Day Eleven: Bloukrans Bungy Jumping, Monkeyland and Birds of Eden

After requisitioning three South African Express aircraft at Durban's King Shaka Airport, the Royal Hospital School flew into PE (Port Elizabeth) with three distinct missions. 

The first flight involved a whistle-stop tour of Mr and Mrs Du Toit's beach side residence and a successful fishing expedition.  The second flight saw the RHS synchronised bungy jump troop set off for the highest commercial jump in the world, with a staggering 216 metre free-fall.  The third flight was comprised of the famed 'RHS environmental tree huggers regiment' determined to view monkeys and birds, respectively at 'Monkeyland' and 'Birds of Eden'.

The RHS freefall team prepare to meet their maker at

 the infamous Bloukrans Canyon Bridge.

The acrobatic Toby Eaton launches himself into the canyon below.

The viewing platform across the bridge, near the bungy, provided a party atmosphere, booming house music, large video screens with a number of apprehensive students about to face their vertigo-based demons. We are proud to confirm that 33 bungy jumps were completed with no fatalities; upon their return, the students were buzzing with excitement with the adjectives of 'awesome', 'amazing' and 'incredible' buzzing round the camp. Adam McGlynn and Conrad Pattenden won the awards for producing the most anguished grimaces, while Jane Siryk provided some notable charity by showering the crocodiles below with a deluge of South African notes fluttering in the breeze like confetti.

A tip for anyone wishing to complete a bungy jump in the future - don't leave your spare change in your pockets. 

However, special mention should go to Miss Smith, who not only did the bungy TWICE, but completed her second jump backwards, much to the consternation of Mr Nutton.

RHS cinematographer Trevor Brown coordinated an impressive photo-sequence when he captured the RHS Monkeyland bus crossing the bridge as their classmates hurled themselves into the abyss below.

For the rest of the group, they visited 'Birds of Eden' - the largest free flight aviary in the world; spanning a canyon, it uses the topography and relief to create a varied range of unique habitats for all manner of weird and wonderful birdlife including flamingos, parrots and bats. This was an awe-inspiring experience as birds swooped above the heads of the spellbound RHS students below. 

After this, there was a swift visit to 'Monkeyland'; with its dense vegetation and myriad of pathways and rope-swing bridges it represented an exciting introduction to these furry creatures. Sadly, at times, it was difficult to differentiate between the apes and the RHS Year 10 boys...

Three RHS students try to look like birds.

Afterwards, the groups reconnected at the Knysna Hollow Hotel where they shared a pasta feast and tales of their exploits.