Bucket list and no2 spot in the world

On August 17, we got to tick an item off the bucket list. Paragliding and paragliding in the no 2 spot in the world. What a blast!

The girls and I were picked up from the hotel and brought to Sarangkot. A short 25 min drive up the hills of Pokhara.

Post a massive storm the night before, the weather cleared . It’s the tail end of monsoon so the sun is back shining again. It’s hot and it’s humid.

I went parasailing many moons ago but consider this adventure with my chicks as an all round first time.

Kaia… My mind says yes but my guts tell me no, walk away!

Skye… I want to do it but don’t ask me again.

Willow .. I’m definitely doing it. Out of 10, I’m an 11.

Me… As long as I don’t wipe out on take off and rip a hole up the backside of my trousers … Bring it on!

Papa… I’ll sit this one out.

We get to the hill and get assigned to our pilots. This is tandem paragliding. We get our briefing and Q&A. The chutes gets prepped and we suit up. When I tell you to walk, walk against the resistance of the chute… When I tell you to run, run! Pretty simple commands and now the adrenaline really kicks in…

I’m so proud of the girls. They are still game and are excited. Kaia goes first. A mere 4 steps and she is off in the sky! What an awesome take off and not a peep. Skye and Willow are next. Skye is the meat of the Willow/pilot sandwich. These 2 are very excited. Take off is very smooth. I get to see Willow’s and then Skye’s little legs still pumping in the air when they suddenly realize they have left the ground. And then a resounding “wooohooo”. I’m last to go. I wait for the wind sock to be in the right direction to start the walk and then the run… I question briefly my great parenting skills… Before you know it, I’m up gaining altitude rejoining the others.

The setup. You are sitting in what ressembles a chair leaning back against the pilot who is directly behind you. It’s really comfortable and very peaceful. Just the wind, the kites, the sights and a few other paragliders in the sky.

The sights remained awesome even with the Himalayas hiding behind clouds.

So so cool !

We have converts. The girls want to go again.

Group shot pré flight.