10 insane activities for thrill-seekers

Extremely extreme sports involving yaks, angry bulls and the North Korean border

By La Carmina 11 January, 2011

Daredevil activities are on the rise in Asia -- and we don’t only mean snowboarding or skydiving. For the truly hardcore, there’s yak skiing in India. Or rolling down the Cambodian hillside in a giant sphere.

Here are 10 thrills that will get the most jaded heart thumping.

1. Pakistan: Crossing a barely-there suspension bridge

Often hailed as "the most dangerous bridge in the world", the Hussaini-Borit Lake bridge in Northern Pakistan looks like a set from an Indiana Jones film. The “platform” is made from rotting wooden planks, many of which are missing, haphazardly strung together with bits of rope.

One misstep on the high, wavering walk across the water, and it’s lights out Indiana.

2. India: Skiing with the yaks

The peculiar sport of yak skiing originates from the snowy resort town of Manali. A yak stands on top of a hill, connected to the skier below by a rope and pulley.

The skier shakes a bucket of pony nuts, causing the hungry beast to charge downhill and yank the skier up at lighting speed. Yeah, good luck with that.

3. Cambodia: Rolling downhill in a giant sphere

I-Ball Adventure Park in Sihanoukville puts thrill seekers inside big inflatable Zorb balls, then hurtles them down a steep hill and across a rickety bridge.

The upside-down, bouncy ride can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour.

4. South Korea: Whitewater rafting in the DMZ

In the latest season of The Amazing Race, contestants had to raft down the furious Hantangang River. To make matters more perilous, the challenge took place in the demilitarized zone, only paddle strokes away from the North Korean border.

5. India: Running with mad bulls

The Tamil Nadu festival is famous for jallikattu, a bull-taming sport. Villagers chase the drunk and fuming animals, risking injury to grab the money taped to their horns.

Photographer Arul Jegadish says, “The raging bulls and excitement of being among a high-voltage crowd makes this a thrilling encounter.”

For more heart thumping things to do, click "NEXT".

Read more: 10 insane activities for thrill-seekers | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/10-most-adrenaline-fueled-activities-asia-397518?hpt=Mid#ixzz1Ak4orQcS

Uyen Linh

I must say one thing about myself: I'm behind people in almost everything:). When I first went to teach eight years ago, everyone was using a cell phone, but I thought, 'What the heck do I need a cell phone for?' One year later, I had to use it, and now it's become an inseparable part from me. And I distinctly remember a time about seven years ago when a friend of mine mentioned her wish for a car. 'Haha, what a material girl!' I thought. Now, a car is my heart's desire.

The same applies with Uyen Linh. I read a lot about her, things like she's a phenomenon among Vietnamese singers. I got a bit curious, and spent five minutes listening to her performance in Vietnam Idol 2010. 'Well, nothing too big!' I thought. Then news of her overwhelmed the forums, the websites, the online newspaper. I gave her another chance. I listened to her songs one more time. This time I listened to the jury's comments as well, and I found them so cliche and corny. I couldn't feel the truthfulness in their comments.

Then, again, her name swamped every bit of news I read. The comments about her were unanimously positive. This time, I knew there was definitely something wrong with me. I listened again with my heart, not with a too critical mind. They were better, so I clicked on other songs by her, which opened my eyes why she is the craze. It was a whole night awake filled with feelings of various kinds, from excitement to grief to the point of being moved to tears, and most of all to the return of the long-gone miracle friend. I must apologize to the jury for my wrong judgement. So, in a word, a truly touching voice that can fly high and far. Take it to the world, Uyen Linh, and make us proud.

Here are the songs that show she can be an international singer:)

And here is my favorite