Never Too Late for the First Time

Published in the Sunday Mumbai Samachar on 24 August 2025

When you grow up in a place like Mumbai, the mountains, snow slopes, or even adventure sports aren’t exactly part of your everyday scenery. For me, it wasn’t until 2016, on my first trip to Japan, that I strapped on a pair of skis for the very first time. I still remember the feeling — excitement, nerves, and that little voice in my head saying, “What if I fall?” (spoiler: I did, many times).

It’s funny how different “first times” feel as an adult. As kids, we leap into new things without overthinking. As adults, the fear is louder — the “what-ifs” take up more space. But that’s also what makes these moments so memorable. My first bungee jump came in 2015, skydiving in 2017, and snowboarding (and failing spectacularly) in 2018. Each one scared me, thrilled me, and stayed with me long after it was over.

If you are reading this from any city in India, chances are you, too, have a list of adventures you’ve never tried. Not because you didn’t want to, but because they just weren’t around you growing up. That’s why this week’s piece is about embracing those “firsts,” no matter how late they arrive. Because sometimes, the right time to start is simply… now.

Why the First Time is Special

When you are a child, firsts are frequent: first bike ride, first swim, first school trip. But as an adult, they become rarer, partly because we get comfortable in our routines, partly because responsibilities leave less room for experimentation.

That’s why the first time you try something new as an adult stays etched in your memory. You’re old enough to know the risks, to anticipate the challenge — and that makes the reward even sweeter. The nervous laughter before jumping off a cliff for your first bungee. The shaky stance before pushing down a ski slope. The sheer disbelief after landing your first skydive.

These moments remind us we are still capable of surprise. Even in our 30s, 40s, or 50s, life can feel brand new. In a world where so much of our travel is about “seeing,” these firsts are about “feeling” — the rush, the fear, the triumph. They change you just a little, leaving a glow long after you’ve come back home.

My List for You

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Africa’s highest peak is more about endurance than technical climbing. Over several days, you pass through rainforest, alpine desert, and finally the icy summit. The sunrise from Uhuru Peak, with clouds stretching to the horizon, makes every aching step worth it. My co-founder, Sunila Patil, completed this trek without prior mountaineering experience — proof that saying “yes” to something outside your comfort zone can unlock passions you never knew you had.

Snowboarding in Canada

Unlike skiing, snowboarding feels more like surfing on snow, with plenty of falling involved. In Whistler, wide runs and powder-soft snow make the learning curve more forgiving. Once you link a few smooth turns, it’s addictive — a thrilling mix of balance, rhythm, and speed that makes you want “just one more run.”

Scuba Diving in the Andaman Islands

The first breath underwater is surreal. In the Andamans, it opens into a world of coral gardens, manta rays, and shimmering light. I got my scuba license here on Havelock Island — a few days that changed the way I travel. Most beginners try Discover Scuba, but the full PADI certification takes you deeper, literally and figuratively, into a new world, where time slows and every movement feels weightless.

Skydiving Over the Palm in Dubai

Few thrills rival stepping out of a plane at 13,000 feet, especially with the Palm Jumeirah below — turquoise waters, golden beaches, and that perfect palm shape. The adrenaline rush is intense, but so is the surreal beauty of the view, and the quiet moments in freefall before the parachute opens.

Skiing in Japan or Europe

Gliding down a snow-covered slope is equal parts thrill and terror. In Niseko, Japan, the slopes of Mount Anapuri offer views of Mount Yotei — a near replica of Mount Fuji. My fourth trip took me to Hakuba, skiing with my wife, surrounded by peaks and snow as far as the eye could see. There’s something magical about the sound of skis carving through fresh powder under a clear winter sky.

Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey

Before dawn, the sky fills with glowing orbs. Floating over valleys, fairy chimneys, and cave houses bathed in pink sunrise light is less about speed and more about quiet perspective — a gentle adventure that still takes your breath away and makes you feel like you’re drifting through a dream.

Bungee Jumping in New Zealand

Standing at the edge, your heart pounds so loudly you can barely hear the countdown. Then comes the leap — a few seconds of pure freefall before the cord snaps you back. As the birthplace of commercial bungee, New Zealand offers everything from bridges to cliff-edge jumps, making fear not just fun, but something you’ll want to feel again.

Paragliding in Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh

As your feet leave the hillside, the Himalayas stretch endlessly, and the world below turns into ribbons of road and toy-sized houses. Bir Billing is India’s most famous paragliding spot and the world’s second most popular. The mix of serenity and adrenaline here is unlike anything else — you’re flying, yet completely at peace.

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Four days through misty mountains and ancient ruins. The moment you reach the Sun Gate and see Machu Picchu through the morning fog is awe and exhaustion wrapped into one — the kind of reward only effort can buy.

Shark Cage Diving in South Africa

Dropping into cold water with great white sharks meters away sounds insane — until you try it. In Gansbaai, you’re safely inside a steel cage, but the eye contact with these apex predators is unforgettable, a raw reminder of how small you are in the grand scheme of the ocean.

The Best Part of Firsts

The best part about these “firsts” isn’t just the adrenaline or the stamp in your passport — it’s the reminder that age, background, or past experience don’t have to be limits. Whether you’re strapping on skis in your 30s, jumping off a bridge in your 40s, or learning to scuba dive after retirement, the world rewards those who stay curious.

Every one of these moments becomes a story you’ll tell for years — stories that spark conversations, inspire others, and remind you that you are capable of more than you think. Perhaps that’s the magic of it: every “first” is personal, yet universally understood.

So the next time you catch yourself saying, “I have never done that,” try adding one more word: “yet.” Because it’s never too late for the first time — and your next “yet” could be the adventure that changes everything.