Five Heart Stopping, Jaw Dropping Adrenaline Activities

If you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for your next big thrill - you know, that heart stopping, jaw dropping feeling of elation, fear and indigestion - check out these daring activities offered around the world:

Zorbing - New Zealand:
Rotorua, the adventure capital of New Zealand’s North Island, is a dream for adventure seekers. Locally run companies offer bungee jumping, skydiving, abseiling, mountain biking and a unique phenomenon called Zorbing. Originating in New Zealand in the 1990’s, Zorbing has people strapped into enormous clear plastic balls, rolling down a grass-covered slope at speeds of up to 30 kph. Throw a few buckets of water inside the hamster-like ball and you have what is known as ‘liquid zorbing.’ For around $50, you can tumble downhill, and recreate what it must feel like to be a loose sock trapped in a washing machine. http://www.zorb.co.nz/

Zero Gravity – Florida:
Incredible Adventures, a company offering once-in-a-lifetime specialized tours, offers wannabe astronauts a crack at space travel. Their zero gravity program has participants floating and flipping through the air in the cabin at zero gravity. Tourists can head to the tour’s home base at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, hop aboard a NASA-approved Boeing 727 and enjoy the feeling of weightlessness in this fantasy trip through the galaxy. This two hour program runs at a price of $5197 per person. Check out http://www.incredible-adventures.com/

Bobsleigh – France:
At the ski resort La Plagne, located opposite the Mont-Blanc and Beaufortain ranges in France, visitors can experience the mono-bob, a single-seater self-steering bobsleigh. This “sports car of the ice” can reach up to speeds over 90 kph, weaving downhill along an outdoor track with sharp turns. Visit www.la-plagne.com/en/bobsleigh_fr.phtml for more information.

Zambezi Gorge Swing – Zambia:
The Zambezi Gorge Swing, offered in the quaint down of Livingstone Zambia, is an extreme activity similar to bungee jumping. Adventurers are outfitted in gear, secured to a wire and led to a platform where they free-fall 50 meters and finish with a pendulum swing (at 120km per hour) across the Batoka Gorge. Zambia is one of the only places in the world that offers the Gorge Swing experience. It’s perfect for adventure seekers keen on testing their nerves and their bladder control. The Zambezi Swing offers half day ($75 US) and full day ($85 US) gorge swings programs. The full day option is the best value and includes lunch, beverages, a Zambian visa and transfers. You can swing as many times as they like (on average of three to five jumps) and, at no additional charge, can try abseiling, high-wiring and rap jumping. Visit www.thezambeziswing.com

Bungee Jump – Macau:
Those who are brave enough to take on the world’s highest bungee jump should head to Macau, a casino-clad city just a short trip from Hong Kong. From the 61st floor of the Macau Tower platform, jumpers will plummet 233 meters towards the earth at 200 kph in a wicked, gut-wrenching free-fall. This operation is owned by AJ Hackett, “the father of bungee jumping” who manages adrenaline-based activities all over the world. But it’s the height and the views that make this particular location special. While preparing for one of the most terrifying drops, take the time to check out the cityscape with lotus-shaped casinos and massive bridges extending over a glistening Pearl River. http://www.macauworld.com/

For more extreme adventures and travel tips check out my site www.traveljunkiejulia.com or feel free to reach me directly at julia@traveljunkiejulia.com