This is my first time to do Bungy jump. I don't feel scared since I really want to do this 10 years ago. AJ company staff is kind, professional and of course make u feel safe to do this challenge! You must try this in Queenstown! Live more Fear less! Wish I can do it again in my birthday this year!

I'm a 54-year old grandfather who was looking for an epic adrenaline-filled day in Queenstown on August 19, 2019 while my wife spent the day at the spa. I decided that an early-morning tandem skydive should be followed by the Queenstown Bungy Thrillogy with the AJ Hackett Company. Not being sure whether it was possible to accomplish all of that in a single day, I engaged the Hackett Company in an online "chat" to get their thoughts. Their initial response was that no, it would not be possible due to the amount of time each bungy activity would take. I accepted that, and was ready to move on when they came back and decided to figure out how to make it work... which they did! I was able to do the skydive in the morning followed by the Thrillogy over the course of the remainder of the day.

After completing the skydive (for which I'll write a separate review) I checked in at the AJ Hackett office, which is conveniently-located, well-marked, and easy to find in Queenstown. I was greeted by name by extremely friendly and professional staff who signed and weighed me in. A nice comfortable bus ride took me to the Kawarau Bridge for my first jump. I was greeted by my own personal "Bungee Concierge" at the curbside who escorted me into the building and out onto the bridge. Once on the bridge two very professional jump masters weighed me again and got me hooked up and assisted me to the edge of the jump platform. The entire preparation process was efficient and professional, and I felt they had my safety and enjoyment as their priorities. Once on the platform they had me pose for a couple of pictures, asked if I had remembered to turn my GoPro on, and counted me down to my jump. I jumped without hesitation in an adrenaline-filled burst. Once my resonance subsided I was extended a pole from two friendly staff members from a rubber raft in the river below, and was assisted into the boat where they helped me out of my harness. That was followed by an enjoyable hike back up to the jump center where I was able to review and purchase photos and video of my jump, and where I received my t-shirt. Shortly before the scheduled arrival of the "Bungee Bus" I was met at curbside by my Bungee Concierge who waited with me until the bus arrived when she greeted the next guests. I climbed on the bus to travel to the Nevis Bungy.

The bus ride to Nevis is part of the experience; a harrowing journey on a steep, narrow, unpaved road which is made easier by a fun bus driver who tells you when you look down the steep grade out the bus window that the drop is not nearly as far as you will fall during your bungy jump! Once again greeted by friendly and professional staff, we were efficiently and professionally taken through orientation and preparation, and then out to the cable car which carried our group to the "jump pod" in the sky. I thought it might be a bit scary and uncomfortable being in the "jump pod," but to the contrary, it felt safe and secure. The team of jump masters was again extremely professional, making me feel like my safety and enjoyment was their primary concern. Once all preparations were completed it was time to shuffle to the edge of the jump platform. I personally would have liked to have handrails approaching the edge, but a firm hand on my back hanging onto my harness helped me feel secure. Again a quick nod to a couple of cameras, a quick countdown, and I was leaping off of the platform. I'm glad the whole process goes fast! The feel and the sound of the wind reminds you of how much higher this jump is than Kawarau! The deceleration seemed more gentle on this jump; perhaps because the cord is so much longer, and the ankle attachment is much more comfortable on this jump. After a couple of rebounds, I was able to disconnect the foot attachment by following the simple instructions provided by the jump master, and I then turned right-side-up for the ascent back to the jump pod. It was unhooked from the bungy cord and had passed through the gate into the holding area that I was confronted with my first real dilemma of the day... A sign offering a second jump for a fraction of the regular purchase price. I was still in the jump pod, and still in my body harness. I figured I would have to be stupid to not take advantage of such an offer! It's kind of like when your wife comes home and announces, "guess how much money I saved today!?!" You know she had to spend a lot in order to safe a lot. Well that's what I did, and I jumped again, and I enjoyed it just as much. The count for the day was now one tandem skydive and three bungy jumps.

I got back to my hotel in time to greet my wife and walk together with her to the gondola where I would do the Ledge Bungy, and then we would have dinner at the top. The ride up the gondola was beautiful. The signing at the top wasn't real clear to direct to the bungy location, but I was able to figure out you follow the signs to the luge, go down the hill, stay to the left of the luge, and loop around to the Bungy office. Yada yada yada, more highly-professional staff both in the office and in the jump platform. By now it was night which made for a unique experience. Being an "old guy" I wasn't able to muster up a lot of creativity in my "freestyle" bungy; I simply did a running jump off of the platform. Again, being an "old guy" the cord attachment through the body harness rather than the ankles was a bit more jarring, but not too uncomfortable. That wrapped up an epic adrenaline-filled day for the old man. One tandem skydive and four bungy jumps over a period of approximately 9 or 10 hours and I was spent. What an amazing day. I think that made me about the coolest grandpa from my home state of Florida; at least for a day or so. I figure it must have been a pretty impressive feat because even the local Kiwis seemed impressed!

I appreciated the combo package that basically gave me three jumps for the price of two with the Queenstown Bungy Thrillogy, and the deeply-discounted second Nevis Bungy jump. Also, I paid full price for my first photo and video package at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, but all subsequent photo packages for my other jumps were also deeply discounted. Thanks!

Over the course of this legendary day I encountered more than two-dozen AJ Hackett employees in various capacities. Each and every one was extremely competent and professional. This is a company that has clearly developed a culture of excellence and high-quality service by its employees. If you have an adventurous streak, I highly recommend doing one or more of their activities. Bungy jumping can be a scary thing, and it is certainly not for everybody, but if you think about it on an intellectual level rather than an emotional level it shouldn't be scary. This company has an amazing safety record. Nothing bad is going to happen. The equipment is going to work. The double checking by the staff and the redundancies in the equipment will keep you safe. There is nothing to be afraid of.

But I have stepped to the edge of a bungy platform seven times in my life, including four times yesterday. Intellectual analyses and statistics suddenly become meaningless when your toes are over the edge of the platform and your jump master begins the countdown. Confront that fear! Don't hesitate. Take that leap, and have the time of your life! Thank you AJ Hackett for your vital role in what I believe will go down as one of the most epic and amazing days of my life!