This was an experience I’ll never forget…!!
With the time constraints I have had, I knew there was not going to be any time time for trekking up above the snow line, and decided to look for things to do that would not take up too much time, but would be fun and exciting…!!
Avia Club Nepal sets out the invitation...
And there's the little matter of a Championship at stake too...!!
Para-sailing is not cheap in this part of the world… It comes at the hefty price of $100.00 for half an hour, or $140.00 for a full hour…!! I booked an hour, figuring that I was only going to this once…!!
Our jeep took us up above the ridge behind Pokhara and began climbing SaronKhot...
Anton begins to unpack the gear while I try and recall clauses from my Life Insurance Policies...
Is that a nervous smile that GB's cracking...?? Nah, he had it all under control, Dudes...!!
Anton prepares the sail while I mumble something that goes, "Hail Mary, full of Grace..."...!!
After waiting for the right conditions, Anton motioned me over to where he was already hooked up, clipped my harnesses into his, (I kept a VERY beady eye on this process…!!) then together we took a few steps forward to get the sail into the air and with a shout of “RUN…!!” we galloped down the steep slope and in seconds we were airborne…!!
Just like that…!!
"I'll just act cool... Like I've done this all before, shall I...??"
"Yeah, and don't forget to take photos...!!" We had three cameras at work on this gig...!! Besides the one on the mono-pod I am holding, I shot some of my own video and used my digital...!! All in all, 2.5 Gigabytes went onto the memory stick...!!
The little Nepalese settlements as seen from between my outstretched feet...!!
The hilltop of Sarangkhot, from whence we sprung...!! Annapurna Range in the background... Magical...!!
When the earth tilts beneath you... You better be tilting with it, otherwise you'll get an earfull from the pilot...!!
We soared higher and higher, above the other pilots and their air-mattresses...
The variation in colours from up there were amazing...
Another huge tick on the "Things to do on my Journey" list...!!
Back over our jumpoff point for a last look, and then we turned out towards the lake...
Where fish farms and other forms of aquaculture dotted the lake surface...
Dry plots waiting for the rains, surround other greener plots planted with the current crop of vegetables...
"I want one...!!" The Go-Pro Hero, an amazing little wide angle, action camera, perfect for video at high speeds...!!
"You gotta try this Dudes...!! Here...!! In the Himalayas...!!"
Safely on Terra Firma, Anton and I prepared for the ride back to town...!!
Exhilarating stuff…!! We swooped out over the lake, and then turned towards the shore, skimming the water and came in to land at one of the many landing zones that were marked out for Para-sailing…!!
While our gear was being packed away, Anton called for transport and when it finally arrived, and other pilots had also landed, we bumped our way along a dirt track that led into town…
We joined two other Russian friends of his and together ate a huge lunch of cheese and garlic nan bread, washed down by a regular supply of sweet lemon tea…
It was an afternoon to remember in Pokhara… For a little over half an hour, I had soared with eagles… Literally…!! A number of large Fish Eagles had wheeled above and below us while we cruised the skies… It was an absolutely invigorating way to celebrate life…!!
©GBWT 2011
Looks like a whole lot of fun. And of course, you chose the right place to do it.
Did you win the championship??? You look very relaxed, if that was me, my eyes would be closed and my mouth would be WIDE open – screaming!!!!!!
Please give Dumbo kisses from me….
BIG kisses
K
I did that also but didnt even dream of doing it there.
Well done!!!!
Ha-ha…!! If my pilot had tried any of the stunts that the competitors were doing, he would have had to buy me some new underwear…!!
Hmmm , I’m putting that to my ” Things to do list “.