Paragliding in Interlaken

Switzerland had always been on my radar for its incredible paragliding opportunities, and Interlaken was a top contender. I hopped on the renowned Swiss train from Zürich, booking my tickets through Omio, and the round-trip cost around a hundred pounds. The initial part of the train ride felt like any other city commute, but as we approached Interlaken, I couldn't help but be captivated by the picturesque scenery of majestic mountains and flowing rivers. The train was filled with fellow travellers who, like me, were in awe of the beauty unfolding before our eyes. This enchanting panorama lasted for nearly twenty minutes before reaching our destination, leaving us all overwhelmed. Just before disembarking, a burst of excitement filled the air as one passenger joyfully announced her success in passing medical school exams. Witnessing her tears of joy as she shared the news with her mum over the phone.

As soon as I stepped foot into Interlaken, I was amazed. The petite atmosphere gave it an intimate feel, despite the towering green mountains in the distance. On one side, I saw large hotels and small businesses, with more mountains behind them. As I continued my journey, I noticed a giant green field on my left, where paragliders gracefully landed. It was a clear sign that I had arrived at the right place. As I ventured further, I found myself entering the vibrant shopping and food areas of Interlaken. The variety was mind-blowing, with dozens of restaurants offering cuisine from all around the world. From Indian and Lebanese to Italian, Chinese, Malaysian, Kashmiri, and even French, the diversity was intense, and I absolutely loved it.

Once I arrived at the meeting point for paragliding, I was greeted by the enthusiastic paraglide instructors. Alongside me, there were five other adventurous souls who had signed up for this thrilling experience - three American girls and two European men. What struck me the most was the diverse mix of accents as we rode the bus to the top, where we would take off. The instructors, hailing from Australia, Italy, and South Africa, did their best to lighten the mood and make us laugh, easing the tension before taking the leap into the unknown. As luck would have it, the rain started to pour just as we were about to leave the bus. We waited patiently, watching the rain intensify before it finally subsided, giving us the green light to make our way to the top on foot. Despite the muddy and wet conditions, there was something oddly therapeutic about the rain. We were positioned fifty meters apart, allowing the instructors to prepare the equipment for our jump. It was during this time that the instructors engaged in a casual conversation.
"Why didn't we take the other jump off point?"
"Did we vote?"
"No. It was just decided we come here"
To them it was just a casual conversation. I started panicking. Literally a "What the F…?" Moment, but deep down, I knew we were in capable hands. I had no other choice to assume otherwise. The first couple of people flew off the cliff into the distance. It was exciting to watch. I was next. I gave myself one instruction - do not sit. I was wearing new shorts and getting them muddy was not an option. We stood a reasonable distance back from the jump to run up. 3,2,1... run. Run fast, run hard. Do not sit, shorts at stake. Lift off.

Instantly, I could feel the wind in my face. I was weightless and flying. The cold rain smacking on my skin whilst my instructor used the cords to steer me left and right, but the weather did not matter once we were in the air. I was in awe. The scenery was unbelievably gorgeous. The two lakes Interlaken sat between were in my view - Lake Brienz and lake Thun - it was incredible. In the distance I could see the snowy Swiss Alps and below me the towns natural beauty, its verdant forests and delightful architecture. The instructor was busy recording, taking pictures and most importantly keeping us from falling. I was just smiling and shouting randomly but I did not realise how much of a muppet I sounded like until I saw the video later. "Can you see your house?" I asked my instructor. He pointed in the direction of where he lived, I was not expecting such quick answer but then again flying over such a small town daily you are bound to look for your house. Descending in the air, our excitement gradually subsided, allowing for a more peaceful conversation with the instructor. While we were meant to focus on landing, my rumbling stomach led us to discuss the best places to eat. Despite the instructor reminding me of the landing rules, I couldn't resist the temptation of gelato, a staple of my Swiss adventures. Ice cream for breakfast became my delightful tradition. With plenty of time before my train back to Zürich, I decided to explore the rest of Interlaken, and it turned out to be the best decision I could have made.

The town never failed to leave me in awe. After my exhilarating cliff jump, I found myself wandering in random directions, eventually stumbling upon the Beaurivage-Brücke bridge. It was a picture-perfect scene, with the turquoise water blending harmoniously with the majestic mountains in the background. As I strolled along the lake, thoughts of retiring in this paradise filled my mind. Imagine waking up to this view every single day, taking daring leaps into the lake like the fearless teenagers I encountered, and indulging in the irresistibly delicious but overpriced gelato at a dangerously high rate. The atmosphere in Interlaken exudes pure joy, unlike anywhere else I've been. And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, as I recorded a 360° rotation, a mesmerizing rainbow-like figure appeared, adding the perfect finishing touch to this unforgettable experience. On my way back I realised I could connect both of selfie sticks together and capture a few pictures of myself with the view, I took advantage of this realisation on future trips. As I made my way back to the station, I found myself strolling through a serene residential area. The tranquillity of the surroundings, accompanied by the delightful chorus of birdsong, created a surreal atmosphere. Did I want to leave? No. Did I want to catch my train? Yes, it cost me fifty quid. Interlaken was probably the only town in Switzerland or any other country in that matter where I thought to myself, 'this may be the perfect place to retire'. (If you have money that is).