HOUSE KEEPING: Remember when you click on the pictures in "Where's Johnny Jet," they will open up in another window. Just click the "x"(close) in each picture to get back to the newsletter. This should alleviate complaints about closing Johnny Jet. Thanks again for your support, and remember: If you book trips on the web, please go through JohnnyJet.com. (It will save you money).
HELICOPTER TOUR
My friends have been telling me for ages that you can't go to Hawaii and not go on a helicopter tour. Now, I understand why. The leading Helicopter tour company in Hawaii is Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. In business since 1985, they operate 19 aircrafts on three islands (Kauai, The Big Island and Maui). It turns out that the owner has been a loyal subscriber to Johnny Jet's Travel News for some years now so when they heard that Natalie and I were going to be in town, they offered us a tour. We did the hour-long West Maui and Molokai tour. The helicopters depart from the airport and when our taxi started getting close,
I noticed that the winds had really picked up. They were strong ... I mean, our-car-was-swaying-like-the-palm-trees strong.
A little unnerved, I called up Blue Hawaiian's toll-free number to see if they were still planning on flying.
The operator said, "But of course." She went on to explain that helicopters are different from airplanes and that
it would take much stronger winds to ground them ... I pressed on. "Are you sure?" I asked.
"Because you really don't want me to go up unless it's smooth! I'm not a fan of heights."
She assured me, urging me not to worry and went on about how Blue Hawaiian is the only helicopter tour operator
in the State of Hawaii with all of the following certifications: FAA Certified Repair Station, Factory Authorized Service Center for American Eurocopters and Factory Authorized Service Center for Turbomeca Engine Corp. I had no idea what the heck she was talking about but it sounded good.
ECO-STAR HELICOPTERS
Blue Hawaiian offers two types of helicopters. The American Eurocopter A-Star, which every tour helicopter uses and now, just recently added, the state-of-the-art, ECO-Star helicopters. These supposedly represent the dawning of a new era in helicopter touring. These military birds were designed exclusively for touring and cost $2.1 million -- that's 80% more than a standard A-Star. So, what does that mean for passengers? Oh, basically a "first-class" ticket. The seating has a 23% increase in cabin space. The cockpit has wrap-around glass for greater visibility from every seat. But more importantly, they are safer, quieter and more efficient.
SAFETY CHECK
I was relieved to be flying in the ECO-Star but I still grilled the guy at check-in. He gave me the same spiel as the operator and added that Hollywood has used their company for many major films, including Jurassic Park, The Lost World, and Pearl Harbor. I thought that was interesting, as I stepped up on the scale, as every passenger has to do so they can precisely calculate the weight. Then, Natalie and I watched the five-minute safety video with the four other passengers. As instructed, we all put on our life-vest fanny packs, an FAA regulation, and we were on standby to go. Let's just get something straight: Have I mentioned that I'm not a fan of heights? Although I'm fortunate enough to have been in many helicopters (most memorable trips: New Zealand and NASCAR), they still make me a bit uneasy. So before stepping outside, I closely examined the expressions on the faces of the deplaning passengers from the returning flights. They didn't look queasy. OK. Good start.
FRONT SEAT
One by one we loaded. Natalie and I got lucky with the front row seat next to our pilot, Marty. Seat assignment is based on weight distribution. I read that the back seats offer up views as good as those up front, but I'm not sure if I believe that. We were all buckled in, handed Bose noise canceling headsets and a microphone, to communicate with the captain over the din of the noise once we took off. Marty went over some more safety precautions and then, just like that, he pulled on the collective and we were off for a magic carpet ride ... that's what helicopter pilots call their ships.
WEST MAUI AND MOLOKAI TOUR
To say that the tour was a thrill would be an enormous understatement. Shortly after takeoff, I saw that Natalie had tears in her eyes and it wasn't due to fear. It was complete and indescribable joy. We flew by the Kahului Airport, then dipped deep into the meandering valleys, set in the rainforest of the ancient West Maui Mountains. There was no sign of human life anywhere. The wind really picked up but I was impressed how well the helicopter fared. But don't get me wrong: I was scared as hell as we traveled through the valleys. But I was way more at ease as we cruised over the water; the helicopter didn't shake one bit. Seeing the waterfalls cascade down from towering lush green cliffs of the rainforest was truly unreal.
WORLD'S TALLEST SEA CLIFFS
The tour was set to appropriate music. For example, when we flew over the area used in Jurassic Park, in came the Jurassic Park theme music. Marty, like all Hawaiian helicopter tour pilots, is certified by the State of Hawaii as an official tour guide so he was full of interesting information, which he eagerly imparted. The hands-down highlight came when we flew over Molokai's sea cliffs. They are the world's highest, clocking in at a stunning 3,000 feet. It's something I'll never forget. I also won't forget seeing Olo'upena Falls, Hawaii's tallest waterfall at 2,953 feet (900 meters).
