akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2332 posts, RR: 53 Posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 11470 times:
Introduction
G’day mates,
Do you think that the pleasure of traveling will extend beyond the experience itself by sharing your memories with others? What about dedicating these fond memories to someone special because of his or her inspiration?
Mates, allow me to dedicate my memories on board of QantasLink from Darwin to Alice Springs and beyond to 717Flyer because of my first flight ever with Boeing 717 and Hannah (Infodesk) because of her inspiration.
Travel arrangement
Australis Inbound Tour & Travel
Like Hannah with her New Zealand based Relaxing Journeys, we struck gold with Australis Inbound Tour & Travel, an Australian based agency with extensive selection of (adventure, accommodated or day) tours, (camping, outback 4WD or air) safaris, cruises and rail journeys across Australian wonders.
“Four days Desert Safari in Style. What do you think?”
4WD with Kata Tjuta in the background
“Bonzer!”
“So, we are in?”
The following day after submission of our enquiry, Reservation Agent Kimberley confirmed the tour’s availability on our desired date. She further advised that deposit of AUD 150 (EUR 118) per person became payable within seven days while full payment would be required at least one month prior to the tour date.
Just in case of possible fall in prices due to uncertainty in Euro zone at that moment, we proceeded to full payment which justified the delivery of our E-ticket two days later.
QantasLink
Despite the monopoly after Tiger Airways Australia’s withdrawal due to the suspension of its operating license by CASA last year July, Qantas yet offered discounted tickets for Alice Springs including Red E-deal one way ticket from Darwin at AUD 199 (EUR 160).
With booking reference made to measure, we were entitled to the world behind Manage Your Booking.
Flight Extras (e.g. additional baggage), Contact Details (including special requests) and Options for Your Trip (e.g. hotel or airport transfer)
Your Flight (e.g. seat selection, though only applicable for higher booking classes) and Before You Travel (e.g. checklist to help you prepare or insider’s travel advice)
Et voila! 4 Days Desert Safari in Style including flights and that’s a fact!
It took two to tango. Can you guess which one was my responsibility?
Check-in
What do you think about the plenty ways to check in for QF domestic flights? Either online, via your mobile device or at the airport for no extra charge.
Mobile Check-in
At your fingertip from twenty four hours up until forty five minutes before your flight departure.
Domestic Check-in to retrieve your booking using your booking reference number
If you are a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, you can also log in to View Your Booking.
Select Passenger to check in
Send Boarding Pass to your mobile
Indeed, I could have our 2D Boarding Passes sent to my mobile, but I preferred collecting them at the airport for the sake of paper version.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2332 posts, RR: 53 Reply 1, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 11582 times:
Darwin International Airport
Airport Check-in
Check-in Kiosks are available for fast and easy check-in.
Check-in Kiosk
You just have to follow the prompts on screen to check in.
Options to retrieve your booking
Booking reference entry
Et voila!
This is not a boarding pass!
‘It’s the same old story!’
‘Now what, Ariel?’
‘Go see a Customer Service Agent for assistance then. Luckily, it is not busy at the moment,’
Check In Counter overview
Indeed, Customer Service Agent Lydia immediately called us forward to her counter.
Counter 2 for Bag Drop
“Hello, how are you?”
“Fine, thank you. We are going to Alice Springs,”
’Oh dear, 24.7 kilograms!’
‘That is above the maximum allowance of 23 kilograms for one piece of checked baggage!’
“I would just split it if I were you,“ Lydia just remarked, “I will check it in as twenty three kilograms, but you should consider splitting it because I do not know what other agents would do in this situation,”
“Okay, thank you,”
“No worries. You are going to Alice Springs, aren’t you?”
“Yes, do you need to see our E-tickets?”
“Passport is fine,”
Some clicking further, two boarding passes were produced along with a Customer Baggage Receipt.
My boarding pass
‘Why only two boarding passes? How about me?’
‘You can have this, Ariel,’
Customer Baggage Receipt
‘Why thank you. So, where are we going now?’
FIDS
‘Gate one. Where else?’
‘How do we get there?’
‘Just follow the sign,’
Sign to Departure Gates. Note Security Screening Point behind the glass wall
“Your hand luggage has to be rescreened,” A security staff member beckoned as I was about to collect our joint carry-on.
