The azure blue skies looked
inviting! A few clouds drifted aimlessly in the sky as the wind was picking up.
I looked back at the massive canopy of the parachute getting bigger as the
draught of air bellowed in!
 |
| Getting Ready for takeoff at Naukuchiatal/Not to miss Adidas jacket! |
‘When I tell you to walk,
don’t bend your knees but continue to walk’, my instructor advised me. I looked
down and my heart almost skipped a beat! There was a void after three steps on
the slope where I stood dangerously perched on an incline of a hill almost 6000
feet high! I switched on the camera of my mobile facing it towards me to
capture the moment. Another gust of wind and the instructor ordered, ‘Start
walking’!
I moved forward, one, two,
three steps, and wow even before the third step my legs dangled in the air as a
huge gust of wind tore through my face. I was momentarily lifted up in the air
and as I looked down, it was a spectacle worth dying for! The paragliding
experience had become a reality! Huge hills stared back at me and the distant
Naukuchiatal lake shimmered in the sun light. I felt like an eagle floating in
the sky, as my instructor perched on my back, maneuvered the strings of the
parachute to go around. The trees and people, the roads all looked so small!
Slowly, the chute started descending towards the mother earth. Every moment was
a flight into fantasy, which I had never envisioned till just a few hours ago!
 |
| Soaring the skies |
We had arrived at Bhimtal for
the day, dedicated to outdoor activities! Bhimtal is located about 35 km from
Nainital, the awesome, pristine hill, station. The drive had taken about one
and a half hour to reach the destination, a lovely resort overlooking the lake.
There are tall pine trees and hills surrounding the lake, with a few boats
lazily drifting in the clear water.
 |
| The Burmah Bridge |
A number of events like Parallel
Ropes, Rope bridge, the Burmah bridge, and Zipline, Rope climbing, Kayaking and
Boating awaited the enthusiasts under the watchful eyes of the trainers! For
most of the team it was something they had not done before, and hence the
novelty of the experience sent the adrenaline rushing! I had done some of these
many years back while undergoing training at the Naval Academy! These are tests
of nerves and especially for those who are not used to physical workouts and
are indulging in physical activities after a long break. We had also, aligned
less strenuous activities like games of volleyball and badminton.
Amid, eating drinking and
merrymaking and all the adventurous sports the time just flew, in the verdant
settings of Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal!The misty, mountains, the dew drops on grass, the fragrance of flowers and the hum of bumble bees were a god's gift, delivered to us for free!
How could one have enjoyed all the above
fun without the gear and accessories from ‘The Shopper’s Stop’!!
 |
| Zipline |
 |
Parallel Ropes
|
An ensemble of collections
from Shoppers Stop www.shoppersstop.com) for the festive season for an adventure filled
occasion like this:
Must be an exhilarating experience.....noted the adidas jacket.:)
ReplyDeleteIt was absolutelely exhilrating, Alka! Thanks, for making that note:)
DeleteWow! How thrilling must that be? And what a great way to link to Shoppers' Stop accessories. Wish you luck with the contest.
ReplyDeleteThrilling is an understatement Rachna! Thanks for your wishes:)
DeleteThis is what I call 'blending of Art'--- Immaculate! All the best~
ReplyDeleteI bow to thee, Panchali for those words! Thank you:)
DeleteLooks like you had a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteSure I did, LadyFi!!
Deletegreat moment, i really enjoyed...
ReplyDeletethanks
Thanks Krishna for liking!!
DeleteYou must have enjoyed the free gift freedom that the birds enjoy as a gift from God, enjoyed your fearlessness and adventurous moments!
ReplyDeleteI just realized, how the birds would feel, Padmaja:)A big thanks for those words!
DeleteThat was a novel way of linking the outlet for the contest. Though I wish you had shared more of the adventures! All the best, Rahul.
ReplyDeleteI know Zephyr that I should have added more juice, but promise you will have more coming:) Thanks for your kind wishes
DeleteMust have been an exhilarating experience, Rahul. Looks like you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely grat experience Rachna! I still wait to hear about your holiday trip which I am sure must have been fun:)
DeleteIt seems that you had a great time and you are very brave, I'd never be able to do that!
ReplyDeleteDon't Call Me Fashion Blogger
Facebook
Bloglovin'
Thanks Francesca! Great fun it was!!
