The four of us all crammed in our rented two-door jeep, feeling like a can of sardines. My dad took up the challenge of driving. The roads of St. John, if you could even call them that, were steep, unpaved, rocky, and close to a cliff half the time. I peered out of the windshield from the tiny back seat and saw an oncoming car hurdling our way. My stomach dropped as my dad swerved to the other side of the road. Also on these roads you’re suppose to drive on the left side, even though you drive American  cars. Which I thought was totally bizarre. Once I caught my breath I gazed out the window beside me. The urban neighborhoods had half painted buildings all collected close to each other with tiny streets in between them. It was very unorganized, kind of an eyesore. When we drove along the sides of the island we would get to see the pretty blue waters and the islands nearby. It made up for the cluttered city. I saw a big building come into view. There was a big sign out front that said “St. John Welcome Center”.  My dad parked our tiny jeep next to the building and we all hurried to get out.

My mom, dad, Alexis, my friend I decided to bring along on our vacation, and I stood dumbfounded at the end of a long brown dock. I squinted toward the water trying to pick out which boat was supposed to pick us up to go parasailing. They were supposed to get us about ten minutes ago but still no sign.

“Maybe we’re at the wrong dock?” My mom said.

“Or they're just late,” I said. A bright yellow ski boat with a white stripe down the side caught my eye speeding towards us. I had a feeling this boat was the one we were searching for. And sure enough, they docked right next to us and asked if we were the ones scheduled to go.

“Sorry for the wait guys. We almost forgot about your appointment.” Said one of the guys, he had shaggy black hair and a blue and white ball cap on. We all piled into the ski boat. The inside had nice leather seats formed in a U shape, a deck at the back and a captain’s chair on the side. I was surprised that it was actually organized. They obviously weren’t organized wherever they scheduled appointments.The two guys in charge were Tom, the one with shaggy black hair, and Rick. When we were all settled in our seats Tom started driving the boat out to sea.
“Hello everyone and Welcome aboard! Today we will be parasailing through the Virgin Island skies. We utilize the Ocean Pro 35′ Parasail Vessel, commercially built specifically for parasailing to provide the safest most comfortable ride possible. Using winch boat technology, we take off and land you directly from the back of the boat.” Rick said he had red hair and a beard. He was dressed in his swim trunks and a tank. “Have you guys been parasailing before?” This will be my third time but Alexis’ first time. He then started going over the safety precautions. I tried my best to listen but I was shaking with excitement, even though this is my third time going it will be my first time parasailing over the ocean.

Once he finished, he started to grab out the harnesses we were suppose to wear. We had to stand up and put each leg in each hole. It seemed an easy task except we were hurling through the waves. The boat rocked and smacked into the water while I tried to balance on one foot. I put my hands on Rick’s shoulder to brace myself and practically fell back into my seat. He tightened my straps.

“Are you scared?” my mom said looking over at me with wide eyes.

“Not at all” I said smiling back with a huge grin. I looked over at Alexis as Rick was just tightening her straps. Her face looked pale and she was gripping onto her harness tightly. I could tell that she was nervous. The boat started coming to a slow stop and Tom shut off the engine. They got out this massive parachute, and a huge line of rope. They told us the rope was about 800 feet long. We stood up and went to go sit on the back of the boat, they hooked our harnesses up to the parachute. It was time to go up. They did one last check to make sure we were all secured.

“Oh god, I’m scared.” Alexis said eyes all wide, squeezing the handle straps so hard as if she thought she would fall if she let go.

“Don’t worry it will be amazing up there, I promise,” I said. Tom asked us  if we were all ready to go up and we both said yes. Alexis sounded a little less sure. I’ve been friends with Alexis since fourth grade and she does not get scared very easily. I was sure she would feel different once we got high enough in the air.

They started the engine again. I could feel the motor humming underneath us. As we started moving forward the parachute filled with air just floating above us. Rick started loosening the rope, our butts gently lifting from the boat’s surface. My mom smiled at us holding her camera, ready to take a million pictures. We got gradually higher and higher. I could start to see more and more of the ocean alongside me. The wind started to calm, the boat getting smaller and smaller. It felt like we were being floated up to the clouds. I couldn’t hear my parents or the crew talking anymore. But we kept floating higher and higher into the air. The boat looked the size of an ant now. The long white wake trailing behind it. I looked around me and my view was breathtaking. I could see for miles, and all around me were green islands of different sizes interlocking with each other. They were all like tiny rocky mountains emerging from the water, covered in tall trees. Not only could I see the U.S virgin islands but the British ones too. There were tons of islands all around me, some with lots of houses and buildings along the hillside. Others had only a few houses; private islands for themselves, and smaller ones with no one on them. I could see the sandy shores along side the islands. The water surrounding the Islands was a light teal color.

Farther out the water looked marbled, a combination of a royal blue and turquoise. I could see the waves crashing down below us, dolphins swimming through. It was so peaceful, all I could hear was the waves crashing below me. I leaned back in my harness hanging in midair. I stretched my arms out convinced I would be able to touch the clouds. The more I looked around me the more islands I could see. It looked like it never ended and that the water went on forever.

We got a huge gust of wind, climbing impossibly higher. We were 600 feet above the water surface now, and I was as relaxed as could be. This was the highest I’ve ever been in the sky. The fact that if I dropped at any second I would smack into the water and probably die didn’t even slightly bother me. I loved being this high, I felt cut off from the world for a while. Time seemed to slow down just for me to appreciate nature. I could’ve stayed up there for hours and still not get tired of looking at the view. But it was time to go down. They tugged on the rope pulling us out of the clouds. I could feel the wind blowing in my face. The islands starting to look bigger and bigger as we become more level with them. I could start to hear the waves again crashing against each other.

“See that wasn’t scary at all,” I said smiling wide at Alexis.

“No definitely not that was amazing, I can’t believe how far we could see for.”

“I know right, I want to go, again and again, I just never want to leave this place.”

“Neither do I, my oh my, is this place gorgeous even though we almost crashed today.”

Right before we reached the boat they dipped us into the cool water, my waist down covered. It was a gentle reminder we had to come back to reality now. We landed softly on our feet on the back of the boat. They started to unstrap us from our harnesses. I looked out at the islands and I realized I didn’t mind those curvy roads anymore. Seeing them up in the sky like that made me appreciate them and this place. It’s the messiest looking paradise I’ve ever been to. No. Not even messy anymore, unique.

“Did you guys enjoy it?” my mom said as we made our ways back to our seats.  “Yes, yes I did.” What an amazing way to spend my day I thought. This island looked scary at first but it was such a thrill, it was a part of the wonderful experience. I wouldn’t have changed any of it.