165 SOUTH AFRICA. Swinging in Durban The Radio Vagabond

Groete van Durban!
Welcome to the next instalment of my amazing road trip across South Africa. In this episode, you still find me in the vibrant coastal city of Durban - but more specifically, perched on top of one of the city’s most renowned landmarks, Moses Mabhida Soccer Stadium. Just what exactly am I doing 106 meters (348 ft) from the ground? I'm about to jump…
The reason why I am about to jump off this stadium arch is not because I’m crazy, or because this global pandemic has gotten all too much for this weary Danish vagabond, but rather it is because I am about to do The Big Rush Big Swing: a thrilling leap swinging out into a massive 220m arc soaring over the entire stadium. It has been officially named the world’s tallest swing by the Guinness Book of Records since 14 May 2011. Okay, I might be a little crazy after all! But first, let’s backtrack a little.
WHERE WE LEFT OFF IN THE PREVIOUS EPISODE
After a great chat with Nkonzo aka Dat Boy Mreppa in the Sky Car (listen to the previous episode here), we returned safely to the ground on what had become yet another glorious day in the African sun. I went into the Moses Mabhida Stadium tourism office to see if any of the other attractions would arouse my interest. And then I saw it - the brochure for The Big Rush Big Swing. My heart started pounding. 
Then I heard two voices on each shoulder, an angel and little devil, trying to convince me of the pros and cons of attempting this crazy swing:
A: “Why put yourself through that? You know you’re going to hate it.”
D: “No! You know you’re going to regret it if you don’t do it!”
A: “Come on. You don’t need that. Just get in an Uber and go have lunch.”
D: “If you do it, you’ll feel good about yourself!”
A: “Feel good??”
D: “Yes! The big rush…the big adrenalin rush!”
A: “You know what would feel good? A nice cold beer and a big juicy cheeseburger!”
D: “Remember just a few days ago when you were at the bungy jump place? Didn’t you just say that you regretted that you didn’t do it?”
A: “Yeah…but you already did the world’s highest bungy jump.”
D: “Yes that’s right…but do you know what you haven’t done yet?”
A: “No...what?”
D: “The world’s highest swing...”
Yes, they were having a lively conversation. And I was struggling to make a decision. But I mustered up enough courage and made the decision to get a dose of adrenaline over Durban’s skyline. I sounded calm when I got up to the top - but I wasn’t.
MY VAGABOND RULE
When I was in the tourism office an hour earlier, the tourism officers could see that I looked scared, so I told them that I needed time to think. I actually thought this must be something that happens on a daily basis, and I was sure they were making bets if I would return or not.
Let me tell you a bit about my Vagabond Rule. On day 2 of my nomadic journey back in July 2016, I made the rule to myself which stated, ‘when in doubt, just do it’. This rule has always steered me in the direction of adventure and discovery and has provided me with countless serendipitous moments I have been lucky enough to experience. I have tried to live by my Vagabond Rule ever since, and it has never let me down. This was not the day I would break my most valued rule. So, I bought a ticket and started preparing myself for what was to come. Oh yes, did I mention that I am terrified of heights?
SWINGING IN DURBAN
“Would you like to pay extra for the video and the photos of your swing-venture?” the tourism officer asks. You bet I would. I was here alone, and I definitely needed some proof of me doing this. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see my poor, terrified face hurtling towards the ground for their own amusement? That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? :)
The Big Rush Big Swing is not your average swing. It allows you to take the thrilling leap from a small bridge between parts of the iconic arch of the stadium