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6 Outdoor Activities (For Thrillseekers) Which Changed My Life
25Outdoor activities?? Ok, I admit. I always thought I’m a beach and culture chick. And yes with culture I mean 50% shopping… But then 2011 came along and everything changed. Now I love when wind blows around my ears, when my heart drops into my gut and actually I’m starting to be proud of bruises. Yes, I’ve never thought I would say this, but I turned into an outdoor freak. How did this happen?
Here are the 6 outdoor activities which changed my life:
1. Skydiving
Oh wow. Many of you will think now: I can imagine how this changed her life. It did. But not the way you’re thinking of. No rush of adrenalin. This wooohooo, how awesome? Nope. Didn’t feel like this. Cause I actually haven’t done anything. Just what Santo and the photographer told me to. Like a robot. It wasn’t me who jumped out of this plane. It was Santo and I was just kind of attached to him. Since then I know:
If you wanna feel success you have to do it yourself and not leave it to someone else.
2. Norway
Yes, whole Norway is an outdoor activity itself. In the land where people climb mountains to see the sun, there’s no such thing like bad weather. Honestly. No kidding. You don’t cancel a kayak trip just because it’s raining. You will just get wet. Soaked to the skin. And you’re having fun.
And then you’re sitting on top of a mountain, trying not to get blinded by the smoke of the small bonfire burning in your eyes and you’re holding a sausage on a stick into the flames. And then you know:
No matter what happens in life, sometimes a hot chocolate and a burned sausage make you happier than all the money in the world.
3. E-Biking
Exciting? Exhausting? No, that has nothing to do with E-Biking, but still it’s not only a sport for elderly people. I do own a bike (well actually I don’t as it got stolen AGAIN) but I would never dare to go on an extensive mountain-bike tour. But with the E-Bike I not only enjoyed the marvelous beauty of Emilia-Romagna, I also looked good while doing this and reached a top speed of 40km/h. What I’ve learned?
You can do everything, you just need proper equipment.
4. Hot Air Balloon Ride
I’m not entirely a morning person. Not. At. All. But on this very moment I had to get up very (VERY) early. And I did without complaining because I knew this will be the day when a childhood dream comes true. A ride in a hot air balloon. And then we were up in the air, the mist above the volcanic area of La Garrotxa in Catalonia vanished slowly and suddenly the world was quiet. And you feel there’s something bigger than you. The world.
Sometimes you have to aim high to be down to earth.
5. Paragliding
I already knew that I wasn’t scared of jumping out of a plane so I wasn’t nervous at all about paragliding. But I’ve never thought it would be THAT comfortable. It’s like you’re sitting in a nice chair, it’s cold but it’s more the view which will take your breath away. The only bad thing about it is that you have to wear this teletubbies-suit. But, well, you know…
Sometimes adventure knows no beauty.
Amazing view in the Tyrolean Alps
6. Canyoning
Ok, first I thought canyoning would be something similar to canoeing. You too? Good. It’s not. It has something to do with canyons not canoes. You jump, you swim, you dive, you climb – a canyon. And you get wet. And you get past your fear. And then you’re standing there and you’re thinking: “Jeez, this chick from The Beach, did this, so I can this t-” and you jump. And water falls roaring above your head and you think: “Oh, f**k.” And then there’s light again and you can breath again and you’re laughing. And you’re proud.
Because you know you can do everything.
@WildJunket and me during canyoning at Freser River
Do you love outdoor acitivities?
You may end up in Canada yet
There’s lots of outdoor options there …
haha, true…
Good for you for finding your inner daredevil. I don’t usually go out of my comfort zone, but last month I went zip lining in Vegas…most would still consider that pretty tame, but I thought I’d climbed Everest!
It doesn’t matter what other people think of different activities! If you had fun and felt like climbing the Everest it must have been cool! Tried zip lining once and I was all like: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh but I loved it
This whole post makes me feel like a giant pussy.
haha, oh Candice! Come to Berlin and we can go Base Flying together!!
Wow looks like some AMAZING adventures and I think I just added a few more things to my to do list!
Awesome post by an awesome lady! I love all of your lessons from each exciting thing you did, you rock!
But are you sure…. not even a little bit of adrenaline from jumping out of the plane?
awww, thank you Cailin! But nope, as I said, I didn’t even realize that we were out of the plane in the first sec…
I have done… none of those things! I need to be more adventurous!
I’d love to skydive, that looks like so much fun!
Canyoning sounds INTENSE.
Canyoning was really A LOT OF FUN!
Cool post (and there is a video somewhere of Yvonne canyoning…and looking cool. And, now I come to think of it, eating a sausage. Albeit indoors…)
hahahahaha. thanks Abi!
You look so happy in thes pics! Congrats on all the thrill-seeking. Best thing I ever did was my bungy jump in NZ. Have always had trouble with heights and totally agree with you r.e. ‘doing it yourself’ I jumped off that ledge – no-one else and it was friggin awesome!! Thanks for sharing – I have more stuff to tick off my list now!
Thank you! Never tried bungee jumping but it’s on my bucket list!
We seem to be on a similar path. To me, cocktails and shopping seem like an empty life compared to our new life of ecotourism and adventure travel. I can’t wait to try some of the outdoor activities you suggested.
The hot air balloon looks like a ton of fun! Great pics and great travel ideas.
There are so many things on this list I’ve yet to do! Although – we got you on canyoning.
And now you must add to the list: go to La Reunion and climb the volcano!
These all sound exciting. I want to try all of them, especially Norway – sounds like a fun country with adventurous people.
Amazing post. I’m from Norway and even I think we have great nature!