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The fantastic WoA bus<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Preparing the aircraft<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Daily fire engine test<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>The fuel arrives<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Filling the tip tanks<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Fueling, ready for departure<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nIFR traffic to and from Seletar is a little strange, with no actual instrument approaches despite its status as a major private jet base. Departing to the south, as we were, it is at the mercy of traffic from Changi. We received our ATC clearance and taxied to the runway, then having to hold for nearly half an hour while ATC waited for a gap to slot us through and get us away to Indonesia. As we waited, a flight of 5 or so Diamond DA40 trainers took off for training; they were from the Singapore Air Force. Eventually, we were released, and directed to fly runway heading far out from the airport until turning south.<\/p>\n\n\n
Departing from Seletar<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Singapore container port<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Northern parts of Singapore<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Thick haze as we leave Singapore<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Life-jackets on!<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Improving visibility as we head south<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nSince my arrival the haze had worsened considerably, and above about 4,000ft it was difficult to make out much of anything on the ground. This was terribly frustrating for Juvy and her professional level camera! It didn’t take long before we had left Singapore and crossed into Indonesian airspace, although the Singapore controller held on to us until we were 100 miles or so out.<\/p>\n\n\n
Our assigned route was about 100 miles longer than a direct route would have been, but kept us mostly over land instead of striking out over the sea. Even so, there were a number of long sea crossings, and even over the islands we were often out of radio range with ATC. This was no problem, and whenever we could we’d check in via relay from an airliner. Our planned route took us directly over Jakarta which sadly was not to be, with ATC directing us east of the city as we arrived over the island of Java, and headed inland over the city of Bandung.<\/p>\n\n\n
The crossing of the equator!<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Indonesian islands<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Improved weather over Indonesia<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>No land in sight<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Cruising on autopilot<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Java comes into sight<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nThis leg held another major milestone for the flight; the first crossing of the equator! We watched as the coordinates on the GPS counted down towards 0 degrees north, and then switched to “south”. We celebrated, raucously, with a high five.<\/p>\n\n\n
Rice fields in Java<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Crossing Java, east of Jakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>First sign of hills<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Our first volcano sighting<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Passing Bandung<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>East of Bandung<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nIndonesia’s volcanic nature was clear as we crossed Java. On both sides, mountain ranges rose to and above our level. It was nice to see some hills after hours of flatness, even if it did require slightly more attention paid to ensure airplane and hill did not meet. Turbulence picked up, most likely due to wind over the mountains, but never enough to be uncomfortable. After a while, we approached the southern shore of Java and turned onto the final airway that would take us towards Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n\n\n
The south shore of Java<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Mountains west of Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Downwind to land at Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nYogyakarta turned out to be a busy airport, shared between civilians and the military. There were a number of incoming flights stacked up, and we were given one turn around the hold as we approached to wait for other traffic. ATC then cleared us on to the downwind leg for a visual landing. We touched down after a flight of just over 7 hours, and taxied to parking to be met by a small army of people; police, customs, immigration, and handling. All were friendly and helpful and before long we had our bags out, the aircraft covered, and were escorted into the “VIP terminal”. Off we went to a taxi, and our hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n
Final approach to Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Yogyakarta airport<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Yogyakarta airport<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Parked up in Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nI had chosen Yogyakarta as a stop because of an Indonesian friend I had made through the Cessna 182 Facebook group. She had been helpful in offering some tips about organising the flying, so I thought that her home city would be as good a place as any for one of our stops, especially as it had many interesting tourist attractions. We stayed in one of her suggested hotels, the LaFayette. It stood proud, 8 stories tall, in the middle of a low rise neighbourhood, looking rather out of place. Walking in to the lobby, it can only be described as “oppressively French” – but was clean, luxurious, and ended up being a fantastic place to stay for a few nights! After complimentary high tea on the rooftop, we headed out to find some traditional Indonesian food for Juvy, and something far more boring for me, before turning in for the night, overlooked in both rooms by pictures of the Eiffel Tower.<\/p>\n\n\n
The Hotel LaFayette<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>High tea at the LaFayette<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Mt Merapi, from the hotel<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Sunset over Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Hotel rooftop<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Dinner in Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
I skipped breakfast, although Juvy reported that it was delicious. Our first stop for the day was to be the Palace of Yogyakarta. This palace was constructed in 1756 and is the seat of the Sultan of Yogyakarta, who rules the special region of Yogyakarta as the only recognised monarchy in Indonesia. We were shown around by what seemed to be a semi-mandatory tour guide, who explained some of the history of the previous Sultans (all of whom, before the present Sultan, had many many wives) and also the function of the various ceremonial pagodas and other structures around the large, open palace area.<\/p>\n\n\n
Traditional dress on display<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>The palace of Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>The palace of Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>The palace of Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Making new camera friends<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>The palace of Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Musical instruments at the Palace<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Building details at the Palace<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Donated Royal cars from the USA<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Donated Royal cars from the USA<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>An attempt to sell tourist tat<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Outside the Palace<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nDuring the visit, Juvy got chatting to a lady from China; both of them had fancy cameras. She was out exploring South East Asia, and joined us for lunch at a nearby restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n
Street scene in Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Juvy stopped for a coconut<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Street scene in Yogyakarta<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>