From Bali to Darwin

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

This flight will be the longest leg we were undertaking during this journey. Planned as a 6,5 hour flight we had a strong headwind that prolonged our flight for two hours. At the end with the IFR procedure Stephan asked for and the quarantine procedures on our entry to Australia we where sitting 9,5 hours in the cockpit. We tried a couple of different levels of altitude to fly on but everywhere the headwind was blowing with 40 knots around 75 km/h. When flying with a 160 to 180 knots, this makes quite a difference. We constantly recalculated the fuel remaining in Darwin to make sure we do not have to land at Kupang in West Timor. This is the main volcano on Lombok.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

This flight was dominated by volcanic landscape. Every island had a couple of these earth shaping creators.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

The signs where everywhere. The volcanos itself.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

Craters in the landscape.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

Craters on the seafloor.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

Craters in the rice fields.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

Sidecraters on hillsides.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

Craters in the woods.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

Craters in the clouds.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

Craters with heads.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

The sea between Timor and Australia was covered by plankton.

Oct. 30, 2005 - From Bali to Darwin

The first glimpse of Australia. At that moment we knew we made it. Nevertheless the greatest deserts were yet to come.