DeleteWow..what a wonderful experience! I have't tried doing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eden! Go for it if you get an opportunity!!
Deletewooow., seems like a lot of fun.. :)
ReplyDeleteSure it was a lot of fun, Dipthi and nice to see you again:)
DeleteWow, such a wonderful and exhilarating experience in such a beautiful place dear Rahul. I would enjoy the zipline.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo ♡
A big thanks Dianne and it sure was a bliss:) Am sure you would love zipline!
DeleteEven in my wildest thoughts, I never thought that an entry for the contest could be like this. I think you must win! Great. And, I didn't miss the Adidas jacket ;)
ReplyDeleteLooked like you had great fun. This is my kind of adrenaline fun.
Joy always,
Susan
A very big thanks Susan for those lovely comments!Incidentally, I am not a brand manager of Adidas:) Great fun, certainly!!
DeleteWOWOWWOWOWOW awesomeeeeeeeee , I can understand what a experience that would have been for sure.
ReplyDeleteNow this is my kind of thing to do I love outdoors ..
Thanks for sharing
and yes all the best for the contest sir..
Bikram's
Believe me Bikram, I could not really express my feelings in as many words but it was just amazing!!Thanks a lot, and hope you do have your share of outdoor fun soon!!
DeleteParagliding and zipline are fantastic experiences!
ReplyDeleteI am sure you must have had your share of such experiences, Kusum, being such an avid traveler!!
DeleteWow Rahul, you are such an adventurer and so intrepid! I'd never be brave enough to take up adrenalin sports, well done to you on that!! It does look like a wonderful and thrilling experience. Thank you for your kind comment, it meant much to me :)
ReplyDeleteHa ha.. Sam! Thanks for that very nice comment but am sure you can do many more things which may not ever be possible for me:)
DeleteI want to try the zipline. I just went trekking. Being in nature is the most beautiful thing :)
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see you again, Juhi! It is good that you finally managed to surface back from the long trek you took!! Do share your experience too:)Do try some f these like zipline! You will enjoy!!
Deletesuper post and pixs sir..
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Ramesh!
DeleteOMG, you are adventurous! Bravo - lokks like you had fun!
ReplyDeleteA big thanks Martina!! Fun for sure:)
DeleteWow!! So many outdoors activities!! That sure is one exhilarating experience!!
ReplyDeleteIt was fabulous experience Shilpa!!
DeleteWow! I liked the way you linked your adventure with the contest.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been so thrilling and when you reached the height, you must have felt so peaceful. I also felt very frightened and wonderful all at once when I went para sailing, many years ago.
Of course paragliding looks more adventurous.
Oh! You have done Parasaling! It is also a great fun and I have done that more than once! Para gliding is a shade more thrilling!!Thanks a lot, Rama for liking!!
Deletewow...what a wonderful experience you had Sir... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Irfan! Great experience!
DeleteWow!! fantastic!! a worderful experiance!!
ReplyDeleteAlessia
THE CHILI COOL
FACEBOOK
YOUTUBE
Thanks a lot Alessia! Great absolutely!
DeleteOh..wow!! Must had a great experience. Nice pics :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Shreya:)
DeleteAm so happy you did it, but not me..Did I tell you that I have acrophobia? weak hearted huh?..ya, what to do? I didnt know this post was for the contest till the end. Good luck.. :-)
ReplyDeleteI wont call you weak hearted, Latha:) Each one does things as per his /her own defined limits and physical/ mental makeup! Am sure you excel in many other walks of life!!A big thanks for your kind wishes!!
DeleteThank you so much :-)
DeleteWow, well done!! Great experience! I know a lot about this gear, but I have never jumped like this.. wish one day
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Tanya:)Wish you have your share of experience soon!!
DeleteFelt exhilarated by your experience as I used to go very often to Pattaya and paraglide sitting in a bucket seat.
ReplyDeleteWow KayEm , did not know you are a pro, Para glider!! Am sure each time you must have felt like wise!! Thanks a lot!
DeleteI would so love to fly like that someday! Amazing experience, I could feel the thrill as I read it through! All the very best for the contest :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Arti! Hope you are able to have a similar experience soon!
DeleteWhen I did paragliding in Manali a few months back, I felt I was flying in the air and God had blessed me with wings maybe for the few minutes and I couldn't thank him more...
