The 2012 Air Journey Around the World

Singapore to Solo, Indonesia

We are leaving the great city of Singapore for Solo, our airport in Indonesia, gateway to the temple of Borobodur.

Interesting flight like may others, but the exception this time is the crossing of the Equator, Singapore is at 1.7 degree north, our destination is 7 degree south, may be the water will turn the other way around....

Departure was from runway 03 with a heading of 10 degree at 1000 feet...Not too happy about this one since there was a thundershower in that direction with bottom at 2000 feet, a couple of bumps and then a handoff to Changi airport that gave us a clamp to 310 and most important a heading of 130. The climb and the rest of the flight was in severe clear all the way to FL390

Here is the first picture of the new lens purchase in Singapore, a fisheye

Non Nori-san is flying a very large plane. look like a 747 for the look of it

There was contest with the photo showing the closest the crossing of the Equator, looks like I ddi nail this one. First time I can see the full zeros of the equator

We were greeted at the Solo airport with a hold, the first one since the one in Istanbul, at 5000 around the VOR with aigret sight of the volcanoes. Quiet for today

The weather was VFR but we still had to do a full ILS with a procedure turn

Very well depicted on the internal chart

yes we are south of the Equator, this is stand #2 at the Solo airport

Our stay in Singapore at the Raffles Hotel and a in depth discovery

Checking in the Raffles is like getting back home.

Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles didn't establish Singapore but the hotel bearing his name was established by Syed Mohamed Alsagoff as the first modern building with electricity in Singapore. Opened in 1887, it was named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles. Managed by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, it is known for its luxurious accommodation and superb restaurants. The hotel houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum and Victorian-style theatre.

This will be home for 2 nights.

The lobby is very impressive

Flowers are updated every single day

Beautiful garden in downtown Singapore, the Raffles offer calm and tranquility

You all recognize the Victorian style

memories from the British Colonial Tradition

Hiro-san and Nori-san

The Armstrong family

Louis-Alain and Annie Dumont.

The Raflles is a must of the places to be for Louis Alain, based on family traditions.

We did spend some time visiting the city and the new Marina Sands Hotel, a place to visit and may be to enjoy a swim in the infinity pool.

Downtown

What a store....

The deck of the restaurant of the Marina Sands is like the deck of a cruise ship

No time for the Ferris Wheel this time but we did see it

Imagine that you are on the top of the 57th floor of 3 building

On our way to Singapore

We are getting closer to the Equator.

We are all looking at this destination for many reasons, but most important we are all ready for some shopping and electronic discoveries.

But first the flight:

Amazing flight, no weather, a little IMC on the way down and a fantastic approach into Seletar airport in Singapore with Radar Vector.

Handler , Universal was on site and take very good care of us

The CitationVice President Asia Pacific was at the airport welcoming us, joined by his wife Sally and Chris Bogaars, the sales director for Asia Pacific

We will see them again during our stay in Singapore for some behind the local scene dining experience.

The Garmin 1000 in action...no way to get lost on a Runway with Jepp View

This was the last flight of G before his return to the US

Final at WSSL Seletar Airport in Singapore

On our way Langkawi, Malaysia

During our briefing we received the link of a YouTube video showing a landing in Langkawi,WMKL
The link and the video are on the previous post:

Interesting facts about Langkawi, unfortunately the haze of the burning tropical forrest prevented us to have any type of view out over the ocean, so we did not approach the idea of the bridge and the cable car.

First: The Langkawi Sky Bridge

Langkawi Sky Bridge is a 125 metres (410 ft) curved pedestrian cable-stayed bridge inMalaysia. It is located 700 metres (2,300 ft) above sea level at the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang on Pulau Langkawi, an island in the Langkawi archipelago in Kedah. The last scene of Indian movie Don: The Chase Begins Again was filmed here.

Second: The Langkawi Cable Car

The Langkawi Cable Car or Panorama Langkawi Cable Car is one of the major attractions inLangkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia. It provides an aerial link from near Burau Bay Resort atTeluk Burau to the peak of Gunung Machinchang, which is also the location of the Langkawi Sky Bridge. The total length is 2.2 km (1.4 mi).

Langkawi, Maylasia

We decided to add Malaysia to our Around the World Journey. Langkawi was on the flight path to Singapore and is offering great accommodation, great sport and a nice refreshing beach stop.

The Four Seasons seems to be the prefect place to enjoy the destination: