My husband had only a short time to live and a friend took us on his yacht for a five day and night sail around the wonderful Whitsundays.
The beautiful sea, sky, islands and scenery, blotted out for a time the years of chemo and hospitals – and as we sailed into the sunset each evening to a new mooring, we realised that here, right on our doorstep, we can have, for so little investment, so much… and certainly an experience to call ‘The time of our lives’.
Wendy Stanier, Bargara QLD
When I jumped out of a plane with my sister. It was scary but worth it as my family were there watching every minute.
Ros McFarlane, Kembla Grange NSW
When I was 20, my long-distance friend and I were in need of a reunion after three years apart. We decided to book a holiday with a tour company, to New Zealand!
Not a day of the trip went by where I didn’t have a smile plastered on my face, I was elated. My friend and I decided to do a tandem jump at the Canyon Swing, which was a 60-metre free fall, similar to bungee jumping but you get to stay upright in a harness.
After a few failed attempts to jump we knew it was time to be brave. With lumps in our throats and hearts beating out of our chests, we finally got the courage to casually step off the ledge.
My body startled and I was sure my heart would explode as we plummeted down towards the jagged rocks below. Our hair being tossed about in the wind, our faces frozen in place, the view of the cliff and surrounding trees just a blur of greens and browns rushing past our eyes.
The fall felt both lightning quick and like a long, drawn-out movie. For a moment that felt like forever, my mind completely emptied and I finally understood meditation. I didn’t even realise I had been screaming the whole time until we were at the end of the rope, gently swinging above the clear water under us.
Exhilarated and light headed, we just sat there swinging and laughing with delight while our bodies shook with adrenaline.
It was terrifying but I truly had the time of my life!
Kate Battams, Toowoomba, Qld