BOARDING a six-seater plane for the first time bound for Tinian can be a challenging experience for anyone, especially if you’re used to the big planes but once you are airborne, start to appreciate the view from up above and you will forget what initial fears you may have of flying on a small plane.
No one can blame you if you get scared, especially if you happen to sit beside the pilot and the plane starts running on the runway with the door open. Don’t worry, the pilot will close the door as soon as the plane takes off for the 10-minute flight across the sea toward Tinian airport.
Since the ferry stopped its operations in March last year, commuters going to Tinian have no choice but to take the small planes.
A tour of the 39 square miles island of Tinian, home of many of the CNMI’s historical treasures from over a thousand feet above offers anyone the best view of what the island looks like and makes a land tour more meaningful because you already have a bird’s eye view of where you are.
Flying over the deep sea between Saipan and Tinian can be scary at first, but before you know it, the sea is left behind and you will start seeing green trees and lush vegetation everywhere.
From up above, Tinian looks like a hidden paradise and all you can see are the pristine beaches on its shorelines, the clear blue waters that looks too inviting for scuba diving and snorkeling, limestone cliffs and attractive stone formations, coral reefs, a variety of flora and fauna, and a long, straight road that runs through the green shrubs, providing a pleasant view that any passenger, tourist or local, cannot resist taking pictures of.
If you are scared of boarding a small plane, try to overcome your fear and take a trip to Tinian. You will be rewarded with spectacular views that you can only see from up above. And oh, don’t forget to bring your camera.