I had always wished to do the para-gliding ever since I seen it in aussie. Its a tempting sport where you can enjoyed the incredible bird view of the landscape. I knew how difficult and dangerous it could be but hey I can always do a tandem flight to get a taste of the thrill to soar like an eagle!
And finally the opportunity came. This vendor of mine had been practising hang-gliding for quite some years. He agreed to introduce some friends of him who provide tandem flight services and I managed to drag Dawn to go with me.
The flight took off is from the Pedra Bonita (525m high) and landing is on São Conrado Beach. My pilot was Bruno, and young and energetic guy.
I had a chat with him while signing my affidavit of responsibility (basically to sign my life off to some pilot that I hardly knew). In the next minute, I was getting kitted up. Bruno helped me to put on the security equipment which includes belt, snaps, hooks, helmets and emergency parachutes. The harness, which is quite a snug fit....you have to make sure your head and limbs fit through all the right holes. It was quite daunting. By the end I felt like the Michellin man!
I was then given some explanations about the flight which is simple. We practice a runnin
g together, running side-by-side and that is it. For a perfect take-off, I need to run down a 33-feet platform alongside the pilot.
Soon it was our turn to take-off, we were being hooked up side by side to the huge glider, I was instructed to put my right arm around Bruno's back and hold his shoulder. My left hand was to hold on a strap linked to the glide. I noticed he was holding a remote to control the DVD-camcorder, and we both posed at the camera and here we go, smiled, clicked, and set off!!
Wat an adrenalin thrills! The next seconds we were lifted off the ground. It felt so smooth and wonderful! I wasn't nervous at all. We rose higher and higher, the views of Sao Consador beach and the nature forest beneath were spectacular! I could not stop grinning and smiling at the glorious view! Soon we were on top of the sea.. woo.. the head of the swimmers appeared to me like floating coconuts in the sea.
The flight was short, (probably ten to twelve minutes) and bruno told me that its time to land. He was a good pilot and the landing was smooth and fast!! It's the most thrilling part of the flight as I was so scared that I might fell with my face plunged deep into the sand.
In short, it sums up a real refreshing, unforgettable memory!! 
Update: I checked the DVD and there aint’t any images in there!!! I called Bruno, the pilot and he agreed to let me have another free flight. Hohoho.. so .. more to come!!
Labels: Brazil, Days of My Life, Sheepish Breakaway
