SXM Trip Report (lots of pics)
Hi everyone, just got back from a trip to St Martin from Feb 20-24. It was all 80 degree weather and lots of low arrivals over Maho Beach. In total I took over 1,400 pictures over 5 days, so I chose the best ones to put here. I edited these on my laptop without photoshop, so the quality isnt the greatest. Here goes...
Myself, and my mother and father hopped aboard American Airlines Ft. 667 JFK-SXM on N174AA B757.
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130716831.jpg
On our approach into St Martin I took a few pictures out the window of the island and its famous beach.
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130716829.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130716825.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130716826.jpg
Once on the ground we drove around the island exploring the French and Dutch sides with their beaches and mountains.
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718426.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130716828.jpg
We then checked into the Sonesta Maho Beach Hotel, with our room's balcony overlooking the beginning of runway 9, and the hotel having its own section of Maho Beach. From that point the traffic started pouring in day after day
LIAT
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718124.jpg
Continental 737
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130717801.jpg
US Airways
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718409.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130717805.jpg
Air Caraibes
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130717803.jpg
American Airlines
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130717120.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130717111.jpg
Delta
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718406.jpg
and Caribbean Sun
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718142.jpg
The Sunset Bar was as happening as ever with a new Danger sign warning of the jet blast.
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130716812.jpg
The heavies then came, with the 747s and the A340.
Air France with me under it!
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718116.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718402.jpg
KLM
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718137.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130717107.jpg
Corsair came while I was driving to another beach on the island, but I managed anyway!
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718420.jpg
Then I tried poking my camera through the runway fences, and I got some great pictures.
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718133.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718123.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718136.jpg
I also met some fellow spotters at the sunset bar, from Germany and London, who showed me how to dechipher the ATC jibberish. :D
Also, a few biz jets came in as well:
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718412.jpg
http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL90/2.../130718140.jpg
It was a great trip, spotting and all. I have other photos and hi-res versions if anyone wants any.
-Eric H.
