I had just finished packing my suitcase and refueling my rental car, ready to depart L’Agulhas, a sleepy fishing village built on the soft green hills and limestone rocks of Africa’s southernmost point. My last two days in South Africa were spent soaking up the sunlit serenity of this surfside enclave where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge. I thought that the trip had reached its apex, until I happened to pull out a brochure I had placed in my pocket that advertised scenic coastal flights. At that point, I knew flying in an open-air bush plane over the exotic landscape of what is quite literally the end of the earth was precisely what I needed to experience before heading back home.
Fortunately, I had plenty of daylight left to attempt my goal of soaring around the Cape and among the seagulls in an ultralight aircraft. Wasting no additional time, I immediately telephoned the Sea & Sky Flying Club and was warmly received by Stefney Boshoff, co-owner with her husband and pilot, Andre Boshoff. I was prepared for my request to be denied having not made an advanced booking and also since their hours of operation vary during the off-season winter months. However, when I told Stefney that I was available immediately and wanted to go up for an hour, she cheerfully responded; “Wonderful! We’ll see you in 10 minutes!” The total price would cost 900R (roughly $90) and includes membership to the club. A bargain! I felt a sense of relief and a burst of excitement that would continue to amplify during my upcoming expedition.
