You know, I remember when flying was fun, and it still can be, if one can ditch the whole airline hassle. I’m talking about private jet charters. Now you may be thinking like I was, “yeah right – like I can afford that”. But things are different these days and the cost might just surprise you.

It was actually while waiting in airports that got me thinking of better alternatives, and remembered the most fun I ever had flying was in small planes. What I also recalled was no lines – just arrive at the airport, walk out, get on and leave. Such an enviable thought, especially when you’re waiting through yet another interminable delay.

That got me to start looking into jet charters even though I thought it would probably be expensive and beyond my reach. But I was pleasantly surprised. First, the advantages – and they are numerous.

No need to arrive two hours before your flight knowing it will still depart late – in fact only in rare instances will you even have a late flight. No long lines at ticket counters, metal detectors, waiting to board or when getting off the plane. No waiting on bags or wondering where your luggage got off to, plus no trying to squeeze everything into a carry-on just to avoid checking it.  

No crowds, talkative neighbors, screaming kids, or being packed in like a sardine. You aren’t squashed against a neighbor, being bumped by the beverage cart, or losing feeling in your legs from them being crammed into to the seat ahead. Plus you won’t have the person in front of you recline into your lap.

Consider instead having total control. You set the schedule and destination, basically flying when convenient for you – not the airline. And you needn’t fly into a hub or deal with connections. A private jet charter can go anywhere there’s an airport you will also likely avoid the need to rent a car and wait in more lines.

You arrive just before takeoff, walk on with your luggage, sit down and relax. Shortly after, the door is closed and you’re on your way. In flight you have room to stretch out or spread out. Whether you want to work or rest, you’ll get to your destination having been more productive and less fatigued. Once there, walk off and leave – that’s it.

There is absolutely no comparison. If you’ve never experienced this type of travel, you will be amazed at the difference. Private jet charters are rapidly increasing in popularity as they decrease in cost. For all the reasons mentioned above, more and more folks are abandoning commercial airlines whenever they can. Next we’ll look at the costs of chartering a jet.

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There is little else that can set me off as much as taking the time to fight traffic to arrive an hour and a half early for a flight, just to have it delayed. I end up spending more time waiting around the airport than actually flying. What’s really pathetic is the delays are getting worse, to the point that at some hubs, like those in the northeast, they’re the norm.

Needless to say I’ve got plenty of time sitting around airports, to mull over possible solutions to this very large problem.  Once upon a time, I really did enjoy flying, but these days the experience isn’t the same, and the large airports which I tend to frequent are the worst.

On occasion I end up going through a regional airport and it’s like night and day. By and large, you don’t have to arrive hours before your flight, the lines are shorter, and the hassles fewer. Delays don’t happen as often, and when they do the fault is rarely local, but lies instead with some major hub.

So what’s happened to our system of air travel? More travelers, more planes, more flights, all competing for the same airspace, while being managed by antiquated air traffic control technology, are the basic problem.

There is endless debate and finger pointing about resolving it, yet not much happens. It seems to me that modernizing the air traffic control system is a no brainer, and will certainly allow stacking planes closer together, but even doing that will only be a partial solution.   

What would make a lot of sense is to make far more use of regional and local airports. Instead of forcing people to connect through hubs, just create more direct flights between regional facilities. There are some small, fuel-efficient jets available these days that would do the trick.

Of course the rental car companies will be lobbying against that as flying into where you actually want to go will negate having to rent a car as often.

Other solutions include going private. Using charter services that fly smaller aircraft were once far out of reach for most folks, but they are becoming a more competitive alternative.

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Nowadays they’re mostly pure hype. They still claim to offer the same rewards, but it’s simply not true. They’ve so diluted the program that the rewards have become useless. By giving away miles for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with flying, the actual flyers don’t even have to be loyal to earn miles.

But the real problem is that by giving away miles for all these other reasons, there are more folks trying to use them than the airlines have available seats. Each flight has only a handful of seats obtainable by redeeming miles but with everyone and their cat trying to cash in, they go fast. Instead of 2 or 3 weeks planning ahead, you can count on needing 6 to 9 months lead time.

Who wants to plan that far into the future? I like to pick up and go when I want, and that used to be possible using my miles. But no more. It also means you’re going to have the added expense of purchasing trip insurance because no way can one tell what might happen that far out.

I’ve had elite status for years but have stopped caring about mileage programs because it’s hardly worth the effort anymore. It’s more trouble trying to use the miles than they’re worth.

