201er's Caribbean Adventure #2

[DXB]

1 hour ago, Marauder said:

Sorry to hear this Mike. I got sick in Barcelona last year eating something that was supposed to be calamari. Nothing worse than being sick away from home. Get better!

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That sucks Mike.  Chris RU sure it wasn't...

http://gothamist.com/2013/01/14/is_that_calamari_or_pig_rectum.php

[chrisk]

I've been there before, but it was Mexico.  I was so glad I wasn't the pilot flying back.  Get better soon, and then give it a little more time.

[Marauder]

1 hour ago, Marauder said: Sorry to hear this Mike. I got sick in Barcelona last year eating something that was supposed to be calamari. Nothing worse than being sick away from home. Get better!

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That sucks Mike.  Chris RU sure it wasn't...

http://gothamist.com/2013/01/14/is_that_calamari_or_pig_rectum.php

You may be onto something. I noticed I started posting pictures of my harem shortly afterwards. Oink Oink.

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[201er]

 

Edited March 24, 2016 by 201er

[Danb]

That sucks..I hope you get well soon, Tomorrow starts the holy weekend maybe you'll get some miraculous relief.

[flyboy0681]

Can we turn this conversation around, like commenting about the babes on the beach watching him fly over?

[Marauder]

Man, I feel for him and his wife. You look forward to a vacation and to have it ruined by a bug. Years from now Mike you'll remember these times and have a laugh about them.

Heck, you might even be able to start a T shirt business at the hotel.

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[Cabanaboy]

17 hours ago, 201er said:

Came down with bad stomach flu. Both of us. Can't fly, can't leave room. Entire hotel Sonesta Maho Beach infected. Shows up 48 hours from getting it, we must have picked it up the moment we walked through the door. Hotel is lying and downplaying the situation by putting out hand sanitizers and a small written notice rather than warning people and giving refunds. 

We were supposed to fly to Anguilla and then to San Juan today. Neither of us is in condition to walk to the lobby let alone fly. We're stuck here until there is some improvement. I feel bad for the poor unsuspecting schmuck flying out by airline next to patrons of this hotel.

 

You're not going to believe this but i read a trip advisor review from Mar 2014 saying same happened to them.....

 

[201er]

Forget about two years ago... apparently there is an epidemic going on right now at Sonesta Maho Beach. The problem isn't necessarily that the hotel is causing it but is downplaying it and not warning people. They put out hand sanitizers and posted a little note in their check in information letter recommending hand washing. The problem is that this isn't just something like "flu season." The hotel itself and staff are all contaminated.

Children touch everything and pickup illnesses all the time. We're here without kids, wash hands, used sanitizers but it did not help. Sanitizers don't work against viruses it turns out. Room service and cleaning staff are helping transmit the virus from room to room even if they don't show symptoms. It is transmitable for 10 days after recovery!

Although it may not be the hotel's fault necessarily, they should have been warning newcomers and offering refunds. Instead they are covering it up and it continues to spread!

 

[Cabanaboy]

What i mean is appears to be happening there for long extended period of time, incredible. Hope you guys feel better soon.

[Godfather]

All I can say is wow...so sorry that this happened on your trip.  I'm not too familiar with the virus but should you move to a different location?  Not sure if the constant bombardment will lengthen recovery.

[Andy95W]

19 hours ago, Danb said:

Gosh that blows!

I bet you two are learning all sorts of new things about each other.

Get well soon, and good luck.

[Andy95W]

On March 18, 2016 at 3:13 PM, Marauder said:

Mikey, Mikey, Mikey or should I say Stinky, Stinky, Stinky (since we all know it is coming). We all were, where you are now, newly married and childless.  Your time is coming buddy! 

Make sure you post lots of pictures. When I retire in the next few years, I will look at them while I am flying somewhere distant and you are wiping up a diaper explosion! 

Have a safe flight!

I bet nobody knew just how prophetic Chris was last Friday.

[Marauder]

On March 18, 2016 at 3:13 PM, Marauder said: Mikey, Mikey, Mikey or should I say Stinky, Stinky, Stinky (since we all know it is coming). We all were, where you are now, newly married and childless.  Your time is coming buddy! 

Make sure you post lots of pictures. When I retire in the next few years, I will look at them while I am flying somewhere distant and you are wiping up a diaper explosion! 

Have a safe flight!

I bet nobody knew just how prophetic Chris was last Friday.

I was soothsayer in a previous life.

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[201er]

We're in San Juan. Imodium, Advil, and Depends got us here. Didn't have to use them. Update soon.

[carusoam]

Upside thoughts....  Good practice for taking care of ill children. 

Somebody is preparing you to do great things...

Best regards,

-a-

[201er]

Today we flew from St Martin to San Juan and feeling decent. For the first time in 36 hours we left the room. We decided that if it was doable, that we would rather leave the Sonesta hotel and start the journey home.

We were supposed to fly to Anguilla and then on to San Juan yesterday. We ended up trading a night in San Juan for an extra night in St Martin. But by getting to San Juan today, we were able to return to our original schedule.

