The most unusual airport in the world (video). Saint-Martin Island reviews landing on Saint Martin

"Post from the Past": Maho Beach Beach on the island of San Martin is famous for the fact that many people run on it not for swimming, but to see the landing of the aircraft. Photographer Thomas Prior went to the Caribbean and tried to transfer chaos on this beach in close proximity to international Airport. It is difficult to believe in the authenticity of the pictures of giant liners flying at an altitude of 10-20 meters above the sunburning tourists, however, they are real.

(Total 13 photos)

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1) Princess International Airport Juliana serves Sint Martin, the Dutch part of Saint-Martin Island. This is the second airport workload in the East Caribbean. Therefore, beachheads on Maho Beach have not sweet.

2) The beach is just an ideal place For a detailed viewing of low flying aircraft, although this delivers some inconvenience when bathing and obtaining sunbathing.

3) to shoot under such conditions more than difficult, and the sand, clutching climbing when landing, is not the best "companion" for optics.

4) Despite the complex conditions of take-off and landing, no accident in this has not yet been fixed.

5) Some beachheads specifically tick their nerves, standing under the "belly" of landing airliners.

6) It is dangerous: the jet of the engine can hurt or even kill. This warns the entrance poster.

7) airliners and small planes, entering the landing, fly so low that it seems that they are about to run if not vacationing, then umbrellas or roof of one of the local bars.

8) Macho Beach is so popular among aircraft lovers, which is hanging on flights from the airport in local bars. And in one of them there is even a speaker that broadcasts negotiations between pilots and dispatchers.

9) Owners of local food institutions are well covered: many tourists have a desire to drink something stronger from an impressive spectacle.

10) The buzz when landing airliners is unimaginable, but it does not scatter tourists.

11) In a couple of minutes, carefree rest is replaced by the atmosphere of chaos, and the beach covers the real rampage of the elements.

12) Airport runway and takes only 2180 meters. Such a length is bare enough to carry out maneuver and aircraft have to fly on minimum height.

13) The beach also has an information board, on which the time of the airliner span is described in detail.

The easiest way to fly with one docking from Russia through Paris or Amsterdam with klm airlines or AirFrance. The cost of tickets will be from 40 thousand rubles. Back there, sometimes a little cheaper flight by American airlines, but it only comes to those who have an open American visa, since transit does not exist.
The cheapest is the fly to the island you can share aircaraibes airlines, they fly only from Paris. The cost of the flight there - back by the promotion can be 400 euros there. Those who go to, we can advise cruises from Miami by Caribbean islands or straight flights (from Miami back and back from $ 350, fly 3 hours). The minus of cruise travel is that parking on the island will be only a few hours.

CLIMATE

Island with a dry climate with sufficient humidity due to winds (Passatov). You can visit round year, the most peak on the island during the Christmas holidays of Europeans and Americans, as well as in April-May.

visa

The visa is necessary, you can make it through the visa centers of France or the Netherlands, depending on which part of the island you want to spend more time. The list of documents is no different from the document package for a Schengen visa. If you want to visit several Caribbean Islands, it is necessary to specify in the questionnaire (for example, Bartelemi Island). There are no borders on the island, there is only a symbolic pillar on the border with which tourists take pictures.

Cities and regions

The airport is located in the Dutch part in Philipsburg, he is the most large city on the island. Marigo - the capital of the French part. It is difficult to nominate these settlements by cities, as no more than 2,000 people live in them. The island is best to navigate the names of the beaches and bays.

WHERE TO STAY

The best area for accommodation is the Bay of Marina Simpson Bay. First, not far from the name "Princess Yulianna" and Maho beaches with Mullet Bay. Secondly, good infrastructure. These are solid restaurants where you can dine with steaks and live music. The good value of the hotel is a minimum of $ 100, the usual cost is 130-150 dollars per night. It is worth understanding that in hotels usually do not include breakfast, the service is salary hotels in Dominican Republic, we can say that there is no such service.

Good hotel Sonesta Maho Beach overlooking the beach Maho and The Villas At Simpson
Bay Resort & Marina. Villas and apartments can be searched on the sites of abitel.fr, homeaway.com, homelidays.com and airbnb.com

View from the Hotel Simpson Bay Resort & Marina

TRANSPORT

It is best to explore the island on the rented car. Rent a car is the easiest way to place, a huge selection of Mustangs without a roof, as well as other real American powerful cars. The whole island moves on minibuses, it is only worth raising your hand. The fare from Simpson Bay to the airport is 1.5-2 dollars, to the beach of Maho - $ 2, to Mullet Bay Beach 2.5-3 dollars, the same passage to Filipsburg. In fact, a small one can easily turn around on these minibuses. From the airport you can plunge into a taxi, a specially trained person at the exit will sort up tourists at the place of residence, the fare to the hotel is 10-15 dollars a maximum. On the neighboring islands Swim boats. Local airlines, such as Insel Air, connects Saint-Marten with other Caribbean citys and Colombia.