“Sure. No problem,”
‘Do you have any idea why the rescreening, Ariel?’
‘It could have something to do with the restrictions on the carriage of liquids,’
‘I thought these restrictions are not applicable for domestic flights,’
‘True, but The Terminal is integrated combining International and Domestic services. All passengers have to go through the same Security Screening Point,’
‘Really? Oh well, all in all it took hardly five minutes. Let’s go to the first floor,’
Departure / Arrivals Lounge overview
‘Our gate is located at the far end to the left,’
Gate sign. Note the warning
‘Still forty minutes to go. How about shopping?’
Retail corridor
‘Nah, I do not think we are into it,’
‘Alright, I assume you are more into spotting?’
Air North Regional VH-ANK
‘First delivered on November 17, 1989 to the now defunct United States WestAir Airlines, but it is still going strong in Australian Northern Territory,’
‘Beauty!’
‘And there?’
Fly Timor Air ZK-VAA
‘One of the two Darwin based Saab 340B’s of Vincent Aviation, an airline from New Zealand, nowadays in the livery of a Timorese airline. Do you follow me?’
‘Sort of,’
‘How about this one?’
VH-VYH
‘Named Queanbeyan, after regional centre in the Southern Tablelands in south eastern New South Wales adjacent to the Australian Capital Territory.’
‘Guess what is pulling in?’
VH-NXM. Sorry for the Red Rooster mirror reflection
‘Our first ever Boeing 717 to experience! Do you know that VH-NXM had the honor to fly Mark (BA319-131) and his wife to Ayers Rock on October 29, 2007?’
Boarding
As Flight Attendant Belinda unlocked the entry to security restricted area of Gate 1 at 14.05, her colleague from Customer Service promptly announced the boarding.
With the help of barcode reader, Belinda personally authorized each of her passengers to proceed to the aerobridge.
Aerobridge interior
“Look from here,” Herman called me to the other end of the aerobridge.
“Hello, how are you? Just straight ahead. Your seats are on the right,” Flight Attendant Belinda warmly waived us on after a glance at our seat assignment.
Cabin view. Note the pillow bags in the overhead lockers
‘The seats do not look typically of Qantas color. More business-like blue tone,’
‘It may be more Cobham Aviation Services’ style. PH-NXM is one of thirteen Boeing 717’s it operates on behalf of QantasLink,’
18A and B for us
‘Seat Guru says 31 inch,’
Legroom
‘Do you know that you could have 32 inches if you had chosen row 12 or further up front?’
Forward cabin. Boarding still in progress
‘Yes, but there is something I would easily miss if I was seated up there,’
‘Something like that one?’
CS-TQM
‘Former Etihad Airways A6-EYC! It flew Roni (Ronerone) from Abu Dhabi to Amman in 2004. The flight was even piloted by airline’s very own chairman! But what I meant is about to begin at any moment. L-1 door is closed now,’
‘Do you mean the pushback? It is commenced. Bang at 14.25!’
‘Listen! The rumble, the vibrating sound of engine startups! Do you hear the BR715 twins of BMW and Rolls Royce?’
‘Too right! How thrilling while in-flight safety demonstration is being performed,’
“… And just in case you missed any of this, please refer to our safety card located in your seat pocket…”
How the seatbelt works, to get familiar with the brace position, activate oxygen mask and use the lifejacket
How to evacuate
Additional safety information
“… Enjoy your journey,”
Underway on taxiway B2
‘Look over there,’
Air Traffic Control tower
‘Do you know that the ATC is provided by No. 44 Wing of RAAF within 40 nautical miles of the airport as RAAF Base Darwin shares its runway with DRW?’
Take off
“Flight attendants, take off position,”
Lined up in front of B2
‘A short cut? Neglecting 1,000 of the whole 3,354 meters? Will it be sufficient?’
‘Yes, even if Captain Fippo decides on reduced take-off thrust …,’
Take off roll
‘…as it apparently is the case,’
Lift off some 1,500 m further
VH-NXM immediately performed steep climb out, revealing an overview of The Litchfield Municipality.
Shoal Bay of Eastern Rural in the distance
In flight
‘Look! Outer Darwin!’
