Not for the Faint Hearts

        12th Annual Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally
  

Where- Fredericksburg, Texas

When- 2nd May to 4th May-2008.

If you love bikes, music, heavenly food, beautiful people and surprises, then the 12th Annual Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally is a must for you. Am pretty sure that all those who have been here before must be dying, waiting for this year and in case if you haven’t heard, the 12th Annual Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally is all set to blast off from 2nd of May to 4th May.

This is one event or festival that needs no introduction but for those who are new, allow me. The Annual Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally is one of Texas most energetic festival, attracting both young and old from across the country. A three day festival, sponsored by The Optimist Club of Fredericksburg, the festival host tons of fun-filled events, shows and much more, from bike shows to bike games and from mouth watering cuisine to musical entertainment, shopping and lots more. The event main attraction includes the "Hill Country Road Trip" and to participate all you need is thirst for adventure and a bike.

If you are planning to attain the Annual Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally, I would advice to bring along your dancing shoes as this year Danny Terry, Ben Beckendorf and Zydeco Blanco to name a few, will be performing.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

                       Macau Tower  

Where: Macau, China

Adventure as according to different individual differ as on how they define the term and the way they express and follow, some may define and express it with the multi-designs and colors of their hair or the way they dress, but to me adventure should be adrenalin pumping, heart pounding, and something that would make me feel that it’s good to be alive. Life without adventure is nothing and to me the best way to keep myself refreshed and recharged is to engage in various activities like surfing, rock climbing, paragliding, bungee jumping, mountain biking and so on…….. Macau Tower is among one of those places where you can indulge in so many adventure and extreme sports.

My next stop after Surfest-2008 would be Macau Tower, standing 338 m(1,109) from the ground with an observation deck, a shopping mall, restaurants and movie theaters, where adventure and extreme sports buffs can pursue hair raising activities like Mast Climb, Skywalk, Long Ironwalk, Sky Jump and Bungee Jumping. If only my plans goes the way I want it to be very soon I would be in Macau Tower screaming out as I jump off from the platform standing nearly around 233 meters from the ground with only a rubber cord to hold me. No doubt I would indulge in all the activities that it has to offer except shopping but what I am really looking forward is bungee jumping.

My first jump (and the only) was on my last visit to Nigeria Falls, but that was enough to drive me nuts about bungee jumping. Seriously this is something that every adventure enthusiast must try it at least once in their lifetime.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

                                   Surfest -2008

Considering myself as a true adventure and extreme sports follower, I have taken an oath that I would pursue and attain as much as extreme and adventure sports and events that takes place. But for around a month I have done nothing expect being glued to my TV watching reruns and I was desperately in need of some action. Well out of nowhere Surfest-2007 came to my mind reminding me of the fun, the thrill and the sight of some of the best surfers in the world battling against each other for the crown.

Last year was a blast with some 220 surfers competing in the event and some thousands gathered to witness them riding waves. Surfest as according to many is not only a competition but a celebration of beach lifestyle and culture and no doubt Surfest is one of the biggest surfing events in the world.  To me Surfest is not only about those pro-surfers competing for name and fame, but a festival where people of all age, group, race and sex gather to have a blast at the beautiful Merewether Beach in Newcastle, Australia. I totally agree with the fact that themain reason why Surfest attracts thousands of fellow adventure and extreme sports buffs is to witness pro-surfer showcasing their skills and moves but another factor is the activities that we can pursue beside the main event, the hospitality of the locals and the clear sandy beaches. Above all, beside the main event, one of the best was the Surfest Surf School where surfers with not much skill like me are provided with detail trainings to surf like a pro.

This year the event is scheduled from 31 March 2008 to 6 April 2008 in the same location Merewether Beach in Newcastle, Australia. Plans of heading to Merewether Beach have already started but my dream of competing this year would be postponed to next year due to of un-regular practice. Even if you are planning to be a part of the event don’t forget your Sunglasses and Sunscreen.

If you want to be a part of this event, you can download the entry form here.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

                                 White Water Rafting in Batoka Gorge

 Where: Base of Victoria Fall, a few minutes drive from Livingstone Town in Zambia

                        After hours of viewing the elegant and the magnificent Victoria Fall, I was ready for some action and I knew where I should head. Though, only the sight of the graceful Victoria Falls was worth all the difficulties that we had to face while reaching this place, plus the money that we had spend for the trip but who in the world crazy for adventure could ever resist the Batoka Gorge.

 Batoka Gorge offers some of the most extreme ride that one can ever imagine of on a rubber raft. The ride begins from the base or the ground where the fall lands. To be honest I was a bit nervous, but I know this is what I have been wanting for years and without giving any chance to my nervousness to take control of me, we (me, two of my best friends and our guide) board our raft ready to ride the Batoka Gorge.

I have pursued many adventurous activities but rafting in Batoka Gorge was something that I have never experience before. Our journey begins, with the river picking up more and more speed and soon we were fighting against the huge waves while paddling our best to escape the large rocks, but out of no where drops ranging up to seven feet tall would appear to take us down. Well after many hours of fighting against the monstrous 24 Class IV - V+ rapids on the Batoka Gorge through steep cliffs, churning deep waters and breath taking sceneries(Though we could not fully enjoy the sceneries as we were all busy trying our best to survive) we pulled our raft to the shore and now we just have to climb some 700 foot to the top of the Gorge where our icy chilled beers were waiting for us.

The best time to visit Batoka Gorge is from March to July when the river is high and if you are an adrenaline junkies like me thirsty for heart pounding action, Batoka Gorge is where your thirst will be quenched.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

                 Paragliding in ooty

Where: Ooty, Southern part of India

I have always assumed India as a land of history with forts, palace, tombs and so on, well it is a land full of history and culture but beside history and culture, India also offer numerous adventurous activities that need to be pursued by adventure seeker like us. Ooty located 535 km from Chennai and 290 km from Bangalore is among one of those place. Though there were numerous activities, paragliding was the best for me.

