My first bungee jump

This week Google Photos app pleasantly reminded me of some wonderful trips I had 10 years back in South Korea. During this visit to South Korea I made some good friends and had quite a few good trips near and around Suwon city. And now when I sit back reminiscing all the good moments from this trip I realized I haven't written any posts unfortunately in this blog about these trips. I can only reason out to my hectic workload during weekdays and busy wandering during weekends.

Today the app brought up a photo of my 1st bungee jump. Boy!, that was one helluva experience. Even today I distinctly remember the whole series of events that unfolded on that day. So I decided to pen it down now.

Winters are real cold in Suwon, South Korea with good amount of snow and -ve temperatures, but that didn't deter me and my friends from visiting places of attraction. Back then it wasn't so easy getting information about places of attraction or about commutation details; we didn't have present day websites/apps/services and English translated data was rarely found. However, we got necessary information about a place called Nami Island from our Korean colleagues and decided to visit one fine weekend. I remember the journey included a bus journey for few hours and a taxi ride, not forgetting the funny interactions & help taken from local Koreans who helped us with directions & all despite not knowing English.

I along with my 3 friends reached this place on that cold afternoon. We had to take a ferry to reach the main island. It was a beautiful place full of trees, water all around, perhaps a great place for a summer getaway.
We spent couple of hours roaming around and then started back. On our way back, I saw a huge board advertising "Korea's highest bungee jump". I instantly decided to go for it despite the fact we were getting late for our return journey. One couple in the group said 'No' downright and the other girl, though willing, couldn't gather enough courage to join me.

I remember, there was a group of 4-5 Korean boys along with me at the top of the tower, which was ~55 meters high, waiting for the organizers to set up things for the jumps. In fact, I also recollect the boys discussing with me about Mahatma Gandhi & other Indian aspects once they came to know I'm an Indian. They, as a matter of fact, pushed me to the front of the queue. Couldn't know whether it was a sign of respect for a foreigner or yanking my chain😛

There was I, standing at the edge of the deck looking down at the water, wondering "What the hell am I doing?!". I was confident when I took the stairs to the top, while talking to those folks and when I'm about to jump I'm shit scared. I could hear my heart pounding. It was cold and dark already. I hear those boys having a good laugh about my situation. And to make things worse, I see this guy who was tightening my rope & harness innocently asking, 'Do I have to push you?' seeing me little tensed. I politely declined his offer and decided to gather all my courage and take that one awesome jump 😃
It was so exhilarating that I started howling when I jumped. It was one heck of an experience which is so very difficult to forget.

I'm happy to share this video where I'm being taken off to safety after the jump in a boat.

[I can feel my heart beating faster right now while I am writing this 😁. Just imagine, it's been a decade since I did this crazy stuff and I still *FEEL* it]

My other friend was so envious seeing me so happy & excited about the whole experience, and later regretted not joining me. I simply couldn't take that smile off my face the whole journey back home. There was a sense of accomplishment and pride in it. I cherish it even today.

Eventful journey

I entered the DragonAir flight to HongKong in the wee hours of the morning eager to find my seat to catch some Z's. I was very tired because of the late hour packing and previous few days' hectic office hours. I placed my bag in the overhead cabin and took my aisle seat next to the empty window seat. I frowned with the very thought of getting up later to give way for the window passenger. I buckled up, closed my eyes and just as I was about to take a plunge in the dreamless slumber, a pretty gal came up and asked 'Is it your seat?'. Well, with no mood to over-think about this stupid question I replied 'What do you think?' And continued 'Is this your seat?' pointing towards the window seat. She replied positively and I followed by giving way for her to settle in. As soon as she sat, she called in the air hostess and asked for any other available seats at the front side. I was kinda startled by this and wondered whether is it because of my candid reply to her or she feels that the flights also throw the passengers up just like the buses in case of bumps :). Apparently there weren't any and the air hostess enquired for any discomfort for which the pretty gal said 'No, its okay, no worries' (bringing in the unreal Australian accent).
For next couple of minutes, the pretty gal got busy in the usual girly formalities i.e. adjusting her hair, taking her handbag (which accommodates almost everything.. from a comb to an umbrella :-p), applying lip gel and what not :). This was high time for me to take a nap. As I was retiring, she threw a quick 'Where to?'. I said 'Seoul' and questioned back. I thought she would end the conversation (which I would have loved to carry on with, if not tired :-p) with just the destination. But she continued to give the complete information. She told that she was returning to Melbourne after a 11 days India visit which included visit to Puttaparthi, Mysore and Bangalore. Just to be 'nice', I started with few more questions and after that more questions were fired back! The conversation went on for next 3-4 hours with a meal in between, exchange of a contact for buying cheap mobile phones and many more. During the conversation I came to know that she is a SriLankan by born and settled in Melbourne past 7 years with her family. Also realized that she was indeed real beautiful with very expressive eyes and and importantly still single! :) Finally I had to admit her that I was tired and want to rest for a while and she obliged. (..still pondering as why she asked for a different seat and what made her to talk so much with me hmmm).
After sometime, I woke up suddenly and found her missing from her seat. I was surprised by her this unique art of moving out without disturbing the aisle passenger. I imagined this for few secs but thought WTH. Tinn-Ti-Dinnnn she appeared back. I started to unbuckle for which she told 'Its okay, I will jump in just the way I came out'. Then I knew how this unique art is performed. I said, 'Its okay, its better if I give way'. She ignored and was getting ready to jump before I could tell anything more (Can you believe this??!). I sat back eager to witness the unique art. Dunnnnnh she jumped and the next moment she was on me.. haha :-D
She hurried to take her seat and for next couple of minutes got busy apologizing.
What an art!! (Just one way I guess!)

Trying to forget all what happened, I slept back with a smile on my face :)
I woke up for the landing and saw this gal was all set. She smiled!

After the landing, we picked up our respective bags and I happen to say 'Fine then, nice talking. bye'. She said bye and parted in the crowd.
I crossed the gate entry/exit point and just when I was thinking that the story had come to an end, I saw her waiting for me at a near distance.
Conversation continued..
Pretty gal - 'How much time do you have for your next flight?'
Me - 'Well, around 3 hours. you?'
Pretty gal - 'About 5 hours'. And continued, 'Do you mind if I join you till then?'
Me - 'Sure, my pleasure' And continued, 'What next?'
Pretty gal - 'Well, you tell'. (Gals are known for this kinda replies!)
Me - 'OK, lets explore and try to find if we have anything interesting'.
We both got busy visiting almost all the shops around for sometime. And she tried almost all the glittering and beautiful necklaces, ear rings in an ornament shop followed by checking out the handbags at Gucci. I stood there saying 'Its nice, suits you :)'

Later, on my request, we sat down at an empty resting place where a huge plane stood just in front of us. We took some snaps and continued with our talk. Later on my say, she agreed to check some spas around. Later on enquiry we found that the packages were for more than 3 hours limit and by then, she didn't have that much time and it was time for my next flight.
We parted with a casual 'Nice meeting you, bye, take care' message. (Please note, no peck on the cheek and no exchange of phone # and email ids :-p)

My next leg wasn't so eventful but kept on thinking about this meet for sometime.
Quite a one to write about! :)

P.S: This took place on 17Jan and I forgot her name :(