Landing in St. Maarten
By Natalie Wells
19 Feb 2008
The first time I saw a plane take off from the Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch Side of St. Maarten I was literally blown to the ground. The power of the 747 taking off instantly knocked me to the ground and the sand felt like a million little needles piercing my skin. Needless to say I didnt get any photographs on that visit.
The next year I was much smarter and grabbed a table at the Sunset Beach Bar located off to the side of the beach. With a few coctails and lots of patience I waited for the big planes to come in.
You can watch planes come in daily but most of the time they are private jets or island hoppers. The large airliners come in much less often. Usually on Tuesday afternoons.
The Sunset Beach Bar keeps everyone informed by posting the arrival schedule on a surfboard. They also have a speaker broadcasting the communications going on at air traffic control. It's interesting to hear them discussing the arrival of the flight you are waiting for and then looking out to the horizon and see the jumbo jet approaching.
It's such an amazing feeling to see a plane, so big and powerful, landing just feet away from you. Scarry and exciting all at the same time. Such a rush. I hope someday I'll get a chance to go back and see it all over again.
These are the photos I was lucky enough to get that day. Enjoy!
