ADRENALINE EFFECT! Smell of Clouds, Butterflies in Stomach, Fear of Death, Faith of Survival...

This image that has ran through my eyes couple of times I have passed by the city. "Sydney skydivers" the Big Guys in tandem diving in Australia... This had been in our Must Do list for sometime, but been deferred with the excuse of waiting for the rite time. 27th of July 2008, was the day set for it. It was a countdown with the only hope of survival!!

We made the booking and were asked to assemble at their office in the city followed by a one hour thirty minutes beautiful drive to Picton on the NH alongside the lush green pastures, horse stables, humongous trucks with their glittering wheels, hot wheel like cars... Having so much domesticated to Indian roads, OZ highway experience by itself was fun fest to my eyes.

We reached Picton around 12ish and had to sign in declaration forms (in a way pledge our lives). The lady at the counter directed us to the dressing room to get ourselves dressed up and wait for instructor.

Well its Tandem diving, so you are clutched to the instructor behind you & he will take care of everything. Its for you to follow some simple instructions and enjoy the adrenaline effect. We memorized all the instructions, practised them a few times & marched towards to flight. DANGER, the big sign board towards the flight alarmed & the josh in us said "Ah, who cares"...

We crawled in to the plane and crumpled with our co-divers looking anxiously at each other. Our Instructors were well qualified and experienced with more than 10000 jumps... That gave us a big relief, he made us feel comfortable and wanted us to enjoy the experience leaving the rest (life is precisely what he meant) in his hands.

As the instructors kept the conversation going, showed his altimeter that we had already reached 15000 feet ASL. It was time, "guys get ready". The door opened and the first diver dived. I looked through the glass pane and in a moment he disappeared. "Ah shit", I told myself. Then came my hubby's turn, I saw his face with a million questions. I whispered subtly "Good Luck" and told myself if luck be by our side we will meet on earth..

As I stuck my eyes to him and watch him move towards the door, My instructor tapped on my shoulders and said"remember my instructions: fold ur arms, rest ur head on my shoulder and push your feet behind..." and by the time I turned around to see my hubby, he had already disappeared...Well, lemme not mess up now, I told myself and moved close to the door.

As I was clutched to my instructor, he showed signs that we are about to dive. I told him to wait... I took a deep breath with eyes closed felt my Mom & Benzie's (pet) love. I nodded my head and in a moment I was in midst of sky. As we experience the free fall falling down at 200ft/second with the smell of clouds,butterflies in stomach, fear of death, gushing air, hitting hard with the nature... Ah, that moment of life UNFORGETTABLE.

In less than a minute I had a big jerk, what the hell I told myself as the instructor tapped on my shoulders. Tats was the sign to put my feet straight. Before even I could put my feet straight I wanted to see if the parachute opened... A big red one opening slowly, "Thank God" I felt the faith of survival then. Now it was time to enjoy the glide. I looked down to the see those long roads, humongous trucks that looked so puny now, cars smaller than the ants... The instructor asked me if I would like to glide and gave it in my hands to follow his instructions. We did some gliding, swinging and topple to feel the fun. By the time I could feel the fun it was time for us to land... We were close to the ground and he told me to lift my knee high and feel like being seated... there I peddled a few steps and I was on the ground...

The instructor asked me about the experience, overhearing to what he asked I un-clutched myself and ran to my husband... A big hug and a whisper within "Alive and Safe” turned to my instructor with thumps up and said "EXHILARATING"...