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28 March 2024

Take a trip on the wild side

Pamplona's bull runs offer plenty of spectacle and excitement. (AFP)

Published
By Reuters

Take a deep breath, get strapped in and feel the buzz as the Lonely Planet travel guide outlines the thrill-seekers' list, from its 1,000 Ultimate Experiences book.

1. BIG SHOT RIDE, LAS VEGAS

This ride, atop the 110-storey Stratosphere observation tower in Las Vegas, has incredible views. The Big Shot runs on compressed air, which rockets you in your harness from the ride's base to the top of the 49-metre tower in just over two seconds.

2. MOTORCYCLE-TAXI RIDE, THAILAND

Motorcycle-taxi riders bob in and out of endless lines of cars at alarming speeds, often mounting pavements, and wipe-outs occur with shocking regularity. Often the injured are carted off to hospital in a passing tuk-tuk. Look for the orange vests worn by licensed taxi riders, who are legally required to carry a spare helmet.

3. ROCK CLIMBING, YOSEMITE VALLEY, UNITED STATES

They say Yosemite Valley is climbing mecca, with climbs coveted by "rock heads", and a degree of difficulty that has necessitated many technical innovations. Even today, as the most demanding ascents have crumbled, aficionados still point to El Capitan, Yosemite's 915m granite wall, as the planet's greatest rock climb. Be prepared to self-rescue: it is illegal to camp at the base of any wall.

4. PARASAILING, ACAPULCO, MEXICO

Parasailing was invented in Acapulco and that is no surprise: it is a prime location for floating upon the air, with a spectacular, panoramic views of the city, hills and the islands. You take off and land on the beach. Operators are easy to arrange except during the busy spring season.

5. ZAMBEZI RIVERRAFTING, ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE

The British Canoe Union classes this white-water run as an extreme Grade V: violent rapids, steep gradients, massive drops. One of the rapids is called "Oblivion" and is said to flip more canoes than any other on the planet. July to January serves up the best water conditions.

6. RUNNING WITH THE BULLS, PAMPLONA, SPAIN

Ever since Ernest Hemingway popularised the event, running with the bulls through the narrow streets of Pamplona has come to symbolise some kind of macho pinnacle. Bull runs start at 8am every day from July 7 to 14; runners must enter before 7.30am. Once you start running it is technically illegal to stop.

7. SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE CLIMB, AUSTRALIA

Follow in Aussie comedian Paul Hogan's footsteps, prefame – he worked as a rigger on the "Coat Hanger", the world's largest steel-arch bridge; its summit is 134m above sea level. The climb takes more than three hours and it is a hairy thrill, with cars and people below like ants, and lovely Sydney Harbour before you.

8. SWIMMING WITH SHARKS, DYER ISLAND, SOUTH AFRICA

All you have to do is jump in a cage and be lowered into a school of hungry sharks. As they peer in helplessly with those dead black eyes, you might think "this is soft". Think again. Smaller sharks have been known to butt their way through the bars. From April to August most operators can almost guarantee the sharks will appear.

9. 'EDGE OF SPACE' FLIGHTS, RUSSIA

This must be the ultimate high for mainline adrenalin junkies: strapping yourself into a MiG-29 fighter jet and submitting to speeds of Mach 3.2 at a height of 25km – the edge of space – where the sky is black and earth spreads out beneath you. The pilot might let you take control, but make sure you do not bank too far, otherwise you might be forced to draw upon that ejector-seat training they put you through.

10. SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS, NEW ZEALAND

These graceful and playful creatures quicken the pulse of anyone lucky enough to get near them. They get frisky and acrobatic only if they feel like it, so a new trend has taken root: swimmers sing not only to attract dolphins, but also to get them in the mood.

 

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