Here’s an example. With tons of miles stacked up, I recently tried to book a trip using them. Even looking out nearly six months, there were no seats. Well there were a few, but only by spending about 3 times the miles. The coach seats I got for a trip six months out, cost the same miles as those I got a couple years ago, with only six weeks advance planning and going first class.

And are the perks really worthwhile? Being able to board early means more of a chance of getting your carry-on into an overhead. Then again, that’s only become necessary because of the hassles of waiting on luggage or the airlines losing it.

Upgrades to the front of the plane are nice since you actually get a decent seat with leg room. Of course if airlines provided adequate seating in the first place, this would be a non-issue.

Similarly, using first-class check-in to bypass the long coach lines is useful but truth is no one should be required to wait forever in line. With the kiosks it’s gotten better, but like most things with airports, they’re still understaffed.

The reality is that airline seats have become a simple commodity. There is little to distinguish one from another, and therefore none of them deserve loyalty anymore. These days I find that by waiting until the last minute, I can buy seats at super discounts, and that works for me.

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To this end they fund scientific field research and provide ways for regular folks – like non-scientists, to act as volunteers on projects around the world. Besides traveling to exotic locations, you get the opportunity to participate in these projects and maybe even learn a thing or two.

There are expeditions to a variety of locations, and depending on your interest will hold differing appeals. The ones I like are those involving the oceans and opportunities to dive as part of the work.

Below are some sample locations and a brief synopsis of what volunteers can expect:

First are the Coral Reefs of Thailand:

In the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, Thailand’s coral reefs are some of the most magnificent and diverse ecosystems on Earth. Like many of the world’s reef systems, Thailand’s reefs are facing the pressures of overfishing and destructive fishing practices, as well as the threats posed by global warming and coral diseases. Scientists from Reef Check are joining forces with Earthwatch to survey Thailand’s resplendent coral reefs and monitor the effects of marine protected areas as well as recovery from the 2004 tsunami. With this information, agencies and local communities can better manage and conserve these beautiful reefs.

Perhaps the south Pacific is more to your liking. Here’s a chance to spend a couple weeks Diving the WWII Wrecks of Truk Lagoon:

Now part of the Federated States of Micronesia — Truk (a.k.a. Chuuk) was an Imperial Japanese Navy base during World War II. Considered second only to Pearl Harbor in strength, the U.S. saw this base as a major threat and in February 1944 began Operation Hailstone, a 2-day intense aerial bombing campaign that continued in various forms until the war’s end. More than 50 naval and merchant ships were sunk in Truk Lagoon, along with up to 100 aircraft, with many intact, having been protected by the surrounding barrier reef. Maritime archaeologist Bill Jeffery, materials scientist Dr. Ian Macleod, and marine ecologist Maria Beger aim to document and help protect Truk Lagoon’s rich historic and biological heritage.

Or maybe the Belize Regional Initiative:

Be part of a collaborative effort to conserve an entire ecosystem. Based on remote islands scattered along the world’s second largest barrier reef, our Belize projects offer snorkeling, diving, and shore-based experiences. Surrounded by one of Earth’s largest barrier reefs, Belize is becoming a popular destination. But despite the designation of its waters as protected Marine Reserves, coastal development, overfishing, and tourism threaten the biodiversity of this tiny nation. We offer the chance to study and protect the life that depends on this reef. Whether your team is based at our remote Living Reef Center or at a beachside hotel, you can experience Belize in a unique way and be part of a group of projects working to help this country strike a balance between economic growth and ecosystem health.

Volunteers are responsible for the cost of getting to the assignment location plus a contribution amount that covers meals and lodging, plus other associated costs. This expense is far less than a typical vacation in the same area, and there is usually enough free time to check out the locale. Learn more about Earthwatch Institute and upcoming projects here.

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I mean just look at some of the gorgeous locations they chose to build at. White sand beaches, incredible turquoise water, cliff-side locations to enjoy the tropical breezes – I mean these guys definitely knew what they were doing in picking out some prime beachfront locations.

If you don’t believe it, just check out a few of the pictures below that depict some of the Mayan ruins at Tulum in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Now imagine standing on the bluffs, enjoying a spectacular view looking out over an emerald Caribbean Sea.  

It just doesn’t get much better than that!

Around 1000 A.D. Chichen Itza in Yucatan was the center of the Mayan civilization, which was spread throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, through Belize and Guatamala, and on to the edges of Honduras and El Salvador.

Today the Maya number around five million and live mostly in the Yucatan Peninsula and the highlands of Guatemala. As they did over a thousand years ago, most live in villages and make their living from the land.

