Philipsburg — Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
Friday, September 28th:
At 8:00 am the Adventure docks in Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
At 5:00 pm the Adventure of the Seas sets sail.
Taking a Taxi to Simpson Bay
At the pier we jump in a taxi and head directly to Simpson Bay for around US$10 per person. We settle in at the Sunset Beach Bar, order drinks and wait for planes making their uniquely low final approach over the beach — an experience that is apparently unique worldwide and draws aviation fans from all corners of the globe to St. Maarten.
Arrival and departure times are posted on a surfboard and you can hear the radio chatter between pilots and the tower in the background.
Low-Flying Approach on Saint Maarten
We don't have to wait long before the first lights come gliding toward us and we walk toward the runway right behind the beach.
Just a few meters above our heads, the American Airlines Boeing crosses the beach.
Between landings we relax on the beach and take a quick snorkeling dip. The water is crystal clear and refreshingly cool.
Blown Away
When an American Airlines Boeing taxis toward the runway, we rush back behind the landing strip. With respect but irresistible curiosity, we wait eagerly for the takeoff. We're standing just a few meters behind the aircraft. The engines roar, an extremely hot jet blast makes us sweat even more, then a kind of sandstorm hits. We turn the camera away as a precaution while the thrust nearly blows us off our wall.
Wow — what a rush.
At 3:00 pm we get into our pre-booked taxi and sit in traffic heading toward Philipsburg.
At the cruise port we browse the shops for a while before reluctantly heading back on board.
Continue in the Caribbean cruise travel report: Day 15 — 7th day on board the Adventure of the Seas — St. Thomas.
