PARAGLIDING , 14TH MAY , 2009.

PARAGLIDING , 14TH MAY , 2009.
You want to fly? Why do you want to fly hundreds of meters above the ground, over looking hills, fields and rivers? It is a challenge, a dream, an intimacy with nature and the beauty of the open blue sky, the clouds, the birds and the wind blowing into your face, which is difficult to explain.
This is why some take to Para gliding.

My son Ravindra is a trained para glider. For quite some time, I have been asking him to take me for the gliding. At last we made it on Thursday the 14th May, 2009. We traveled to a place called Karla about 100 kms. from our place on the Mumbai- Pune road (just beyond Lonavala, a hill station). The para gliding club has an office cum residential accommodation there. We had lunch and waited for some time as the day was very windy for gliding. Around 3pm we left from there and traveled about 15 kms on a gravel road to reach the foothills. Since the road is bad, we traveled in a SUV. There is a plain ground at that point which is used for landing as well as for training recruits in ground handling of the glider. We climbed up from there to a hill top about 100 M high, which is reasonably plain for take off. We used local boys for carrying the equipment up and down the hill. First I wanted to try. A harness was put on me and I was clamped to the instructor who was behind me. The instructor first makes the glider float and suddenly turns and we start running for a small distance and then we take off. We went to about 350m height and flew for about half an hour. He did a few acrobatics after confirming that I am not scared or suffer from vertigo or other problems. It was a little scary, but was thrilling. We tried to land at the same point from where we took off, but because of high velocity winds and shortage of space there, we could not land. After some more flying we landed in the plain below. Over all it was a great experience. Then my grand daughter Rhea, all of 6 years age, wanted to try. The harness was put on her. Ravi checked with her whether she is comfortable. She seemed to be amused by the whole thing and said she is fine. Then they took off. We could see that she was really enjoying the flight. She was waving her hands to us from that height. We saw that the instructor was doing acrobatics. I was a little bit worried. After about half an hour flight they landed in the plain where we were waiting. We could see the thrill on her face. The instructor told us that she asked him to do the acrobatics. When he started coming down to land, it seems she told the instructor that she felt that the flight should never end. She also told him that she will come back and learn to fly solo soon. These flights normally last for 10 minutes, but because of Ravi's association with the school, both my self and Rhea flew for more than half an hour each. The training school is run by two instructors. One of the instructors competes at national level competitions.

RIDEAU CANAL AND ICE SCULPTURES, OTTAWA, CANADA

RIDEAU CANAL AND ICE SCULPTURES IN OTTAWA, CANADA

RIDEAU CANAL, about 8 kms long flows through Ottawa, Canada. This completely freezes during winter and is used by locals as a skating rink. They claim it as the longest skating rink in the world.
When the canal is frozen, shops lending skating equipment and food courts are set up at both the ends of the canal. During week ends there is so much crowd, one feels as though the whole of Ottawa is present at the canal. For those who cannot skate a push cart similar to a child’s perambulator with skis is also lent. One can comfortably sit inside this and cover with blankets. The skater holds on to grips on this and pushes the cart while skating.
During the winter festival a sculpting competition is held. A large number of sculptors from all over the world assemble here to show off their artistry. Different themes are selected by the sculptors for the sculptures. It is very interesting to see them with drawings and cutting, chiseling and polishing huge blocks of ice. They make temporary supports for propping the sculpture till it is finished.
The work is so fine, it is only a few mm in diameter to depict strings of an instrument like lute or hair of a women. The balancing of the sculpture is very vital. When a horse is shown standing on two legs, the weight of the horse has to be perfectly balanced on the legs. Sometimes when the sculpture is complete, due to improper balancing it is heart wrenching to see the whole sculpture breaking into pieces.

We visited the canal and sculpture shows in Feb, 2004. It was still freezing out side and we had to wear a lot of protective clothing. We hired a push cart in which I sat with my grand daughter Rhea, while my son Ravi skated for some time while pushing the cart. My wife Radhika and daughter in law Pritti were spectators.

ICE HOTEL, QUEBEC, CANADA

ICE HOTEL(HOTEL DE GLACE)
DUCHESNAY QUEBEC
CANADA
ICE HOTEL is constructed every year at DUCHESNAY, which is about 20 Kms from Quebec City in Canada. This is constructed entirely of ICE. Ice blocks are specially made taking care not to have any air bubbles, since air bubbles will not allow proper cutting and shaping. The idea of the hotel originates from the INNUI IGLOOS.

