Pelican Key, St Maarten: August 2007

Above: Meet our new guest Travel Correspondent, Carrie Bean - "Hi Everybody. I am truly delighted to join the team at The Daily Explorer, and excited about getting to know Ray while he is visiting the Caribbean. I plan to bring you plenty of great pictures and keep you up to speed with whatever he is doing and experiencing"

First of all, a big 'welcome back' to all of our regular Daily Explorer readers. My name is Mozzie Byte, and as Editor of Ray's online journal, my main task is to make sure that all of you are kept up to date with his ongoing journey as he travels around the world. As you can see from the title of our latest issue, Ray has now been 'on the road' for over 600 days, since leaving the UK in November 2005. So far, he has visited Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.

Since our last issue in June, Ray has travelled half way around the globe from Sydney Australia, to the Caribbean (via London for a short stop) and is now getting to grips with life on the island of St Maarten. I am delighted to announce that we have secured the services of Carrie Bean (above). Carrieis awellknownlocaljournalist with an impeccable pedigree in online reporting. She will be following Ray around St Maarten and the other islands, making sure you get news and pictures about him first, and exclusively in The Daily Explorer.

Carrie met Ray for the first time as he stepped off the plane at the airport in St Maarten, and asked him about his plans. "I will get on to that Carrie, but first, let me fill in some 'gaps'  for our readers about whats been happening since I left New Zealand" he said excitedly.

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Above: A picture from our last issue of The Daily Explorer, back in June. Ray was snapped prior to his departure from Christchurch, en route to Sydney, as he completed his 11,000 kilometre, 12 week action filled tour of New Zealand

"Most readers will remember that I spent about three months touring New Zealand" Ray told me. "When I left Sydney in March to go there, I had to have a return ticket to meet their immigration entry requirements, so I knew I was going to return to Sydney afterwards" he explained.

Being so different from the Caribbean, I really wanted to know what Ray thought of New Zealand. "The time I spent there was unforgettable, with so many great hikes, climbs, jumps and skydives, I almost over-dosed on adrenalin" he added. "When I eventually returned to Sydney, all I really wanted to do was to be still, calm and nourish my inner self for a while" he recalled.

Back in Sydney, Ray was invited once again to stay with friends Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, who live in the northern area of the city. "Anyone who knows these two will definitely confirm that they are great hosts - I was really looking forward to seeing them again and having a space of my own temporarily which they so generously provide for me" said Ray. "They probably didn't know that I arrived feeling slightly embarrassed and uncomfortable, because I had no idea how long I would be staying or where I might go next. However, they were very understanding and said I could remain as long as I wanted, which was brilliant" added Ray. 

Above: Anyone who knows Elizabeth and Mattew Taylor well would confirm that they are undoubtedly two of the best hosts in the southern hemisphere, or anywhere in the world for that matter - "They may look a bit older these days, but they still have huge hearts of gold!" remarked our solo traveller

Below: A stay at the Taylor residence (for Ray) even included the use of Matthew's motor cycle - "Matt knows I am a keen biker and it was great to get back on two wheels for a while, although constant heavy rain and freezing temperatures in the Sydney area really put an end to my plans to use the bike extensively" said Ray

Wanting to get under Ray's skin a little, I asked him what he meant when he said that he wanted to 'nourish his inner self''. "That's a great question, Carrie!" was his immediate reply, as he thought about it. "Judging by some of the comments people have made to me, I guess my nomadic lifestyle could appear to be perfect, especially if you go by the stories you read in this publication" said Ray. "To some degree, it is, but the whole truth is actually somewhat different - I have struggled to come to terms with some aspects of this life during the last 18 months" he added.

I quizzed him further about this. "Please don't get me wrong, Carrie. Overall, I feel very grateful for the life I have and definitely enjoy the privilege of having my freedom to move around the world as I choose. Compared to many people, I am very lucky. But I hardly recognise myself anymore, since my divorce in 2004 and my decision to sell my house and leave England in 2005, and this is very disconcerting at times" explained Ray.

