St. Maarten (SXM) Last Week

[AAGold]

Most of you who know Anne and I are probably aware we just returned from 8 days on one of our favorite islands ... St. Maarten ... better known as SXM and an aviation photog's Heaven. There were a couple of things different about this year when compared to our last visit in 2005. This was an early trip from October 26 to November 3, a Sunday to Monday to guarantee a weekend. Two weeks before our visit St. Maarten was hit by a hurricane and sustained quite a bit of damage. Most of the hotel we stayed at was closed because of the damage. We stayed 6 days at the Little Divi where we have timeshare exchange privileges and the remaining two nights at the Sonesta Maho Beach. The main hotel at the Sonesta was not damaged, but the entire section behind the restaurants was closed because of damage.

The damage didn't keep us from enjoying the island and all that it had to offer. As you might expect we spent most of the days shooting on Maho Beach or around the airport. We managed to take quite a few photos, but traffic definitely seemed light compared to other years. We hope you enjoy this snippet of some of the photos we took ...

This first photo was taken from our hotel room of the Sunset Beach Bar. You can see where the bar area was virtually destroyed and is being rebuilt. We definitely missed the beach umbrellas and reclining chairs that extended from the bar on the beach. Now there was nothing but rocks by the bar.

http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/TAA_BN-2B-21_VP-AAF_SXM_20081103_X8011.jpg

The first day we were there it was absolutely clear as a bell. One of the best days I've ever seen on the island. So we took the trip up the mountain to get the scenic view ...

http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/APTOV_SXM_20081027_X6153.jpg

http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/APTOV_SXM_20081027_X6154.jpg

It was absolutely gorgeous up there, but ... let's face it, we went to SXM to be up close and personal with the planes. So the next stop was Maho Beach. We spent most of our time on Maho. We did make a few exceptions, but not for many shots. The traffic seemed a bit low this year, especially with biz jets and cargo flights, so we just moped around a lot waiting for the next flight. And here are some of the intersting ones ...

A couple of new airlines since Anne and I were here in 2005 ...
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/7I_MD-82_PJ-MDB_SXM_20081103_X8082.jpg

http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/DCA_FOKKER-100_PJ_DAB_SXM_20081102_X7820.jpg

The old standbys ...
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AA_757-223_N698AN_SXM_20081103_X8120.jpg


http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/CO_737-724_N25705_SXM_20081103_X8104.jpg

You know we love those cargo flights, but there really weren't all that many that we saw during the week.
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/M6_727-_N598AJ_SXM_20081028_X6349.jpg

You know it's not just all about planes when you see a scene like this one ...
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/JZ_SHORTS-_N380MQ_SXM_20081028_X6329.jpg


http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/MQ_ATR-72-500_N410AT_SXM_20081028_X6505.jpg

But you know we all come to see the heavies. The A340s, 747s and MD-11s that ply the skies of the Caribbean in search of those tiny airports to land on, and SXM is one of the best by far. Did I say "one of the best," I meant the best. :D
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AF_A340-313X_F-GLZT_SXM_20081027_X6297.jpg

Cloudy days ... clear days, no difference.
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AF_A340-313X_F-GLZT_SXM_20081028_X6595A.jpg


http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AF_A340-313X_F-GLZU_SXM_20081103_X8170.jpg


http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/SS_747-422_F-HSUN_SXM_20081102_X7735.jpg


http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/SS_747-422_F-HSUN_SXM_20081102_X7737.jpg

KLM's MD-11 did make one appearance while we were there, late but still enjoyable ...
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/KL_MD-11_PH-KCB_SXM_20081102_X8000.jpg


http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/KL_MD-11_PH-KCB_SXM_20081102_X8001.jpg

We didn't spend a lot of time off the beach, but we did manage one nice series of the AF A340 one night. Unfortunately she was departing in late light, but not at sunset :(
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AF_A340-313X_F-GLZL_SXM_20081101_X7532.jpg

http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AF_A340-313X_F-GLZL_SXM_20081101_X7538.jpg

http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AF_A340-313X_F-GLZL_SXM_20081101_X7539.jpg

http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AF_A340-313X_F-GLZL_SXM_20081101_X7547.jpg

Of course there is always one that is late ... Thank goodness :mrgreen:
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AF_A340-313X_F-GLZT_SXM_20081026_X6137.jpg

Of course the beach action was good at times ...
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/APTOV_SXM_20081028_X6488.jpg

And the company superb. Thanks Big Den for an enjoyable time.
Big Den and I by the famous action board (which was always wrong while I wa there).
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/FRIENDS_SXM_20081102_X7568.jpg

Anne, Big Den's wife and I by the board.
http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/FRIENDS_SXM_20081102_X7578.jpg

SXM ... one of the best places to enjoy our sport.

Anne and Art

[moose135]

Outstanding shots, as always Art! I definitely need to get down there one day. Thanks for sharing!

[MarkLawrence]

Wow Art - what a great set of shots!! I love the ones from up the mountain - not often you see shots like that - you always see it from the other side! Looks like a great time!

[T-Bird76]

Great shots Art! The beach looked totally empty, must have have been peaceful.

[Iberia A340-600]

Gorgeous shots from the Island, Art.

We all know that SXM is one of the most photographed destinations in the world for plane spotters but certain photographers really bring Maho Beach to life and the thrill of having the jets flying so low over head. Your photographs most certainly bring Maho Beach to life and in every photo I felt like I was back in SXM reliving my great day spent at the airport back in 2005.

Again, great shots Art. :)

[mirrodie]

Awesome shots Art! Just stellar!


I want to go back!!!

[eric8669]

Great shots Art.

Looks like the beach stayed intact.

[LGA777]

Art, there are some Amazing shots there, thanks for sharing. I especially like the AF departure shots, nice to see a different location. Looks like you had pretty good luck with the weather. As far as seeming like less traffic. I think the European heavies are pretty consistant year round but flights from the US and Canada are very seasonal, and you seemed to hit one of the slower times. For example at US we where only operating 5 flights a week while you where their, during most of the winter and summer we average 19-23 flights a week, with 4 a day on Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully you can add a US shot for those of us on the board.

Great Job Art

LGA777

[PhilDernerJr]

Art, only you can make an AF A340 look that good. WOW. I love that first MD-11 shot as well. Excellent stuff!

[AAGold]

This is for someone just to let em know that things are not always perfect in the islands ... wish they were. Just to prove I take some of them too! :D

http://www.photovation.net/Uploads/AF_A340-313X_F-GLZT_SXM_20081030_X6875.jpg

See, all is not perfect :cry: