Wednesday, June 15, 2011

New Zealand: Zorbing


We didn't stay long in Rotorua the next morning - we had zorbing to do! With only three locations worldwide offering the chance to roll down a giant hill in what appears to be an oversized hamster ball partially filled with water, we weren't going to miss our chance to try this "extreme sport."

After we arrived at the Zorb site, just outside of Rotorua, we donned our swimsuits and clambered into a beat up old van that bounced us all the way to the top of the hill where the Zorb ball awaited our arrival. Three young kids who were going for their third time that day rode up with us, and chattered excitedly the whole way, strategizing how best to tumble and slosh their way down the hill. At the top, we climbed out of the van and head-first into the Zorb ball. It was like being inside a spherical kiddie-pool that was filled with warm water. It was clear enough to make out indistinct shapes outside the ball, but nothing more. We sat, perched on the edge of the hill inside our ball, and waited.

Then, a loud thump on the outside of the ball gave us our signal: we moved to the front - the side where the ground sloped away underneath us. We could feel ourselves beginning to tip forward... and then we were over the edge, and tumbling down the hill. Inside the giant orb, we sloshed and splashed in the water, sliding against the sides and bumping into each other. There was no controlling where we were going, and though it did no good, we couldn't help but splay our hands and feet out in every direction as we picked up speed. It was like being inside a giant snowball tumbling down a mountainside. 

Soon enough, though, the ground evened out and the ball slowed. They opened the side and we slid out, smiling, laughing and wet. It was a great ride!

Coming in the next post: Blackwater Rafting in the Glowworm Caves

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