Bansko has a new attraction, paragliding.
While we were filming our Bansko guide, we were surprised to see an advert for an "air taxi". Curious as to what this could be, we approached the guy to find out more.
Sat quietly chatting with his friends, next to the banner we had spotted, was our pilot. He explained that for the very reasonable sum of 150 Leva, we could be flown from the Todorka peak, back down to the nursery slopes at the top of the gondola. Now I've done a fair bit of this kind of thing, never paragliding, but other exciting stuff. It was decided that Lisa would have a go at it, filming it on our helmet cam as she went. The skiDVD crew helped out, and we got footage from the top, during the flights, and the landings as well. According to Lisa, the flight was "absolutely stunning", with amazing views peace and tranquility, and a very real feeling of flying.
The main video is here: Paragliding in Bansko
As you can see from the video, there are two flights we filmed. The first of them is here, virtually unedited. The experience was so good for Lisa, that it had our cameraman Kiwi itching to try it for himself. As it was his stag week, and it was very reasonably priced, we all chipped in and treated him. He was very grateful :-)
The guys that run the air taxi have their own website here: www.skynomad.com have a look.
A third member of our party, and fellow cameraman was going to have a go as well. Unfortunately for him, on the days he chose the winds just weren't right. A great shame for him. He finally managed to get his flight, and as he was recording it, the camera stopped working. He went straight back up, and did it again. Part of his flight can be seen on this video.
Paragliding has to be experienced (so I'm told), so I had better get myself airborne next time we are in Bansko.

I'll let you know how I get on. ;-)

Phil