As we took off, wind slapping my face and churning my hair, I thought to myself, “This is just like a regular plane”. But the moment the wheels lifted off terra firma, I felt this deep sense of exhilaration no plain plane could have ever given me. There I was, rising up and up and up, eventually reaching a thousand feet above the shrinking ground below, surrounded by nothing but air. I was on a micro light at Chiang Mai Sky Adventure and I felt as though I was flying straight into the rising sun.
We had been invited on a one day trip to experience some of the local attractions and this was a great start. Chiang Mai Sky Adventure has been around for nearly 20 years, a professional outfit operating out of Doi Saket. As we flew over paddy fields, farmers toiling below, taking a small break to shield their eyes as they watched my dangling feet pass over above, I felt as though I was in a ‘Nam movie, the soundtrack of Platoon playing in my head. The wind was rather vigorous that day, especially as we headed over the skies above Mae Guang Dam, but the views of mountains, paddy fields, glittering temples and charming villages, kept my fear at bay and my senses on alert. The ride only lasted for 15 short minutes, and following a rickety landing, we were soon rushed off to our next attraction.
Chiang Mai Adventure Land is a popular day out for the family. Since I am still single, I would never have really thought to come here, but after spending a few hours rock climbing, flying fox zip lining and zorb balling like a human-hamster-ball, I decided that no one is too mature for such frolicking! The park itself has all sorts of activities to keep everyone fully busy, giggling and exhausted, from the Indiana Jones style tight rope, the hill tribe swing, hill skiing, riding, fishing to challenging sky bridge, the staff are all on hand to make sure that everything is safe and everyone is having a great time.
Just when we were getting into it, we were told that we had to go to our next adventure. I wasn’t sure that anything could top the first two, but was soon proven wrong as I found myself hurtling one kilometres atop canopies down the longest zip line in Chiang Mai. The roller coaster, where you are strapped on under the coaster and hold on for dear life had my head spinning and my body pumped with adrenalin.
By this point I was utterly exhausted, but was then told that we had one more destination, Dragon Flight. We actually had to trek a full hour to get to the first base of the zipline, but it was worth it when once again, I found myself flying through the skies down their 900 metre zip line.
I don’t remember the drive back to the city, as I was passed out, along with every other journalist in the van, from exhaustion.
These are activities which we Thais don’t normally get to enjoy, as we tend to think that they are for tourists. But once we woke up on arrival in the city, we all agreed, over a bowl of late night noodles, that this was a day to remember.
There are obvious health and safety concerns, especially of late, about many adventure tourism destinations. I hope that you all do your due diligence before you book any activity to make sure that the company in question is reputable. And most of all, have fun and stay safe.
Chiang Mai Sky Adventure
190 M.3, T. Nong Yhang, A. San Sai, Chiang Mai 50210
Tel: 053 255 588, 081 993 6861
Email: Infoskyadventure@gmail.com
www.skyadventures.info
Chaing Mai Adventure Land
4 Moo 6, T. Sansai, A. SanSai, Chiang Mai 50210 Thailand
Tel: 081 783 6994, 081 952 0239
Jungle Flight
47/2 Moon Muang Road, T. Phra Singh, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200
Tel: 053 208 666, 086 911 4488, 081 885 8091
Email: info@jungleflightchiangmai.com
Dragon Flight
47/2 Moon Muang Road, T. Phra Singh, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200
Tel: 081 884 5887, 089 755 2632
Email: info@dragonflightchiangmai.com
www.dragonflightchiangmai.com
