View from our balconyWe weren't able to check into our suite until 4 pm so our first day there was spent getting to know the town. It's a really easy place to navigate about--everything is off King's Highway, which runs parallel to the ocean. We wanted our first meal to be seafood so we went to a place called Sea's Captain. It is one of the oldest and most reputable restaurants in Myrtle Beach. Unfortunately, we didn't find our meal lived up to the reputation but we enjoyed our oceanfront view nonetheless.
Monday was the only bad-weather day we had all week. The morning started off very cloudy and the forecast called for rain all day. We decided that would be a good day to hit the Ripley's Aquarium. There is another Ripley's Aquarium in Pigeon Forge that we went to on our honeymoon and we loved so we knew we definitely wanted to go. It was everything we expected--it was awesome!
In front of the sting ray statue
Awesome Tiger Shark in walk-through tunnelIt rained the rest of the day Monday so we went to the outlet malls and then for margaritas at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. We had arguably the best nachos and Cheeseburger in Paradise!!
It started off cloudy on Tuesday but it wasn't raining so we decided to play golf. Myrtle Beach is known for it's golf courses and there were so many it was hard to choose one. I felt more comfortable playing at a Par 3 course where there is less pressure so we found a cute one right up the road. We didn't even keep score although we both managed to have a couple good holes out of the 18 we played. It cleared up in the afternoon so we went jet-skiing on the ocean. We decided to get a jet ski for each of us. The waves were pretty rough at times but we had a blast. We then went out for a dinner at a restaurant right across the street called Liberty Tap.
Wednesday was clear and sunny so we spent the morning by the pool. In the afternoon we went to a place called Alligator Adventure. They had hundreds of alligators of all sizes and breeds, along with tropical birds, lizards and other animals (a donkey, zebra and camel).
Outside one of the Alligator exhibits
One suspicious alligatorMike planned a 3-hour ocean sailing cruise for us on a private yacht Wednesday night. We got there at 5:30 and met the captain and his wife. They were so nice and easy to talk to.
In front of "The Enchantress"We started out at Little River, which was about 15 miles north of Myrtle Beach and then motored out to the ocean.
Cruising to the oceanEntering the ocean was pretty turbulent--we now understand why the captain called it the washing machine! We got soaked! Once we got into the ocean, we started sailing. I even got to steer the boat for a few minutes, which was about as long as I felt comfortable doing so. We went about 3 miles into the ocean before we turned around (in part because I got sea sick) and then watched the sun set from the river.
It was a pretty amazing experience--so romantic and was definitely the highlight of the trip for both of us!Thursday was our last full day to enjoy so we spent all day soaking up the sunshine. We spent the morning at the pool and all afternoon at the beach. We took a banana boat ride out to a motor boat and then went parasailing.
Lifting off over the Atlantic OceanWe were up around 300 feet over the ocean. It was surprisingly calm and very refreshing. Overall, it was an awesome experience and definitely the most adventurous thing Mike has ever done given his fear of heights.
On Friday morning we woke up early and watched the sunrise. It was the only clear morning the whole week we were there and I really wanted to see the sun rise over the beach. It worked out well because we then left at around 7 am and drove home.
Sun rising on the beach
Mike enjoying the view
View from our balcony
Good-bye Myrtle Beach!!We had an amazing couple's retreat--we had a wonderful time and will cherish all the great memories!
