Yesterday morning there was still a fair amount of snow around Queenstown, some which had melted already and other patches here and there which hadn't. The four of us from the hostel room decided to head up the Skyline Gondola to the top where they had the bungy jump, the luge and a restaurant with amazing look out point. Once we got to the top, Haig and I watched Ian and Dave do their bungy jump which overlooks all of Queenstown, which must've been stunning! If there was any way I'd do a bungy - it's there I would chose to do it. But clearly I kept my feet on terra firma (well, up the mountain that is).

After their jump, we caught the chair lifts up to the next station further up, which was the start of the luge ride. We bought a ticket each, giving us 6 rides and 1 free at the end. So the next hour or so was spent racing down the mountain side then straight back up on the chair lifts to do it all over again. Was good fun!

After enough time on the mountain, we headed back down and grabbed some food from the high street, and then it was time to head on over to the Shotover Canyon Swing head office - the moment I was dreading. As much as I had moaned about it, I hadn't really thought much more about it until we got to the office and had to start signing the various forms and declarations. The Shotover Canyon Swing is the world's highest cliff jump, at 109m above the Shotover River. So there's no messing around - this is one serious jump (or push more like it).

There was a bit of a drive to get there, and it happened that Josh our driver had also chosen to do his jump that afternoon, so it was just me, Haig and Josh heading out for the afternoon's stupidity fun and games. We headed down to the platform and Josh opted to go first, which we did without much hesitation. Then it was me. I went for the 'cutaway' option, which is basically just me strapped into the harness, lifted up by the mechanical arm and then they release the support pin and off I go. I requested there was no way I was able to actually jump off, which was fine. What wasn't fine was the initial rush and g-forces as I fell and swung through the canyon. That was just unbelievable. I had the urge to scream and shout, but my voice box had literally frozen and would feel the pressure against my chest. It only lasted a few seconds, but certainly felt longer. The swing back down and subsequent swings were amazing where I actually got to enjoy the scenery and views around me, before getting hoisted back up.

Haig went after me, and choosing the rocking chair backwards, which was brilliant to watch his face as he rocked back and forward until finally released. After Haig was back up, Josh went for a second jump and then it was back to my turn which I had somehow agreed to go again. They suggested the jumpmasters choice of 'Evel Knievel' which involved me sitting on a plastic bike that was attached to the harness and being pushed off the edge, only to tumble and swing through the cliff. I started having my doubts about it and suggestion to maybe just go with the 'cutaway' option again, but they were having none of it and continued to set up for the jumpmasters choice swing. Anyway, as shown before, I went with the Evel Knievel option...

Definitely one of the biggest adrenaline rushes I've ever experienced. More so than the skydive even. It is over so quickly though that you hardly appreciate the actual swing, but the rush and thrill you get from it is amazing! Yet another highlight from this holiday for sure. And to think I had spent so long fighting Haig to not actually do it :) Then once back in Queenstown, there was no other option but to go celebrate with a beer and a Fergburger. What a day!

After eating, it was back to the hostel where we met up with the others for a few sun downers in the common room before we headed over to Altitude Bar to watch Argentina vs Scotland play. The main interest was for Scotland with Dave being Scottish, but unfortunately they lost right at the end to a non deserving Argentina 12 points to 13. Argentina managed a try in the 72nd minute and converted which Scotland couldn't come back from. So not the result we all wanted, but an exciting game nonetheless (until you're Scottish, then a dreadful game no doubt).

We stayed on at Altitude Bar which progressively got busier and busier, and the dance floor soon picked up and as expected, another 50 strong Jager train last night. We stayed on for quite some time at Altitude Bar and landed up being one of the bigger nights in Queenstown. Not quite sure what time we finished up, but I do know that this morning was a very early start with our day trip out to Milford Sound.