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Above: It all seems so longe ago! Much has changed in Ray's life since he sold his house in London to go travelling, in November 2005

"For example,  I no longer have any form of routine - no job, commute to work, social pattern, weekly shopping and so on, which feels quite strange. But the absence of a 'base' is probably the biggest difference, and this means that nowhere feels like 'home', as well as being a huge constraint on what things I acquire - I buy very little as there is only finite room in my bag. Everything feels transitory, which is not always a good thing - packing up my stuff every couple of days, always leaving newly made friends and never being able to train at a gym are three examples I can think of that make me feel tired of it sometimes" explained Ray.

"But I am still happy to be 'experimenting' with it, as it has made me realise that there is no connection between my happiness and the things I own" added a philosophical Ray. "Nourishing my inner self is my way of saying that I still have deep burning questions about the nature of true happiness and the path I am on, and intuitively feel that there is more to discover that is fundamentally important" he explained.

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Above: His divorce from Charlotte in 2004 (standing, right) and giving up the role of Managing Director of his own successful consulting business meant the end of any 'routines' in Ray's life for a while. Pretty much everything that was part of that picture has disappeared, except the laptop, which is now the most important component in Ray's travel kit

So what happened to Nikki, whom Ray had been travelling with before he made his solo tour of New Zealand? "Thanks for asking Carrie. Most readers know that Nikki and I decided to different things when we left Australia, with her doing some work in Cambodia and me trying out solo travelling for the first time. But only our close friends know that we both chose to end our partnership whilst I was in New Zealand. This is another example of how the reality of life can appear to be quite different from the image unwittingly portrayed here, and in The Daily Lama, which used to provide coverage for mine and Nikki's travelling life together. Since May, we have both been coming to terms withthischangeinourlivesandI think it has been difficult for both of us at times" acknowledged Ray.

Nikki has established herself in Thailand for the time being, undertaking some part time teaching & training work, and continues to develop her yoga practise. "We speak on the phone fairly often and although it may sound a bit clichéd, we intend to remain good friends" said Ray. "She is a wonderfully warm, generous and inspiring human being and gave me with the encouragement and support I needed to leave the UK and begin my travelling adventure - I will always be grateful to her for that" he told me.

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Above: Ray and Nikki enjoyed 18 months of travelling together (left), adventuring through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Australia during that time - "Nikki introduced me to travelling and is very capable and couragoeus on the road. I love her playful sense of 'devil may care' adventure (right)" said a very appreciative Ray

Below: Although Ray and Nikki are no longer travelling together, their legacy lives on in the archives of The Daily Lama. "It was great fun working with Nikki to prepare our photo's and reports for Amber and Mozzie and the team every couple of weeks. We both hope that the stories from our travels in Asia and Australia continue to help and inspire fellow travellers for some time to come" said Ray. To read all previous issues, visit The Daily Lama web site

So, having heard from Ray about his reflections on his nomadic life, his break-up with Nikki and his three months in New Zealand, I could understand his need for some inner nourishment in Sydney. "Although I had a fun time in New Zealand and met some great people, I spent a lot of time alone and felt quite lonely at times" Ray told me. "People talk about the wonder of 'living in the present moment' quite often" said Ray. "Let me tell you, I have not yet evolved myself to the point where I can live that way without having any anxiety about the future" he admitted.

"It is a lot more difficult in practise to live in this way than I thought it would be" he added. "Nevertheless, I am still firmly pursuing this vision for my life for the time being and continue to happily struggle with the challenge" he added. "Whilst in Sydney, I thought it would be useful if I could find other men who have been through similar experiences, hoping that listening to their stories would help me find some inner peace of my own" explained Ray. "So I decided to look for some guidance" said our global explorer.

Above: Ray decided to find some kindred spirits whilst in Sydney, to learn more about his challenge of 'living in the present moment', hoping that it might enable him to establish some inner peace before continuing on his journey

The Dalai Lama in Sydney

As Ray was bringing me up to speed with events that took place in Sydney, I was amazed by the synchronicity in his story. He discovered that the Dalai Lama was scheduled to be in the city that week and was giving a public talk in the Domain, in the heart of Sydney. "If you want to learn about inner peace, there is perhaps no one on earth more fascinating to be around than the Dalai Lama" said Ray, as he recalled attending his event. "His talk was about creating World peace through every individual finding a way to their own inner peace - it's amazing how everything you need shows up exactly when you need it" reflected our solo traveller.

