Johnny Jet

Greetings everyone! We have so much going on and so much to share with you that I need to switch things around a bit. I still have a lot to tell and show you around Tahiti from our trip a few weeks ago but to keep this newsletter current I will write not only write about our action packed day (3 plane rides, 3 boat trips and 5 islands) in French Polynesian, but also share this week's trip to NYC. I know, I know.... you can't keep up and in fact I was in a few other places in the past couple week's which I will tell you about next week. First, let's head off to the Big Apple and then close with our second, I mean third, no fourth stop in Tahiti.

Amber Airplane and I were in NYC to work. She was there for the Lifetime awards and I was there to promote my new book, You Are Here Traveling with JohnnyJet.com. It is available at Amazon.com and getting great reviews. Just this week, Peter Greenberg from the Today Show and KABC Radio, told his listeners (while I was in the studio and on the air with him), "Folks this is not some shameless plug, this book is awesome.” I hope you will order your copy today! All you need to do is click here: Amazon.com.

Besides being on with Peter Greenberg this week, I also had a few "phoner’s" to radio stations around the country. Now you can tune in and listen to Johnny Jet every week on: KFQD 750AM Anchorage, where I am a weekly guest on Alaska Travel Gram, with Scott McMurren and Steve Strippling; WTMY 1280AM Sarasota, FL every other week on Talkin' Travel with Marcus and Roy; and this week I was a guest on WPON 1460AM Detroit’s Travel & Adventure with Michael Dwyer. It’s been a lot of fun doing the radio shows and talking about my book, johnnyjet.com, answering caller’s questions about travel destinations and sharing some of the best travel websites and secrets out there.

While in the Big Apple, I also had lunch with my friend Mark Orwoll seasoned traveler and Travel+Leisure’s Managing Editor who gave my book a sweet review, thank you Mark!

One of my favorite spots in NYC is Central Park. If you haven't spent a few hours in Central Park on your last trip to NYC, then you must do it next time, it's amazing. Imagine 843 acres in the middle of bustling NYC. I swear if it weren’t for Central Park, New Yorker’s would go crazy. It's their oasis. The flowers, the trees, are just so beautiful, especially this time of year. I discovered flowers I never knew existed. In Central Park, you can see everything and everyone from celebs to freaks. Not only that, but you can play sport’s from softball to sand volleyball (that's right all of you Southern Californian’s, these guys can really throw down).

One of the best things you can do in the park is rent a rowboat for $10 an hour. The rental shack is located right next to the Boat House Restaurant on 74th Street in the heart of Central Park. On Sunday, Amber Airplane and I had an early picnic there. While rowing around we came across a few of nature's friends that you wouldn’t expect to see in NYC, including a bunch of turtles. Tip: go during the middle of the week or early on the weekends, otherwise it can get crowded!

Some big changes recently the MTA raised the price for the subway and busses by 50 cents (it's now $2) and the City Hall adopted California's policy of banning smoke in bars and restaurants. I'm a huge fan of this law because I now no longer need to take all of my smoke filled clothes off before I go inside after a night out on the town. I never thought this law was going to pass in NYC because so many people smoke here. These days walking down the street in front of bars gets kind of humorous (except for the owners) because you will see more people outside than in.

While in NYC, I usually dine out every meal and have everything from great pizza to fine dining. This week we went to too many restaurants to list, but here are two good ones to share with you. We dined with our good friend Joe Lewis and his girlfriend Skye at both of these. Here you will find tasty food and good atmosphere.

Bryant Park Grill: Features American-style dining set against the stunning backdrop of Bryant Park. Seasonal patio and rooftop dining provide great views of the park. It is located behind the library, on Bryant Park’s Upper Terrace between 40th and 42nd Streets. Reservations are suggested for the dining room. For more info
Rain: For some of the tastiest Thai food around. This is what I always get: Heaven's Beef (it's Thai beef jerky), the best sticky rice and Tom Kha Kai soup. They have two locations, but I prefer the atmosphere and motif on West 82nd Street. Rain: 100 West 82nd St. tel. 212.501.0776 or 1059 Third Ave. (bet. 62nd & 63rd Sts.) tel. 212.840.0521. $$$

Sunday was an emotional day for me. This was my third Mother's Day without my Mom here and probably the roughest (I thought it's supposed to get easier). I was doing pretty well until my cell phone rang as I walked through Grand Central. It was my sister and father saying they just received my book and that they were so excited and proud of me. Then she said "The dedication to Mom was so special and how proud Mom must be". There was silence on both ends and I could hear her holding back the tears. My eyes got teary and my throat swelled and I just kept saying I know Mom is, I know she is with us right now and always. And then I boarded the train to Connecticut, so I could lay some flowers on her grave.

That evening, Amber Airplane and I had dinner with my brother, his friend Cricket (that's right, Cricket) and her Mom in Westport. We ate at Mario's, another great restaurant to go to for either steaks or Italian food and it's right next to the train station.

