Discovering the world one book at a time

You wouldn’t think Elvis would be a great travel guide but he did sing some good advice in Viva Las Vegas. “So, if it costs me my very last dime, I’ll always remember I had a swinging time.” Not sure if he meant this helicopter trip I was now headed to 20 miles outside of the city but it did cost me my last dime and there was plenty swinging in the air to be had!

Boulder City might look like a speck in the vast Colorado desert but this was the starting point for an outlandish experience even Las Vegas could not have delivered. The first time you go in a helicopter has to be dangling from a great height over the Grand Canyon hasn’t it? Why not? Not so keen to be weighed before getting on but then again when I discovered that the heaviest person got to sit in the front, with the glass bottom and the most awesome of views, then well, those stones went in that pocket...

Take off was like sitting in a chair and have Gulliver pick you up. Not sure that’s going to help you said a voice. And that was the pilot! Nor was shutting my eyes funnily enough. Top tip would be to go early morning or late afternoon when the midday sun is less fierce - views are clearer and you might just keep your cool if the sweat of fear doesn’t burn you out!

Mid air and the camera finally came out. Take shots, just snap away oh and don’t forget to breathe.

The pilot announced that the ultimate moment was 3 minutes away...

Then...

Plunging over the edge of the Grand Canyon in what was effectively a glass bubble, was the most incredible and vomit inducing moment of my life. Head between my legs to get a closer look, a ‘Don’t miss this’ tap on the shoulder from the pilot and whoah!

A jump into the unknown, the vast empty crevice below felt like I’d jumped off the canyon myself. Free falling, exhilarating into a kaleidoscope of colours and landscapes. My feet firmly frozen to the floor. The screaming soundtrack to this moment added to the thrill, (some of it mine yes), but at least not the pilot’s!


Funnily enough, the Elvis advice came back to haunt me as I stepped off the helicopter. Same swagger, same knee jerk. Face as white as his outfit.

As the pilot passed me, he handed me a couple of rocks and gave a wry smile. Shameful, but as Elvis would no doubt call it - simply ‘Jailhouse Rock’

Get a unique view on Vegas and the Grand Canyon by listening to Elvis. An experience worth its weight in gold..lamé.