Go Jump Off a Cliff - You Will Love It

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The morning after we arrived in Pokhara, over breakfast on our terrace deck we watched at least fifty para gliders descending the mountain. I remember saying that there is no way in hell I would do that. But we continued to be entertained watching these gliders come down the mountain three times a day, every day, for the next few days. Then this friendly young professional couple who were staying at our guest house shared their experience, having jumped the day before, and had nothing but good things to say about it. They hardly seemed like crazy, suicidal adrenalin crazed junkies, and they were so excited about their experience, that we began to reconsider this idea.

The following week, we took the giant leap and jumped off that cliff. It was a cloudy day, which we learned means great winds and potential to soar very high. That we did, especially Stan, whose world class champion pilot Ajay took him way, way, way up there. It was awesome. In fact, it was so awesome, that I had to go back again, on a day, when the peaks were presenting themselves. And so I waited, and on the first clear day, I was up in the sky with Stan's former pilot, Ajay. He warned me in advance that clear days were a compromise, and we might not get as high as before, but we got high enough to fly alongside a large eagle- like bird for a while, and to see the peaks while flying, so I was thrilled. Ajay even did a few spin and flip acrobatics before we landed, just to throw a little icing on this great cake, so to speak.

There really is something about this place, or maybe it is travelling in general, that makes you go beyond your previous boundaries and take a step in another direction. This adrenalin charged little country had us both throwing ourselves into activities that we had never tried before, and loving it.

Isn't this really why we travel? To keep growing and challenging ourselves? I can hardly wait to see what other surprises we shall shock ourselves with as we continue down these new paths and break down more inhibitions, but hopefully no bones. . .

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Photos

Flying Never Felt So Good
Note those beautiful peaks in the background. Just awesome.

Stan Takes to the Sky
Can you believe this? And he is smiling!

Stan Goes Way Up There
Check out how high these guys really are. See those tiny little houses down there. That is a clue.

Stan Just Hanging Out
How can this not be a good time?

Yoga in the Sky
And why not, I say? Is there any rule out there saying you can't do yoga above a certain altitude, with no ground under you and such? Heavenly.

Magic Carpet Ride
It does seem just a little magical, doesn't it? So completely calm, just like that water a zillion feet below. . .

Our White Water Rafting Group
So Stan is taking the picture and didn't get in this shot. Everyone other than us in this party came from one of the Para gliding companies in town, who were doing a staff bonding thing and going rafting together. All of these people are paragliding pilots of office staff. We tagged along with this adventurous group, once again, winning the seniors award in the entourage.

Rafting into the Ominous Rain Clouds
You cannot see us because we are in the raft taking photos of the other two rafts in our expedition party. But we are there, bravely pushing forward right into those ominous clouds ahead. As it turned out, just moments after we hit shore and completed our trip, the rains came, big time.

Survived the White Water Adventure
If I had listened to all the safety precautions and instructions back in the office, I am sure I would have backed out. But it was too late by the time I did, and I am so glad we did this . . . and survived. It was a blast.

Happy New Year 2070
Just in case you were thinking the entire world believes it is 2013 at the moment, think again. Over here, it is 2070. So why not step outside of the usual paradime and do something completely wild and crazy?

Comments

[Tiana Cappo]

I finally found your travel blog. I'm so extremely happy for you Ms.Zizzy! I've read every singly entry today and looked at all the pictures! Looks like you and your husband are having the time of your lives! Bless you!