Above and below: Although the weather was awful, many people turned out to hear the wisdom of the Dalai Lama, who spoke with great compassion and humour about inner peace and World peace for over an hour, before taking questions from the audience

Like many people, Ray was keen to understand a bit more about who the Dalai Lama is, especially as he had provided the inspiration for 'The Daily Lama' - Ray's first online travel journal (see above).

"I discovered that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a man of peace. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems" Ray told me.

Above: His Holiness the Dalai Lama. For more information about his visit to Sydney, you can read the press coverage provided by ABC News

"His Holiness has travelled to more than 62 countries spanning 6 continents. He has met with presidents, prime ministers and crowned rulers of major nations. He has held dialogues with the heads of different religions and many well-known scientists. Since 1959, His Holiness has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. His Holiness has also authored more than 72 books and describes himself as “a simple Buddhist monk” added our well informed traveller.

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Above: "People from all denominations, backgrounds, races, religions and cultures love listening to the Dalai Lama, because his simple honesty is utterley compelling, as is his message" said Ray, after attending the event 

Following his visit to the Dalai Lama, Ray was definitely fired up and on the trail to find more wise people to talk to about the inner challenges of life. "I was very fortunate to meet two more men, both in their sixties, whilst I was in the city and managed to get a couple of hours with each of them" recalled Ray. "One (Chris) was a very humble man, who had a similar story to my own" said Ray. "Listening to Chris tell me about the things he had experienced (a divorce and break-up of a business in his forties) was very re-assuring and started to put me at ease with my own questions" recalled Ray.

The other chap was a wonderful man called Alan Stacker. "I came across him by reading his web site" said Ray. "As I was reading, it felt like the words were coming from inside me, as if I had written them for myself, about myself - this felt quite strange, although it was very comforting. Because I could relate strongly to what Alan had written, I thought he would be a great person to talk to, so contacted him and asked if he would be available to meet with me" recalled Ray. "Much to my delight, he agreed to meet me" added our happy explorer.

Above: Allen Stacker met with Ray and helped to answer some of the questions Ray has about the challenges in his life. "Allen's web site is packed with interesting ideas for anyone who is on a spiritual path and well worth a visit" said Ray

One of the questions on Ray's mind was: Where next? and more importantly: Why? "Having been travelling for a long time, there is a part of me that is keen to be using my creative talents again" explained Ray, "and I was exploring the possibility of teaming up with an Executive Coaching organisation in Sydney to establish a base of clients there" he told me. "Although this remains a possibility for the future, there was no likelihood of anything happening in the short term, so I decided to continue with my travels for the rest of the year" added Ray.

How did he end up choosing St Maarten in the Caribbean? "Well, its a bit of a long story - in February 2006, whilst I was meditating in a Buddhist monastery in Thailand, I met a French lady called Dominique. She is from St Maarten and we became friends, as Nikki and I travelled with her through Laos. We had not spoken for quite a while, so I got back in touch to find out if she had any travel plans" recalled Ray. "Although she did not, she extended an invitation to me to visit her on the island, so I thought "why not?" and decided to make the journey.

Above: St Maarten, or St Martin, depending on whether you are Dutch or French is one of the islands in the Caribbean - the island is roughly split in two between the two countries, with each running its own half according to its own laws. You can see it in the top right hand corner, adjacent to the British island of Anguilla

Having decided that St Martin was his next destination, I was curious to know how Ray ended up visiting London. "Well Carrie, it is sort of on the way to the Caribbean, depending on how you look at it, and it was only slightly more expensive (to route via London to St Martin) than flying direct from Sydney. I was having some problems with my laptop and had a couple of other reasons for visiting London, so I organised to make a short 'pit stop' there for a few days" he explained.