Our modern cities are primarily centers for commerce which is completely different from the purpose of the Mayan stone city remains we see today. For the ancient Maya, these were principally ceremonial sites and gathering places where they came for spiritual reasons.

During the early 1500’s the Spanish were determined to systematically destroy the Mayan civilization. One of the world’s greatest cultural crimes was their destruction of all the wriitten records they came across.

As for the people themselves, those not killed in battle, were mostly decimated by diseases carried to the “New World” from the “old”. Today the magnificent stone cities lie abandoned and in ruins once more.

Tulum or the “Walled City” was built by the ancient Maya on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean. One of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico, it was occupied for over 300 years, from around 1200 A.D. until after the Spanish conquest.

Located at a convergence of both land and sea trade routes, Tulum was a major link in an extensive trade network. Artifacts found in or near the site indicate Mayan commerce ranged from Central Mexico to Central America and all points between.

The Castillo, sometimes referred to as the lighthouse, is the tallest building at Tulum and the most famous. It stands on the bluff, commanding a view of the ocean and coast for several miles in both directions.

Until the late 20th century when tourists became too numerous, the local Maya continued visiting the temples to burn incense and pray.

There is no way to gain a real appreciation of the Mayan culture without visiting some of these ruins that have been abandoned to the elements. There are hotels to be found in the area, plus the Tulum ruins are only a two hour drive south of the popular beach resort of Cancun, which makes for a pleasant day trip.

Photo Credits: Aaron Logan, Hugo van Tilborg, Keith Walbolt.

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At over 40 miles across, the “lagoon” within this oceanic atoll is actually huge, and even though parts of it reach depths of 300’, the majority of wrecks lie on shallower reefs. Divers also enjoy surface conditions that are usually calm, year-round warm water temperatures, 50’ - 100’ visibility, and lack of strong currents.

One might think of Truk Lagoon as Japans Pearl Harbor. At it’s zenith, the Japanese Imperial Fleet based here numbered over 1000 ships and support vessels, along with many hundreds of aircraft. But in early 1944, to neutralize this threat, the U.S. Navy commenced “Operation Hailstone” which destroyed the base and sunk more than 50 ships and 100 airplanes.

For over 60 years, the ships and planes downed here have served as graveyards for thousands of Japanese who died during the war and they are respected as such. The government of Micronesia has declared Truk Lagoon a national monument and it is protected by law. Any disturbing of remains or taking artifacts is strictly prohibited.

Many of the shipwrecks in this ghost fleet remain virtually intact and it’s eerie to see the massive cargo holds of some of the supply carriers still containing tanks, trucks, and airplane engines, not to mention Japanese Saki bottles, china plates and other such things.

Likewise appearing to be frozen in time, are dozens of aircraft strewn across the bottom, and in some cases the cockpit has remained intact, providing the pilots final resting place. 

But over the intervening years these machines of war have been slowly transformed into spectacular reefs teeming with a diversity of marine life. What were initially watery graves and scenes of destruction have morphed into places resplendent with vivid corals and sponges, along with colorful reef fish, and larger pelagic species.  

Truk is an immense atoll that’s crowned with natural beauty. The surrounding outer barrier reef is accented with tiny idyllic islets that are mere spits of sand with a couple coconut palms. There are several volcanic island groups in the central lagoon which are mostly undeveloped. One of these is the capital island of Weno which has the only airport and lodging for tourists.

The land area of Chuuk State is only about 77 square miles, but it’s part of an island nation that spans 1,158,306 square miles of the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Chuuk along with Yap, Pohnpei, and Kosrae, make up the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), which itself is part of the Caroline Islands.

Getting there: Truk Lagoon lies about 750 miles north of Papua New Guinea, 600 miles southeast of Guam and 3,300 miles southwest of Hawaii. Continental Micronesia makes several flights per week between the main population center of Weno, and Guam. There are daily connections to Guam from Tokyo and the United States, and a couple flights a week from Cairns.

Photo credits: Wreck Dives: wjsiv; Map: Google Maps

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And I’d like to do a little body surfing too, but then the kids can’t handle the big stuff. Oh yeah, what about shade, maybe there should be a few palm trees placed strategically – but don’t block the sun. Better make sure it’s wide enough for some volleyball too – don’t want the beach disappearing whenever low-tide comes around.

Speaking of low-tide, those tide-pools left behind are cool for finding little critters, so maybe some more of those reef rocks up on shore – not too many though……

Hmmm, maybe this isn’t such a no-brainer after all. I suspect everyone has some sort of fuzzy notion in their mind of what the perfect beach looks like, but when it comes time to actually pick one out as a destination, it becomes a bit more complicated.

