2018, Popular

Jamaican Jumps off Macau Tower!

Sticky

Are you anticipating hearing I chickened out? Think I’m about to use the old “uncooperative weather” excuse? Do you think that a person would have to be slightly off-kilter to jump off a structurally sound building? Do you expect, therefore, that I’m rescheduling it to some undetermined future date for some unfathomable random reason? Or, do you simply believe that Jamaicans may run, and Jamaicans may bobsled, but they don’t fly? Well….

 

…..YOU’D BE WRONG!!!! ON ALL COUNTS! For today, July 27, 2018, the weather forecast for Macau, China will read “partly sunny, partly cloudy, 28 degrees Celsius, chance of afternoon showers, and a very high likelihood of falling Jamaicans!” IT”S ON!!

WARNING: This blog post is replete with all the obligatory one-liners, song and movie references, puns and superhero references you no doubt expect in a blog post about bungee jumping.

First, thanks to Jeff for his help setting things up! Cool guy!

 

Getting suited up with t-shirt and shoes by Freddie (aka “Not Kruger”). (Red t-shirt and sneakers? Definitely not my style, but….)

 

First class, one-way ticket! 62kg (137lb)?? Glad I had the harness and weights to add about 4-5kg(8-10lb), or I might not make it down on my own!

 

Awaiting my turn and practicing my cool superhero arm moves for the trip down!

 

Getting harnessed 233 meters up! “I’m on the top of the world, looking down on creation and the only explanation I can find…” (The Carpenters)

 

 

The folks who’ll be jumping after me

 

“I believe I can fly!” (R. Kelly)

 

Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre (Chinese: 澳門旅遊塔會展娛樂中心; Portuguese: Centro de Convenções e Entretenimento da Torre de Macau), also known as Macau Tower, is a tower located in Sé, Macau. The tower measures 338 m (1,109 ft) in height from ground level to the highest point. Its observation deck features panoramic views, restaurants, theaters, shopping malls and the Skywalk X, a thrilling walking tour around the outer rim. It offers the best view of Macau and in recent years has been used for a variety of adventurous activities. At 233 metres, the Macau Tower’s tethered “skyjump” and Bungee jump by AJ Hackett from the tower’s outer rim, is the highest commercial skyjump in the world (233 metres), and the second highest commercial decelerator descent facility in the world, after Vegas’ Stratosphere skyjump at 252 metres. The tower was created by the architecture firm of Moller Architects.
The tower is one of the members of the World Federation of Great Towers. Besides being used for observation and entertainment, the tower is also used for telecommunications and broadcasting. It and the Grand Lisboa hotel are the most recognizable landmarks in the Macao skyline. (Source: Wikipedia)

(You say bungy, I say bungee…”tomato,” “tom-ah-to…”)

“Too late to turn back now! I believe, I believe, I believe I’m falling in Macau!” (Cornelius Brothers)

 

Um, excuse me, guys…is it too late to use the restroom first?

 

“Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No! It’s that skinny Jamaican guy!”

 

Incoming! Incoming! Look out below!!!!

 

“Fly like an eagle!” (Steve Miller Band ’73)

Video of the jump from the waiting area:

 

Now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for: the video from the GoPro camera strapped to my wrist: (Direct link to download video)

Yep, it was waaaay cool! I’m actually thinking about doing it again! I’m sure it will be more fun now that I know what to expect!

I always imagined that the actual sensation of falling would be the uncomfortable, overwhelming part, but for me, it was that single second right before I stepped off the ramp that was the most unnerving. Then, once I was actually airborne it was pretty easy to get into the moment and be fully conscious and aware of what I was doing (i.e. arms extended in front like Superman, etc., the scream, etc.)

And the grand finale: the official AJHackett video created for my jump: (Direct link to download video)

After my jump, Sam from Nepal and Alex let me hang around at the base of the tower to watch the next jump.

A new friend from China, Wuxi who jumped right after I did!

Review: Great, professional, fun crew! Nice atmosphere! Excellently-produced video! Highly recommended! In fact…

Lesson for today: a bungee jump is not something you do just once, so yes, I’ll have to do it again! The next two jumps are discounted, and the FOURTH jump is FREE! I was also told that on subsequent jumps, my feet won’t be tethered together and I can actually walk and dive off. This could get addictive! Hmmm. I know what you’re thinking….Seems there are quite a few songs with the theme of “crazy!”

“Crazy” (Gnarls Barkley; 2006)

“Crazy” (Seal; 1991)

and, my personal favorite, “Crazy” (Patsy Cline; 1961)

 

 

Next on the bucket list: Sky Diving, Sensory Deprivation Tank, Zero-gravity/Weightlessness experience!

 

Addendum: A few days after my jump, the folks at AJHackett emailed me my official Bungee Jump Certificate:

2023

Follow Bliss | Saipan! | My first post-pandemic adventure begins!

My full “Many Me,” minimalist, vegan, nomad, cheapskate adventure from Saipan to Guam to Macau to Cambodia is now being released as “A Journey of a Thousand Shorts” (60sec each with unseen video, photos & commentary) on the Jamaican in China Youtube channel. Each episode features a unique Walt’s Travel Life Rhyme, starting with #1: “Follow Bliss!” (Watch until the end to hear me perform it!)

