by Ferry Tan

Paraglding with Ketut Manda

I proposed an idea to my editor about writing a column about extreme sports in Bali. The idea is to challenge many thrilling adventures all over this island and share the excitement of the jaunt as well as the fascinating acquaintance I will make during the journey. This will be the beginning of a very exciting journey.

I have issues with almost all of the aspect of extreme sports: height, speed, depth, and trust. I knew that one of these days I have to deal with them. And that day has finally come.

My first brave attempt was to call Ketut Manda, the authorized paragliding instructor from Timbis Paragliding. On Tuesday morning I called him to confirm that we are on for the session. Ketut gave me direction to where the place is, which is close to Garuda Wahana Kencana in Uluwatu. I drove my tiny car down to Uluwatu during lunch hour. By then, my heart was pounding so hard that I couldn't even hear the loud music on the radio. As I reached the white path near the tower in Uluwatu, just like Ketut directed me, I stopped on the bridge to wait for one of Ketut's assistants to pick me up and show me the way. He was on a motorbike and I followed him to the cliff top.

Apparently, it wasn't that easy. We had to go through this desiccated, unfinished bumpy road about 2,5 kilometers long. That day was extremely hot and I couldn't turn on the AC in my car, since it needed the whole engine power to get through the bumpy road. Then I realized that the adventure has already begun. I was doing a car rally on the way to jump off the cliff, fantastic!!

I finally met Ketut for the first time; we shook hands, chatted for a bit then he said, are you ready to jump now? Let's do it. Suddenly, I wasn't afraid anymore. He was so confident, charming and very kind. I was sure that I was in good hands. Ketut dragged out the parachute bag to the edge of the cliff, then adequately spread the parachute and its suspension lines out on the ground and checking thoroughly to make sure that none of them were attached one to another.

After, Ketut put on the gear and helped me with my helmet , which only took about five minutes. Then he repeated the process on himself, except that he got the gear with the parachute fixed on it. When we were both geared up, he asked me to move closer just right in front of him, while the assistants help him join his gear with mine. By then, Ketut already pulled up the parachute in the air and as the wind blew it, we slowly moved from side to side. Ketut instructed that we had to move back few steps then walking a bit fast toward the edge of the cliff. And before I knew…whoa..., we're up in the air..., I was exaggeratedly screaming. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be; it was electrifying!

As soon as we were up in the air, I could see the stunning clear turquoise ocean, clean white sandy beach and many bungalows on the side of the beach, where the local residents live. This area is so uncontaminated and splendid, which truly signify what Bali is supposed to be. We were up there for twenty minutes while I chatted with Ketut about details on paragliding lessons.

Since the wind wasn't strong enough, Ketut clarified, it was safer for us to stay close to the cliff. When he asked if I wanted to stay a little bit longer up in the air, I said that I had to go back to the office before my lunch hour was over. So, slowly he moved us a little further from the point where we were supposed to land. Then he slowly pulled on the brake lines, which brought us closer to the ground. We had a very smooth deliberate landing; I was standing on my feet straight away.

As Ketut's assistants disengaged us and our equipment, another person rushed off to take up my position, I put my helmet on him and said, 'have fun!' He appeared to be so nervous, but yet five minutes later, they were up in the air. I went off the side, where all the food vendors were, bought a Pocari Sweat then chattered with them while enjoying my 'after delight' cigarette. I couldn't help smiling to myself; that was the most exciting moment of my life.

The anticipation, the thrill, the spectacle and the people; it was all an incredible experience. Thank you for flying with me, Ketut, see you in the next high point!

Call today for your paragliding lesson, have a thrilling ride and I'll see you next issue with more exciting adventure!

Timbis Paragliding Bali (contact: Ketut Manda)
P: +62 8123 9169 18
E: ketuttimbis@hotmail.com
www.flybali.info