10 Things to do before you hit 30

Now that I’m reaching the later years in my twenties it feels like it’s time to make some serious decisions (and have some serious fun) before my life becomes all about satisfying my parent’s wishes of paying the mortgage and raising their grand-kids. I started by making a list of the things I really want to do before I hit 30… and yesterday I ticked the first one off!

1. Bungy Jump – TICK!

My first every bungy jump was off the 135 year old Waiau Ferry Bridge just out of Hanmer Springs with the team at Thrillseekers Adventures. Having 2 glasses of Waipara Hills Sauv prior to the jump didn’t help calm the absolute sheer terror I was feeling and I’m still in a state of shock that I actually managed to coerce myself and didn’t need a helpful push. It was made easier with kind words from the team (and other jumpers), the beautiful view (which to be honest was a bit of a blur) and the knowledge that it would all be over quickly! 

2. Sky dive

Whose list isn’t this on? Now that I’ve jumped off a bridge the next logical thing to do is jump out of a plane. I don’t know how my body will feel travelling at 200kmph but I’m willing to give it a try – and what’s more calming than having a backdrop of the Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains and Pacific Ocean.

3. Ski all 18 Canterbury Ski Areas

I find the Winter Olympics extremely compelling to watch and they’ve inspired me to test the slopes in my own backyard. With 18 ski areas in the Canterbury region it’s a goal that might take a couple of seasons to tick off – and might mean sore knees, chapped lips and will require lots of mulled wine!

4. Learn to Surf

This is on my New Years Resolution list every year and then every summer I blame my lack of upper body strength for the reason that this year isn’t the year that my surfing career is going to take off. Having just gotten back into the gym after a small hiatus I think that Sumner beach better watch out in the 2010/11 summer!

5. Walk the Banks Peninsula Track

Rising in popularity over the past few years and a definite on my list is the Banks Peninsula Track. The full walk is 35kms and takes somewhere between 2-4 days. Having spent quite a bit of time in the area it really does sound like a wonderful way to see the best of Banks Peninsula – lush native bush, beech forest, waterfalls, birdsong, open pasture and stunning views!

6.  Go to a HUGE sports event

How lucky am I that next year New Zealand is hosting the Rugby World Cup 2011! There are some fantastic teams playing right here in Christchurch – all going to plan I’ll be watching our mighty All Blacks beat England in the quarter finals at Stadium Christchurch on the 9 Oct 2011.. now just need to get my hands on some tickets!

7. Catch a Crayfish in Kaikoura

I blame this one on my family’s love (slash obsession) of seafood. With a father who spends a lot of time fly fishing in Central Otago and helped me catch my first flounder off a jetty in the Catlins, I think it’s time he saw me graduate into the big leagues. What better way to do it than in the town that is New Zealand’s home of seafood, Kaikoura, and catching one of the yummiest delicacies? 

8. Take my Cousin on a Wine Tour of Waipara

Last year my cousin (who lives in California) took me on a wine tour of Napa Valley. I’d love to show her why Christchurch and the South Island were named a “Great Wine Capital” and that our taste is right up there with Consentino’s “The Poet”. In a perfect world this tour involves traveling via Limousine and definitely includes stops at Pegasus Bay Winery and Mud House Winery. 

9. Touch an iceberg

There are only 3 places in the world you can do this – and one is Glacier Explorers in Canterbury at Mount Cook. 

10. What else…

My list could go on and on, but to be kind I’ve stopped at 10. A couple of others that don’t really need elaboration are to be on ‘The Apprentice’, raise chickens, buy everyone at the bar a drink, get my MBA (probably won’t be before I’m 30 though!), shower in a waterfall, make my first million and buy some incredibly expensive shoes.