MM - General Aviation - Duke Bound for a Sunburned Country

[MM]

Where goes Willy, opportunity calls. Leaving VIAL for VEBS.

Continuing with REX 2.0 Real Wx. (Gosh. Forecast is 1SM viz at VEBS. Hope the ILS operators are not on strike.)

[MM]

Down into the fog-enshrouded Bhubaneswar. Good to have modern equipment operating today.

[MM]

Following Willy across the Bay of Bengal to the old penal colony at Coco Island.
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Stormy weather over ocean. Diverting to larger airfield at Port Blair. Forecast viz is 3SM without ILS or working NDB. At least VOPB is longer and without trees on the threshold.

[Willy]

I hope you have better luck with the winds than I have had the past few flights.

[MM]

Halfway to Coco Island the METARs showed a local storm with 3SM viz...not good for a small plantation airstrip. So diverted to Port Blair VOPB with its longer runway and VOR off the field. (The METAR also showed 3SM visibility.) During the trip over the Bay of Bengal, the storm passed through Port Blair leaving fog -- which led to me to execute some careful positioning for the GPS approach.

Happily, all this was unnecessary. When I got to Port Blair it was a splendid sunny morning. All was good with the world...

[MM]

Early start from Port Blair over the Adaman Sea toward the island state Penang. (VOPB-WMKP)

[MM]

An early morning departure gave views of the sunrise over the Adaman sea. Unfortunately, unexpected headwinds came with the morning light. The long flight over water was capped with a beautiful approach into Penang.

The island was part of the British colonial Straits Settlements before becoming part of Malaysia after WWII. Originally swampy and malaria stricken, it was known as the "White Man's Graveyard." Neverthless, the capital George Town became one of the region's commercial and financial centers during the 19th century. Now, having been a free port, the island has generated one of Asia's largest electronics manufacturing industries and still attracts Chinese and European immigrants.

[MM]

After a quick brunch at the Eastern and Orient Hotel (one of the great colonial era hotels), leaving for Singapore and Raffles (the most famous of those grand hotels).

[Bry Rosier]

Me Too I think you`ll arrive well before me so I expect a nice cold Pint of Tiger on my arrival Please

[MM]

Thunderstorms over Malaysia...anyone surprised. Looked pretty ominous after a while, and it turned out to be a ride. Happy that the weather cleared for a routine final into Singapore. A familiar sight to us all. Now to see the man at Raffles for a spot of refreshment.

[MM]

And next, Banjarmasin, a city known for (among other things) its gold and diamonds. Nice to visit a productive city, eh Willy?

Left a drink at Raffles' Long Bar for Bry.

Continuing on with REX2 with 60nm updates.

[MM]

Long flight over the South China Sea and the southern coast of Borneo. Winds were like the little girl...when good, very very good, and when bad, horrid.

Frightening moment when the gear would not deploy...but they eventually did. Will have to check for cinder blocks in the wells.

[MM]

Then, over the Java Sea to Maumere on Flores. (WAOO-WATC) Headwinds in forecast.

According to Wikipedia, the reefs in the Maumere Gulf were once considered among the world's best diving spots. Now, however, thanks to "bomb fishing" and the use of toxic chemicals in the fishing industry, about 75 percent of the reefs have been damaged or destroyed. Guess that's what economists call "externalities."

[MM]

Long flight with constant headwinds. (REX2 has had same winds for many hours...) While over the Java Sea, spent some time looking for Pirates...you know, private enterprise taxation agents. But the trip was rewarded by a beautiful descent into the Gulf of Maumere and a sight of the spectacular scenery offshore.

[MM]

And then quickly off for the "Thunderstorm Capital of the World" Darwin.