15-JAN-2007
“Zorbing” became the symbol for our entire trip when we saw it on “The Amazing Race.” Greg put a postcard in his office that served as inspiration on bad days. For the uninitiated, a zorb is a New Zealand invention now found in several other countries. It consists of a ball (with some water in it for our experience of “hydro zorbing”) inside another ball, which is released down a hill. The participant (“zorbonaut”) dives into the ball head first, stands in the water, and walks forward to give the zorb more momentum after it is released. It’s akin to being a moist hamster, in a plastic exercise ball, on a slope.
These zorbs are waiting to be released.
15-JAN-2007
Barb is in this zorb going down the zigzag course
24-JAN-2007
This promotional photo gives a very good idea of what happens in a zorb as it heads downhill.
15-JAN-2007
Barb expressing her feeling at the end of the journey.
15-JAN-2007
Greg's in this zorb that is about to go off the official end of the course. Wanting to get maximum speed, he somehow managed to regain his feet for a few seconds part way down the course and fling himself at the side of the zorb. He succeeded in passing the finish line, going over the rise, rolling over the waiting towels, and colliding with another zorb. Barb is in the background looking aghast (or amused). No hamsters or zorbonauts were harmed.
15-JAN-2007
Here’s Greg in the process of exiting (rebirthing?) at the end of his experience.
15-JAN-2007
He is now fully out and is greeted by the “zorb wrangler” with the words, “THAT was a ride mate!”
15-JAN-2007
Although he was a bit dazed (he hopes this will go away eventually), he thoroughly enjoyed the ride and considers his extra distance to be a personal triumph.
15-JAN-2007
The zorbonauts and wranglers expressing their enthusiasm for the experience. As the promotional material states, “It’s a vigorous wash for the unclean, a cool drink for the thirsty and a revolution for the oppressed masses”.
15-JAN-2007
The zorb beginning its trip back up the hill to await the next happy hamsters.