Trip Report : NYC, Seattle and Saint Martin (Sint Maarten)

[tuppaware]

Forgive me if the trip report isn't of normal Frequent Flyer quality. I don't normally write these types of things but as I went to the home of all plane goodness I had to share my experiences.

My most recent trip was around America and the Caribbean. I managed to get an excellent fair from expedia.ie with Qantas to NYC return BNE-SYD from $1100AUD in Economy and although there wasn't any chance of using points to upgrade I did manage to get the A380 SYD-LAX on the way over before changing to the 747 to take me on the way to JFK.

I’ll run briefly through the early parts of my trip, which was in NYC.
In Sydney I happened to catch up Bundy Bear and a few other AFF’ers who were nice enough to let me into the First Class lounge (as I am only Gold these days).


IMG_4032 by tuppaware, on Flickr


From there I had a non-eventful flight SYD-LAX in which I didn’t get any sleep. The QF CSM greeted the WP’s around me – showered them with lots of attention J Class PJ’s, Headphones, Wine - Again as gold I got jack-sht (hmmm loyal much ?)

On arrival into LAX I transferred to the JFK bound B747-400ER (which had come from BNE) – This flight (LAX-JFK) was lightly loaded so it was easy to sleep on.
After arriving in JFK (worst Airport btw) I hopped a taxi to my Hotel. For price and style reasons I decided to stay at the ‘Ace Hotel’ - Ace Hotel : Hotels in New York City, Palm Springs, Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles
Think of it as if a hipster had thrown up all over an apartment. It was funky and half the price of the standard rooms in NYC (apx $200 p/n) – It was also very central (off 28th street or was that 38th ??). Also boasts the one of the best coffee shops in NYC in its lobby. Def recommended !!

Pano of the Room

IMG_4042 by tuppaware, on Flickr


IMG_4078 by tuppaware, on Flickr

I spent 4 nice days in NYC, but by then I was ready for my next destination. Saint Martin (or in Dutch Sint Maarten) Sint Maarten - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I’m sure every who loves to travel has seen the pictures of aircraft landing over Maho Beach into SXM airport. It was one to knock off the bucket list.
I had originally planned to get a Jetblue flight out of JFK to SXM. But it ended up costing less and being much easier to get an early –early Jersey train out to Newark and getting a United flight down. I was lucky that united offered me an upgrade to First Class for $150USD- which for a 4 and a half hour flight is not bad.


IMG_4206 by tuppaware, on Flickr
On way to Newark


IMG_4208 by tuppaware, on Flickr
My Plane.

 

[tuppaware]

I had just over a day and a half at Sint Maarten. Once I landed I got a taxi to my hotel (which was in Simpson bay) Atrium Beach Resort http://atriumbeachstmaarten.com/ . Again nothing special it was reasonably cheap ($140USD p/n) – it had free wifi which was very slow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamware/sets/72157632226978026/
Full set of Saint Martin Pics


Untitled by tuppaware, on Flickr


Untitled by tuppaware, on Flickr


Untitled by tuppaware, on Flickr


St Martin reminds me a little of Fiji- Locals are relaxed (little less so then Fiji). USD is excepted everywhere so don’t worry about getting Dutch Currency. IF you have time I recommend getting around on the local busses (which are minivans) they run along the main street and will stop whenever you hail them. The cost is apx $1-2 USD which you pay when you get off. You can also get taxis – they cost about $10-15.

Maho beach is the name of the beach right next to the end of the Runway at SXM. Either side of the beach there are places to eat and drink – I suggest the sunset bar at the far end (as they look more hygienic ) . From there you can have a beer or drink at the bar, enjoy a airline themed pizza and watch the planes fly in.

For those more adventurous, try standing or holding onto the fence at the end of the runway as planes start their takeoff run.

Videos on youtube:
[video=youtube;aaCHqW1-Wtc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaCHqW1-Wtc[/video]

 

[tuppaware]

[video=youtube;iXQI0U6t740]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXQI0U6t740[/video]

http://sint-maarten.net/St-Maarten-Beaches/stmaarten_Beaches.html
Beyond Maho beach I suggest continuing to explore the island. I walked further up and found some really beautiful beaches past Mullet Bay. Walking down a few cliffs I found a secluded almost deserted beach in Cupecoy Bay – unbeknownst to me it was clothing optional!!! The local men surely put my pasty white body to shame! (no I don’t have pics of this beach !!)

The last day the island was very busy with German tourists who had come in from a ship on the otherside of town. Maho beach was packed for the arrival of the KLM 747 that makes its journey couple of times a week. It’s really a sight to see the big bird come in to land!


Untitled by tuppaware, on Flickr

I left SXM the next day, and after a strange conversation at the airport with a local who thought I sounded like Steve Urwin (really?)

I then flew onwards to San Juan for a quick stop over, and a rather long pat down by the US customs (not often they see Aussies which makes them think I was running drugs) . Stayed in the double tree Hilton which was the best hotel of the trip. San Juan is lovely and clean, the people are friendly and everything is similar to America. I suggest trying the Local food carts for something different.


IMG_4352 by tuppaware, on Flickr

I started my Status Run with AA to Seattle – I flew SJU-MIA-ORD-SEA with the last leg on Alaskan Airlines. They were fantastic flight crew who were very friendly and happy to chat to the pax (for American Standards)

In my one day in Seattle I wanted to visit the Boeing factory and do the tour. Cameras and Phones are strictly forbidden so you’ll have to make do with the video of the factory from the outside driving in. Mind you its one of the largest building (by volume) in the world. The tour itself went through the areas where they make the 777, 747-8 and the Dreamliner. Interesting to see the different production methods between them . The 777 is a moving production line where by the end a fully finished plane exits the building, the 787 and 747 both are assembled one at a time.

 

[tuppaware]

[video=youtube;dbsLl4RLU3U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbsLl4RLU3U[/video]

In Seattle I stayed at the Crowne Plaza which with my Priority Club Status gave me a large room on a high floor with a great view. Hotel was under renovations which made it messy. The rooms NEED to be updated as they feel like they are out of the 70’s!


IMG_4382 by tuppaware, on Flickr

That pretty much ends my trip, apart from the Red-eye Back to JFK via ATL , 6 hour wait then 18 hour flight home!

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for putting the trip report into words, a few of us had seen the pictures and youtube footage on Facebook.

 

[Skyring]

Wow! I got the feeling that Maho beach might be clothing optional, given the jet blast whipping thongs around. What a sublime location for planespotters.

Seattle is one of my favorite cities. A lively technoculture based around computers and coffee, the Space Needle for awesome views, and the Museum of Flight for some sublime aircraft. You want to sit in the coughpit of an SR-71? Go right ahead!

And NYC is a place never to grow tired of. I once snagged a promotional code off here or FlyerTalk and stayed at the Waldorf-Astoria for about $200 a night.

Sounds like some serious flying got done. Thanks for the movies. Feel free to do another one!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Good stuff. You've wetted my appetite !

 

[turtlemichael]

Thanks Tuppaware. Great report. Currently doing some of the places you did in San Juan.