This is a picture of a plane taking off from the tiny airport (with a tiny-er runway). The plane is top left of center and you can see the green area below with two landing strips on it. The runway begins and ends within meters of the water. This airport is for domestic flight. I flew in at this airport at night. It was one of the coolest landings ever. The city stretched out for miles and was lighted throughout. We passed Christ the Redeemer as well as Sugar Loaf, both of which were on my side and fully lighted. AS we approached I saw nothing but water below….and more water…and still more water…HEY, where the hell is the airport??!!

We were no more than 75 feet off the surface of the ocean for what seemed like forever. The planes have to come in very low in order to stop in time before skidding off the other side into the deep blue. Just when I knew the wheels were going to hit the water the runway appeared beneath and it couldn’t have been more than 20 meters from the water when the wheels made contact with the pavement. Amazing!! These pilots earn their keep!