The real answer is it depends – it depends on what you want to do at the beach. And that answer will no doubt have several parts that change with every trip, not to mention ages of the travelers.

Lets go a step further and really complicate things. If you were going to pick a beach to settle or retire on, which would it be?

Now you have to start considering other things, like how often will you be blown away by hurricanes, how far from groceries and other stores, how far from services like doctors and hospitals, and a hundred other typical home buying questions.

Sort of takes the fun out of it eh? Not really, but makes for a much more thought provoking question. For instance, while I really like being right on the beach, I might not like it during bad storms, or potential flooding.

In fact I might want to get off the beach and live high up where I can enjoy cool breezes and a panorama view of the ocean. There was great illustration of such a place in a film called “The Thomas Crown Affair” starring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. (Actually was a remake of the original with Steve McQueen.) It was filmed in Martinique where Crown had a cottage up a couple thousand feet, on top of a mountain. It was totally secluded with a magnificent 360 degree view out over the ocean.

As much as I like the idea of stepping out the back door and walking to the beach, I’m becoming more interested in something like Crown’s place where I get the breeze and view, but would have a longer walk down to the water. Probably more sensible in hurricane areas and would certainly save on insurance as well as property cost.

Another reason for considering locations not directly on the beach would be that no beach will likely provide for all the different activities I might want to do. These range from sunning, reading in the shade, taking long walks, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, finding shells, searching tide-pools, enjoying both calm seas and crashing waves, and on and on.

There just isn’t one place to do it all, which is a bit frustrating because the reason one goes to the effort and expense of living on a beach is to do beach things. So not being able to do all of them would be rather annoying.

And the end of the day, there will no doubt be compromise involved. What do you think – what comes to mind when thinking about a “perfect beach”, or have you already found you place in the sun?

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As part of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, Atiu is one of 15 islands with a combined land area of only 240 square kilometers (92.7 square miles), but spread across 1.8 million square kilometers (0.7 million square miles) of ocean.

Even though the country spans an area the size of India, it’s population numbers just 16,000 with two-thirds of them living on the island of Rarotonga. The Cook Islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. They have their own language and enjoy a vigorous and diverse culture that displays significant differences between each island. 

The Cooks were first settled in the 6th century A.D. by Polynesians who migrated from nearby Tahiti which lies to the southeast. The people are friendly, and despite around 100,000 visitors annually to the capital island of Rarotonga, they are largely unspoiled by tourism.

“They offer a rare opportunity for people from the cities of the world to experience a different type of vacation. There are no high-rise hotels, only four beach buggies and very little hype. Ideal for travelers seeking more than the usual clichés associated with the South Seas, each island has its unique qualities and offers the visitor a special experience.”

Atiu itself, with only about 600 people living there, is called the Warriors Island. It’s elevation of 14,500 feet (4500 meters), and beautiful scenery make it an especially good choice for travelers wanting a vacation that involves more than just lying on the beach. 

“Atiu Villas is situated on Atiu Island on the outskirts of the central villages. The site provides a quiet and relaxing environment surrounded by wild tropical gardens and is only a short walk from the white sandy beaches of the southern coastline.”

The villas are unique chalet style structures made almost entirely of local native timbers and materials and feature the polished woods of mango, coconut, Christmas nut, acacia, cedar, java plum and many other tropical trees.

Each villa has a private verandah, cooking facilities, separate bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities and a fully stocked larder from which guests pay for what they use upon leaving. The larders are well-stocked with dairy food, beverages, packaged and tinned food.

The villas have sleeping configurations that can take from 2 to 6 people. There is plenty of water and each villa has a solar hot water supply. Electricity and water run 24-hours a day. Your hosts will help you organize transportation, tours, and activities.

As I said earlier, getting to Atiu, takes a little effort, but it’s well worth it. Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti and Pacific Blue are the three international carriers that fly into the international airport on Rarotonga. You then fly Air Rarotonga which provides regular domestic service to Atiu.

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Because it’s off the beaten path, Saint Croix is one of the more affordable islands in the Caribbean. You’ll not only find great deals on dive packages, but everything else from accommodations, to great places to eat, to transportation, and more, is all very reasonably priced. 

For about 7 miles, the “Wall” runs along the north shore, starting at about 50’ and dropping off to 3200’. It’s only a couple hundred yards offshore making it an easy shore dive, but you’ll also want to do some diving off a boat to explore as much of it as possible. Many locations have mooring buoys to protect the reef from anchoring.