GOOD NEWS! Over the past couple of years, I have received countless amount of emails and phone calls asking to book people's trips. I am not a travel agent so I always had to send them away. Well, after searching the world over for the most qualified travel agency, I am pleased to announce Johnny Jet Travel as an alternative to booking online. You might say that if you’re in need of personalized service for that special trip, cruise vacation, honeymoon, bachelor party or if you really need those seats in First Class, then check out the special offers or you can call 1-800-JohnnyJet for personal service that I use personally. This new venture is an additional feature to Johnny Jet's Ultimate Travel Portal that my friends and family, who need a travel agent, can call and get the service they’ve been asking me for. 1-800-JohnnyJet. Now how cool is that?!

FRENCH POLYNESIA:
Now it's time to pick up where we left off last week with our fantastic trip to Tahiti. In case you missed last week's news then click here for the archives. We had an incredible three nights on the island of Moorea. We didn't want to leave because we didn't think it could get any better than that, but we were wrong, our trip did get even better!

The airport in Moorea is fairly small. They have a few shops and they use old-fashioned scales to weigh your bags. What I liked about flying inter-island in French Polynesia is that everything is so laid back and welcoming. Even the bathrooms. That's right! They might not be the cleanest but they have fresh flowers. Another positive thing is they do not have security for the inter-island flights. Which means no fumbling at security check points. (On the International flights Tahiti is tight with security).

Our first flight of the day was on Air Tahiti and we were on their ATR 72 (68 passenger turbo prop). We were nervous to be flying on a "smaller” plane, but this plane cut through the wind and turbulence very smoothly. Yes, just my luck, I was there during their rainy season. Our first stop was to the island of Huahine. It took thirty minutes to get there and we didn't get off. We just sat on the tarmac for about fifteen minutes to drop off and pick up passengers.

We then flew a painless fifteen minutes to Bora Bora. The tip here is since the inter-island flights do not have pre-assigned seats, try and be one of the first few on the plane and sit on the left hand side for the incredible view of Bora Bora on landing. It was raining so hard; that the only thing we could see was this, but I can imagine how it normally looks.

The locals call Bora Bora “Bora Boring”, but I think that is why so many vacationers love it. It is picturesque and if it were sunny we would've had some amazing pictures to show you.   It has a tall lush green center and is completely surrounded by the lagoon and a bunch of white sandy motus (small islets).   In fact, the airport is on a motu called Motu Mute. I have no idea what that is supposed to mean and couldn't find it online.

Unfortunately, it was so rough that our surprise event, which was set up by our travel agent, was canceled. It turned out they left us a message on my international cell phone the day before, informing us of a change in plans, but as I said last week, I didn't even bother to turn that device on. That little mistake made for quite an interesting afternoon. We were supposed to be met by the guys from Lagoonarium to take us out for a picnic and a private shark and giant manta ray feeding, by hand. Yes by hand! I hear this is the thing to do when you come to Bora Bora, and how great would've it been to get a picture of Amber Airplane's face while we were feeding the sharks?

Obviously, there was no one to greet us at BOB (that's Bora Bora's three letter airport code). We had no idea where to go, but everyone pointed us to the free ferry to town. So we did. The ferry took about twenty-five minutes to get there and the colors of the water, again, were breath taking.   When we arrived, still no one there for us. We asked everyone where we should go (keep in mind we could hardly understand these people, because they spoke Tahitian). Finally, a good-sized Polynesian man who worked down on the dock said he new the Lagoonarium folks and would take us there for free. Usually, I don't get in the car with strangers, but we didn't have many options and you don't hear about much crime on Bora Bora. After driving for a while around on the main road similar to Moorea's shoreline drive.   Amber Airplane whispers to me, "Maybe he is going to kill us and sacrifice us to the Gods". I thought she was kidding until I saw the fear in her eyes. I whispered back and said, “Are you kidding? These people are so friendly they wouldn't"... then I noticed a machete on his seat and he had a funny grin, so I said to her, "well maybe you are right" and then she really freaked.

It turned out to be a crazy adventure. We drove halfway around the island, which is only nineteen miles long to begin with, but it was quite winding and deserted at times. It was pouring rain and the guy literally dropped us off on a drenched lawn. We didn't see anyone around but for five happy and smelly flea ridden dog that wouldn't stop jumping on us and shaking their wet sand all over. Amber Airplane was thinking, “What the heck are we doing here” and she jumps on top of the bench to escape. I said I am going to find someone to speak to and I'll be right back. Amber was yelling don't leave me! I said with a chuckle "you better behave and stop shopping".

It turned out the Lagoonarium staff was very apologetic and told me they left me a message. The wife of the owner took us down the street to Hotel Mai Tai and treated us to lunch for our inconvenience. Of course, after lunch Amber Airplane said she was going to the bathroom and I spotted her sneaking into a store across the street. Then the owner of the Lagoonarium picked us up and drove us around most of the island. He was a cool dude and he showed us all around, including the Windstar boat.   Since we weren't able to experience the day he had planned he gave us videotapes to see what we would’ve seen if it was better weather.   After reviewing the tapes, I can't wait to go back.