Minibus in Philipsburg

Inside

Communication

The official calls are the Dutch (in the Dutch part), French (in French), but everyone is talking in English. Of English language On the island you will be enough.

KITCHEN

Restaurants. European prices, as all products are brown. Very inexpensive alcohol, most popular beer cool, Carib, Jamaican Red Srtipe.
Pic: //8253.jpg.
From seafood local residents Go crazy from lobsters. Popular barbecue dishes.
Pic: //10121.jpg.
In most bars, cocktails are made incorrectly and served in plastic cups.

If you accidentally meet Barmen Roger Muza, then he will tell you and will show what a real cocktail is :)

SOUVENIRS

Despite the fact that all the goods are imported (produce only sauces on the island), thanks to tax relief, there are excellent supermarkets with decent names at an affordable price. American beer, Brazilian Couscous, Belgian ice cream, Canadian maple syrup and so on. Prices for Lithuanian Bottle Roma start from 6 dollars. You can bring what you love in other countries, but do not plan there yet :)

In addition to local sauces, you can take the self-made souvenirs, purchased on the market in Philipsburg (for example, a wallet from shells, beads, etc.). From the french part you can take spices.

WHAT TO SEE

The world's most unique airport is also here, we admit that many come to just because of it. The runway of the Princess International Airport Juliana is known for the fact that it starts from the beach of Maho, so the aircraft sit right above the heads of tourists. Standing over the huge Boeing KLM - extreme pleasure. The second entertainment is to stand at the fence when planes take off, the main thing is to keep stronger :)

Pic: //8243.jpg.

Shopping

Inexpensive alcohol. On this your shopping will end.

Communication

Mobile Internet with Travel SIM cards does not work, the easiest way to eat free Wi-Fi on the beach, in the hotel or in a cafe. It is not worth connecting the local SIM card, since driving to another part of the island, you get into roaming. Each local two SIM cards (French and Dutch).

SAFETY

As with the caribbean everywhere, it is worth being careful. On the Internet there is a story about how people robbed right near the beach, causing a rented car. It should be remembered that the local population is poor with all the resulting consequences. At the same time, it is not worth seeing in every enemy, the locals are extremely positive and welcome.

Tours from the country

You can wake 20 km to the island of Saint-Bartelemy, where the "cottage" of Roman Abramovich is located. The island glanced Mesal elite rest, first who bought plots on the island was David Rockefeller in the middle of the 20th century.

currency

The uniqueness is that on the island the official currency on the Dutch side - Guldennes, but prices are also indicated in dollars, because the majority of tourists are Americans. In the northern part, the price is indicated in the euro, but you can also pay dollars, and at the rate of 1 dollar \u003d 1 euro :) Course Gulden \u003d 1.8 dollars. It is most profitable to go to

- Saint Martin Island - is the island in the Caribbean, south Puerto Rico In the northern part of the ridge of small islands of separating the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.
If you look at the map, then the location of the islands of the Caribbean ridge resembles a bow taped by an arrow into an African continent.

Island Saint-Martin Interesting in that it was divided between France and Holland in 1648 and this peace section is the oldest treaty of this kind and still has force.

The northern part of the island is the overseas territory of France and is called respectively Saint Martin.
The southern part of the island is a self-governing state with significant autonomy, as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is called Sint-Maarten.

The island is small: its area of \u200b\u200b83 sq. Km. The capital of the South, Dutch part of the island - Filipsburg — large portwhere cruise ships come daily, bring thousands of tourists traveling through the islands of the Caribbean Sea.

And so that all the conditions in Philipsburg are created for them to go far for them: many restaurants, souvenir shops and shops with alcohol price Duty Free, casino and of course a lot of brothels.

Another difference of this part of the island: here in the course of the American dollar and most tourists from north America: USA and Canada.
The population of this part of the island speaks English and 99% of him - Negros (people from Africa, delivered here at the time of slave trade).

French part of Saint Marten

The capital of the northern (greater) part of the island speaks French and is the overseas territory of France.
Capital - city Marigo (Marigot).
The difference in time with Moscow to Saint Martin minus 8 hours

Mobile Internet 3G With Train Simok on Saint Martin does not work, although cellular communication is available: its own network on the Dutch side and the French network on the northern part of the island. He helps free Wi-Fi cafes on the beach and disabled Internet in cities.

