Day 3- Paragliding in Pattaya!!!

Saturday 3rd September, 2011

We visited some of the shops and markets this morning and bought some great souvenirs as we played the bargaining game. I haven't really bargained with anyone before, but Daniel loves it. I suppose it's more the fun you get out of it. We also got some great tshirts and sarongs with beautiful elephant prints on them. I can't wait to show mum back home.

All this shopping, soon made us hungry, so we tried out a sports bar just outside the Amari Orchid Hotel. I don't remember the name of it, but you can't miss it. The snack food was great and the cocktails were beautifully presented. The Barman was really sweet and always made sure we had clean napkins. It was a quiet bar and we had the pool table all to ourselves for the most part. After grazing on some food, we went back to the hotel to drop off our souvenirs.

On the first day of arriving in Pattaya, I noticed that our in the ocean, there were paragliders. We soon discover as we walked along the pavilion, there were many adventures salesman advertising paragliding, elephant trekking, quad bike rides and snorkelling tours. The paragliding looked like so much fun, so Daniel and I decided to give it a go.

A small speed boat came and collected us from the beach and took us straight out into the ocean, where there was a platform full of tourists waiting for their turn to glide. For whatever reason, we were pushed in front of the long queue and told to take our thongs off. We were both soon fitted with life saver jackets and Daniel was told he would be the next one to go up. As he stood there waiting for the speed boat to come around the corner, the crew made sure all the safety hooks were in place. On the count of Three, they told Daniel to run and jump as he neared the edge of the platform and Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! away he flew up into the air. As I watched him from the platform, I couldn't help but laugh. He looked so funny, just floating up there in the sky as he swung his legs, like some sort of crazed monkey.
On the speed boat

On the speed boat


Daniel getting ready to take flight...

Daniel getting ready to take flight...


Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee

The ride itself took only about 3 minutes and before I knew it, Daniel had made a smooth landing back and it was now my turn to take to the skies. I was so nervous as I'm not too sure about this whole 'gliding in the air thing'. I didn't have anytime to worry though, as my thoughts soon turned to the realisation that I was making my way up to the clouds. The feeling was exhilirating!!! I could feel the warm air on my face. I was screaming and could feel my fingers gripping onto the ropes so damn tight. But geez it felt great being up there. I assume this is what birds must feel. Atleast the baby, trainee birds.

After a ride around the platform, it was my turn to come back down. It was now after midday and I could feel the sun burning my white, pale skin. Daniel was also getting burnt but lucky for him, he gets darker. Much sexier than turning red. Just like the speedboat took us to the platform, it was there waiting to take us back to land. I could've stayed all afternoon on that boat just whizzing around the beach like that.

Back on the main street, you will find plenty of massage places. For as little as $7 an hour, you can have you feet, head, shoulders, neck, back, stomach, you name it, any body part massaged. We opted for an aloe vera full body massage to calm the sunburn. After an hour of relaxation we started walking back home to get ready for another night in Walking Street. Not far from our Hotel, we saw a couple of tanks full of little fish. I have seen people do this before. They sit down, put their legs inside the tanks and let these little fish eat your dry skin. The very thought grosses me out.... but it's something I just had to give a try. Atleast once!!!

I finally convinced Daniel to give it a go with me. I slowly sat on the cushion seat and cautiously put one leg in. I wasn't really sure how this works or what happens when you put your legs in. Do the fish come straight at you??? Do they feed off you gently??? It made me nervous just thinking about it.
Ewwwww, they're eating our legs!!!

Ewwwww, they're eating our legs!!!

I looked up at Daniel and he had already both his legs inside the tank!!! If he could do it, so could I, so I bravely put both my legs at once and as quick as I put them in, I pulled them out!!! I didn't realise how quick these little fish start eating you lol. The sensation, even the thought of it, gave me the giggles HARD. I couldn't stop laughing (it was really just nerves) and the massage staff were smiling at me. I knew I had to get a grip, so I tried again and tried to think of more relaxing thoughts.
giggle fit!!!

giggle fit!!!

15 minutes, may not seem like a long time, but when you have 100 little fish sucking on your feet, tickling you feet and knowing they're eating your dead skin cells.... I couldn't wait to get this over with.

As much as I couldn't stand it at first, eventually, I did relax and did enjoy it. I do recommend giving it a go, especially since the promise of smooth baby bottom feet is exactly what you get after having a fish tank treatment ;-)

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