#19
For years, my dream was to go parasailing. Whenever I got asked, “What item do you most want to cross off your bucket list?” I often answered, “It’s a bit hedonistic, but I really want to go parasailing!” Ever since I first saw a family we met on vacation in St. Martin over a decade ago gliding through the air as a boat helped them fly, I knew I wanted to try it too. I could not think of anything more freeing than flying over the water and taking in the scenery as warm breezes pass me. The past few summers, I have tried to get a group together to go parasailing at a beach near my house and also tried to go in Australia, but I always waited until the last minute at the end of the summer/trip and plans fell through. Although I have been traveling to St. Martin every year with my family since I was one year old, this year was the first time I traveled to the island with five friends for our spring break. I love spending time with my parents, so going on vacation with them, as well as a group of friends, was a blast. And finally, I got to go parasailing!
Before my friends and I left for the trip, I told them that I didn’t care whatever else we did as long as we went parasailing. I was thrilled when a few of them said they would definitely be interested in going. On the taxi ride from the airport to our resort, I asked our taxi driver where the best place to go parasailing would be and she suggested Orient Beach, a beautiful beach on the French side of St. Maarten (as it is spelled on that side) that is also known for being a nude beach! Of course, there are only a few topless beach goers and I have rarely seen someone in his or her birthday suit.
A few days into the trip, I called Hot Wheels aka Rohan, a taxi driver who has become my family’s friend and trusty taxi driver over the past six years or so. Without fail, we run into him at the local casino a few times each trip too. His nickname comes from the red van he used to drive around in; the van was decked out with flames painted on the sides, acting as an advertisement for Pineapple Petes, a local restaurant. However, Hot Wheels informed us he sold that van for the more sleek white van he now drives that has a big VIP sticker on the front. In VIP style, with reggae music and music videos blaring/playing from the screen that sits at the front of his car, Hot Wheels escorted us to Orient Beach.
At first, I was disappointed when we walked up to the first water sports shed where we had been dropped off and they informed us that they had closed from the day, but was relieved when they said the next stand might offer parasailing. The next stand didn’t offer it either, but directed us to the final booth, where they said we could sign up for the activity. Finally, Ruby, Alyssa, and I signed the release form and were set to take off. Audrey, another friend stayed back at the resort with my parents that day, while Sonia, who had already been parasailing, planned on staying on the beach and acting as our photographer.
When it was time to take off, a young French worker drove Ruby and Alyssa out to the boat on his jet ski. As usual, I was running behind, trying to explain to Sonia how to use the zoom feature on my camera, so the worker came back for me.
On the boat, the Frenchmen helped us put on our gear and the “photographer” took a few photos before the launch. The workers had us in stitches when they asked us each for our individual weights. Ruby and I gave him ours, but Alyssa didn’t realize the worker was adding Ruby’s weights and mine together when he pointed at Alyssa and said, “Ok, so 240.” “I don’t weigh 240!” she said laughing She was reassured after we said he was just adding our weights. “I’m going to go home and develop an eating disorder after going on vacation with the Barbas!” she joked. As the boat took off, we were lifted into the air and sailing above the sea. The photographer motioned at us to wave at him and I couldn’t stop smiling.
After hearing my mother’s parasailing nightmare story in Mexico when she was about our age, I was a little wary. She said that there, the parasail even went over cliffs, and at the last minute, when she told the workers she didn’t want to go anymore, they refused to listen and took off as she screamed that she didn’t want to do it. I also remember the family we knew that went years ago describing how when the parasail went too close to the water, they were dunked in the ocean and the water went up their noses.
Still, while my friends and I all agreed that we thought parasailing would be a little scary, I thought that even those experiences would be a blast. However, we all decided it was such a peaceful experience and how we wished we could sit up there all day, eating lunch and having cocktails. Unfortunately, the ride was only about eight minutes. Still, it was worth the fairly pricey cost. As my friend Alyssa said, who knows when we might do something like that again? Although most of them were far away, I was glad I purchased the photos the photographer took of us from that day. He even left us with a few great selfies!
So does anyone else want to cross parasailing off his or her bucket list or has been parasailing before? I’d love to hear about your experiences!
The selfies are hilarious! I have only been parasailing once and I agree that it was pretty peaceful up there.
