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Tag: extreme sports

  • Affordable Adventure in Bali – Best Extreme Sports in Indonesia

    In her bestselling book Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert painted a picture of Bali as little more than a sweet place to fall in love. While this might have been the writer’s experience, it doesn’t tell the whole story of this Indonesian island. While Gilbert was seeing little more than the bedroom, she was missing out on the unique experiences Bali offers. While she might not have met her match, she’d have made some great memories tackling the tropical region’s affordable adventurous activities.

    Bali’s island location means many of its best adrenalin sports happen on or near the water. If you really want to get the blood pumping, then grab a board and hang ten at Kuta. The offshore winds make the waves powerful, but don’t let that scare you. It won’t be long before a local is offering to rent you a board, and teach you how to use it. They expect you to haggle on the fee though, so never accept their first quote!

    If riding waves sounds a little too intense, perhaps scuba diving or snorkeling is more your speed. The clear waters of Nusa Lembongan are great for both, and scuba divers are also well catered for at Amed, Gili Selang, and Bali National Park. And if all those fish and coral reefs are starting to look the same, make sure you grab your scuba gear and head to Tulamben. The shipwrecked USAT Liberty is a stunning sight.

    While splashing about in the water is lovely, you’ll get a better view of the island from the air. While Bali has several helicopter tours these are very expensive (many cost $1000!) and quite cruisy. You’ll get more thrills for your dollar when you parasail. For around $20US you’ll soar 100 feet above your speedboat and Bali’s waters. You can try your hand at parasailing at Nusa Dui, Tanjung Benoa, and a few other Bali beaches.

    Walking around Bali’s jungles doesn’t sound like an extreme activity, but the monkeys at Mandala Wisata Wanera Wana provide the added spice. The Balinese Macaques are very cute, and it’s impossible to resist them as they greet you enthusiastically looking for treats. But these adorable critters are very naughty and prone to mood swings, so it’s worth keeping your wits about you. They might attack you, or steal your wallet! There is a small entrance fee of around $1.50, but this helps the Padangtegal Wenara Wana Foundation maintain the park and run educational programs.

    For a hiking experience minus the monkeys grab your best walking shoes and head for Bali’s summits. There are challenging trails around Mount Batur, Mount Agung, and Mount Batukaru. You’ll probably want to stay off the peaks during the wet season though. The relentless rain coupled with the high humidity can make the six-hour hikes very unpleasant. You’ll enjoy the best trekking conditions between April and October.

    A Balinese Macaque monkey
    A Balinese Macaque monkey

    We’ve all heard of horse riding, but what about camel riding? Bali offers the unique chance to saddle up one of these humped animals. These beasts can be pretty smelly, but the experience will give you one of your quirkiest vacation snaps for as little as $20.

    So why spend your time lazing around Bali’s day spas and eating too much padang? You’ll make more heart racing memories, and likely return home with more Balinese rupees in your pocket, if you get active in on the Indonesian island.

  • Heli-Rafting Offers Maximum Adrenalin in Queenstown, New Zealand

    When too much action is never enough, make sure you add heli-rafting to your New Zealand extreme sports itinerary.

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    This unique experience, hosted by Queenstown Rafting, combines a high-flying helicopter ride with an adrenalin-packed white-water rafting adventure.

    Queenstown Rafting offers two heli-rafting trips. The first flies across the Wakatipu Basin and Coronet Peak ski fields before reaching the stunning Shotover River. When viewing them from the air, you may be a little nervous about tackling the rapids! They’re actually graded from three to five, so novices may want to steer clear. If you’ve got the stomach for it though, this is the tour to take. The journey through the pitch-black Oxenbridge Tunnel, as well as all those twists and turns, makes for one wild ride.

    Rafting down the Kawarau River, Queenstown
    Rafting down the Kawarau River, Queenstown

    If you’re a first timer consider the tamer trip down the Kawarau River. You might recognize this stretch of water as River Anduin from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. There’s plenty of white water, but also enough time to soak up the scenery. The helicopter trip is just as beautiful with views of the Gibbston Valley wine region and The Remarkables.

    Heli-rafting rides cost NZD$295 per person. This price includes transfers to and from Queenstown, wetsuit and safety equipment hire, and the use of hot showers and a sauna once you’re done. The tour is appropriate for water-confident children aged 13 and weighing at least 40 kilos, although kids between 13 and 17 must ride with a guardian.

    [Image Source: Abir Anwar/Flickr]

  • Enjoy Adventure Activities in Fiji – Water Sports and Hiking in Polynesian Paradise

    Fiji is a laid back country which jokingly runs on “Fiji Time.” It’s easy to adjust to this relaxed way of life, particularly once you’ve savored a traditional hangi feast, then spent a few hours on a sparkling white beach.

