SXM/TNCM 12-24 to 12-29

I have been away for a week in St. Martin. SXM this year was absolutely amazing... met a lot of pilots and other great plane spotters from around the world. had 1 1/2 days with Cary which was awesome and finally met Marseno Bremmer who lives there and is known for his rare catches. I recommend anyone looking to go to SXM to do it around Christmas. If you love Bizjets, this is heaven. At one point I counted 12 Global Express bizjets in a row.. [12] !!!!!!!! And three from Russia alone. WOWOWOW! Lots of them from our backyard TEB and HPN too. When I departed yesterday afternoon, I lost count of private aircraft parked at 56 and I could not see the right side of the field. There were no spots left for them and handlers were parking them three rows deep at the main tarmac which made it a tight squeeze for KLM and AFR!

Doesn't get much lower than this... or does it?

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photo.../i-BF6Vn9H.jpg

Looking forward to your pics..........I hope Cary picked up the tab on your trip!

Wow! That is insane! After reading this, I do believe that I will be getting my passport in 2013 and booking tix to go to SXM for the holidays. Thanks for the encouragement to spend more money Manny :tongue:

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Originally Posted by steve1840

Wow! That is insane! After reading this, I do believe that I will be getting my passport in 2013 and booking tix to go to SXM for the holidays. Thanks for the encouragement to spend more money Manny :tongue:

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Lets try and get a group together. A number of people on this forum want to go. i wouldn't mind going back. Split rooms. lower cost.

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Originally Posted by eric8669

Lets try and get a group together. A number of people on this forum want to go. i wouldn't mind going back. Split rooms. lower cost.

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We talking at the end of 2013? I know I can't afford to do it in the beginning of the year. Thanksgiving in SXM sounds good to me.

Not sure about Thanksgiving but the $5,000,000 party that Roman Abramovich was throwing (as per sources) did draw a lot of friends with money. Net Jets Aviation alone had at least one to two flights every 10 minutes sunrise to sunset... I am sure more if they had 24x7 operations and Instrument Landing like ILS ... all they have is VOR/DME and NDB :( Although I have heard nightime landings I guess using pure naked visual approach using the VASI (or PAPI, not sure if they upgraded)

Second time in a row I get caught with my pants down at SXM.. missed this rare beaut while jerking off taking great pics of US Air Steelers!!! as if: ugh.....

Last time? TACA at SXM which is as rare as Steak Tar Tar

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photo...-m2JnBR7-L.jpg

Not sure why this one stuck to the top post...

http://pictures.mannyphoto.com/photo.../i-BF6Vn9H.jpg

I am down for a group trip to SXM.

Wow! So how packed was the beach? We usually go when its a bit quieter.

Also, I do have a timeshare at the Royal Islander club. Most likely not using it this year. Sleeps 4. If you guys want to figure it out, books dates, etc, I can look up availability. Just email me once you've organized a tribal gathering and it'd be our pleasure. I don't recall how muc hit is but its usually cheaper than the hotel esp if split.

I love shots that have the sun in the frame if it's done right. That 737 shot is really in your face! 14-24 for that?

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Originally Posted by mirrodie

Wow! So how packed was the beach? We usually go when its a bit quieter.

Also, I do have a timeshare at the Royal Islander club. Most likely not using it this year. Sleeps 4. If you guys want to figure it out, books dates, etc, I can look up availability. Just email me once you've organized a tribal gathering and it'd be our pleasure.

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That's very generous Mario. Many many thanks for offering.

Eric has my email so just coordinate and we'll figure it out.

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Originally Posted by mirrodie

Wow! So how packed was the beach? We usually go when its a bit quieter.

Also, I do have a timeshare at the Royal Islander club. Most likely not using it this year. Sleeps 4. If you guys want to figure it out, books dates, etc, I can look up availability. Just email me once you've organized a tribal gathering and it'd be our pleasure. I don't recall how muc hit is but its usually cheaper than the hotel esp if split.

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Mario, I was grateful to have your timeshare once before, i would be up for it again. Its a great place.

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Originally Posted by mirrodie

Wow! So how packed was the beach? We usually go when its a bit quieter.

Also, I do have a timeshare at the Royal Islander club. Most likely not using it this year. Sleeps 4. If you guys want to figure it out, books dates, etc, I can look up availability. Just email me once you've organized a tribal gathering and it'd be our pleasure. I don't recall how muc hit is but its usually cheaper than the hotel esp if split.

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Mario, that's too cool. Thanks man!! The Royal Islander is sick... it is VERY close and you can spot from there easily in the earlier months of the year before summer.

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Originally Posted by megatop412

I love shots that have the sun in the frame if it's done right. That 737 shot is really in your face! 14-24 for that?

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William, that is what I meant by missed it and not just backlit (should have been on the other side)

That was with the 70-200mm @ 70mm, reaction shot, just turned and fired off until the buffer filled.