Just a day before I was suppose to head the hills, to my good luck I met this guy a fellow adventure enthusiast who was kind enough to advice me that paragliding was what I should be after instead of hiking and nature view, which was what I had planned before I met him. Well I did not take much time for me to decide between papagliding and hiking.

After a long six hour bus ride from Bangalore, at last I was in Ooty also known as the Queen of hill Stations in India as according to the local. I did not dare to waste even a single minute to enjoy Ooty but unfortunately the weather was against me that day so my guide took me to my hotel, (even though Ooty is a very safe place I would recommend a local guide if are tend to enjoy every single bit of ooty).

At last I was all geared up for my first flight after three days of waiting for the weather to calm down, I was more than ready for my first flight. As I jump of the hill into the lab of nature I could feel the air brushing through hairs and the rush. After cruising for hours with everything green below me my flight came to an end. I enjoyed every bit of it, but the view was the best.

The best season to visit Ooty for adventure enthusiast is between April and June and September to November.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

           The Royal Shrovetide Football

Where:  Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England

Every year, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, witnesses the Royal Shrovetide Football match. This is an ancient annual event held on Shrove Tuesday and Ash
Wednesday. Like me, if you're new to the game, you'll surely assume this as a street riot!

To my bad luck the game was scheduled the day I reached Ashbourne and I was shocked at the sight of the crowd as I have never heard about this sport.

The first thing that came across my mind was 'the locals were protesting against the government or against the administration'. However, I was wrong in my assumption. Though I was not a part of this, being a spectator was enough for me to fall in love with the sport.

There are not many rules for this game. The whole of Ashbourne is divided into two teams 'The Downards' (those living on the south side of Henmore
Brook) Vs 'The Uppard's' (those living on the north side) with two goal posts set around 3 miles apart. The only rules are that players are not permitted to kill anyone or make use of a motor vehicle to carry the ball. The final restriction is that you cannot play after 10pm!

Honestly this is a dangerous game where players get seriously injured or even die, but for the adventures inherent, the game is just irresistible!

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

               Snorkeling and Scuba Diving In Silk Caye

Where: Placencia, Southern Belize

Though it was only a 40 minute drive from Belize City, I felt as if it took years to reach Placencia.  To be honest, I was like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. Finally, I was in Placencia. I've been dreaming about this place ever since my best friend showed me their vacation snaps.

Though Placencia is a small village with a population of not more than 500, the activities are myriad. Here, you can pursue any kind of water sports or activities that you could ever imagine!

For me, the best part was snorkeling and scuba diving in Silk Caye, located just a boat ride away from the village. Silk Caye, with white sands and breezy palms, is one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been to. The real beauty of this place lies in the underwater world, with calm and gentle waves above.

Silk Caye offers excellent opportunity for snorkeling and scuba diving. I dived down and found it's a paradise brimming with parrot fish, blue tangs, grunts, sergeant majors, needle fish and lots more.

If you are planning to visit this paradise, plan at least for three days. Because there are so many places to explore and so many things to experience, a day trip is never going to be enough!

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

                  Surfing in Playa Hermosa



Where: Costa Rica, Near Joca

Best time: April to November.

I just found out yet another surf sensation! This one is at Playa Hermosa,
Costa Rica. If you haven't heard about the International Quicksilver Surf
Championship, which takes place every year in August, let me take the
opportunity to introduce this one.

Playa Hermosa is a wave rider's dream. Just a ten minute drive from the
beach town Jaco, Playa Hermosa a surf haven, offering some of the most
consistent surf breaks in the world, with waves reaching as high as 13
feet. One of the best breaks on the beach is located near the Almond tree.
For sure, a big treat is in store for all pro-surfers in Playa Hermosa.

A word of advice, Playa Hermosa is seriously only for professional
surfers. So, beginners please try to resist the temptation

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

                     Arctic Team Challenge 2008

Every year in the month of July, athletic teams from different part of the globe fly to Ammassalik Island in Greenland to be a part of this action race event for the sake of Thrill, Action, Adventure and of course the cash prize!

Arctic Team Challenge is an annual adventure race event where teams will be competing against each other for 5 day through a distance of around 250 kilometers and climb some 1000 meters in the wild Ammassalik Island. The event features competition on four different stages:

Mountain Biking

Mountain Trekking

Glacier Trekking

 Ice fjord Paddling

As a true adventure seeker, I would say that no quest for adventure and action would be complete without being a part of this event.

For more details, check out the Arctic Team Challenge homepage!

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

             Dead Sea Ultra Marathon

For most of us, Jordan just shot to fame with the Petra making it into the
New Seven Wonders. But for the marathon enthusiasts, Amman is a coveted
destination mainly for the Dead Sea Ultra Marathon organized by the
Society for Care of Neurological Patients every year in the month of
April.

The event kicks off 900 meters above sea level in the mountains of Jordan,
with participants racing downhill to the southern desert that just happens
to be the lowest point on Earth (400 meter below the sea level)!!

If you think you can push your physical strength to the limit, this is
worth a try. Remember, you'll face dramatic altitude changes, without any
shade to save you from the sun and temperatures touching somewhat around
95°F.

The best part is that the money raised by the event will be used for the
care of Neurological Patients.

If you wish to take part, coming April, head to Amman and fill up the
entry forms. Even if you're not giving it a shot for the grand prize,
you'll be a part of this charity. Competition will be in the following
categories: 21 km half marathon, 42 km full marathon and 2 km
ultra-marathon.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this