ACTIVE
ACTION STATIONS
SOME PEOPLE DON'T DO SITTING IN DECKCHAIRS. SOMETIMES, ONLY LIVING LIFE AT THE EDGE WILL DO. WE LOOK AT TEN ACTIVITIES TO GET YOUR HEART PUMPING FASTER…
Words by Martin Gurdon; Pictures by Getty
01. Jumping-Off Point
Cliff-diving kept Hawaiians amused in the 1700s. And Switzerland is now the unlikely home of the World High Diving Federation. But in Acapulco, crazy locals entertain the tourists by flinging themselves from cliffs up to 30 metres high, reaching speeds of 90kph before they hit the water.
02. Don't Look Back
Each July, in a tradition that dates back to 1591, thousands of locals and tourists descend on the Spanish city of Pamplona for the San Fermin, a festival of fireworks and partying, where for a week six bulls run through the streets of the town's old quarter and young men who maybe don't plan to get old, run with (or better, ahead of) them.
03. To The Roof Of The World
Nepal boasts eight of the world's 14 tallest
mountains, and today, people who like extreme
tourism often make their way to Everest for their
entertainment. With around 25,000 visitors snaking
up and down the mountain every year, some
conservationists want it closed to the public.
04. Ticket To The Stars
To date, five space tourists have paid to ride a rocket - like
Dr Charles Simonyl, who forked out $20 million to visit the International Space Station. Both the Russian and American space programmes are in on the act, as is Virgin Galactic. In 2009, Professor Stephen Hawking hopes to leave Earth's atmosphere in his 'sub-orbital' SpaceShipOne.