The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – Costa Rica Travel – On a platform at the back of a speed boat, in the middle of the ocean, a man secured my harness a second time. Soon, I felt the deck slide out from beneath me as I was gently lifted into the air. I looked down at the waters of the Pacific, tones of blue changing with each rise in elevation. Seated comfortably in the harness, a black strap in each hand, I swayed my feet back and forth as the breeze pulled wisps of hair from my ponytail. The scalloped parachute above me, red, white, and blue, celebrating the Costa Rican flag, assisted the swiftly moving boat below, in my ascension. I rose to extreme heights, up with cloud traffic and soaring birds. Up where lightning and great funnels of wind display their power. Up where the sun reigns supreme. Up in the air.
I looked to my right and saw, in the distance, hills and mountains, I saw the beach in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, and just barely, the people on it enjoying their day. I drifted past an island, solitary in the expanse of blue, exposing variegated colors of limestone, layered over time. On a portion of the island were trees of deep forest green, and shrubs the shade of fresh basil, and brown tinted moss. I looked to my left and saw the Pacific Ocean. There was nothing except open water, small cresting waves, the horizon blocking my view to Europe.
The harness secured my lower back and attached between my legs and around my hips, like a baby swing, and so, I swung. Awed by a panorama so stunning, I pondered perspective. I wondered what others noticed, and thought, and felt while high in the sky. Then, I began my steady descent. Activity on the beach became clear until I could see umbrellas shading beach chairs and another parachute being spread in the sand, another person preparing for the delightful experience of parasailing.
Finally, from the boat, I saw Silvio wave at me. He had been watching, taking pictures, and supporting from below, my adventure up.
Elizabeth Dickinson
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica
Costa Rica Travel Facts:
Costa Rica holds the record as the most visited nation in the Central American region, with 2.3 million foreign visitors in 2012, securing a market share of 26.4% of all visitors to the region.
In the 2011 and the 2012, Costa Rica was included by Ethical Traveler magazine as one of The Developing World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations.