Coolalinga (left half) and Freds Pass (right half)
Bees Creek (bottom) and McMinns Lagoon (middle right)
Livingstone
‘We are lucky with the view on the left side,’
Cabin view. Note passengers glued to the window
‘I am so excited that I need to go to the lavatory!’
Lavatory pan
‘Don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards!’
Liquid hand soap container
‘The soap contains moisturizing Aloe Vera and antioxidant vitamin E. Get the feeling!’
Atmospheric lighting
‘We are now passing Katherine towards the south,’
‘Fair dinkum? How do you know that?’
‘Captain Fippo has just told us on the microphone,’
At 14.55, Belinda and her colleague Flight Attendant Theraze rolled a meal trolley down the aisle for snack service.
A packet of pretzels along with a QF branded napkin
“Do you want anything to drink?”
“Do you have ginger beer?”
“Sure,”
My ginger beer. Cheers, PlaneHunter
Herman was somehow under the impression that it would be the only on-board service and flagged down Theraze for more pretzels as she worked her way back to the front galley with Belinda.
Belinda and Theraze in action
‘How nice of Theraze to hand Herman not one, but two packets of pretzels! So, you can just munch away longer while enjoying in-flight entertainment,’
Your free copy of in-flight magazine
‘Look outside! It is rather cloudy, but…’
Lake Woods in between clouds
‘An ephemeral freshwater lake which has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it has supported for up to 116,000 water birds, including over one percent of the world population of Plumed Whistling Ducks,’
“Do you want something to eat?”
“Oh yes, please,”
Refreshment, served twenty minutes after snack service
‘What have you got on your sandwich? Whistling Duck?’
‘Very funny, Ariel! I have got ready-to-eat chicken chunks, bound together with creamy, full-flavored pesto mayonnaise on cushion of whole meal bread slices,’
“Coffee or tea?”
“No, thank you. But, may I?”
Distinctive service tray design. Note the handle
“No coffee for you?” Herman wondered.
“I am fine,”
Pineapple coconut cake
“I did not expect this pre-packed cake to be surprisingly moist. Even with coconut shavings, it is not overly sweet. Oh, and I just have to give Qantas that there is no healthier finishing touch than a fresh home-grown Royal Gala apple,”
‘What about the finishing touch of that?’
Wing shot
‘This part of 28.4 meter wingspan altogether with Stratocumulus on the background? Would it be appropriate to regard the performance as sexy?’
Continuous performance, half an hour long, until Captain Fippo announced our descent.
Stuart Highway
‘A segment of Highway 1, all the way from Darwin via Tennant Creek and Alice Springs to Port Augusta of South Australia. The whole stretch measures 2,834 kilometers, ’
Landing
‘Central Australia!’
Alice Springs
‘Where 644 kilometer long series of mountain ranges run along with many spectacular gaps and gorges as well as areas of aboriginal significances,’
MacDonnell Ranges
‘Named after Sir Richard MacDonnell, the Governor of South Australia of that time, by John McDouall Stuart whose expedition reached the ranges in April 1860. Their conspicuous reddish ridges are formed from hard rock which is known to geologists as Heavitree quartzite. Can you imagine that about 850 million years ago, the ranges’ flat faces were layers of sand on the beach of a shallow sea?’
Alice Springs Airport
‘Originally built as Seven Mile Aerodrome in 1940 by Australian Department of Defense and officially became Alice Springs Airport in 1958,’
‘Pity that John McDouall Stuart passed away way too early on June 5, 1866. Could he appreciate the view during the final approach?’
Heavitree Gap
‘What about the touchdown?’
Rolling out on 12 – 30 runway with flaps fully extended at 16.15
‘Could he get excited about the runway extension already in 1961 to its present length of 2,438 meters?’
Turning for backtrack on 500 meter distance from 30 threshold
‘Or the view from Taxiway E1…’
Alice Springs control tower with MacDonnell Ranges on the background
‘Or even this?’
Safely pulled into Bay 3 at 16.20
Disembarking
A sweet smile of Belinda prepared us for what about to come past L-1.
T-tail in Central Australia
A handshake with Theraze followed as we set foot on Central Australian soil.
Thank you, VH-NXM
Alice Springs Airport
‘How could you not possibly feel welcome this way?’