We took the thirty minute ferry back to Motu Mute, checked into our next flight to Raiatea so we could catch a ferry to the most romantic place I have ever been to or have ever seen.   Next week I will show you what a romantic getaway is really all about. Here's a sneak peak of the magical island.

If you want this Tahitian dream to be a reality then contact FlyTahiti.com or 1-800-JohnnyJet!
SAMPLE FARES/PACKAGES

LAX-paris departure 27 may returning 31 may week end in paris $ 280 rt pp + taxes and fees!!!!! ( cheaper than flying to tuscalusa ! )

LAX-par departure 27may and return 02 or 03 jun $ 430 + taxes / fees ( yeap round trip )

LAX- papeete departure on may31 only but available returns for 04/08/10/11jun $ 350 pp/ plus taxes/fees

example packages:

Round trip to papeete 4 night at the deluxe le meridien (5 * ) a/ in a lagoon view room : $ 999 per person + tax/ fees b/ upgrade to an overwater bungalow fo an extra 275 per person includes the air, transfers and stays. or round trip to papeete , 1 night at le tiare hotel ( 3 * ) transfers air to bora bora 3 night eden beach resort ( 3 * )bora bora ocean view room transfers for 1249 per person + taxes

LIVE WEB CAMS OF THE WEEK
Salt Lake City, Utah Riga, Latvia

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Flight View Ever wonder what the current air traffic over the United States looks like to air traffic controllers? This week's website of the week is from Flight View.com where you can not only see 3,000 dots, but you can see the traffic flow to 10 of the nations largest airports.

BONUS MILE OFFERS
Twenty new ways to earn miles on eight airlines The Neighborhood, a nationwide local and long distance phone company from MCI, is offering 10,000 Executive Club Miles from British Airways when you join by May 31. Participants are awarded 1,000 bonus miles every month during 10 months of service. The Neighborhood provides unlimited local and long distance calling, caller ID, call waiting and voice mail from $49 to $69 per month. Call 800-406-2670 for more information. Be sure to request the British Airways bonus miles when enrolling. US Airways' frequent fliers earn 2,500 bonus miles for booking award travel at usairways.com through May 23. AMEX ROLLS OUT CUSTOMIZED REWARDS NEW PROGRAM: SMARTREWARDS FROM CANJET MIDWEST OFFERS TICKETS FOR MILES-PLUS-CASH Cite Award Code YXMD15 FROM VIRGIN: REFERRAL BONUS, AWARD DISCOUNT Bottom 4 found on FrequentFlier.com

LOS ANGELES TIMES
New wave of chic In the era of the Web search, whither the travel agency? They take their friendship on the road Aloft, the old-fashioned way A family reunion with Welsh appeal TOURS & CRUISES Heritage Valley's play for the past TRAVEL LOG La vida loca, flamenco style A little bit of everything along the Napa River Trail Seeing ghosts on the Nez Perce Trail Loosening the grip of separation anxiety Ropin' in reasonable prices at a dude ranch Backpackers stay on the move amid crises Spaniards are friendly and eager to help Readers recommend Her tale of the South Pacific

USA TODAY
Big scramble for SARS screening Logan to install new security system Delta pilots balk at pay cut request Little Rock airport to ban smoking Frontier to launch marketing campaign Sky Harbor tower coming 'just in time' Attendant pleads guilty to spiking baby's juice with Xanax Ontario could rival LAX by 2030 Business picking up at United? Is that a monkey in the next seat? 25 years of casinos in Atlantic City Package explodes on SFO tarmac Animals can fly for 'emotional support' Documents missing in crash probe France braces for air transport strike US Airways orders $4.3B in new jets Future uncertain for Pittsburgh airport Sen. Clinton urges TSA to reconsider cuts Workers in limbo; morale 'horrible' Many airports tied to troubled airlines AA: bookings up, fuel costs down Northwest applies to fly to Iraq Denver wants $10M in rent from United Special ID could cut security delays AA balks at English-only signs at DFW Delta makes move in Detroit, Twin Cities NWA pilots: Other unions must take cuts NWA president testifies pension proposal is crucial Atlantic City airport traffic on the rise UAL cites improvements in its financial situation Reno airport celebrates 75th anniversary Thai Air offers SARS compensation Execs expect cut-rate fleets to grow Lawmakers want more armed pilots Man bilks airlines out of $200,000 Creditors: Hawaiian Air acted recklessly Northwest applies to fly to Iraq Mount Everest 50 years after Hillary Mother's Day away from home Georgia winery and resort ages well Thai Air offers SARS compensation Execs expect cut-rate fleets to grow Lawmakers want more armed pilots Man bilks airlines out of $200,000 Creditors: Hawaiian Air acted recklessly Northwest applies to fly to Iraq