How to get to Saint-Martin Island from Europe

Saint-Martin how to get

You can get to the island from Europe by purchasing tickets from Paris by Airfrance or Air Caraibes.
KLM flies from Amsterdam.
Both the French and Hollad arrive at one airport - he is general on Saint-Martin.

It so happened that the forum laid out news: I took advantage of this idea and bought two tickets from Paris to Saint-Martin for 621 euros by the Company Air Caraibes..

After that, it remained to find cheap tickets from Moscow to Paris (as you understand, it did not work up using the service on the forum) and make a visa just like ordinary French Schengen.

Visa of the overseas territory of France

A questionnaire from the site of the French visa center in Moscow is printed, a photo on a gray background is made, there are copies of tickets for Saint-Martin, a hotel reservation on Saint Martine, a certificate of work with an indication of the salary and printing or an extract from a bank account for a couple of past months to The embassy understood that you were not a holoner.

The visa is made 3 working days.
For those who have a Schengen multi-visa -
So: there are tickets, there is a visa, a hotel reservation for the first 2 days there is. Filty!

Air Caraibes Airline Review

Beaches on Saint-Marten

I wrote about the beaches in a separate article, which is called.

In times of the Great Geographic discoveries Many European countries have acquired overseas territories and colonies. Some colonies in consequences have achieved independence, but there are such places that still have "under the wing" (remember this phrase, it will take a little later) Europeans.

So happened to Saint-Martin Island. This small plot of sushi in the beautiful Caribbean Sea was divided into france and the Netherlands. And practically in half. The northern part of the island is the ownership of France, south, respectively, belongs to the Netherlands. The name of the island by the French and the Dutch is pronounced slightly different. Saint-Martin at the French and Sint Marten at the Dutch. Translated and the other means "Island of St. Martin".

The island itself we will not touch, we will only pay attention to the one part that belongs to the Netherlands, or rather west Coast of this part. It is here that one of the most of Russia's dangerous airports Planets and one of the most dangerous beaches of the world. This is the airport of Princess Juliana and the beach Macho, which is located right at the start of the runway.

That's the Beach Macho and attracted our (and not only our) attention. It is located, as we said, in the western part of the island a little north of Burgeo Bay.

Beach Macho on the map

• Geographic coordinates 18.039228, -63.120539
• Distance from the capital of the Netherlands about 7000 km
• Nearest airport through the beach fence

What is the famous beach maho?

The beach itself is unlikely to cause stormy emotions. This is only 300 meters sand coast Width up to 20 meters. But here is his southern half ... will not cause any adrenaline, while there is no gigantic tens over your head at the height of all the pair of tens of meters passenger liner Type Boeing 767 or Euerbas A320. And the plane over the beach can fly at any time of the day and night. As you understand, flying over the beach planes, this is not an attraction for tourists. Flying a small beach, the plane sits literally for his fence.

Here and recall the phrase "under the wing". Tourists, basking in the sand, are literally "under the wing" of aircraft who are landing or take off over the beach of Macho.

The beach and the beginning of the landing band shares the road and barrage from the grid. The airport, which is immediately behind the beach has a rather limited strip of only 2300 meters long and ends with a lagoon simpson. This is a rather short segment for large aircraft. In addition, the runway from the north and the east is limited to the lagoon Simpson, and from the south of the same name with the lagoon bay.

It turns out such a narrow tie, surrounded by water to which the aircraft should be hit. He has to decline as much as possible to land at the very beginning of the strip. Therefore, airplanes fly over the beach, almost clinging to the head of tourists' heads, and therefore the airport is considered extremely difficult to piloting.

Maho Beach and Spotter

Naturally see the sitting or bleaching plane over the beach, and even almost at a distance elongated hands, the dream of many extremals. They are also called spotters. These are those people who like to watch the aircraft. And the beach is Maho, it is impossible to suit it better for this.

Here you can practically scratch the abdomen of the landing aircraft (well, if you jump well). Of course, this is a joke, the authorities do not greatly welcome such an occupation. Everywhere in the area of \u200b\u200bthe beach, warning warns of the danger of signs that few people stop are raised.

There are such signs all over the beach, but it does not stop anyone

Near the beach there is a famous cafe Sunset Bar and Grill. Here, until August 2015, a loudspeaker was installed, which warned about the regime of aircraft. On the beach you can see the information boards, where the schedule of planting and attacks of aircraft is written.

At all offended tourists there is the same entertainment, something like "stand up the reactive jet". This is when a group of people tries to get under the action of a strong flow from the take-off aircraft and trying to resist. Someone turns out, and someone falls down, because the flow rate can reach 160 km / h.