Bahaha, I know right?! We were cracking up when we uploaded the photos and saw those. But it was definitely so peaceful 🙂
This is awesome!!! Love that you went and love this blog!
Thanks so much :)!
Loved parasailing. We went in the Cayman Islands about 5 years ago.
That sounds so neat; I’d love to go there someday 🙂 But yes, wasn’t it great?!
Yes, it was pretty awesome. Would do it again in a heartbeat 🙂
Me too :)!
I went in Tahiti. I had no intention of going up but was talked into it. We went up singly. I think it would have been better to go up with company. I was too terrified to do anything. We had arranged I would pull on one side if I was okay and on the other if I wanted to come down. I couldn’t pull on either as my fingers were tight around the bar. Once I was down I was glad I had done it but I wouldn’t do it again. Cheers Irene
Loved this post and your reply to a comment. I have never done that, but in my insurance claims career had a parasailing claim to handle. That sort of made me too chicken to try it. Good for you.
frank
Haha, aw thank you 🙂 And oh my goodness that would definitely terrify me from pursuing it too I think! Thanks Frank!
Tahiti, that is so cool you went there Irene! I agree that singly might have been a bit scarier, but it’s brave of you to have done that 🙂 I completely understand your fear haha, it is really high up! But it’s cool you can say that you’ve done it now!
Yes glad after the event. 🙂
😀
Looks really fun, but not my cup of tea 🙂
Haha understandable, I can see how it might not be for everyone 🙂
Parasailing is pretty cool, but…. jet skis and hang-gliding is WAY more of a rush. You feel tons of air blow past your face, much more intense
Oh I agree that jet skis are absolutely amazing! I try to get on those at least once a year because they’re just so much fun and was glad we got to do it this year too 🙂 But I’d love to try hang-gliding! It’s an item I still have yet to cross off my bucket list!
It looks like you had a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing it as that is probably as close as I will ever get to knowing what it was like. Yes, you can call me chicken.
Irene
Haha, aww thank you Irene 🙂 And it’s understandable. It was very high up!
We had a brilliant parasailing trip at Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Very professional and great boat and equipment. We both enjoyed the peace and quiet far up in the air, and of course the scenery in Hawaii is nothing to sneeze at. Glad you crossed it off your list!
Wow, that sounds awesome! I would love to go to Hawaii someday 🙂 And I agree that it is so peaceful!
My mom, brother, husband and I went parasailing 4 years ago in Punta Cana. I am not a huge fan of heights so I was nervous but it turned out to be one of the most fun things I’ve ever done! It wasn’t scary at all. We even saw a sea turtle :). It was a great experience and I’m glad you got to cross it off your bucket list too!
That sounds so nice! I’d love to go to Punta Cana someday. And I agree, it definitely wasn’t as scary as I thought 🙂 That’s so neat you saw a sea turtle!
OMG…. i can’t imagine… but, for sure (and after seeing your smiles), i have no doubts it’s an amazing experience! 😀
So happy to see your happiness in big smiles! 😀
Haha aww, thank you so much 🙂 It was a lot of fun!
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I would LOVE to go parasailing!! I will have to try this this summer on our girls beach trip.
Kerri, yes definitely try it this summer if you get the chance 🙂 It was a blast!
I went parasailing in Malta – I was very scared beforehand but really loved it when up there! Loved your report! My report is here: http://jubbiz.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/flying-like-a-bird-jumping-waves-like-a-maniac-mellieha/ 🙂
Ah, I love your description of it and how the parasail was so colorful 🙂 It sounds/looks like you had a blast and thanks for sharing your experience too!
I am glad you were able to follow through with your dream. I am inspired by your determination to carry it off. So often we keep puting off our dreams. I know I often use money as an excuse. So good on you for following through.
Aww thank you 🙂 But I agree, I often do the same as money can make things much more difficult! But thanks so much for the encouragement!
I had my first parasailing adventure in January…… loved it ! Will do it again 🙂
Ah that’s awesome, but agreed, it was so much fun 🙂
Love your blog, happiness is a must find in life. Thanks for this share and God Bless!
Thank you so much :)!
Wow – fabulous experience and great photos too
Thank you so much :)!
Great story. I would try that one day if I had the company and assurance of safety.
Thank you 🙂 And haha, yes the company and assurance of safety definitely helps!
I have done this before ! It is so freeing
Isn’t it? It was so much fun 🙂