Before the dive:-
Don't we all look like pro in the gear?
Once done, we were led into the briefing room where a short briefing was conducted by the instructor. We were shown the right way to sky dive, the hand signs and what to do in case of emergency. It was short but it felt like eternity. By now , our hands were cold and sweaty. Sweaty not because we were hot, but scared and nervous.
The briefing ended in 5 minutes and we were once again ushered into the simulator room. My legs felt heavy, wobbly and it is refusing to walk. The walk there seems endless, coupled with fear. I kept telling myself, "This is not going to be so bad. It's only going to take 2 minutes.I'm sure I can trust the instructor". No. The self consolation didn't help one bit. By now, I could see Nik and Nunu paralysed with fear. Nunu was the first to go. Instructor picked her to go first and me and Nik were slightly relieved.
Watching Nunu spinning and turning wasn't exactly comforting. Still, it was very brave of her to be the first to do it. Within minutes, Nunu came out, smiling. Though still a little bit petrified, she was smiling with excitement. "It wasn't that bad after all!" she yelled against the loud roaring sound of the simulator. Before we could get her to tell us more, the instructor picked Nik and seemingly pushing Nik into the simulator. It was funny.
Nik did hers and within minutes, she was done. It was now my turn. I wanted to back out. Since Nik and Nunu already did it, surely there's no need for me to experience it. They can share their experiences. I tried telling the instructor that I'm scared and doubt I can do it, but its too late. Nik and Nunu who had their turn was now pushing me to get in there. With only few seconds left before I jumped into the simulator, I kept repeating the hand signs to the instructor. I told him to get me out immediately once I signaled him the thumb down sign. He nodded and smiled. I knew he wasn't listening. He knew that the experience is not dangerous and he would be able to get me out of there in case of real emergency.
I took a deep breath and took the plunge. Strong gush of air were blowing underneath me and I could feel myself flying! Yes..I was flying and it felt right. I did well, I would say, considering I was able to stay afloat for couple good seconds before I frantically try to do the thumb down sign. The instructor pulled me out and I scrambled for the floor. My knees were now wobbly and weak from the less than a minute dive. I felt heavy again. Nik and Nunu was laughing at my antics. The laughter did not last long. The instructor pulled Nik in for the second round. Holy Shit! Just when we thought its over. The second time round, Nik went in willingly. She was beginning to enjoy it. So, without much coercing, she plunged it. I admired her guts.
Just when we thought we can do it again for the second time, the instructor begin spinning Nik around in the simulator. Oh my god! It's horrifying. Nik was spinning up and up ! We could not see her from where we were. Once again, fear overcame me and my knees were now wobbly again. I could not believe what I was seeing. I'm so not doing it! Within seconds, Nik was pulled down, this time we could see her doing the thumb sign over and over again. She came out of the simulator, yelling and laughing hysterically. She was scared shitless! Nevertheless, she likes it - so she claimed.
It was Nunu's turn. She told the instructor .."No Spinning!". But we knew it was pointless. Nunu dived in and like Nik, she was soon spinning upward. I was thinking to myself "I'm so dead."
Nunu came out after a minute or so, gasping for her breath, which was probably now spent from yelling. She came out out the simulator, on her knees, begging to be let out.
It was now my turn. I told myself, Die - die - la. My plea to not spin to the instructor was once again turned into deaf ears. He was smiling and telling me not to worry. Heck it. I plunged and relaxed. I think I'm starting to like this light- headed feeling. I was not thinking of anything, no worries, just float. It was a really good feeling. The feeling did not last for long. I saw the instructor coming at me, and he gave me a light nudge and I started spinning upwards like the rest. I could not remember how long I was spinning, but it felt like eternity. I quickly do the thumbs down sign and was slowly pulled down.
I wanted to get out - yet part of me still wanted to continue flying. I like the feeling of not having to think of anything. I knew if I don't get out of there, the instructor would probably spin me again. I was let out and all of us were laughing non stop. We cheered ourself for being so brave and adventurous. Mr.Zainal was grinning from ear to ear when we saw him again. He witnessed the whole spectacle and was probably thinking how funny and hilarious we were. Greeted by Mr.Zainal, we posed for a picture with the instructor and quickly went up to change.
It was certainly a very good experience. As part of the experience, we were given certificates for our participation and a CD. We thanked Mr. Zainal and our instructor for the experience. It was certainly worth doing it.For some, it may be an experience of a lifetime. For me, I might do it again. Who knows?