ReplyDeleteI was scared initially but later it was like a flight into fantasy, as u perfectly mentioned above.
And the best u have connected it so well with fashion and clothings.
Loved it!!
Nice to know you have also had a similar experience, Manjulika!! It was absolute bliss:) Thanks a lot for your wishes!!
DeleteWhat a thrilling experience! Your description was very vivid-i could feel the excitement.Best of luck for the contest!
ReplyDeleteI am happy that I could give you a feel of the excitement of the moment, Indu!! Thanks a lot for your kind wishes!!
DeleteQuite an experience Rahul sir! and yes the adidas jacket looks great!! Very different entry for the shoppers stop contest!
ReplyDeleteWe had this kind of adventure activity planned at the organisation level few years back (not the paragliding though). It really gives you the rush. Ofcourse you have been there done that in the Navy :-) Great entry!
A big thanks Jenny for liking the post and your best wishes! This too was an organisation backed event except the Paragliding part which was on my own:)
DeleteThat sounds great amusement and adventure... your expression makes it wow!
ReplyDeleteGreat fun it was, Jeevan! Thanks!!
DeleteOh wow, you know how to live don't you? :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you Agnes, for that comment:)
DeleteWow, this looks pretty amazing (and scary!) You are one brave man. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteA big thanks Ash! Scary to think but fun to do:)
Delete✿ °•.¸
ReplyDeleteOlá, amigo!
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil
✿ °•.¸¸.•°♡⊱╮╮
Tenha um fim de semana adorável!
ReplyDeleteOh, you have used one of your pictures too. Good idea hai jee :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best and keep flying high ~
Thanks a lot, Ghazala for having liked and your best wishes:)
DeleteAwesome! I envy you!
ReplyDeleteThe experience was awesome, indeed, Kavita!! Thank you:)
Deleteawesome...just WOW...:) :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog Jemina and a huge thanks for that remark and also to follow my blog:)
DeleteWowww, nice pictures. What an experience!
ReplyDeletewww.anucreations.blogspot.in
Thanks a lot Anupma for liking:)
DeleteThat's a great adventure! Even I have a dream to soar in the sky, like a bird...What a thrilling experience that would be!!..Hope it gets fulfilled in my lifetime..
ReplyDeleteLovely picks! so apt for the adventure. All the best for the contest :)
Great adventure indeed Valli:) Hope you are able to experience it sometime soon!!
Deletethrilling, so thrilling I'll never attempt it.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!! You may try other things:)
Delete✿✿°•.
ReplyDeleteBom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil
¸.✿°°•.¸.¸•°♡⊱╮╮
Belo fim de semana para você também
Delete¸. ✿ ° ° •. ¸. ¸ • ° ♡ ⊱ ╮ ╮
This must be so exciting! Glad you had a great time :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog Raaji! Exciting for sure:)
DeleteCongrats on the paragliding adventure. I can see that the navy man enjoyed it. :) Fun na?
ReplyDeleteI hope the Adidas outer-wear protected you from the harsh wind. :)
Oh! and best wishes for the contest. :)
DeleteDivya, It was great fun and so difficult to express the feelings to fly like a bird instead of sailing on the sea. Adidas wear did help:) A sincere thanks for your best wishes!
DeleteIs'nt it fun to indulge in all this:) Thank you Ashwini!!
ReplyDeleteLife is not always easy. Thanks for sharing your experience
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
DeleteThe article is clearly written and every point is factual and is no-nonsense. I have surf the internet looking for topics such as these and it is here where I find it written and stated well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for those kind words!
DeleteGreat post, what you said is really helpful to me. I agree with you anymore. I have been talking with my friend about, he though it is really interesting as well. Keep up with your good work; I would come back to you.
DeleteLohri 2021 – Date, Significance & Celebration in India
ReplyDeleteLohri is a festival that is celebrated on the last day of the Hindu month Paush and marks the beginning of longer days & shorter nights. According to the Gregorian calendar, almost every year Lohri is celebrated on 13th January, a day before Makar Sankranti. Lohri is not just a festival it is the time for a get-together with friends and relatives. The Lohri celebrations generally include a sacred bonfire, social gatherings, sweets, songs, Bhangra and Gidda dance. It has a great significance as it marks the end of winter days and harvest of the Rabi crops.