Above: Ray sent us this picture from the departure lounge in Sydney Airport before boarding his flight to London. "It seemed quite bizarre to me that I was headed for my brother's house in Wimbledon, and here I was, on the other side of the world, watching live tennis being broadcast from the Wimbledon championships taking place just down the road from his house!" recalled our globe trotter

A couple of days prior to his departure, Ray's brother Paul got a call from Sydney checking if was OK for Ray to stay with the family for a few days. "Of course! was his generous reply" said our lucky traveller. "Paul and his wife Kitty are always very accommodating when I visit the UK and it is great to see them and their kids who are growing up fast" added Ray. "I was definitely excited about stopping there and catching up with friends, as well as getting myself sorted out for another long period away from the country" he told me.

Above: Ray receives the traditional, warm family welcome from his brother Paul (left), niece Rebecca (centre) and nephew Daniel (right)

Below: The Martin family took on a new Au pair during Ray's last visit in 2006. Gio, pictured here working her magic in the kitchen, is from Spain and has been with the family for nearly a year. "I could not believe how much her English had improved" observed Ray

I wanted to hear more about the highlights from Ray's brief visit to London. "Seeing my mum and my family was one of them" said Ray with great excitement. "My brother has been working very hard since he became a Captain for British Airways last year and my sister-in-law Kitty always has a number of plates spinning, including looking after their two children - I was very pleased I was able to get to Daniel's school sportsday, and take part in the 'parents' race on my brother's behalf!" added Ray.

Above: This old picture of Ray (centre) with his older brother Paul (right) shows there is a strong bond between the two of them - "We have definitely got closer as we have grown older. Just like when we were young, he has no hesitation in taking care of me and he does a lot for me while I am travelling that helps me to stay on top of my personal administration - he is a rock!"

Highlights of Ray's visit to London

Here is a selection of pictures that Ray sent to us after his visit to London - all are very important friends and readers of The Daily Explorer!

Above: Ray managed to catch up with Laura Jacobs, an artist who also is involved in some ground breaking work to bring Israeli's and Palestinian's together for worthwhile projects - "I love her energy and enthusiasm and we always have great conversations" said Ray

Below: Could this be the largest Paella in London? Ray and Laura spotted this delicious dish whilst strolling through the Portobello Road market

Above: Another of Ray's dear friend is Phil Jones, pictured here wearing his latest invention, the personal 'helicopter hat'! The two of them met for supper shortly after Ray's arrival - "Phil is one of those genuine people who is always encouraging and supportive" said Ray

Below: The arrow in the picture below is pointing towards Omerli Cohen, who lives in Belsize Park in North West London. She was kind enough to invite Ray round for dinner - "Omerli created a great evening for me and a few other people I had not seen for ages" said Ray. "Some readers may be able to spot some people you know in the picture, which was taken in 1983" added Ray

Above: The lovely Helen Chilvers - "We have known each other for about 25 years and her son Tom stayed at my house in London for a few months before I sold it" said Ray. "She is one of the warmest and sincere friends I have " added Ray

Someone else who Ray met whilst in London was his ex-wife Charlotte, whom he has known for over 20 years. Afterwards, I gave her a call at her home in Switzerland to ask her what it was it like seeing Ray since his last visit to the UK. "Absolutely brilliant" she said. "I was full of anticipation and could not wait to get my first glimpse of him. When he came to the door of his brother's hosue with his big smile and lovely face, I was so elated!" said Charlotte.

We are always told that travelling really changes people and I asked Charlotte if she noticed any changes in him since his last visit a year ago, and since they were married? "Yes - definitely" was her instant reply. "Since I saw him last year, Ray has 'calmed' a lot and he seems much more relaxed, certain of himself and laid back in his approach to life. He seems more confident of taking what comes and not worrying about the past or future" observed Charlotte. "I sense he is also begining to find his next place in life and his unique path.  It was always something that worried him when we were married. He used to often ask 'what do I have that I can trade or contribute?' and most people who knew him closely felt it was a bit barmy, as he has so much talent and so much to give. I think he is on the brink of a personal discovery" she added.

