I could hardly believe it when I read our flight itinerary. I had to read it twice, just to be sure, but there it was in black and white: the first leg of our journey home was by helicopter.
It makes sense when you think about it. Most of Greenland's towns aren't connected by road, making air travel very important. Yet many towns don't have the space for an airstrip - even for small planes - so helicopters flit between helipads.
I was just over the moon to learn that we were getting a free helicopter ride, included in our ticket price. I'd never been in a helicopter before.
I don't remember my first aeroplane flight, so flying has always seemed natural to me - but the helicopter take-off blew me away. For starters, it's incredibly noisy. But the main difference was the way it moved - tipping forwards during take-off, wobbling from side to side... every little unpredictable movement catching my attention.
It was only a ten minute flight, but I was on the edge of my seat for the whole time. It was like a gentle rollercoaster, weaving between steep mountains, floating above the scattered icebergs. It was simply exhilarating, and I can't wait to have chance to do it again.
Many thanks to Andy for the photos!
17 comments:
Sounds really cool! I've never flown at all but a lot of people have told me I should try a helicopter first! :-) Maybe I will.
I've always worried that a helicopter would make me queasy. But maybe I could try it some time. A free ride is very cool!
I hope a helicopter ride was on your Before 30 list Rachel?
Brilliant! What a fantastic treat Rachel!
How brilliant and such fun! I've flown by helicopter over New York which was amazing but as you say you can feel every little movement which was a little nerve racking!!
I felt the same way about my helicopter flight. It was surreal and amazing.
You are very brave! I think I would probably get used to riding in a helicopter eventually, but I'm too afraid to find out for sure!
Another unusual tidbit about Greenland! Helicopters have always seemed scary to me. All that jerking movement would have me on the edge of my seat and very, very quesy.
Lucky you. I've never been in a Helicopter and would love to ride in one some day.
There is a Helipad just behind my flat, but that belongs to the hospital. I don't want to go in that Helicopter. But almost any other helicopter would be fine.
I want to go!!! I've never been on a helicopter. Nows the time. Maybe in a year.
Mary
How fun! I've never been in a helicopter before.
How exciting! Although I'm a giant wuss and would have been terrified!
That is exciting--though I have to admit I'd rather read about it than go up in a helicopter.
I love helicopter rides too, it reminds me of going to a model railway exhibition because eveeryting in sight looks like a model, Soooooooo cool!
Wow! Can't be bad! Great post.
That is so cool! I can't be leave it was a leg of your flight.
Thanks for stopping by.
I get a bit skitzy about flying in anything small, bad enough on bigger aircraft- but when my daughter used to qualify for the airports christmas party, she got to pick what aircraft, and of course she chose the helicopter! I held my hands over me eyes the whole flight, and kissed the ground...when we landed...the next year her father took her...alone :) Now I am a bad mother and wiffy...
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