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2332 posts, RR: 53 Reply 3, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 11526 times:
Desert Safari
‘Uluru!’
‘No! It is Artilla or Mount Conner. Many people confuse it with Uluru since it can be seen from the road to Uluru when approaching from Alice Springs,’
‘Really?’
‘Yes! It is named after South Australian parliamentarian M.L. Conner by William Goose in 1876. This characteristic mesa shape rises more than 859 meters above the plain with a level cap of three kilometer long and 1,200 meter wide and shares the same vast rocky substrate thought to be beneath Uluru and Kata Tjuta,’
Kata Tjuta
‘Kata Tjuta is Pitjantjatjara meaning of many heads,’
Kata Tjuta dune viewing
‘I thought they were called The Olgas?’
‘Well, when explorer Ernest Giles and his small band became the first Europeans to sight the thirty six steep-sided rock domes in 1872, he named the tallest peak Mount Olga in honor of Queen Olga of Württemberg as she and her husband King Charles I of Württemberg celebrated their twenty fifth wedding anniversary the previous year,’
‘I see,’
‘Just a side note, Queen Olga was born Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaievna of Russia, daughter of Tsar Nicholas I,’
‘So, the official name is Mount Olga / Kata Tjuta?’
‘It was. Until November 6, 2002 when the order of the dual names, following a request from the regional Tourism Association, has officially been reversed to Kata Tjuta / Mount Olga. This area is actually an Aṉangu’s men site and is sacred onder Tjukurpa or traditional law,’
‘Sacred? Are we allowed entry?’
‘Palya! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to visit,’
Kata Tjuta walk
‘As long as you stay on the marked tracks, no worries! Look over there!’
Visitors on Karu Lookout
‘Japanese tourists?’
‘No, that one!’
Metamorphic rock
‘Some 550 million years ago, during the Petermann Orogeny, an event known as Woodroff Thrust, thrust granulite facies rocks northwards over low-grade metamorphic rocks. The eventual erosion of the formation resulted in a molasse facies,’
‘Molasse?’
‘Deposition in front of rising mountains,’
Molasse
‘The deposit, known as the Mount Currie Conglomerate, was created, predominately made of basalt, porphyry, granite, gneiss and volcanic rock fragments,’
Spot any rock element
‘Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta are made of the sediments originating in this Mount Currie Conglomerate,’
‘Bonzer!’
‘By the way, if temperature remains below 36 Centigrade, you should go further down to Karingana Lookout,’
Overview from Karingana Lookout
Uluru
Cheers
‘Hey, could it be?’
Uluru!
‘We are now at twenty five kilometer east of Kata Tjuta and apparently not the only ones,’
Spectators. Note the many busses
‘How can you blame anyone to be here for the sunset panorama?’
Distinctive red coloration at dusk
‘Uluru appears to change color not only during sunset,’
Glowing red at dawn
‘The sandstone formation stands 348 meter above the plain with most of its bulk lying underground and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometers,’
Rock formation. Note the climbers on top right
‘Wanyu Ulurunya tatintja wiyangku wantima,’
‘What are you talking about, Ariel?’
‘Please don’t climb Uluru!’
‘Why not?’
‘Firstly as it is great spiritual significance to the Aṉangu, we should respect their law and culture by not climbing,’
‘And secondly?’
‘For your own safety! You do not want to follow the tracks of other 35 people perished on their attempt to climb Uluru, do you?’
‘No thanks!’
‘Besides, you can learn a lot more while staying on the ground. Fancy a legend?’
‘Tell me,’
‘Two tribes of ancestral spirits were invited to a feast, but distracted by the beautiful Sleepy Lizard Women, so they did not show up which made the hosts angry,’
‘I am listening…’
‘In response, the hosts sang evil into a mud sculpture that came to life as a dingo. The dingo was sent to run amok. Its first target was tribal women’s cave. The women were sleeping, except one female guardian,’
View from women’s cave. Imagine the fear of the guardian
‘The guardian tried to protect the women by warning the men, but got severely scratched on her face to death,’
Interior of women’s cave. Note the depiction of the guardian on the left after the dingo’s attack
‘The men got alarmed by the scream. Sadly, they were too late,’
Dingo’s footprint
‘The massacre among the women ensued in a great battle, which ended in the deaths of the leaders of both tribes. The earth itself rose up in grief at the bloodshed, becoming Uluru,’
‘Anyway, let’s do something else. How about a walk of 10.6 kilometers? The Uluru Base Walk?’
