Written by Jane Dennis
I’m just about to embark on the highest, longest and fastest flying fox in the world – The Skywire at Happy Valley Adventures in Cable Bay, 15 minutes out of Nelson. This is a big deal for me, considering I hate heights! Greg, my guide, assures me that I’m in good hands as he hands me a ‘bunny-ears’ hat to keep my lugs warm and straps me in on one of four seats which, I’m told, have been made to the exact specifications of a super-car racing seat. I try not to look down, but my curious nature gets the better of me. I freak out and my heart stutters in shock. Sue, who is buckled into the seat beside me, urges Greg to get things started before I change my mind, and reassures me everything is going to be okay. Here I am, suspended 150 metres above the native forest on the Skywire, when whoosh, I’m flying close to 100 kph in a fast gravity fall. I feel the drop as I head straight for the trees; I desperately want to close my eyes but I can’t. It’s almost like my eyes have been super-glued open! Just when I think the flying fox has got the better of me, thanks to its state-of-the-art computer and electronic technology, I’m saved by the wire which kicks into slow gear. Finally I’m able to calm my nerves, admire the amazing view of the forest, capture the stunning mountains on camera, and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of being here, as the Skywire glides effortlessly and quietly (unbelievably quiet) towards the South Tower. Once I reach the tower, I don’t even have to get off; I just wait for Greg’s voice through the speaker-phone. He checks to see if I’m still breathing and whether my sense of humour remains intact before asking me to count to five. Just when I think there are no more surprises, I’m returning backwards at phenomenal speed, my bunny ears are up, my legs are dangling in the air, and I’m trying to hold onto my camera for fear of never seeing it again. I can hear the echoes of my screams as I swiftly fly across 1.6 km of the forest valley. What a buzz! I love it! I turn to Sue next to me and she laughs at the massive grin I have on my face. “Amazing, eh?” she says. Before I can answer her, Greg is asking me to push the black button. Oh my god, what have I done; we are off. Oh noooooo, I get to experience it all over again! At Happy Valley Adventures, I also took a ride on a 4-wheel motorbike to explore the wonderful forest trails with Greg (my tour guide) and a couple of other confident riders. On the way, I learn a bit about Maori culture in this neck of the woods, and I’m fascinated and amazed when I come across the oldest Matai tree in this forest; the ‘Noble Lady’, 2,000 years of age. She deserves to be queen of the forest! We then make our way through rugged farmland and up a steep hill – and it’s well worth it! Once we make it to the top, we stop for a breather and absorb the spectacular view of Delaware Bay, Pepin Island and Cable Bay. This is where I really get to feel what this part of New Zealand is all about. It’s a stunning day; the sky is blue and the sea is calm. It is picture-perfect! Afterwards, I get back on my 4-wheel motorbike and experience a bumpy ride down the track before cranking things up on the fun track and finally returning to base!