CAUGHT ON TAPE
The West Maui and Molokai tour cost $339 for a ride in the A-Star but if you book online, it's available for a discounted price of $286. To fly in the plush Eco-Star, add an extra $32 to each of those prices. There are less expensive tours available so check out their website for a complete listing. When we landed, we were surprised to learn that every flight is captured in its entirety on a high-quality DVD. Each helicopter is equipped with four cameras, three on the outside and one in the cabin. The video was available for purchase for $25 and was ready within 10 minutes after returning. What a great selling opportunity. I don't think anyone passed up the opportunity to have this special experience preserved on video, Natalie and I included. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, toll free number: 800-745-BLUE (2583).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
In closing, something that Pat Flinn, the General Manager of the Wailea Beach Villas, said, really stuck with me. "If you aren't happy here, then you just aren't happy," I heard him say. I couldn't agree more. Mahalo!
VIDEO
Here's a short Johnny Jet video of my trip to Maui.
It's on YouTube so it only takes a few seconds to load
(though the quality is not as crisp). We also have all the
Johnny Jet videos ever made on their servers.
NEXT WEEK
If you thought my trip to Maui was incredible, just wait for our next destination. I'll give you a hint: I'm going to travel in the opposite direction of the mainland United States and fly 11 hours to ... Join me next week to find out! Cheers, mate!
*PLEASE tell us what you think of this week's newsletter!
All information presented here is accurate at the time of publication but prices, dates and other details are all subject to change. Please confirm all information before making any travel arrangements.
All images are the property of Johnny Jet Inc. and cannot be reproduced, in whole or in part, without our express permission. If you would like to reprint an image, please contact us at info@johnnyjet.com for image re-use rates.
*If you heard about us somewhere else or have the link to the story please email Johnny Jet media and let us know where!
SOME OF LAST WEEK'S READER AIR-eMAIL
I look forward every week to your newsletter and finding out where you have been and what you are doing. I was disappointed in your last report (just finished reading it). Why do people think they have to use foul language to get a point across. You don't!!! And, I am sure you will gain a lot more respect if you leave the bad language out. It would be nice if you were a little more professional and cleaned up the language. I don't meant to be critical. There is a lot of good in your reports, but having what I consider is not a nice word appear 3 times in your latest newsletter is a little much. Thanks for listening. Doreen R -
REPLY: Thanks for keeping me in check – I will tone it down since my mother probably would’ve agreed with you.
Love, love, love your write up and video on Bratislava! I'm going there in January for some medical tourism and am finding all sorts of cool stuff on the area. Your website and write up has been one of my favorite finds. Thanks! Best regards, Susan Mac - Rohnert Park, California.
Howzit Brah, Just returned Sunday (10-28) from 8 days in Kona-Town...da Ono spot in da islands! Great snorkeling all week and one awesome tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters! Highly recommended! Eric, RJ and Nani at the Waikoloa Heliport will treat you right! Matt is the pilot you want in that left seat! FYI....a lot of Volcanoes Nat Park is closed(Chain of Craters road) due to "Seismic activity". Very minor earthquake weds evening...24th. Aloha Brah! John- Grapevine, TX
Good morning from a subscriber, and thanks for the opportunity to sound off. Most of the airline complaints seem to be about late/cancelled flights and lost luggage. I agree these are serious, but submit that more frequently annoying/frustrating are the intolerable delays at airports regarding security and customs checks. Can’t the airlines bring their combined weight to bear on this crap? I know it’s all in the name of security, but it’s being carried to unnecessary extremes. By the time one finally gets aboard the plane, the trip is already nearly ruined by just surviving the airport gestapo. (Forget about the cramped seating issue – that’s a separate subject, but also ridiculous). Most airports are terrible, but my recent experience at Heathrow in London takes the cake. We had 2 hours between connections and came within one minute (literally!) of missing our flight from Heathrow to Manchester due to the absurdly long lines at both customs and security, and the sloooooow transfer time from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 by a bus that seemed never to come. Hundreds of people being funneled into a customs area that only had 4 desks working! And then, security: the regular x-ray/metal detector stuff, but then, just before getting to the gate, a SECOND one just to check shoes! That’s right, even after clearing the first ones, this was a separate machine that required removing shoes, putting them through, by themselves! Couldn’t have done it the first time? Anyway, enough already, but suffice it to say I’ll avoid Heathrow like the plague in the future, and probably London as well as a result. Ludicrously expensive town, anyway. And the romance of flying is gone, especially in coach. Ray T - Mill Valley, CA
