with clouds between their knees… – from Superman (It’s Not Easy), Five for Fighting.

One of the most truly amazing, sublime experiences. On our last day in Pokhara, I decided to find out what it would feel like to be Superman.

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I went with Sarangkot Paragliding since Blue Sky Paragliding didn’t have any spots available for that day. They are the new, little-guy on the block but I’m really glad I went with them (laid-back , and friendly service). My trusted pilot was Peter Volf who is also a professional photography and fellow web-guy.

Taking off was easy and the whole feeling of being lifted off the ground reminded me of being on those carousel swing rides at an amusement park when I was a kid. Surprisingly, I wasn’t really nervous at all but really anxious to fly. Peter, my calm, confident, reassuring Czech was great.

We soared around the mountain-side and over Nepali villages. As the saying goes, people and especially children playing looked like ants running around the ground. You really do feel like a bird as you search and chase for thermals to carry you up higher and higher into the sky.

My senses were overwhelmed.

I didn’t get to see much of the Himalayan mountains but I felt closer to them than ever before. The day was a scorcher on the ground but up in the air it was heaven. I even saw a hawk fly beneath my feet.

It was so quiet and peaceful – it felt like an entirely a whole new world up there. It was only a half-hour flight but it felt like an eternity.

Landing was a piece of cake (well sort of, the picture looks worse than it really was).

As I hit the ground, the hard and sad reality of being confined to land quickly returned. It was such a surreal experience.

I definitely recommend tandem paragliding in Nepal. As my pilot would agree, Nepal is probably one of the most inexpensive places to do it and without a doubt has the most spectacular sceneries in the world to see from the air.

(and of course, I have a video clip)