We, as well-minded people, warn you as sensible people, in no case try to repeat it. Games with death to good will not bring. In addition, the brighter confirmation was already. July 12, 2017, when Caribbean Airlines flights flew from Juliana's princess airport, a 57-year-old tourist from New Zealand died. The reactive jet from the aircraft with its stream strongly dropped the woman to concrete, as a result of which she died. Still, no wonder the warning inscriptions hang on the beach.

Relax on the beach Maho, swim in the Lask Caribbean Sea and sunbathe on the sand in the usual understanding beach holidays You hardly come out. But tickle the nerves and get a slaughter dose of adrenaline exactly.

For a classic beach holiday, go to the island of San Salvador. It is located 1350 km northwest. Well, if finances allow, then on the island of Laukala, located on another edge of light at 13,000 kilometers from Saint Marten.

1. The beach is popular not only among the lovers of Selfie against the background of a sad aircraft, but also in windsurfers and skinborcils due to periodically appearing here for large waves caused by reactive flows from the heating aircraft
2. Beach Macho is completely deprived vegetable worldSince this territory is subjected to constant influence of jet flows from aircraft.
3. In October 2008, Hurricane Omar from the beach demolished all the sand, leaving only naked stones. The authorities had to deliver sand from other places and fall asleep the beach again
4. In September 2017, the Hurricane Irma has experienced the beach of Maho not durability

Beach maho photo

Beach Macho Video

The famous leading program "Eagle and Rusk" Anton Ptushkin in this video will show you that it is a beach with airplanes over the heads.

Saint-Martin The most unusual island on the Caribbean, it seems unique too much in this island, let's start in order.

1. The island belongs to two countries at once, northern part - France, South - Netherlands. But there are no borders on the island, there is only a symbolic pillar, with which tourists take pictures. The French call the Island "Saint-Martin", the Dutch "Sint-Martin", sometimes it is called His Island of St. Martin. To get to the island, you need a special visa that you can get through the visa centers of the two countries, you need to make a visa that country where you will spend more nights. The list of documents is no different from the usual Schengen visa, only the profile itself is slightly different.

2. In Saint-Martin, prostitution was legalized, most of the brothels are located in Philipsburg, which is the capital of the southern part, there is a large port in it, which is almost every day, huge liners with tourists are moored. Drugs are prohibited unlike the Netherlands. The saleswoman in the supermarket was delighted that we were from Russia, there are few Russians here, but there is one girl that works as a masseuse in a nearby building. I'm afraid to imagine what massage she does :)

3. The world's most unique airport is also here, we admit that many come to Saint-Martin just because of it. The runway of the Princess International Airport Juliana is known for the fact that it starts from the beach of Maho, so the aircraft sit right above the heads of tourists. Standing over the huge Boeing KLM - extreme pleasure. The second entertainment is to stand at the fence when the planes take off, the main thing is to keep stronger :) I wrote about him earlier

4. Good beaches. Bathing on the island will really like everything, water is characterized by pure azure water and lack of waves. I recommend Maho Beach with airplanes (season when there are no stones) and the neighboring Mullet Bay beach. In the French part good beach Is Orient Beach.

5. The whole island - zone duty free trade And Dute Free. Despite the fact that all the goods are imported (they only produce sauces), thanks to tax relief, there are excellent supermarkets with decent names at an affordable price. American beer, Brazilian Couscous, Belgian ice cream, Canadian maple syrup and so on. Prices for Lithuanian Bottle Roma start from 6 dollars. We brought home what is difficult to find in Perm, a real Canadian maple syrup and so on. And what is Yamaican beer, because the island was an English colony, Eli they cook unmatched !!!

6. Currency. The uniqueness is that on the island the official currency on the Dutch side - Guldennes, but prices are also indicated in dollars, because the majority of tourists are Americans. In the northern part, the price is indicated in the euro, but you can also pay dollars, and at the rate of 1 dollar \u003d 1 euro :) Course Gulden \u003d 1.8 dollars. It is most profitable to go to Saint-Martin with American dollars.

7. Sunset Bar & Grill. Returning to the topic of aircraft, it is best to watch them from a cafe on the beach of Macho. Here is a good kitchen, and sometimes real caribbean parties with live music. It happens more fun when the next vessel is planted, absolutely all tourists are racing into this promoted institution. By the way, Topless girls are served free, Topless boys - are not serviced at all :)

8. Judging by the Sweat Reviews, on the island of Saint-Martin, there are enough couples of non-traditional orientation, which guards Big Uncle-Negro. They prefer secluded beaches, so be careful with the choice of meta bathing :)

Tips for those who want to visit Saint Martin Island

How to get?
The easiest way to fly with one docking from Russia through Paris or Amsterdam with KLM or AirFrance airlines. The cost of tickets will be from 40 thousand rubles. There, sometimes, sometimes cheaper by American airlines, but it only comes to those who have an open American visa, since transit in the United States does not exist.

