Taking some time to eat, shop and visit the Tsukiji Market. Once everyone has flown into Tokyo, we made our way to Honda Airport - just slightly outside of Tokyo city. We had signed up with the Tokyo Skydiving Club. The website was mainly in Japanese, the reviews online were old - honestly, i didn't know what to expect. The club had responded to our emails and questions politely - i suppose that was assurance enough to book our air tickets and hotel.
Arriving to the jump site, we spotted this make shift tent in the distance.
Walking closer, this was indeed where the club was located in. Signing the indemnity forms, making payment, we sat there and looking at the sky divers preparing for their next jump. I will like to comment that this was coolness personified. :)
We saw four people practicing on skateboards - trying to mimic their formation in the sky. Later they will join us in the plane for their practice jump. Preparing us for our jumps, our instructors explained the process step by step while they strap us into the gear. Those of us in shorts or sandals, they provided long pants and covered shoes to protect us during the landing.
Extracting these photos from the video, we took a van ride out to field and boarded the tiny plane.
Before boarding the plane, the instructors started to attach us to them. We sat in the plane in the sequence of the jump and were packed like sardines.
The plane climbed upwards for something alone the lines of 20 mins, they opened the door in the middle for ventilation.
The plane climbed upwards for something alone the lines of 20 mins, they opened the door in the middle for ventilation.
As the first batch of sky divers took off for their formation jump. It was soon our turn. Adrenaline was really pumping at this point in time. As i saw my friend take off, there was fear and exhilaration. My life was in the instructor's hands.
Sitting on his lap, he quickly inched us towards the exit of the plane and reminded me to keep my body stretched in banana shape as we jumped out from the plane. Woooooooooooo
Once we stabilized in the free fall, he tapped my shoulder to let go of my hands outwards. This was the best feeling ever ! I could feel the coldness of the atmosphere as we jumped out from the plane. It slowly changed from cold to warm as we reached closer to the earth. The rush of wind against my body, the surroundings getting closer, i kept my eyes open the entire time. It was just too exhilarating to even feel afraid.
Before i knew it, he pull the chute which stopped the free fall and yanked us upwards.
I was admiring the view, as he expertly navigated us towards the landing site. On video, you can still hear how much i wanted to jump again. Even to this day, i would very much love to do another jump. It was that much fun !
12500 Ft and 40 secs later, this was definitely an experience of a life time. My instructor for the tandem jump was professional and took the time to explain each step of the way to ease my anxiety. He spoke perfect English and took fantastic videos. :) So thank you again ! I would definitely recommend Tokyo Skydiving Club to anyone interested.
The next day, we went to Disneysea. After the skydiving experience, all the rides felt like a walk in the park. :P
Life is short - too short for regrets and looking back. You will never get to the next great moment, if you don't keep going.
No comments:
Post a Comment