The snow is sprayed on huge inverted catenary shaped steel forms and allowed to freeze. After a couple of days, the forms are removed, leaving a maze of free-standing corridors of snow. In the corridors, dividing walls are built in order to create rooms and suites. Icehotel opens in phases, the first phase opens in the beginning of December and for each week, another part of the hotel opens up for visitors and guests until the beginning of January when the entire construction is completed. Guests are allowed till mid March after which the ice starts melting. When completed, the hotel features a bar, church, main hall, reception area, a small theater and rooms and suites; and for guests to sit and sleep, blocks of sculpted ice in the form of chairs and beds are made.
The building spans an area of 6000 Sq.m and approximately 20000 MT of ice/snow is used in the construction. Just about 60 people work on the construction, cutting and laying the blocks and laying the electrical wiring. The blocks are jointed with a material called SNICE. The walls are more than 1.2 m thick on average. All of the furniture is made of ice, including the reception tables,bar table and bar stools, beds,chairs and even some drinking glasses and plates. Architecture and design vary every year.

We traveled from Ottawa to Montreal, changed trains and reached Quebec, where we stayed for the night. Quebec was earlier a French colony and joined Canada later on. So the language and culture are all French. The river Quebec was frozen and breakers were working for breaking the ice. Even in Quebec City there are a few structures made entirely of ice blocks, but you cannot go into them. In Quebec in December day light is available for only 6 to 7 hours.

We were picked up by courtesy coach next morning and we reached DOUCHESNAY around 9 am. We were wearing three layers of clothing in addition to the thermals. There was very heavy snowing, so we had to wear a wind cheater also over all these.
We went in DeceMber 2003 just after the hotel opened to guests. The hotel had 32 ordinary suites including a few theme suites, two bars, one chapel and a theater. You will be given a WHITE WEDDING CERTIFICATE if you get married again in the chapel. A white ice wall serves as screen for projection of films.

The temperatures were around minus 35 deg. C and with wind chill it was nearly minus 40 deg. C. Beds, stools are lined with reindeer furs and Arctic sleeping bags are given for sleeping. Only the bathrooms are heated, in a separate insulated structure. It is impossible to use it in the night as one has to get out of the sleeping bag, put on warm clothes to visit them. The suites do not have doors but have only deer skin curtains. Supervisors keep moving around in the night to check all guests are comfortable and no one is in trouble because of the cold. The temperature inside the suites is about minus 5 to 8 deg.C. A parallel hotel of normal construction with heating is also available to guests who are not able spend the whole night at the Ice hotel. Normally a large number of day visitors are allowed. How ever at 6pm, only those who will be staying will be permitted inside. After lunch on the first day, they hold a briefing telling us all the Dos and DON’Ts. You are advised to stop taking liquids after 5pm to avoid going to the toilet in the night. You are also taught how to get into the sleeping bags and tie them around you. We had early dinner and went inside the Ice hotel. We spent quite some time visiting all the places and also to get acclimatized. Since the out side temperature was very low, it was comfortable to be inside the hotel. We went to our suite around
9 pm, got into the sleeping bag and slept till around 4.30 am when Radhika felt a little uncomfortable. So we left the suite and went to our heated rooms. The experience was exhilarating.

There are a large number of other activities to keep you busy during the day. These include Snow mobiles, Dog sleds, archery, rock climbing (the rock is also made of ice), ice skating etc. We decided to try our hand in snow mobile and dog sled.
First we hired a snow mobile. I was to drive with Radhika on the pinion. We were given extra heavy clothing for the ride including gloves and goggles. A guide came on another mobile. One has to show an international driving licence to be allowed to drive. The snow mobile is on skis, with a 6HP engine, there is no clutch, only an accelerator and brakes.
As we started, I had to take a sharp bend and enter the track at a lower level. I could not control and hit a wall of snow. Both of us and the snowmobile were completely in snow. We were pulled out and we proceeded. I started at 60 Kms/hr and slowly accelerated to about 100 kms/hr. Problems come when you have to cross tar roads. The skis do not move on these. So you have to check for the traffic on these roads and at the same time accelerate to avoid stopping on the road. A little tricky. We drove for about an hour and stopped. The guide asked Radhika how was the drive. She told him Manohar drives faster on Mumbai roads. So on the way back I tried to go around125 kms/hr. It was absolutely fantastic. After we returned Radhika also tried her hand to drive inside the yard. We had some photos taken and left feeling high of the experience.