How to get cheap to Saint-Martin Island? Catch the shares of the aircaraibes airline http://www.aircaraibes.com/, they fly from Paris. The cost of the flight there - back by the promotion can be 400 euros there. Minimum price The flight from Europe cities with docks in Paris and Amsterdam with CLM or AirFrance - from 600 euros. For those who go to the United States, you will advise cruises from Miami in the Caribbean islands or direct flights (from Miami back-back from $ 350, fly 3 hours).


Where to live?
The best area for accommodation is the Bay of Marina Simpson Bay. First, not far from the airport and Maho beaches with Mullet Bay. Secondly, good infrastructure. These are solid restaurants where you can dine with steaks and ribs with live music. The good cost of the hotel is in the area of \u200b\u200b100 dollars, the usual cost is 130-150 dollars per night. It is worth understanding that in hotels usually do not include breakfast, the service is salary hotels in Dominican Republic. Good Hotel Sonesta Maho Beach overlooking the beach Macho and The Villas At Simpson Bay Resort & Marina. Villas and apartments can be searched on the sites of abitel.fr and homeaway.com Homeliday Airbnb.com

View from the window of our room

The hotel is good, but those who are used to that they will be licking will show the show, animation, prepare food through the system "all inclusive", swans from towels and so on - very much disappointed. Elegant rooms, no service.

What kind of currency with them?
It is most advantageous to take American dollars with you. In minibuses do not take large amounts, it is best to take more small banknotes.
What to move around the island?

The whole island moves on minibuses, it is only worth raising your hand. The fare from Simpson Bay to the airport is 1.5-2 dollars, to the beach of Macho 2 dollars, to the Mullet Bay beach 2.5-3 dollars, the same amount to Filipsburg. In fact, small Saint-Martin can be easily parted on these minibuses. From the airport you can plunge into a taxi, a specially trained person at the exit will sort up tourists at the place of residence, the cost of 10-15 dollars is maximum. There are a lot of rental offices, you can take some Ford Mustang, many beautiful American cars.

Is it safe on the island?
As with the caribbean everywhere, it is worth being careful. On the Internet there is a story about how people robbed right near the beach, causing a rented car. It should be remembered that the local population is poor with all the resulting consequences. At the same time, it is not worth seeing in every enemy, the locals are extremely positive and welcome.

On the streets of Philipsburg

Beach
The best beaches are located in the Dutch part of the island, for example, Mullet Bay. It is easy to find if you go from the airport to Macho, you should move along the main road along the fields of Golf, then after the barrier the next turn to the sea. Many minibuses go to this beach, if it is indicated in the plate, you can call it, and when it will be prompted.
The best beach is also called Maho (Maho Beach), swim under the aircraft - original. The main thing is that it was not in the wrong season (for example, October-November), when there are huge boulders instead of sand on the beach. On the beach orient beach always a lot of people here active entertainment (Water skiing, etc.), and on weekends in numerous restaurants there are parties. Not far from this beach is a small Pinel Island. On small boats you can swim

To find your beach, it is best to take a car and go around them all :) The cost of chaise lounges on Saint-Marten beaches from 8 to 15 dollars.

What else can I look at Saint Martin? In the French capital in Marigiro, there is a market where you can buy spices, vanilla. And also have breakfast in the croissants in the French cafe

The only thing that local produce is sharp sauces, everything else is imported. Seafood including. The cost of dinner in European prices. Those who want to save better take rooms with a kitchen or apartments, in supermarkets there are excellent products, do not disappear :)

We met with the fun Bartender Roger Lesz. Which lives two things: travel and cocktails. His dream is to open his bartender school on the island. He believes that local make cocktails Khrenovo (and this is true), his cocktails are unmatched. He lived for several years in countries such as South Africa, Iceland, Australia, Japan. Like all the Germans love football, sick for Hamburg St. Pauli, this is a very intrusted club for which all asocial layers of society (LGBT, Hippie, Panca, etc.) are also sick (LGBT, Hippie, Panca, etc.) Marijuana smells :) Merry uncle, who taught us to do real pinkolat, all the ingredients we brought from the island, then every day myself was bald by a wonderful cocktail. By the way, he said to us that bacardi - a garbage, any cheapest rum is better than bacardi

Local pray on lobsters, the cost of dinner is quite in European prices.

Suns

Away a cruise liner