Let me let you in on a little secret. One you might find hard to believe if you follow my social media. I’m a “scaredy cat.” Yes, I know you may have seen me do some wild things, but the fact is I am terrified of the dark, heights, spiders, deep water, close spaces, and the list could go on. Seriously, I am the girl, now woman, who still doesn’t like to hang a body part over the edge of the bed. Just sayin’. What’s so crazy, is that somehow or someway when I travel, I push beyond any fear I’ve ever had (at least up to this point).
I’ve been told many a time, “Oh, you don’t have to do it.”, yet when you have traveled so far for something that may be once in a lifetime, you some how manage to pull those “big girl panties” up high and go for it. I’ve never regretted a single one of the things I’ve listed below. They were truly top thrills.
Travel is a transforming experience. It is the perfect opportunity to step outside your comfort zone. Here are my top 3 thrills to date. I’ve had many more experiences that have tested me, but these three really pushed past those initial limiting fears. I am sure my list will keep growing as my travels continue.
Cliff Jumping in Mexico– I’ve listed this first because it was my first time truly letting go and stepping outside and doing something truly terrifying to me. We were on family vacation, the rest of the family had already jumped and were going up again. My oldest daughter, looked at me and said, “Mom, you’ve got to do it. You will only regret it if you let this opportunity pass you by.” So, with daughter’s words in my ears I made my way to the top of the cliff and took that leap of faith. I screamed a few of them on the way down too. I had never felt my heart racing so hard, but once back in the water and moving on to other adventures that day I was truly exhilarated.
Swimming with Sharks in Tahiti-Ok, I grew up in the era of the move “Jaws”, need I say more. What I didn’t know the day we were going out was that we were actually going out ocean deep. I thought we were going to be standing in shallow water with them swimming about us, but no. It was a bit of a rocky day too with weather moving in for our swim. We arrived to where the shark were and the boat captain anchored. I immediately freaked out when I realized we’d be swimming in somewhat rough waters with the shark. Of course, they said I didn’t have to go, but off the boat I went giving my camera to someone else because I knew I could not take photos and swim with them at the same time. My nerves were wreck. I could hear the breathing in my head from the snorkel gear and there below me were the shark. All I could do once back on board the boat was grin from ear to ear. Again, I felt truly alive and I had accomplished tackling another fear.
Bungee Jumping in New Zealand-It was part of my son’s 18th birthday and high school graduation gift. He is a natural dare devil and high adventure seeker. Of course we had to include New Zealand in his itinerary as the country is well-known as being the adventure capital of the world. Our jump took place off the Auckland Bridge in Auckland. It was terrifying not only from the standpoint of climbing and heights, but of trusting the staff and equipment you’d be dangling from. And I must say, watching my son go over the edge was nearly as terrifying as my own jump. I can say this was truly an act of love for me and what got me to push through the fears. For as frightening as it was, there was this moment in time where everything stopped. No sound, no movement, just pure blue waters below me. It was the most surreal feeling I’ve ever had. Though I doubt I’ll ever be able to get myself to jump again it was truly a moment I will never forget or regret. I think that moment could be what heaven might feel like.
I could share more stories of adventures on my travels that have push me limits, but these really capture the essence of what “living on the edge” is all about. What getting out of your comfort zone can do. I encourage everyone to find some way to push themselves. It doesn’t have to be as drastic as the jump, but it should be something unexpected. Something that really challenges you. Trust me, you will have fun and you will grow!
Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.
She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.
Leave a Reply