MAF Retreat ~Part 3

On our trip to the D.R. I had my first experience flying in a little airplane. I have flown in the giant commercial airplanes a few times and I enjoy that. I was excited about flying with MAF. 

Thursday morning when we got to the airport the guys got the airplanes ready for us. MAF has their own hanger at the PAP airport. We went through this pitiful little security area in the building that houses MAF's office, separate from the main airport. The wives, kids, Allie and I waited until the planes were loaded up and ready to go. A man escorted us a short distance from the building to the planes. Ten people in our group loaded up the Caravan, which also carried most of our luggage. Then I looked over to the left and there sat this tiny little airplane-

I did a double take and then thought, "Ok...this will work." It had to work because I didn't have any other options :) And it did indeed work! I rode on this 6 seater plane with the Carwell family. They have two little kids that were crying and crying at first. But once their dad started up the plane they were fine. Both of the kids slept on the way there and the way back.

Nathan with Naomi seated right behind him.

The flight and the landing on the way there was very smooth. The scenery was gorgeous! I was loving the view from the air. The landscape was flat, then mountainous, brown in Haiti, and very green in the D.R.

Haiti mountains

D.R. mountains

The landscape became greener and greener the closer we got to the ocean. There were also many palm trees by the ocean.

A dam

D.R.

I got to ride shot-gun on both flights!!

A river (obviously)

The runway in Puerto Plata

View of a street.

Waiting with our luggage while they tied down the planes and re-fueled them.

We we arrived at the airport in Puerto Plata we were greeted, in Spanish, by the security workers. We couldn't exactly use our Creole to speak with them so we stood there awkwardly staring at each other. It was great! When we finally went into the airport there were no other people in the area that they took us too. We cleared customs and immigrations in no time.

Leaving Puerto Plata on Sunday afternoon we had our own escort through the busy airport. They stopped the security line for us and quickly sent us through with all our bags. The other people were looking at us, wondering why we got to cut in line. I don't think I've ever felt so special! We were led through the whole airport right out to the planes that were all lined up waiting for us. We taxied out to the runway right behind this HUGE American Airlines plane. Those planes seem so big now after flying the little ones. 

The way back to Port was little rougher; we bounced around a lot and my stomach dropped a few times. Thankfully the flight was only an hour long and we made it back safe and sound!