Wendy Williams
By Wendy Williams
STUCK for an original Christmas present? Never sure what to get your hubby, who already has it all?
Well, here’s an idea to raise your spirits.
Yes, ‘raise’ is the clue, with one exciting new company offering the experience of a lifetime, flying up and away above the Costa del Sol.
Called a buggy paratrike, this incredible contraption gives you the chance to see your garden and pool from above.
Offered by innovative company Paisajes Aereos, I was certainly a little apprehensive when I saw the unusual looking three-wheeled contraption that was to lift me into the skies above the beach in Manilva.
You don’t have to do anything; just sit back, relax and enjoy the views
It was, after all, the first time I was to take off not in a plane.
But Juan Carlos Guzman, an instructor with 28 years flying experience behind him, assured me that it is actually one of the safest ways to fly.
In fact, the paratrike – which I was reliably assured is the latest development in the world of paramotors – is a paraglider with a motor on the back.
This makes it possible for you to take off from the ground rather than having to jump off from a great height.
Plus, the buggy part means that unlike with paragliding you are seated for the whole flight so you really don’t have to do anything; you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the views.
Of course the weather still needs to be factored in. Too much wind and you will be unable to fly.
But on this particular day I was lucky that the weather was just right.
Juan Carlos gave me a brief introduction before we strapped in and lifted off for a 10 minute flight; all my nerves melting away as we soared above the hordes sunbathing on the beach.
As I looked down at the world beneath my feet I even caught a glimpse of my reflection in the sea before we descended in a dizzying spin.
Juan Carlos shouted to me through the headphones to see if I was alright, but the truth was I was loving it…
It was absolutely incredible and an unexpectedly smooth ride.
Seated at the front of the buggy with your legs dangling it is surprisingly easy to forget the machine that is keeping you in the air.
The sensation of flying with the wind in your hair is amazing and as soon as we landed I wanted to do it all again.
Instead I got to watch other people experience the same emotions I had just felt, the initial apprehension followed by complete exhilaration.
More than anything, the smiles on the faces of the few fellow punters as they came back down to earth was a testament to how amazing the experience is.
You can even have the flight recorded meaning you can replay the moment whenever you feel like it and share your experience with family and friends.
It is certainly something that I would happily receive from Santa, if he hasn’t already decided to trade his reindeer-drawn sledge in for a paratrike himself.
For more information visit: www.paisajesaereos.com