#1 – Follow Bliss
I’m off to see the world
with just a suitcase and a smile
And crossing many borders
may not see you for a while

But if and when you think of me
my friend, remember this:
Don’t follow crowds, don’t follow fads
Look inward. Follow bliss!

 

 

 

2023

Last full day in Macau

Finally, a sunny day in Macau! Went walking thru Old Taipa with my friend and fellow Jamaican, Ron.

Loved the music playing in the first café we stopped in. The sort of stuff I love(d) listening to on Claudia Marshall’s show on Fordham U’s radio station WFUV-FM (90.7) when I was in NYC. Of course, I can still enjoy it now thanks to the internet, but it’s not exactly the same! In any case, check out the song’s perfect lyrics for my last day in Macau (I’ll add a link to it in the comments)

Walked around…

Recorded a few videos…

Thanks to Ron, I had a great meeting and conversation-cum-coaching session with Macau passionpreneur Hailey, proprietress of one of his favorite spots, a café called Céleste Artisan 943, in Taipa Village. Stay tuned, I’ll be posting the full session (containing lots of tips and advice for current and aspiring passion seekers) on the @askavegan as well as @therealpassionpreneur channel on Youtube (subscribe now).

Hailey, Ron & Me

 

Ron headed back home to prepare for work. I walked around a bit by myself, shopped at Park & Shop (great store with healthy items)…

stopped at Lotus for some wheatgrass/kale/moringa/spirulina powder. Picked up a new subscriber to the @askavegan Youtube channel (Thanks, Lourdes! Should have taken a photo!) and called it a day! Leaving for Cambodia tomorrow!

 

 

 

2023

Dating in Asia Chronicles 1-4 (2023)

Requested by men in The West as well as those who’ve escaped to The East, I’ve decided–in a series of shorts– to share a few private thoughts and observations about my personal life since moving to this side of the world. Let the oft-requested Dating in Asia Chronicles begin!

Intro-Why:

 

Dating in Asia 1-The Main Difference:

 

Dating in Asia 2-Approaching:

Dating in Asia 3-My Preferences:

Dating in Asia 4-Your Mileage May Vary:

 

2023

What’s YOUR Travel Attitude for the Unexpected? (plus: The Messy House Guest!!)

“Aren’t you UPSET??” he asked. Here’s what I replied…
Today’s topic: What’s YOUR Travel Attitude for the Unexpected? (plus: Messy House Guests!!)
What’s more important when you travel, speed, price or direct route? What do you do when things don’t go as planned? Are you a messy house guest? All this and more in this reality check from the Vegan Jamaican in China!

 

2023

Hong Kong Colonic (trip, process & cost) without the icky parts!

Hong Kong ranks among the top 5 countries in Asia for medical tourism based on the quality of care as well as the affordability. When I travel, I make sure I take advantage of that fact for colonics, chelation therapy and other products and services I’m not able to avail on Saipan! Here’s a short recap of my trip from Macau, an explanation of the process and the final cost.

 

 

2023, Popular

Jamaican in Macau…again and tips for Thai visa applicants

After not traveling since pre-pandemic 2018, I’m slowly getting back into the nomadpreneur headspace. Basically, I’m just walking around the streets, observing life, noticing patterns and allowing my wanderlust to re-ignite.  Not too much interacting except for the required wait staff, cashiers, Grab™ (Uber clone) drivers, and the occasional random stranger who’ll ask, “So, what country you from?” (A Filipina lady in SM supermarket in Manila said I looked like I’m from the Middle East and she wanted to practice her Arabic!)

In any case, I’ll do my best to get into the performer headspace for my upcoming colonic in Hong Kong on Monday, and my Thailand trip next week. Traveler alert: The Thai visa application process is now completely online. There is no longer a need to visit the Thai consulate in person:

From 26 September 2021, 11.00 PM (UTC), it is no longer required for e-Visa applicant to submit his/her passport and original supporting documents in person at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate. After the e-Visa application has been approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to applicants. It is kindly requested to print a copy of the confirmation e-mail to present to airline and Thai Immigration officials to carry out checks when travelling to Thailand.

Meanwhile, here are some shots and video clips of my day in Macau:

Macau in the morning (about 5:30am):

On my way to Sum Yuen Vegetarian Restaurant

This is actually my SECOND time here since arriving ONE day ago! It was the first place I visited right after landing at 7pm yesterday!

Spicy oyster mushrooms (#080;,68MOP), brown rice (#119;68MOP), vegetable soup(38MOP) Total: 174MOP =  $21.53USD

*Item numbers and price as seen on the menu at:
https://www.facebook.com/sumyuenmacau/photos

1USD=8.08Macanese Pataca (MOP)

I arrived at 2:30pm, JUST as the kitchen closed for the day (to reopen at 5:30pm). However, the staff was kind enough to allow me to order and dine…

After serving my order and having me pay (so they could close out the day shift), the girls went home (or wherever they go for their three-hour break), and I dined alone–like really alone, as in no one, not even staff in the restaurant! The front desk manager left after charging my card. The last waitress to leave gave me the  plastic take-out bowls I requested and then she too left.

After my meal, I walked around Nova Mall for about an hour (purchased some Terra chips at Taste™, hopped on a free shuttle provided by my host’s apartment complex, and took a drive through Macau! I’ll document that in a video!

Subscribe to the AskaVegan video channel to be notified when the videos are released!

 

Pursue Passion! Break Free! Cross boundaries! See the world!