08-OCT - Tue - Landing in the hotspot of Asia-Pacific: Bali!

Our Lombok departure was doubtful after our broadcasted 1000 flight suddenly disappeared from the sign, 1000 came and went, 1030 came and went and no announcement was heard. Tourists were getting nervous, people started approaching officials asking for updates, to no avail. These two travellers didn’t lose their cool, leaving the departure gate for another coffee, knowing Denpasar (Bali) airport was experiencing closures due to the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Area) meeting. Finally at about 1040 our departure was announced for 1050… yeah right!? In 10 minutes from now, with the flight from Denpasar not yet landed? Had Lion Air dispatched flying carpets to fly us back to Bali? Our aircraft did in the end arrive, and by 1130 we finally took off, with these two lads on board, to our great relief. After our 30-minute journey and a couple of complimentary rounds over Denpasar airport, our flight was finally given the all clear to land. And what a landing it was, flying over water with navy ships guarding the coastline in front of Sanur and Nusa Dua. As our plane touched down, slowing down, we passed the whole of Asia-Pacific, in form of aircrafts: Philippines’ presidential aircraft, two Russian jets, various smaller aircrafts, all safely parked. We came to a stop a good deal from the main airport building, disembarking on the tarmac, greeted by the 747 of the president of Japan, the 747 of the president of Korea, the 747 of the monarch of Brunei, and a military jet of the Chilean president, what a sight. And having to walk past them on our way into the terminal, with close to no guards in sight only smiling airport staff, was great fun! As the new international airport is now open, we were processed at the deserted old wing, making the whole process as quick as ever. On the way to our compound, we just got the tail end of busy APEC meetings by a traditional restaurant with Balinese dances…, the whole street on complete shutdown with heavy military police guarding the lot! Our politicians are such hardworking men and women, enjoying chicken satay!