An Untouched Country

I wish I could mix together some beautiful words to articulate the vast beauty of New Zealand so that you can picture it in your head, but I simply cannot. It is a country that you most definitely need to see with your own eyes. I feel so fortunate to have visited this incredible country. Driving through the miles and miles of single-lane roads, it felt as though I was in an exhibit to see the type of world God created from the very beginning. As if completely untouched by humans. If I had to use one word to describe New Zealand, it would be: pure. Everything about it. I could feel a difference in the air I was breathing. Similar to Aussies, the Kiwis are even pure. The term “friendly” doesn’t quite cover the culture down under. People will approach you if you are holding a map and ask if you need any help. They’ll probably even point out a coffee shop to stop by on your way to your destination, where you should meet their friend who works there, who will be just as genuine and helpful.  

Our week was spent wandering through the swirling valleys of the mountains. It was especially beautiful with all of the colors of the fall season. There was a calming blue haze on the mountains, intertwining with the bright green trees, slowly turning their leaves into vibrant yellows and oranges. 

Throughout the week, my parents and I drove all across the South Island exploring the country. I'm so grateful that they made the trek out to see me. And by trek, I mean over 40 hours of travel. Although, my mom did say when she saw the Harbor Bridge and the Bondi Icebergs, "Wow, here it is. I mean this is the whole reason I came to Australia!" 

In New Zealand, we hiked in Hooker Valley by Mount Cook, toured Milford Sound and spent most of our time in Queenstown. Queenstown is a quiet, touristy city that sits on Lake Wakatipu. Their population is a small 19,000. We had a wonderful time walking throughout their downtown area by the water.

The highlight of the trip for me was definitely bungy jumping. A friend of mine was also in Queenstown, so we were able to go together, which was great to have a friend with me. Dan goes to Villanova and believe me, we've talked a lot about basketball. I forgive him though. Anyway, I was excited to finally do it. I’ve always wanted to go bungy jumping and was thrilled when I signed up. Today was the day. Dan and I both decided that we weren't nervous on the bus ride there, but it hit us we had our harnesses on and walked outside the station to see, with our own eyes, how high up we had to go in order to jump. 

You have to take a cable car that takes you out to the station- hanging over 500 feet in the air (see video for reference). The trolley might have been the worst part. It was wayyyyy too quiet, except for the "click click click" noise of the chains moving us down the cable. I had a pit in my stomach as I looked over the edge of the trolley and down at the valley where I'd be jumping. I decided I shouldn't look down anymore. 

Once we got to the actual station, it was a game changer. They were blasting music and the majority of the people there had already jumped. Still wide-eyed and hands shaking, they told us it was amazing. When it was my turn, a crew member attached the rope that would control my life to the harness on my ankles and then helped me drag my feet to the ledge. I looked down again and immediately felt my stomach drop. My mind was racing, "don't think about it, Emily. Just jump."

Before I knew it, I hear the guy saying "3, 2, 1- see you lat..." and suddenly I was FREE FALLING FOR 8.5 SECONDS. It felt like 0.03 seconds. For the first half of the free fall, I remember reminding myself to breathe. It was surprisingly easy to forget that. The second half of the free fall I just remember thinking “whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!” Once the initial fall is over, you bounce back up and fall all over again. This part was actually really peaceful. The hard part was over and now I felt like I was flying. On the third bounce back up, you are supposed to pull a latch on your ankle so that it releases you to sit upright, so they can pull you back up to the station. The whole thing happened so fast. 

Overall, coolest thing I've ever done. When I got back up to the top, I wanted to jump all over again. I'll definitely be doing another bungy in my lifetime. Hopefully an even bigger one- 440 feet wasn’t enough!

I’m glad to be back in Sydney where I am in a routine and can go get coffee on the corner at Bobby’s, where the manager knows my name and order. However, the break was wonderful for me because I was able to reflect on the first half of my time abroad. I'm very comfortable and excited to continue to make the most of every day here. I still wake up every morning with a rush of excitement, thinking, "what kind of adventure will happen today?!" I don't think that feeling will ever end while I'm here. 

I have May and June to continue exploring Australia. My final travel plans include weekend trips to Cairns (the Great Barrier Reef) and Tasmania in May, a week in Bali in June and two weeks in Thailand in July. If you had asked me 3 months ago to point out Indonesia on a map, I definitely couldn’t. Being on the other side of the world, I have been exposed to the opportunities I have to travel places relatively close to Australia. I’m now so excited to travel Southeast Asia! I wish I had more time to travel more places like Vietnam or Cambodia but alas I shall return to this side of the world at some point again. I’ve got the travel bug and I don’t think I will ever lose it. 

I have finally booked a plane ticket back to Nashville for July 19th! I’ll have about a month at home adjusting back to normal before my senior year begins. Soaking up every last bit of that Aussie sunshine until then. 

xxx, Em