Above: Ray's ex-wife Charlotte with her beautiful daughter Lola - "Although we have been divorced for three years, we have remained great friends. which I am extremely pleased about" said Ray. "We only see each other once a year at most, and Lola has grown so much since I saw her a year ago - time really does fly by so quickly" lamented Ray, who spent a day with the two of them in Wimbledon

As I am just getting to know Ray, I asked Charlotte what most fascinates her about the journey he has undertaken. "His willingness to look deeply, stay positive and learn with an open heart. The staying positive thing is especially awe-inspiring. When I think of what has changed in his life, it is amazing how he has ridden the waves of catastrophe and change without becoming the least bit cynical or damaged, but actually maturing, softening and opening" she told me. "And I have been deeply intrigued by what I have seen (through Ray's eyes) of the many ways that people live their lives in other countries and cultures he has visited.  It has made me see there is no 'right' way of living, no 'convention' that is better than another, and that people can be happy with much less than the big house, family, income, two cars, voting rights, passport etc. which is thelifestylethatIenjoyandthatmany people aspire to" added Charlotte.

"Finally Carrie, I would like to thank Ray for the fantastic blog, which keeps me in touch with where he is - especially as I am aware of the immense effort he makes in putting it together" said a very appreciative Charlotte.

Above: Ray's last day in the UK this time around was spent in Brighton (left). The last time he was there was during the Ace Cafe's annual re-union for motor-cycle riders, back in September 2005 (right)

Below: Ray and his friend Katy enjoy a stroll along the Brighton sea front - a very different experience from the beach in St Maarten where Ray was headed 24 hours later - "I met Katy whilst travelling in Thailand and subsequently met another friend of hers in Australia, so it was great to be able to catch up with her for a couple of hours. She is very creative and has her own design studio in Brighton, and is travelling in Asia to source new designs and manufacturers" Ray told me. Ray tried very hard not to bring attention to himself, despite the fact he had a huge metal pole sticking out of the top of his head!

Arrival in St Maarten - July 15th 2007

With Ray's two week 'pit stop' in London complete, he arrived in St Maarten around lunchtime on Sunday. "It was perfect timing" said Ray. "Dominique came to meet me at the airport, and we set off to get my first taste of beach life on the island" recalled a very excited Ray.

The island is about 1,460 miles south of New York. The Dutch side is part of the Netherlands-Antilles and is 16 square miles in area, whilst the French side is 21 square miles. The average annual temperature is 80 degrees (f) and the water temperature is 78 degrees (f). The island receives about 40 inches of rainfall per annum.

Above: Pelican Key, where Ray's friend Dominique lives, is circled in red. It is close to the International Airport in Beacon Hill at the other end of Simpson's Bay. The bay encloses one side of the huge Simpsons Bay lagoon, which has provided a safe haven for thousands of boats from all of the Caribbean islands during some of the worst hurricanes in the area, although there are still many sunken wrecks on the bottom!

Below (left): Dominique works part time as a dive instructor at Ocean Explorers, a business she used to own with her former husband LeRoy, before they sold it three years ago. The new owners welcome her help during their busy periods as she has lots of experience and is great with people - "She has taken me into the water already to refresh my diving skills, and made me feel very safe" said Ray. She is pictured below, modelling a divers skin suit designed by Dive Goddess in the USA

Below (right): Dominique absolutely loves living by the ocean and has spent a huge part of her life underwater. She has made over 10,000 dives and enjoys the occasional dolphin encounter!

Above: The white sand beach at Kim Sha, part of Simpsons Bay, seen from the Ocean Explorers dive shop

Below: The Ocean Explorers dive shop is one of the most popular diving schools on the island

After a brief visit to the beach and the dive shop, Dominique took Ray to the small studio which was going to be his home during his stay in St Maarten. "Dominique was doing a house-sit for some friends as I arrived, so she allowed me to stay in her empty studio" explained Ray. "This was fantastic for me, as it enabled me to get settled very quickly" added our appreciative traveller.

