In 2003, I visited Rio de Janerio in Brazil.

I’d always wanted to go hang gliding and I’d been told Rio is one of the best places in the world to experience the thrill of soaring through the air.

A short tandem flight isn’t too expensive for most backpackers and there are plenty of companies to choose from.  .
We drove to Tijuca National Park, home to the world’s largest urban forest – a spectacular rain forest not far from the beacht.  We went up a winding, narrow road to the top of a rocky outcrop, Pedra Bonita (Pretty Rock), which is 1700 feet high.

I did a tandem flight, with an instructor.  It was an amazing feeling.  There was nothing but a safety harness around my waist supporting me and we soared through the air.  It was exhilarating and scary at the same time.  Everywhere I looked there was an amazing view.  From the rainforest below, to the golden sand of nearby São Conrado Beach and the blue ocean beyond.  And in the distance I could see Copacabana and Ipanema and Sugar Loaf and Corcovado with the giant statue of Christ on top.

I had paid a little extra to have some photos of the flight.  A camera was mounted on the side of the glider and Marcello used a remote control to take the pictures.  At the end of the flight you get the roll of film.
We swooped and soared and floated and turned.  We flew over the rainforest and some mansions in a luxury estate (I could see the people swimming in their pools) and out over the ocean.  Then we headed towards the beach.

Most of the beach was crowded, except for a section that had been set aside as a landing strip for hang gliders and paragliders.  We did a sharp bank and zoomed in and landed on the beach.

The flight lasted almost fifteen minutes, but it seemed to be over in an instant. 
 

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In 2003, I visited Rio de Janerio in Brazil.

I’d always wanted to go hang gliding and I’d been told Rio is one of the best places in the world to experience the thrill of soaring through the air.

A short tandem flight isn’t too expensive for most backpackers and there are plenty of companies to choose from.  .
We drove to Tijuca National Park, home to the world’s largest urban forest – a spectacular rain forest not far from the beacht.  We went up a winding, narrow road to the top of a rocky outcrop, Pedra Bonita (Pretty Rock), which is 1700 feet high.

I did a tandem flight, with an instructor.  It was an amazing feeling.  There was nothing but a safety harness around my waist supporting me and we soared through the air.  It was exhilarating and scary at the same time.  Everywhere I looked there was an amazing view.  From the rainforest below, to the golden sand of nearby São Conrado Beach and the blue ocean beyond.  And in the distance I could see Copacabana and Ipanema and Sugar Loaf and Corcovado with the giant statue of Christ on top.

I had paid a little extra to have some photos of the flight.  A camera was mounted on the side of the glider and Marcello used a remote control to take the pictures.  At the end of the flight you get the roll of film.
We swooped and soared and floated and turned.  We flew over the rainforest and some mansions in a luxury estate (I could see the people swimming in their pools) and out over the ocean.  Then we headed towards the beach.

Most of the beach was crowded, except for a section that had been set aside as a landing strip for hang gliders and paragliders.  We did a sharp bank and zoomed in and landed on the beach.

The flight lasted almost fifteen minutes, but it seemed to be over in an instant. 
 

Please support my blog by clicking this blog site ranking list.