One flaw about that Discover America film – the Niagara Falls segment is from Canada! Kevin – Los Angeles, CA
Speaking of Disney, I just returned from five days in Orlando the land of theme parks, fast food, and the finest in merchandising. from Disney. We went to Sea World, Disney World and several other theme parks. It is such a great place for kids and families. In my five days there watching thousands of people milling about at all hours with their children in strollers -- never saw so many in my life --or held by the hand, riding on shoulders, or in their special baby holders -- I can honesly say I saw no unhappy children. It was amazing. There were many adults unaccoompanied by children. They too looked like they were having a fun time. Definitely worth a story for Johnny Jet. The most exciting ride was Krackin at Sea World. The most beautiful trip throughout the United States was on Soarin at Epcot. For the children getting their pictures taken with Mickey Mouse or any one of the other Disney characters was a definite high, and Disney did a good job. The shows at Sea World in a huge specially designed pool for dolphins and whales was not only a place to showcase the animals with their trainers but the relationship the dolphins and whales had with their trainers was very touching. It is such fun to watch but you can't sit too close to the front if you want to avoid getting the big splash. That's when the whale comes up from the deep straight up and then does a complete flip. That's when a wave as big as a tsunami comes along and swamps the first ten to fifteen rows. Anna W – Warren, Vermont
On two recent flights (United), I had the misfortune to sit behind a passenger who pushed his seat back the maximum allowed. When I asked an attendant for some help, I was told: "He purchased the seat and he can adjust it. You can also lean back." My answer: "You mean I can be as inconsiderate as he is?" Doesn't your right to swing your fist end with my face? What about the space I purchased? Why does anyone have the right to invade it? Is there any better way to handle this perennial problem? Joan M - Grinnell, IA. REPLY:
This is an increasing problem on all airlines since seats are getting tighter and tighter. I sympathize how you feel but these days to work on your laptop or to get some shuteye there really is no choice but to recline. Especially, if the person in front them reclines. Before, I recline I try and give the passenger behind me the heads up. The best thing to do is to get a bulk head or emergency row seat. Or you can look into purchasing the Knee Defender (http://www.kneedefender.com/) but I think it's unethical, a fist fight provoker and now banned from most airlines.
FEEDBACK FOR GEORGETTE
Excellent article from Georgette! D'Arcy O'Neill – Washington D.C.
I have really enjoyed the stories about Belgium. We were there exactly a year ago, visiting my pen pal and her family for a week in the province of Luxembourg. My father had stayed with this family for six weeks in 1945 when he was there during WWII. Of course the family remembers him. I have been writing to my pen pal since I was about 10 years old after finding a letter written to me by someone on her behalf (when I was a baby) just after my father left them . They took us to see a lot of places in the Ardennes area. We saw the old medieval castle of Godefroid de Bouillon (Godfrey of Bouillon) who led the first Crusade to Jerusalem. The castle was built in the 900's or before. We went to the Orval monastery on the French border, where they make the Trappist Ale for which Belgium is so famous. We went to the small town of Durbuy, very picturesque. They took us to lots of gothic churches and cathedrals, because they knew I was interested in that form of architecture. We visited Bastogne and saw the monument to the Americans who fought in the Battle of the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge). Everywhere we went people were wonderful to us. They love Americans in Wallonia. They remember who it was that liberated the country from the Germans in 1945! Thank you for telling me about some places I did not visit. We would love to return to Wallonia and spend more time there. My pen pal says I should not forget the cities in northern Belgium. But I fell in love with the French-speaking southern area. There is nowhere more beautiful in the fall! The villages along the Semois river, seen from above, are so pretty. I've never before seen a place with so many woods and castles, all in such a small area. Of all the places I've visited recently, Wallonia is the one place to which I'm very eager to return. There is so much more to see. The wonderful thing is that it is really not spoiled by a lot of foreign tourism, and it is still within our budget. Vicki B - Omaha, Nebraska
*Please note that we reserve the right to post excerpts, perhaps edited, from your message on the Johnny Jet website and newsletter. We will not use your full name without your express permission. If you'd rather not have your message posted on the website or newsletter, just say so and it won't be.
HOUSEKEEPING
This Newsletter is sent by permission only. If you wish to subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription at any time, please login
HERE. If you have any questions or suggestions
please send message addressed to Johnny@JohnnyJet.com
• About
Johnny • Publicity
• Newsletter
Archive • My
Mom • Photogallery
• Contact
Us 
