My Dream is to fly, over the rainbow, so high!!!!....that's d song that kept going on and on in my head from the minute i got up early morning all set to take off for a new adventure - paragliding
Since i had done para sailing before, i thought to myself - dis will be a similar experience, no need to get scared. But in reality i was really nervous...come on guys...1000ft above sea level having to jump off a cliff, who wouldn't be a bit nervous. So i decided to go ahead, experience it, close my eyes and take d plunge.
I set off early morning with my dad for Kamshet, near Lonavla. Nirvana adventures in Kamshet offer tandem joyrides to beginners as well as advanced courses in paragliding. We had decided since its our first time ever, we would take a tandem joyride for 15mins. I thought to myself - it cant be that difficult - after all its just like taking a piggy back ride with someone. Only its gonna be 1000ft high in the sky. We got into a jeep that took us halfway up the hill. Another 15mins of a slow trek in the scorching sun finally brought us to the takeoff site. A lot of riders were all set with their parachutes, ready to take off and fly. My excitement overcame my nervousness as i anxiously awaited my turn. We had to wait a good 1 hour to make sure the wind conditions were just right for a take off. The wait seemed endless.
Finally, my turn arrived. My instructor turned out to be a tall, fair & handsome french pilot - yoohooo. As i was being strapped up in the safety gear, i suddenly became nervous again. My life was secured to just 2 pieces of rope - geeez. A million thoughts were swirling in my mind, but it was too late to back out now. I was given a few basic safety instructions on what to do if we crash land. Oh God that's the last thing i needed to know!!! We walked to the edge of the cliff with my eyes closed and saying a silent prayer. To the count of 3 and we ran a few steps and there i was - high in the sky!!!
As soon as we took off all my fears just vanished. I felt like i was sitting in a chair, legs dangling freely, right in the middle of nowhere!!! The rush of adrenaline felt just great. I started talking to the (cute) instructor to understand the basics of operating the parachute. He even gave me a rope which i tugged to take a left turn. Flying so carefree in the clear blue sky was an out of the world experience. For those 15mins i forgot everything. All that mattered was the wind blowing in my face, the clear blue sky & the shining sun.
The landing back was as quick and easy as the take off. In a few mins we were back to the same cliff. It sure felt great to feel the ground beneath my feet. Paragliding was an amazing experience - a must try. Definitely not for the weak hearted and definitely not if your scared of heights. But for once if you just wanna fly over the rainbow, so high, then just go for it.