St Martin ATC was inefficient as usual. Despite a 3 man crew (tower, ground, and approach) this time, things were slower than a usual busy airport in the US. There were only two planes ahead of me but It took half an hour to get my IFR clearance. The Continited 737 ahead waited at the runway hold short for 15 minutes just waiting on a clearance.

I was afraid of the flight but it It turned out the flight itself was actually the easiest part of the day. I felt better than I had all day. It cleared my senses and made the stomach and muscle pain vanish. I was looking forward to being back at a US airport but San Juan was a bit disappointing.

I had to taxi over to a jetway to park for customs clearance. My chart doesn't show individual parking spaces and ground control wasn't very clear. I had to repark 3 times until we were finally allowed to disembark. 

They took us through all the back corridors of the airport until we reached the usual airline customs area. I had to be my own luggage handler and throw my bag on the carousel and take it off.

The only good news was that there were no other arriving flights so CPB handled us exclusively. But if we arrived at another time we could have just as well gotten caught in the normal herd. Probably best we didn't cause we are still contagious.

CPB was the usual stern way but nowhere near as bad as NYC CBP that treats everyone like a terrorist. By far my best experience with CBP I'd Fort Pierce where they have a dedicated GA CBP office.

Overall, CBP ate up an hour of our time. Then we had to fire up, wait for ground, and taxi to the FBO. If that weren't enough, we had to wait for a van from the FBO to take us back to the airport terminal to get a car rental. This whole arrivals process ended up taking longer than entire flight from St Martin!

Prior to this trip, I was hopeful that I could use San Juan as a convenient port of entry coming from the Caribbean in the future. But I am disappointed to say that San Juan International is not GA friendly. Will have to keep searching for a better way or just go back to using the tried and true Fort Pierce. The only thing that sucks about Fort Pierce is their bankers hours. Makes it difficult to cover ground when they close at like 5PM.

Anyway, the most worrisome flight is not behind us. We are relaxing in San Juan and preparing for the leg back to Ft Pierce tomorrow and on to NYC the next day. Since we already cleared customs in PR, we don't need to do this in Ft Pierce. It just coincidentally happens to be the cheapest gas, most on the way, and best FBO for us.

Edited March 25, 2016 by 201er
Added Photos

[carusoam]

San Juan is a fabulous city.  Restaurants, nightlife, and some first class hotels. (Hilton and Marriot) Now that you have had a run of bad luck, try the casino at the Mariott.  If your luck has changed, this would be a good way to find out...

Best regards,

-a-

[ArtVandelay]

I thought TJMZ was the preferred choice, smaller, more GA friendly...Jose probably give the inside scoop.

[201er]

We're staying at the Water and Beach Club nearby. But we're just taking it easy. Had our first solid food in 2 days: plain rice and miso soup.

[carusoam]

Don't forget, Piloto has some local knowledge of PR, and we have at least one other MS pilot on the island there as well.

Rest up, settle in, recover and then enjoy...  No need to rush home,. The crummy weather will still be here waiting for you.

 

Best regards,

-a-

[Piloto]

Michael

The best airport in San Juan for GA is Isla Grande TJIG http://www.airnav.com/airport/TJIG. It is very much like a GA airport in the US. With FBOs like Signature and Millionair on the south side. Customs is provided by the FBOs right on their ramp with no wait. TJIG is right on San Juan Bay with easy access to the Old San Juan. At San Juan International there is no good facilities for small piston planes. Unless you know specifically where you are going to park.  If you are returning back to the US non-stop from PR you will need to go through the Department of Agriculture inspection to insure you are not bringing fruits that could be contaminated. The inspection is free and quick. 

José

[Piloto]

17 hours ago, teejayevans said:

I thought TJMZ was the preferred choice, smaller, more GA friendly...Jose probably give the inside scoop.

TJMZ Mayaguez  http://www.airnav.com/airport/TJMZ  is located on the west side of the island. It takes over two hours to drive to San Juan from Mayaguez. There is no facilities for GA planes at TJMZ. A few planes with flat tires and a hangar with no roof. You park at the south east side (last taxiway exit) next to the guard house and wake up the guard to open the exit gate. There is no tiedown anchors so bring chucks. My sister in-law pick me up at this spot. On my way out to the US I refuel at TJBQ just north of TJMZ. Beware that the runway at TJBQ has multiple cracks. FBOs at TJBQ are petty good with quick service.

José

Edited March 25, 2016 by Piloto

[flyboy0681]

15 hours ago, Piloto said:

Michael

The best airport in San Juan for GA is Isla Grande TJIG http://www.airnav.com/airport/TJIG. It is very much like a GA airport in the US.

I remember watching GA planes come and go all day long when our cruise was docked in the port, which is a few hundred feet away from the airport.

[chrisk]

1 hour ago, Piloto said:

 It takes over two hours to drive to San Juan from Mayaguez.

Jose, you must drive faster than me.   I remember this trip being much longer than expected.  Thanks for the local info on the airports.