The X Centre in Chiang Mai

Posted by paul on July 15th, 2009 filed in Adventure, Attractions, tourist tips

Chiang Mai’s X Centre’s slogan is “Be there if you dare” and the decision made by many travellers to make the more than 50 metres bungee jump to the ground below may not have been their finest. Operating since 1990 under New Zealand Standards, the operator requires that every prospective jumper needs to be weighed; as if the bungee itself is not mortifying enough. Then your lower legs will be bound, ready to be fastened to the elasticised rope that is going to decide your fate.

Usually armed with a digital camera, participants hopped onto the lift that seemed to crawl at sloth-like velocity in its 50-metre voyage upwards. During this journey the colour of most jumpers’ faces will change, throats dehydrate and hands squeeze the cushioned seat as they looked over Chiang Mai’s panorama.

As the lift finally comes to a halt, the jumpers try hard brushing their phobias aside while grabbing their cameras. However, staring straight down to where they soon will be going freezes many to the spot. Then the time has come for them tip-toeing to the edge. “A little closer”, the instructor says, “your toes should be off the edge.” The next thing they will hear is: “One. Two.” As often jumpers’ legs suddenly seem to change into concrete and it becomes clear to them that they’re physically incapable of making the jump, the order “just bloody push me!” will be given to the instructor.

Off you go!

Next they’ll tilt forward and fall into the blue sky while being vacuumed downward by gravity’s force. Due to hormones propelling through the finest of capillaries they never felt so alive. Most hands will still be shaking when reaching out for the certificate of courage, but not from fear, it is the adrenaline rushing through their bodies causing the trembling hands.  

Chiang Mai X Centre