‘Good idea,’
‘There are some important sensitive areas around the base of Uluru though, whose images are considered inappropriate to be viewed elsewhere other than their original location,’
‘Why is that?’
‘The rock details and features are equivalent to a sacred scripture as they describe culturally important information,’
‘Alright,’
Gap between rock formation
‘We are now past sacred area of Tjukatjapi! Picture time!’
‘Do you see what I see?’
‘Can you take a close-up?’
The Brain
‘Sacred area Kuniya Piti is near. Perhaps one last shot beforhand?’
‘Kuniya Piti is behind us. Picture time again!’
‘Look over there!’
‘There must be the place of Mutitjulu Waterhole!’
‘How can you be so sure, Ariel?’
Japanese and other tourists
‘Need I say more? By the way, our theoretically three and a half hour walk comes to an end in less than two hours!’
Mates, our visit to Aboriginal land of Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage List for both its natural and cultural values concludes the first part of Desert Safari in Style.
Conclusion
First of all, I sincerely hope that my friends 717Flyer and Hannah will accept my dedication of this part of our journey to The Land Down Under.
Secondly, my gratitude to Herman for being my (travel) companion to share the joy with.
At the same time, I wish to cordially thank Lydia for her help during check in and furthermore Belinda, Belinda and Theraze for taking good care of us on board of the first Boeing 717 ever.
And to all of you, my mates, thank you so much for joining us.
Thanks for the showcase of the self-check-in as well. It certainly looks very user-friendly. Thats a souvenir for sure!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): ‘Do you have any idea why the rescreening, Ariel?’
‘It could have something to do with the restrictions on the carriage of liquids,’
‘I thought these restrictions are not applicable for domestic flights,’
‘True, but The Terminal is integrated combining International and Domestic services. All passengers have to go through the same Security Screening Point,’
Interesting indeed about security check for domestic passengers as well. You don't have to go through passport control though, am I right?
Thanks so much for sharing this photo, I've never seen this bird before!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): VH-NXM. Sorry for the Red Rooster mirror reflection
I thought its pretty quirky! lol
Quoting akhmad (Reply 1): With the help of barcode reader, Belinda personally authorized each of her passengers to proceed to the aerobridge.
Very interesting that the FA does the passenger boarding!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 2): ‘It may be more Cobham Aviation Services’ style. PH-NXM is one of thirteen Boeing 717’s it operates on behalf of QantasLink,’
Interesting plane indeed! Did QantasLink buy over Cobham Aviation Services?
Quoting akhmad (Reply 2): ‘I am so excited that I need to go to the lavatory!’
I'm glad you did! I am very curious of how the 717 lavatory is like!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 2): Cabin view. Note passengers glued to the window
Interesting B717 cabin layout!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 2): My ginger beer. Cheers, PlaneHunter
Looks very refreshing indeed!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 2):
Refreshment, served twenty minutes after snack service
Wow, like Herman, I was puzzled if the snack was the only refreshment offering, given the 2hr sector! What a nice surprise that there would be sandwiches after the pretzels! Boys, we are not in Europe anymore!
Most excellent commentary accompanied with beautiful photos! Gives me a really close insight into how the mystical place is like. Ariel makes an excellent tour guide. Was it very hot there? I appreciate the great photography too, you managed to capture the majestic rocks in its full serendipity despite the throng of Japanese tourists!
This is a wonderful adventure to a really mysterious place. The excellent services of Belinda and Theraze onboard the Spirit of Australia must have gotten you in the mood to explore the natural wonders of the Australian Outback! Wonderful flight review, as always Suryo, may your passion for flying shine always
Bests,
Gavin
They say that I'm a dreamer. But I'd only Dreamt Skyward.
I thought that the albinos were meant to be following the FlyingFinn.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Do you know that the ATC is provided by No. 44 Wing of RAAF within 40 nautical miles of the airport as RAAF Base Darwin shares its runway with DRW?
