Our World Journey

What We Have Been Up To...

This is the page where we put all our blogs. As we move around the globe you can follow what we are up to. If you are interested in a specific country just click on the link in the sidebar. All our date stamps are set to South African time (GMT +02:00). Only the most recent posts will show on this page. For previous posts choose from the list in the side bar or go directly to blogs of countries we have already visited.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

On wings like eagles

Pokhara is one of the most ideal places in the world to go paragliding. During the autumn and winter months, the weather is consistently ideal with great jump off spots and gentle thermals. Janine managed to convince Johan into doing the "no experienced required" 45 minute tandem glide.

There is really little fuss about the whole thing (except for Johan's nervousness) - just pay as you go - no forms to sign, no indemnities, no nothing. A jeep takes one to Sagarnakot at 1450m, about 700m higher than Pokhara. After a 2 minute briefing, you buckle up, run and then jump off a mountain!

One is in a sitting position which feels like being in a nice armchair - everything seemed so smooth and silent as one begins to ride the thermals to gain height and distance. Eagles joined us as we enjoyed the incredible scenery back dropped by the snow-covered Himalayas. On the way down Johan claimed that they were spiraling at such high G-forces that his face pulled to the side! Landing is as soft as stepping off a pavement, but watch out for traffic as you land on the tarred road next to the lake - Janine's landing had two local women duck out of the way and she also managed to evade the oncoming truck!

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  • Pokhara
  • Annapurna Circuit
  • Towards the mountains
  • Bardia to Pokhara - the incredible journey
  • Elusive Bardia tigers
  • Border crossing at night
  • A day in Delhi
  • New (?) Delhi
  • Passage to India
  • Leaving South America...