10 days in Fiji already sounds like a dream. Add on whitewater rafting, snorkeling, riding on
a catamaran and a jet boat, ziplining, hiking to two waterfalls, visiting 5 resorts and a village, and driving buggies and it starts to sound like The Amazing Race. Just when I thought it was physically impossible to add any more to our itinerary, we decided, on our last day in Fiji, to take the plunge and jump from an airplane with Skydive Fiji.
Jumping from 14,000 has its advantages. The flight was almost 20 minutes over one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Normally being crammed into such tight quarters with 5 other people would have caused me great anxiety. I don’t even like riding in an elevator with others because I feel trapped, but the view was mesmerizing and kept me distracted.
I knew we reached our desired altitude when the instructor attached to my friend, Stefanie, opened the door. I thought jumping second would give me some time to process everything that was happening but I never realized that that’s not always the best thing when you’re about to do something totally unnatural. Shifting from the back of the plane to the door seemed endless and it was like I forgot how to breathe. I focused on my instructor, Tim, and mimicked his movements until my feet were hanging outside the plane. It doesn’t get much more intense than hanging out at 14,000 feet.
When he pulled my head back, I knew we were about to jump. I embraced the fear, opened my eyes, and smiled for the camera.
The first two seconds are the most extreme and adrenaline filled. I could feel my feet flip over my head and the complete lack of control was liberating. My life was in someone else’s hands.
I was free, uninhibited by daily worries or restrictions.
During the free fall, I had time to focus on the cameraman, pose for photos, look around, think about how warm the air felt against my body, and adjust my top that was blowing in the wind. That’s a lot of processing while plummeting through the air at 200 km/h!
The free fall is, without question, the best part, but when the parachute opened I was able to see Fiji from a different perspective. With nothing obstructing my view, I soared above the islands, trying to take in as much as possible. This is what dreams are made of!
When I’m 65, 70, 80, or beyond, moments like these will remain ingrained in my memory.
“The true value of time is that you’ve got to make your decisions in each day count, otherwise you could live forever and it won’t make much difference.” Mitch Albom
Bucket List Publications 
Fantastic – this is on my Bucket List as well!!!
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My heart skipped a beat just watching your skydiving pictures. What an awesome adventure!!
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Wow, awesome!!! 🙂
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You are very brave! I could never do this although I would love to! I’d be too afraid my eyeball would pop out or something!!! haha! Loving the ariel Fiji pics. I’ve been to Fiji and got some similar cracking ones like this from a sea plane!
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Spectacular action, well described – could feel the adrenalin over here in cold, wet England!
Great photos too!
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Fantastic! Well done. I am going on a round-the-world journey in March and Fiji is in. I didn’t have skydiving in the original plan but I am getting second thoughts about it from your blog.
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This is an awesome post. Fiji is on my bucket list. I absolutely love your blog…in fact it has just taken up a large part of my afternoon! Have an outstanding weekend and thank you for allowing me to live vicariously through you on your adventures!
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such an amazing read – it had me remembering my jump over the Whitsunday’s.
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Looks exciting! I can feel the adrenaline rushing from here.
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That must be the scariest moment…when the door opens. But that’s the *most gorgeous bluest blue* sky.
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Completely amazing! I went sky-diving once, but not at 14 000 feet, I think it was around 6 000. It was the most scary, exhilirating thing I’ve ever done. It still makes me smile when I think about it. Sounds like you’re having a fantastic time.
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The pictures are terrific! And it’s the closest I’ll get to skydiving! And that’s okay with me. LOL
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This looks amazing.
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This is such a great experience 🙂 Hope that I could try this also, floating in the air while watching the beauty of life 🙂
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WOWWWWW. I want to skydiving sometime. Fantastic photos!
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That looks so awesome! I’ve always wanted to skydive, and now I want to skydive in Fiji! Thanks for sharing…
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Awesome! You’re an inspiration!