A few seats empty. Nice for the pax as they get extra space, not so good for QF.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): How nice of Theraze to hand Herman not one, but two packets of pretzels!
Very generous. And the sandwhich, cake and fruit is just enough for a two hour flight
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): ‘Kata Tjuta is Pitjantjatjara meaning of many heads,’
Which makes them so appealing. The walks over and between the rocks provide constantly changing vistas and mixes of vegetation and wildlife. Pukulpa pitjama Ananguku ngurakutu. Your (Herman's?) wonderful photos provide a beautiful introduction. Looks like there had been reasonable rains in the area before your arrival. The country is looking good.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): 35 people perished on their attempt to climb Uluru
Sometimes the Piranpa think they know better than the traditional owners, to their cost.
Suryo, thank you for showing just a small part of the beauty that is central Australia.
But I notice two breaks from tradition.
1) No pose with the cabin crew. Was it not possible due to time or the pressure of the crew's work, or was it just not an option?
2) No photos of luxury accommodation. The tour was a desert safari but was accommodation in tents or in cabins, or resort hotel setting at Yulara?
Once more, thanks for sharing a very enjoyable trip report.
Best wishes,
Roy / Quokka
signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2948 posts, RR: 7 Reply 8, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 10468 times:
Hi Suryo,
excellent continuation to your epic trip! Every bit as well written as the previous parts, though this time you brought back memories of my own, only trip to Australia in 2002. We too (my sister and I on that occasion) visited the Red Centre for a tour, being students we opted for the camping one! And as you, we opted to tour the base of Uluru rather than climb it. Your photos do give the reader the sense of being there, not just reading a report! One day I'll take my wife to visit this amazing continent / country!
As for your flight, very nice. I too have yet to sample a B717, though it does look similar to the MD series both inside and out Nice service you received, and a good snack on board.
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1415 posts, RR: 17 Reply 9, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 10437 times:
Hi Suryo
Good to see the next installment of your journey up here. Looks like you had a great time discovering Uluru. it looks like such a serene place and the colours in those pictures you took at dusk are just lovely!
And congratulations on getting the B717. It really is an elegant bird and I find it wears the Qantas livery very well.
I had to laugh when you mentioned that your partner waved down the flight attendant for another packet of Pretzels because he thought that was all he was going to get. That's happened to me too and I felt like such a twerp.
jwhite9185 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 720 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 10221 times:
Nice little intra Australian flight there. Nice for you to catch the 717 also - I'd forgotten that TWA had briefly operated them - shame AA couldn't keep hold of a few as they looked pretty good in that livery.
FlyboyOz From Australia, joined Nov 2000, 1893 posts, RR: 28 Reply 12, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 9826 times:
That's intesresting report and I enjoyed reading lots of report and would love to meet you and travel with you one day.
I have been to Alice Spring long time ago - we flew Qantas from SYD to DRW via Alice Spring because Boeing 737-400 could not fly nonstop between two cities at that time.
I have looked at the photos about Alice Spring airport. Im suprised that the Alice Spring airport/landscape have lots of grass covering up desert/sand. At that time, there was empty and desert when i was there.
sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1178 posts, RR: 29 Reply 13, posted (7 months 3 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 9661 times:
Hello Suryo,
For a moment there I thought you had vanished from the soil of the earth but I'm glad you came back with this 'report with a vengeance'! It's a very nice one for a multitude of reasons: pics, B717, Ariel, holiday feel,... I've been to Aussie as well, but not to Alice Springs or Darwin so it was nice to have been there through your eyes now.
Nice to see as well that you dedicate this one to some fellow a.netters!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): %u2018Why only two boarding passes? How about me?%u2019
%u2018You can have this, Ariel,%u2019
Now Suryo, that's not nice, sending poor Ariel off with 'een kluitje in het riet', in the form of a baggage receipt?!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Do you know that VH-NXM had the honor to fly Mark (BA319-131) and his wife to Ayers Rock on October 29, 2007?%u2019
I didn't know but now I'm glad I do
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): %u2018Do you know that the ATC is provided by No. 44 Wing of RAAF within 40 nautical miles of the airport as RAAF Base Darwin shares its runway with DRW?%u2019
Suryo, you're the true king of trivia! Your report is full of it and it shows your true dedication to deliver us the full and detailed experience here!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): %u2018The soap contains moisturizing Aloe Vera and antioxidant vitamin E.