Above and below: Ray and Dominique enter Ruby Drive in Pelican Key (above), where the studio is located, underneath Dominique's house (below)

Above and below: Dominique was completing a one month 'house-sit' for friends (above) when Ray arrived on the island. The house is situated high up in the hills at Almond Grove and has spectacular views over Simpson Bay Lagoon and the airport (below)

These days, communications is a vital issue for travellers, and Ray is no exception. "I simply cannot function without a mobile contact number and access the to the Internet" said our high-tech nomad. "I have now travelled through and lived in six different countries, which means six different mobile phone networks and six different methods for accessing the Internet, so I am getting more savvy at figuring out how to meet my most basic requirements in both areas" explained Ray. "Having got all my lap top problems fixed in London, I arrived very well set up, so all I needed at first was a mobile phone number, which meant a visit to UTS in Simpsons Bay" said Ray. "They were able to sort me out pretty fast and I was on the network within a day of my arrival" he added.

Above: Getting on to a mobile network can be a bit of a nightmare in some countries - "The people at UTS were very good, although their network does not support SMS (text) messaging, which is unfortunate" said Ray

Below: Ray tries the wireless Internet connection at the dive shop as he talks to his brother via Skype in Tampa, Florida - "Everyone in the world should get Skype. It is the best free telephony service on the Internet by far" said Ray, who has used it extensively for over three years

Above: Fortunately for Ray, many establishments offer free wirless network access to the Internet for customers. This one, the Picante Restaurant, is a delightful seafront bar in Pelican Key, about a ten minute walk from the studio where Ray is staying, and it is the ideal place for Ray to send his pictures to us at the Daily Explorer.....

Below: ..... although he does have a habit of taking long breaks to swim in the pool by the restaurant and hang out on the sun deck too!

Ray's friend Dominique has lived on the island for over twenty years, arriving in 1986 for what she believed would be a short stay. "I was working in the Alps in France in P.R, and felt I needed a change. I placed an advert in a dive magazine, offering my services as a dive instructor on any island in the world! A single reply from the dive shop in St Maarten was all it took to get me here and the rest is history" Dominique told me.

At the time of Ray's arrival, Dominique was just putting the finishing touches to a new business she is launching with her friend Martina, offering aromatherapy massage and Shiatsu on the beach, in a small marquee which they have located adjacent to Picante's restaurant - an ideal spot for passing tourists. "I can see the amount of work that Dominique has put into this to make it perfect, which makes me think it is going to be successful" said Ray. "Naturally, I hope to be one of the first recipients of a treatment" added our cheeky traveller.

Above: Dominique supervises the construction of her marquee at Picante's, which will be the launch pad for the new massage business venture with her friend Martina

During his first few days on the island, Dominique was providing Ray with daily excursions to make sure his stay would be as enjoyable as possible. "She has been the perfect host and has set aside a lot of time for me, despite the fact she has other commitments" said Ray. "And she knows the island really well, so I am seeing it through the eyes of a local, which is always preferable for me" he added. 

Above: Ray has visited the marina at Marigot, on the 'French' side of the island, which is home to many splendid restaurants and coffee bars...

Below: .... Whilst Grand Case in the North West corner has some beautiful white sand beaches

The smallest island in the world ever to have been partitioned between two different nations, St Martin (St Maarten) has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighbourly co-operation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years. "The border is almost imperceptible" said Ray, "and people cross back and forth without ever realising they are entering a new country" he told me.

All the same, each side has managed to retain much of the distinctiveness of its own national culture. The French tend to emphasise comfort and elegance. The beaches are secluded, the luxury resorts provide lavish accommodations, and the restaurants offer the finest dining experiences anywhere in the Caribbean. "The latest French fashions can be found in many of the shops, and the smell of fresh croissants and pastries mixes everywhere with the spicy aromas of West Indian cooking" observed Ray. "Small cafés and charming bistros add a decidedly Gaelic and cosmopolitan flair to the place. On the whole the atmosphere remains very relaxed" he told me.