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What a thrilling experience! Congratulations on your success on living your life 😉
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When I went skydiving in New Zealand I was in the first plane to go out that day, but third in line to jump…I thought at first how great my luck was at my positioning- until I saw my friends falling out of the plane door before my eyes! I wasn’t scared until they disappeared at what felt like the speed of light! Oh dear! Definitely would go first next time! Haha
Please tell me, what island were you visiting when you did this dive? Fiji is one of my favourite places but it has been nine years since I was there, far too long ago!
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Wow this is really something…its really inspiring me to proceed with all of my bucket list activities.
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Wow!!!
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What’s your favourite blog of the year, Lesley? You can still nominate it for the 2012 transatlantic diablog award. Maybe one of your readers nominates you, too? All that is possible. Here’s all you need to know: http://wp.me/pXfOG-1fY See you all…
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That seems like the perfect cherry on top for your adventure. Definitely a dream location.
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Thank you for the follow and liking my posts 🙂 These pics are incredible. Makes me jealous!!!
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Wow…. What an adventure!
I didn’t think about a good journey in Fiji after you wrote it. 😀
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Wow, this is an amazingly inspiring way to start my day!! Congratulations!!
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So glad I found this blog! I will live vicariously through you for a while… Thanks!
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WOW, what a great experience, Lesley! 🙂
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awesome stuff… 😀
I gotta try is sometime…
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Incredible venture. I day I would be so brave. Thanks for sharing.
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I can’t wait to try it! What fun and I’m glad.you had pictures taken!
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Wow – A great view followed by an adrenaline rush! Does it get any better than that??
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Never going to feel right just sitting on the beach of a Tropical Island sipping Mai Tais after seeing these posts. Looks like you had a great time! I wasn’t planning to skydive until much closer to the end of my life… but you got me thinking.
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Wow, I accidentally landed here (not looking for skydiving at all – clicked on your gravatar on another blog) – I just happened to make skydiving plans in Tokyo this morning for a date in January. However, my heart almost leapt out of my chest just READING this post. Now, I am a little worried about breathing. 🙂
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Few places can match it for dropping out of the sky… What’s next?
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Cool experience
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Just your pictures along are amazing! Pictures really are worth a thousand words.
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Wow, Lesley, unreal. I envy your gusto for adventure. But I think I could never bring myself to do that. It’s not that I don’t enjoy life also but I just don’t have that daring streak. I certainly admire you who do, though.
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Thank you for all of your words that captured my heart I have nominated you for blogger of the year 2012. Thank you for touching my existence in the way you have! With love CK! http://wp.me/p2ML45-We
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amazing – makes me want to tackle my miniature fear of heights.
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I didn’t get to try real skydiving but I attempted indoor skydiving yesterday and the feeling is
exhilarating! Even drawn a doodle on it!
http://rustydoodle.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/fly-away-with-me/
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Great Photography Lesley and wow! Your brave! 🙂
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waww… superb!! 😀
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When looking at the photos at first I though “I would never jump off a plane!!!”-despite the beautiful view, I wouldn’t take that risk even if my life depended on it.
I haven’t traveled anywhere yet but there are a few countries I’d like to visit and finally settle in Canada and have my own family (hopefully)
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Sounds like the coolest thing in the world!
(Yet, I still wouldn’t dare to do it, sissy that I am 🙂
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So amazing…you seem to live a life full of extreme adventures…do you ever have any quiet days?
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Terrific! Looking forward to reading more about your adventures in the future 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my blog!
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Lesley, thanks so much for all the write ups on our beautiful country. I am living in Dubai and miss home so much even though I go back every year. My house is 10mins from the airport…if you ever decide to return, let me know. Enjoyed all the photos and reminded myself of what I am missing away from Fiji
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The pictures from this jump are a asking. Good for you taking these adventures. Until I can go live my own ill be following yours.
Adam
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Lesley, you have got me. When my daughter did a jump at 18 years old I was in awe of her. I told her I could never do that. Now I think I may have to give it a go. Your words, ” I embraced the fear, opened my eyes, and smiled for the camera” resonate with my spirit. This is what I want my followers to one day experience. This is a wonderful post and I hope you don’t mind if I re-blog.
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