali Zakaria |
Overall, the bungy jump was one
hell of a ride. Coupled with the amazing backdrop of Waikato River, it is one
of the most remarkable bungy jump experiences in New Zealand’s North Island. I
highly recommend doing the bungy jump with Taupo Bungy.
Stay tuned for my
next post on "top things that you must do when visiting New Zealand’s North
Island".