Above: A political map which shows the dividing line between the French side (top) and the Dutch side (bottom) - "The French side is much less crowded and far more old fashioned, whilst the Dutch side is just like being in the United States, with American cars, shops and money everywhere" said Ray. The immigration rules, electricity systems and currency are just a few of the things that are totally different from one side to another

Below: The 'border' between the two countries is virtually non-existent, and it is marked by a small monument and a couple of flags by the side of the road. There is no one patrolling and no requirement to stop

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Dutch St. Maarten with its busy cruise port and bustling commercial district, has long been an active center for trade and tourism. "My first impression is that the Dutch side is more developed and at the same time more informal" said Ray. "It is very Dutch in flavor and still has strong ties with fellow compatriots in other parts of Netherlands-Antilles" added our well informed traveller.

The Princess Juliana International Airport is on the Dutch side and has just completed a huge expansion ahead of a massive growth in tourism on the island. "Very soon after I got here, I found out that going to watch the big planes land has become a favourite St Maarten pastime at Maho Beach" Ray told me.

"Beachgoers crane their necks skyward as they fix their gaze on the jets rumbling so closely overhead that they literally shake in their shorts as the flying behemoths touch down a mere 100 metres away to their delight and amazement" said Ray, as he stood at the Sunset Bar, which is beside the beach and perfectly positioned to watch the daily show.

Above: Dominique takes her seat at the Sunset Bar on Maho beach, whilst Ray goes off to get a closer look at the aeroplanes landing.....

Below: ..... but he is momentarily distracted by the sign (circled in red) on the bottom of the surf board at the Sunset Bar (reads 'Topless women drink free')

Taking up an ideal vantage point just a few metres from the beach, Ray watched the proceedings with astonishment. "You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it" he said. "Clad in bathing suits or shorts and t-shirts, camera-toting-islanders and tourists alike crowd tiny Beacon Hill Road which separates Maho Beach from the end of the landing strip. With two major hotels on one side and a bar on the other, it is no surprise that plane watching has become a St Maarten phenomenon and perhaps the best non-advertised attraction on the island" added our aircraft enthusiast.

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Above: Five minutes before the next big jet lands - Maho beach is a picture of tranquility....

Below: View from the flight deck on the final approach to St Maarten. The runway starts where the beach ends and is quite short, requiring great skill and co-ordination from pilots...

Below: With only two minutes to go to landing, everyone on the ground has stopped what they are doing and gathered with their camera's to watch the landing aircraft, which you can see just above the sailboat....

Below left: The final few seconds - Ray (centre, in green) watches as the giant A340 Air France service from Paris touches down at 1.30pm, just a few feet above the beach. Ray managed to capture this on video, so if you want to be shocked, watch SXM Airport

Below right: Some aircraft cut it really fine - one of the reasons the airport management do not replace the chain link fence for a stone wall is that it causes less damage to aircraft that hit it on approach, although this rarely happens

Apart from seeing the sights on the island, I asked Ray if he had anything else in mind during his stay here. "I've got a couple of ideas for projects" was his reply, "as well as a very strong desire to build on my level of fitness" added Ray. "Although I have been very active during the last 18 months, hiking and back-packing, I have not made any serious investment in muscle or strength development and I feel like pushing myself to the next level" explained Ray. "So, I have found a brilliant personal trainer, who works with me three times per week and has put together a fairly intensive programme for me" added our health conscious traveller.

Above: Mark is Ray's personal trainer. Born in France, he lived in America for 10 years and trained Denzl Washington for his role in 'Training Day' and Leonardo de Caprio for his role in 'The Beach' - "I know I am in good hands with him" said Ray

Was this part of a bigger plan? "I am not sure yet, Carrie" he said. "I have a hunch that at some point, I am going to get a call to do something big or important and I want to make sure I am fully fit for when the time comes" said Ray. "I am also toying with the idea of training for a marathon or something similar, but for now, I just want to re-establish the discipline for training and see myself making some tangible progress" he told me. "I sufferred some minor injuries from over-working my knees during intensive periods of trekking in New Zealand, so I am working on strengthening particular muscle groups to avoid this in future" added Ray.

Above: Ray looks happy to have found Mark - although this picture was taken before his workout started!

Below: "That's more like it, Ray" says Mark. "Do what I tell you and you'll soon have your six-pack back!"

MOZZIE BYTE

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