“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.” ~ G.K. Chesterton
Perched on the balcony I watched all day long. In the morning the boat arrived. The crew worked in a methodical manner to ready the day and after some time the gigantic rainbow sail would finally hoist. Then back and forth across clear blue ocean, sunlight glistening, they’d fly. A beautiful sight. Exhilarating. Peaceful.
Determined to get away for a few days, our plan was to do nothing … sit on the balcony, stare at the sea, sleep, maybe read. So I lazily sat, sipping coffee, and enjoyed the view. I brought the camera yet had no great ambition. But I couldn’t resist a few captures of the sight before me.
Why not hone my telephoto skills a bit? They were a good distance and since doing nothing was pretty much the goal, I had nothing better to do. Zooming in, however, my interest piqued as I watched. I was taken aback at the skill and finesse of the crew, the size of the sail and cables, then how easy they make it look!
“Flying without feathers is not easy; my wings have no feathers.” ~Titus Maccius Plautus
I couldn’t help notice the grace with which they lifted off, one, two, three at a time. So rhythmic as the sail climbed higher, and higher. So high. Until …
they were walking on top of the world!
So the next day I handed the telephoto to my husband. Out the door I scrammed, leaving him a few instructions and Auto Mode. 🙂
Next thing I know …
“The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn’t it be? – it is the same the angels breathe.” ~Mark Twain
I’m not only on top of the world.
“I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I think I went higher!
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
So much for doing NOTHING!
When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. ~Leonardo Da Vinci
Many “mahalo’s” to Randy, Mark, and the crew at Aloha Watersports in Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are an excellent parasailing crew, also offering banana boat rides, bicycle rental, and surf-related sports. You cannot find a better bunch of folks. Hospitality and professionalism all wrapped up into one. For a regular dose of beach photos and fun click here for their Facebook page. If you’re vacationing or in the area, give them a call! (843) 249-9908. You’ll be glad you did.
As you can see, I’m hooked! I suppose you could call it “love at first flight”. 🙂
Randy with some young visitors.
Captain Mark giving another beautiful ride.
Other adventure posts I liked:
ThreadsandTies
Far Out in Africa 3-2-1 Bungee!!
Invisible Horse
SimplySage 
Tina Schell
/ September 14, 2014OMG, I can’t believe you were in Myrtle – I’m only 2 hours away! Did you visit Charleston????? I did parasailing in the Bahamas where you could see straight through the clear water to the ocean floor. It was fantastic – you must have LOVED it! Good for you for taking the plunge Alexandria!!
SimplySage
/ September 14, 2014Tina, though I could not see the ocean floor, the water was beautiful aqua and we could see jelly fish and sea turtles. One day while going on the banana boat to the parasail boat, dolphins were swimming all around us. It was AMAZING!!! They were jumping in two’s and three’s, babies and all. We sat delighted for about 20 minutes. That’s what’s great about Aloha. We were waiting for our ride on shore and when the guys saw the dolphins they came in and got us so we could sit and enjoy while we awaited our turn to parasail. I have been to Charleston!! Yes!
El Rolyat
/ September 15, 2014Thank you for visiting my blog 🙂
I love this post! So beautifully written and illustrated – goosebump stuff.
SimplySage
/ September 15, 2014Why, thank you! If I gave you “goosebumps” that’s incredible! I’m very honored you thought it “beautifully written”. That’s the greatest compliment an unprofessional, hobby writer can get!
Your blog is wonderful! I read several of your posts and it’s wonderful to get a glimpse of your life. Not much comes out of Africa 😦 and the world needs to hear about it.
You’ve definitely captured another follower.
Thank you again!
Amy
/ September 15, 2014Wow,wow…. You did it, Alexandria!!! Fantastic, what an adventure 🙂 Great captures!
SimplySage
/ September 15, 2014Thanks, Amy. Actually, Aloha makes it pretty easy. They do all the hard work! So nice to hear from you, Amy. Glad you dropped by!
Zhang Wenjie
/ September 19, 2014Braver than me! Ha.You could strap a gopro to your head and see what kind of shots you get from the trip. Sure would be amazing.
SimplySage
/ September 19, 2014Excellent idea! The view is absolutely stunning. Incomparable to anything I’ve seen. Just sky and sea—magical. (You need to do it!) 🙂
P.S. Nice to see you again!
Saksham Mehrotra
/ September 20, 2014Wow! Truly amazing photos…! Loved them! And para-sailing is seriously one of the best adventures I’ve ever done!! 🙂 🙂
SimplySage
/ September 20, 2014I’m glad to meet someone who feels the same about parasailing as I. Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to leave your thoughts. Have a great day!
Aditix
/ February 8, 2015Beautiful seascapes. 🙂