The "#1 Truly Unique Beach in the World" Story

It was an ordinary day. Was searching for a room near the airport in Philadelphia where Carol and I and our traveling buddies Jerry and Just Sue could stay for the evening before we leave for Provo which is in the Turks and Caicos chain of islands in the Caribbean. Our flight out of Phila. is at 6:00 AM and it is less stressful for me if I don't have to get up at 2:00 AM, drive to Phila., find a place to park and get to the airport terminal in time for the flight. So, we stay nearby and leave the car at the motel for the vacation. Sue gave me the name of the place we stayed last year when we traveled to Barbados, but I thought I would see what else is available close to the airport and maybe give us a better price. I found the site Tripadvisor.com and started looking for a place. When I clicked on the site I noticed they had just listed their "Truly Unique Beaches in the World." Those of you who know me know I couldn't pass on checking out the list so I clicked on the link to find out what beaches were listed. And those of you who read my blog and know where Carol and I travel to in the Caribbean will realize that when I found that Sint Maarten has the #1 beach, I just had to read the article. The #1 beach in the world is Maho Beach and was picked as #1 because of the beach's close proximity to the Princess Juliana Airport. The location is one of the few places in the world where planes can be viewed in their flight path as they cross the beach, just outside the end of the runway. And since Princess Julianna is an International Airport, the planes that cross the beach are extremely large ones. It is this unique attraction that made Maho Beach the #1 beach. On either side of the small white sand beach are beach bars that are perfect for watching the planes land. On one side is the Driftwood Inn while on the other side is the Sunset Bar and Grill (SSB&G) formerly called the Sunset Beach Bar. We have visited the Driftwood Inn a few times, but love the SSB&G because they broadcast the radio transmissions between the pilots and the airport's control tower to its patrons. They also have a surfboard that stands on end and lists the times of the arriving aircraft for the day. With its unique location, friendly staff and great food, the SSB&G does its best to capture the true meaning of "Sea, sand, sun, fun ....... and airplanes!" I have published a few airplane shots in the past, but have to hit you with a few more. Are you ready for some excitement? It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

An American Airlines twin-engine jet flying across Maho Beach. The runway is directly to the right in the photo. This photo and the next five were taken from the SSB&G.

Taken while standing on Maho Beach, almost under the plane. I have a few photos where you can see the pilot in the window.

A twin-engine Delta plane probably arriving.

One of the largest planes to land is the 4-engine Air France plane from France.

Sign that appears on the edge of Maho Beach warning you that jet blast of the departing aircraft can cause severe physical harm resulting in extreme bodily harm and/or death. The end of the airport runway is on the right behind the chain-link fence. People disregard the sign and stand directly behind the jet blast. Some do get injured!

This was taken from the SSB&G and shows the Driftwood Inn in the background. The sand is blowing and knocking people down because of jet engine blast from a plane that has just taken off on the runway to the right, out of sight.

You can see the SSB&G in the background at the other end of Maho Beach. This photo was taken from the Driftwood Inn.

Taken from the Driftwood Inn as a plane approaches the island.

Taken from the Driftwood Inn as the plane is about to land. You can just see the edge ofMaho Beach. Check out the shadow of the plane on the still waters below it.

Taken from the Driftwood Inn as a plane had just taken off on the left from the head of the runway.