Two of the most popular sites are Northstar and Pavilion, where you’ll see gorgeous sponges – purple tubes, lavender vases, red ropes; several stands of black coral, as well as prolific schools of fishes, including a few bait ball swarms. Don’t forget to peek under the ledges where lobster and large crab can be found hiding. 

Over near Salt River, the location where Columbus landed in 1493, are several sites to the east and west of the reef where it protects the harbor. You’ll find huge coral heads with some small caves and giant swim-throughs. These are just plain fun, and dives there are always going to end way before you can tire of this part of the wall.

There are tons of crevices that provide ample hiding places for large lobster and crab, and by taking your time and looking in and under the ledges, you’ll see them lurking. This area also attracts hawksbill turtles. An especially large one was nonplussed enough with divers to allow us to swim alongside for a good while.

Somewhere on your agenda, be sure and include a dive under the Frederiksted Pier. While most of the premier diving is along the north shore, this west-end location shouldn’t be missed. Especially for macro photographers, it’s a potpourri of goodies.

The pier was built for cruise ship traffic but with their absence over the last few years, it’s become home to a variety of creatures who’ve moved in. In fact it’s got more fish and other critters packed into a smaller area than most anywhere else you’ll visit. Interestingly enough, you’re virtually assured of seeing not just one octopus, but several on any given dive. 

On both the west-end north of the pier, and the northeast side of St. Croix are several wreck sites. All the vessels were made safe before being intentionally sunk, and are shallow enough for most divers. Some penetration is possible, but they don’t require technical diving skills. Most of the sites are sandy bottoms teeming with garden eels, and frequented by southern stingrays.

These wrecks have been submerged long enough to have healthy growth over much of them, yet the structures are still quite visible. Highlighted in the clear water, with the right lighting, they make excellent photo opportunities.  

It’s hard to beat the spectacular diving, or modest prices found in Saint Croix. Seemingly overlooked by most divers and other travelers as well, it’s a piece of “America’s backyard” waiting to be discovered. Do yourself a favor and take a look.

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As an interesting historical aside, the guy it was named for, never actually made it completely around the world. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese maritime explorer in the service of the Spanish crown, led the expedition credited with the first circumnavigation of the earth.

He was actually attempting to find a westward route to the “Spice Islands” of Indonesia but was killed in the Philippines in route. It was the Spaniard Juan Sebastian Elcano, having taking command after Magellan’s death, that led the few remaining crew back to Spain 3 years later.

But as is typical in historical accounts, it’s generally the “top dog” that gets the credit, so most people have never heard of Elcano. To be fair, it was indeed Magellan that kept pushing on when his crews wanted to turn back, and his death did provide a distraction which allowed the remaining crew to escape. Anyway, I digress.

As the new namesake of that intrepid explorer, this new ship, the Magellan of Seas will go much further, doing so incredibly faster, and all while providing far more luxurious surroundings than poor ol’ Ferdinand could’ve ever envisioned.

I mean not only has it got all the usual top-end amenities, but comes with it’s own retractable marina, a helipad complete with 2 Bell Jet Helicopters, and even an observatory for checking out all those spectacular constellations and nebulas that are visible no where better than nighttime in the middle of the ocean.

As you’ve no doubt guessed, this type residence is a bit pricey. In fact, if you don’t have a few million bucks lying around gathering dust, this may have to remain a dream. Prices range from just under 3 million to over 16 million, plus an “annual assessment” of several thousand to over a half million bucks. How’s that for a homeowners association?

Actually it’s the monthly fees that pay for utilities, insurance and crew. The big numbers are just buying you a spot. Oh and that spot is supposed to be guaranteed for 100 years, although the last 50 may see her permanently docked like the queen Mary.

Okay, so here’s some good news. The Magellan offers fractional ownership in increments of 2 weeks or a month. So while an average place runs 5 or 6 million plus about 200k annually, you can just take a piece. That brings the cost for a single month down to only a half million with a measly 15k assessment.

Of course that sort of makes it like a time share – a fairly costly one, but it does offer a way in. But then you have to wonder if lowering the bar will let too many of us riff-raff types in. Yup, there goes the neighborhood.

Yes that was very tongue in cheek. I thought this was a cool idea upon first hearing of it, and I still do. Unfortunately, it’s somewhat out-of-reach. I’ll just have to commiserate with the other riff-raff and stick with buying my cruises a week at a time.

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