Why Stay by the Pool?
Adventure holidays. The very phrase strikes fear into the heart of the average holidaymaker, usually those who would much rather sit on hard plastic beds arranged on a huge concrete slab around a blue rectangular puddle. Why venture from the poolside? Why bother to do anything else than sit around for two weeks after shelling out thousands of pounds for the pleasure? I’m not convinced.
Now, I will be the first to admit that I possess absolutely no sporting talent whatsoever, my hand eye co-ordination is that of the average person after consuming their own bodyweight in alcohol and my depth perception is as accurate as a lobotomized homing pigeon. However, this does not stop me from trying my hand at the kind of extreme sports where the only aim is to try and stay alive. Funnily enough, with the threat of a sharp impending death my sporting prowess leaps to the fore.
I am fond of white water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping and, of course, skydiving. All of these sports (some wouldn’t even call them sports) are a tad on the dangerous side and I thoroughly enjoy all of them. What is more, it is not as if these sports are ridiculously simple either; the amount of skill it takes to keep a kayak from tipping over is extraordinary and the body positions one must hold in freefall parachuting would cause even the most seasoned contortionist a lot of pain. However, with the ground rushing up to meet you at about 120 miles an hour it is incredible how quickly you find the inner sportsman who can guide you to the ground without breaking your neck.
Now, what I am advocating instead of your run of the mill poolside holiday is something altogether more exciting. Countries such as Australia and New Zealand and other popular gap-year destinations have quickly cottoned onto this fact and are now offering adventure packages where you get to do as many of these activities as you possibly can. Check them out on the internet. Of course getting there is going to be on the dear side, but once you are in the country the deals are very competitive.
You will of course need rather comprehensive travel insurance (I recommend an online company such as AA Travel or one like it that allows you to pick and choose the policies you need) but once you are out there I can guarantee you will have the time of your life. Much better than having you spot at the pool nicked every morning by the pesky Germans.