    But Fiji doesn't forget adrenalin junkies, with a range of experiences designed to get your blood pumping. Most adventure activities in Fiji will see your heading to the water. Strap on a snorkel, or a scuba if you’re feeling more daring, and marvel at all the beauty that lies beneath the surface. The country offers some of the best soft-coral diving in the world, and most resorts can organize an expedition for you. The clear waters of Fiji offer an excellent view of the native coral and marine life. If you want to ramp up the excitement consider shark diving in the Bega Lagoon. Surfing is another popular activity in Fiji. The most popular waves are at Cloudbreak, on the southern side of the Mamanuca Islands. There are also breaks nearby at Namotu Left and Wilkes Passage. If you hope to enjoy a surfing vacation you'll need to plan for it though, as access to these popular beaches is restricted to guests of the Tavura Island and Namotu Island Resorts. If you can't afford the sky-high rates of the resorts, the Beqa Barrier Reef and Sigatoka River are popular amongst visiting backpackers. [caption id="attachment_2880" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The national flag of Fiji"]The national flag of Fiji[/caption] If you prefer messing about in boats, you might like to try ocean kayaking or whitewater rafting. Most of the major tourist resorts will loan kayaks to their guests, but if you're serious consider joining an organized tour group. These visit sheltered lagoons around the Yasawa and Kadavu Islands. If you'd prefer to get out of the sheltered waters and experience some real action, whitewater rafting is for you. Rivers Fiji leads rubber raft trips around the Upper Navua Gorge every day but Sunday. These are class III rapids, so leave small children at your resort's kids club and hang onto your hat! But not all of Fiji's adventure activities happen on the ocean. The Polynesian nation has many hiking trails to suit beginners and more experiences trekkers. Koroyanitu National Park has some of the country's best trails. Along the way you can visit the local falls, the Abacu village, and breathtaking Mount Batiluva. If mountains excite you consider climbing the country’s highest summit, Mount Victoria. Most hikers should be able to reach the apex in a day with plenty of time to enjoy the views at the top. For something a little more relaxed, enjoy the coastal walk which runs from Shangri-La's Fijian Resort to Natadola Beach. So don't let resort lethargy set in; Fiji offers plenty of activities to get you moving!

  • Ride The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge in Australia, If You Dare

    Australia has a reputation as one of the toughest places on Earth, and the toughest Aussies mix it up on the sporting field. Their football players don’t wear padding, their iron men swim in waters that may or may not contain sharks, and their cyclists head to the desert. If you think you’re made of the right stuff, consider signing up for this year’s Simpson Desert Bike Challenge.

    This is not a bike race for the faint-hearted.

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    The annual race covers some 580 kilometers in the Australian Outback, with riders traveling from Purnie Bore in South Australia to Birdsville in Queensland over five days. It’s raced from the end of September through to early October, but don’t expect pleasant springtime weather. Temperatures regularly reach 30 degrees Celsius, although it can seem even hotter with the desert sun beating down. It doesn’t often rain at this time of year, although when you’re riding you might pray for it. I wouldn’t pray too hard though, as you’ll then have bogs to contend with.

    The weather conditions aren’t the only factors which make this remote race challenging. The ground of the outback isn’t like any European race course. It’s rough and rugged, almost like riding over corrugated iron. No wonder the locals call the track Satan’s Velodrome!

    If you think you’ve got the stomach for it, you can enter the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge using the online entry form. It costs a several hundred dollars to take part, but monies raised benefit the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

  • Bungy Jumping for Adrenalin Junkies in New Zealand

    New Zealand attracts thrill seekers from around the world keen to experience all this natural playground has to offer.

    From rock sailing to river boarding, New Zealand has plenty of adventure activities to get your blood pumping. But the granddaddy of them all is a New Zealand invention called bungy jumping. In this extreme activity, adrenalin junkies jump from a structure, such as a bridge or platform, while their feet are attached with a latex cord. The excitement comes both from the free-fall and the rebounds experienced at the bottom. [caption id="attachment_3277" align="alignright" width="130" caption="Bungy jumping in Nevis Canyon, Queenstown"]Bungy jumping in Nevis Canyon, Queenstown[/caption] While bungy jumping has become popular all around the globe, it's worth experiencing this activity where it all began. The world's first commercial bungy site, AJ Hackett Bungy, opened in Queenstown in 1988. Since then the business has expanded operations to include a location in Auckland and a variety of bungy jumping options. In Auckland you can jump off the city's main bridge, but on the original site there are many more experiences to choose from. There's the massive 134-meter Nevis Bungy set in the rugged Nevis Canyon, the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, and the only urban bungy in Queenstown known as The Ledge. In Rotorua, adventurers head to Agrodome Park for their bungy fix. This is one of New Zealand's most picturesque bungee spots, with views of Mount Ngongotaha, the Paradise Valley, and nearby Lake Rotorua. Rotorua Bungy offers solo and tandem jumps from a 43-meter tower to the Ngongotaha River below. If that doesn't give you enough of a thrill, Agrodome Park also has zorbing, jetsprinting, and a giant swing called The Swoop. Nervous jumpers shouldn't let Thrillseeker's Canyon Bungy intimate them. Located on the Waiau River near Hanmer Springs, this is New Zealand's lowest bungy site at 35 meters. There's also jet boating and rafting on site for anyone looking for another high. New Zealand bungy jumping experiences can range between $20 and $220, depending on the operator and the package's inclusions. It's common for jumpers to receive a T-shirt and certificate, while videos and action photos may also be available at an additional cost.