Up, up and Away!

Fun Things to do around Chandigarh

If you are going on a holiday to Himachal Pradesh & beyond, chances are that you will pass by Chandigarh. All the adventure enthusiasts having some time there can enjoy a joyride in a single engine airplane, with the scenic backdrop of the Shivalik range and Kasauli. 

A local company, Aerial Advertising Pvt Ltd popularly known as SkyADS, offers joyrides for groups and corporates in the scenic environs of Pinjore, 22 kms from Chandigarh. Advance bookings are required and can be made via their website www.skyads.asia

I got a chance to go up a few days ago and enjoyed every second of it.

Posing!

It was late afternoon by the time my turn came. I excitedly sat in the plane and got acquainted with the aircraft controls, especially the ones I was not to touch. As the aircraft began to taxi, I started taking pictures with my phone. Just when we took off, my phone's camera decided to crash unexpectedly. 

A bird? A plane?

The aerial views of Pinjore Gardens, Shivalik range, Kasauli and surrounding areas from 5000 ft were breathtaking.

Fields below

We were almost as high as Kasauli, one of my favourite hill stations and I could clearly spot some of the tourist sites there. Sukhna Lake looked like a giant ball of fire, enveloped by a bright orange hue, as a result of the setting sun. I could clearly see the terraces of numerous houses in Kalka, moving traffic on the highway, Timber Trail and its cable cars hanging in balance as we went towards the dam. Pinjore Gardens looked majestic, with its palm trees in perfect alignment, freshly manicured lawns and colourful water fountains. 

All this time, cool breeze blew in through my open window and I didn’t feel the chill at all. I was busy taking it all in. One sight as a time. 

"The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be? —it is the same the angels breathe".
                             — Mark Twain