Next day we wanted to try the dog sled. We were taken to a kennel about 15 minutes drive away. We were explained about different breeds of dogs used on the sled, and how to drive the sled. There are three pairs of dogs for each sled. There is a bucket seat in which one person can sit. Radhika took the seat. The driver has to stand on skis projecting at the back and hold the leash and a whip. There is a bracket between the two skis which when pressed into the ground acts as a break. So I became the driver. There were three more groups with us. It was exceedingly cold that day. Our noses were becoming red and it was difficult to breathe. Our goggles were getting foggy and we could hardly see anything beyond 10 M. I was wearing three layers of gloves and found it difficult to get a grip on the leash and whip. Somehow I managed to drive for half an hour. As my finger tips stated becoming numb, I just loosened my hand within the gloves to wiggle the fingers a little, but in doing this I lost concentration and did not notice a curve. I drove the sled straight into a wall of snow. The sled over turned and both of us were in waist deep snow. We were rescued by the guide and we continued.
I found during the drive one or the other dogs used to slow down some times stop. Others have to pull them. I was told they stop very frequently to urinate and hence it is necessary to keep shouting and sounding the whip and shout MUSH. Somehow we completed the one hour drive. It was a great experience. Due to the severe cold and heavy gloves it is practically impossible to operate the camera. The trigger is so small you can hardly put your finger tip on it.Some how I managed to take a few pictures.

The biggest problem was food. We are strict vegetarians. In spite of informing them earlier, we could get only salad, potatoes, fruit juices. The salad also contains various unknown kinds of leaves. We were feeling like animals eating grass. But we enjoyed the stay and experience. Interestingly people ask for chilled beer in the restaurant. Of course we also had cold fruit juices.

The whole thing is extremely expensive. Nearly US $ 800 each for all the facilities we used for a two night stay, but I think it was once in a life time experience and worth it.

Cessna flight

On 17th April, I contacted a flying club. I told him that I would like to fly a Cessna and whether they can arrange for it.They asked me to come over on 20th April at 12 noon as a slot will be available.

I reached his office and got introduced to an instructor. He asked for my proof of identity and made me sign an indemnity bond absolving the club of any responsibility in case of accident or death during the flight.

He then took me to the ATC, Juhu, where he explained to me their working and filled in a flight report. This consisted of the name of the club, details of aircraft,expected time of departure, duration of flight,flight route and destination. It was approved and we were told to stick to an altitude of 500 to
600 ft.I found that at the ATC all timings were GMT.

He then took me to the Meteorological dept, where he collected the meteorological information expected during the flight.

We came back to the office where he explained about the flight. We were to take off at 13.00 hrs, to maintain a altitude of 500 to 600 ft and stick to a strip generally between the sea coast and the railway line. We are not permitted to go into the sea beyond a kilometer from the coast.

He then took me to the aircraft. It was Cessna 152,twin seater,single engine, four cylinders and 108HP power. He explained to me with a check list,all the instruments on the panel and the external features like the rudder, ailerons, elevators etc. We also checked the quantity of fuel in the tank.The identification of the aircraft was VT CCC, which was to be repeated every time we contact the ATC.
I was then introduced to the pilot instructor who will take me along with him in the flight.

We got into the air craft and the instructor after getting clearance from the ATC started taxi-ing towards the start of runway. While moving he explained all the features of the instrument panel again and also how to handle the stick(steering) to raise or to lower the aircraft.

At the start of the runway he asked me to raise the engine speed for take off and start accelerating slowly. The air craft started moving forward and picked up speed. He then asked me to pull the stick to raise the nose of the plane. The aircraft started raising off the run way. I took it straight for some distance till we reached an altitude of 500 ft. Then I lowered the nose to let it fly at the same height.We flew for about half an hour. I tried to keep the aircraft on course and at the specified altitude. Thee were some air pockets where I experienced some wobbling.The pilot did some minor correction when ever necessary.We were flying at around 80 knots.

On our return journey, I noticed the new VIPASSANA GLOBAL PAGODA and wanted to see it better. The instructor took over the controls and went round the structure so that I could get a good view.It is a great civil engineering structure.
Then I pointed out to him the building in which I lived. He took a little de-tour and went round the building.It was nice to see our building (approx. 300 ft high) from the air. I took some photographs both of the Pagoda and our building.

I continued to control the air craft there after till we came near the airstrip. The landing appeared difficult due to some tall palms directly in the landing path. The instructor took control and landed the craft safely.

I thanked the instructor for an excellent flight and great experience.