Relax - Choose your thrills: Sharks, bulls or rapids

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[top photo: The bull run in Pamplona, Spain.]

TAKE a deep breath, strap in and feel the buzz. That is what thrill-seeking travellers are wont to do.

What are the top things to do if you fall into the thrillseeking category?

Check out this selection, culled from travel guide Lonely Planet’s book, 1000 Ultimate Experiences.

1. BIG SHOT RIDE, LAS VEGAS, UNITED STATES

This ride, atop the 110-storey Stratosphere observation tower in Las Vegas, offers incredible views.

The Big Shot runs on compressed air which, with incredible force, rockets you in your harness from the ride’s base to the top of the Big Shot’s 49m tower in just over two seconds.

2. MOTORCYCLE-TAXI RIDE, THAILAND

Motorcycle-taxi riders bob in and out of endless lines of cars at alarming speeds, and often mounting pavements; wipeouts occur with shocking regularity.

Often, the injured rider or passenger is carted off to hospital in a passing tuk tuk.

Look out for the orange vests worn by licensed taxi-riders, who are legally required to carry a spare helmet; motorcycle taxis are usually down the alleys just off the main roads.

3. ROCK CLIMBING, YOSEMITE VALLEY, USA

They say Yosemite Valley is climbing mecca, with climbs coveted by 'rock heads' far and wide, and a degree of difficulty that has necessitated many technical innovations.

Even today, as the most demanding ascents have crumbled, aficionados still point to El Capitan, Yosemite's 915m granite wall, as the planet's greatest rock climb. Be prepared to self-rescue: it is illegal to camp at the base of any wall. Read the climbers' guide at www.nps.gov/yose.

A rainbow forms at the foot of Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite Valley at Yosemite National Park.

4. ZAMBEZI RIVER-RAFTING, ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE

The British Canoe Union classifies this white-water run as an extreme Grade V, which means it has violent rapids, steep gradients and massive drops.

One of the rapids is called “Oblivion”, and is said to have flipped more canoes than any other on the planet.

Commercial operators like Safari Par Excellence (http://whitewater.safpar.com) operate on both countries’ shores.

The period from July to January serves up the best water conditions.

5. RUNNING WITH THE BULLS, PAMPLONA, SPAIN

Ever since Ernest Hemingway popularised the event, running with the bulls through the narrow streets of Pamplona has come to symbolise a pinnacle of macho masculinity.

Bull runs start at 8am every day from July 7 to 14; runners must enter before 7.30am.

Once you start running, it is technically illegal to stop.

A man is gored by a Miura fighting bull during the sixth run of the bulls of the San Fermin festival, on July 12, 2009, in Pamplona, northern Spain.

6. PARASAILING, ACAPULCO, MEXICO

Parasailing was invented in Acapulco and that's no surprise: it's an absolutely prime location for floating upon the air, with a spectacular, panoramic view of the city, the hills and the islands beyond Acapulco Bay.

You take off from the beach and you land on the beach. Operators abound at Contesa Beach and are easy to arrange except during the busy spring holiday season.

7. SWIMMING WITH SHARKS, DYER ISLAND, SOUTH AFRICA

Dolphins not edgy enough for you? Try swimming with a great white off Dyer Island.

All you have to do is jump into a cage and get lowered into a school of hungry sharks. As they peer in helplessly with those dead black eyes, you might think 'this is soft!' Think again. Smaller sharks have been known to butt their way through the bars.

From April to August, most operators can almost guarantee that the sharks will appear.

8. 'EDGE OF SPACE' FLIGHTS, RUSSIA

This must be the ultimate high for mainline adrenalin junkies: strapping yourself into a MiG-29 fighter jet and submitting to speeds of Mach 3.2 at a height of 25km - the edge of space - where the sky is black and earth spreads out beneath you.

The pilot might even let you take the controls, but make sure you're not too jittery and bank too far, otherwise you might be forced to draw upon that ejector-seat training they put you through. For details visit www.flymig.com.

9. SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS, NEW ZEALAND

These graceful and playful creatures are guaranteed to quicken the pulse of anyone lucky enough to get near them, with their undeniable intelligence and exuberant personalities.

They get frisky and acrobatic only if they feel like it, so a new trend has taken root: swimmers sing not only to attract dolphins, but also to get them in the mood. Apparently Elvis tunes do the trick nicely. Tours leave from Kaikoura; book online, www.dolphin.co.nz is one of the oldest operators.

10. SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE CLIMB, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Follow in Aussie comedian Paul Hogan's footsteps, prefame - he worked as a rigger on the 'Coat Hanger', the world's largest steel-arch bridge; its summit is 134m above sea level.

The climb takes over three hours and it's a hairy thrill, with cars and people below like ants, and lovely Sydney Harbour before you.

Book online at www.bridgeclimb.com; choose to climb day, night, twilight or dawn on the first Saturday of each month.

Choose your thrills: Sharks, bulls or rapids

Reuters | Mon, Feb 8 2010

Check out the top 10 thrilling experiences for adrenalin junkies, from travel guide LonelyPlanet's book, 1000 Ultimate Experiences.

Choose your thrills: Sharks, bulls or rapids

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