Ha ha, even us men like to keep our skin well fed and hydrated
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Refreshment, served twenty minutes after snack service
That looks quite good and substantial for such a short flight.
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 776 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (7 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 9487 times:
Hi suryo!
Another absolutely fantastic report with excellent pictures! Your reports are so enjoyable and entertaining every time, thanks!
Congrats on your first 717, must have been nice! Qantas' service looks quite nice on this hop!
Love your pictures of Australia too, such a great and beautiful country!
stipica From Croatia, joined Feb 2011, 398 posts, RR: 8 Reply 17, posted (7 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 9457 times:
Hi Suryo !
like every trip report coming from kind Suryo this one is more special ... so nice to dedicated your work to our members ... you are the soul of trip reports section ... congratulation for the first 717 ... and must to say thanks to H. too ... stipica
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 2212 posts, RR: 14 Reply 19, posted (7 months 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 9234 times:
Hello Suryo
Great report, thanks for taking the time and effort to share it with us.
Nice to see a plane down under with a "PH" registration.
The Qantaslink 717 looks good, however a bit aged at the same time. Great spotting pics as well, many unherd carriers.
Fab pics of the Uluru and Kata Tjuta as well
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 20, posted (7 months 3 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 9184 times:
Hello Suryo,
very nice report, and it seems like you had a great time in Australia.
Glad to see you flew a QF 717, seems like a great ride and the service didn't seem to disappoint.
A beautiful plane. I am a big fan of the entire DC-9 series. I really should try to fly a 717 soon, It's not very far for me, Blue1 has them right next doors in Finland.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): ‘The sandstone formation stands 348 meter above the plain with most of its bulk lying underground and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometers,’
Seems to be a very impressive formation, would love to visit it one day!
Thank you, thank you so much for your heartwarming replies.
PH, Philip, Nils,
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 4): Good to see you back here, I have already started to miss you and your reports.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 6): I have missed your reports so was great to see you back
Quoting sultanils (Reply 13): For a moment there I thought you had vanished from the soil of the earth but I'm glad you came back with this 'report with a vengeance'!
Thank you. You make me feel special.
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Quoting RvXKaz (Reply 5): I appreciate the great photography too, you managed to capture the majestic rocks in its full serendipity despite the throng of Japanese tourists!
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): Your (Herman's?) wonderful photos provide a beautiful introduction.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 9): and the colours in those pictures you took at dusk are just lovely!
Quoting MSS658 (Reply 19): Fab pics of the Uluru and Kata Tjuta as well
Herman gets the credit for the photos.
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Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): Which makes them so appealing. The walks over and between the rocks provide constantly changing vistas and mixes of vegetation and wildlife.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): Looks like there had been reasonable rains in the area before your arrival. The country is looking good.
Quoting FlyboyOz (Reply 12): I have looked at the photos about Alice Spring airport. Im suprised that the Alice Spring airport/landscape have lots of grass covering up desert/sand. At that time, there was empty and desert when i was there.
Just a couple of days before our arrival, hundreds of millimeters of rain have fallen in parts of Central Australia, causing the Todd River to flow for the first time this year. I assume the plants were then flourishing.
Oh, If I just recall the moments of engine start up and then takeoff, I am all tingled again!
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Hi PH,
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 4): excellent report with beautiful pictures from a beautiful country!
Your sweet compliment as a legendary trip reporter just means a lot to me!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 4): Great choice of airline/aircraft - reports about Cobham Aviation's 717 are really rare!
Note the full-grip, lighted handrail that extends the length of the passenger cabin.
Quoting RvXKaz (Reply 5): Looks very refreshing indeed!
Signature drink of Australia.
Quoting RvXKaz (Reply 5): Wow, like Herman, I was puzzled if the snack was the only refreshment offering, given the 2hr sector! What a nice surprise that there would be sandwiches after the pretzels! Boys, we are not in Europe anymore!
Quoting RvXKaz (Reply 5): I think this is really a fresh touch indeed!
I prefer this to pre-packed fruit salad.
Quoting RvXKaz (Reply 5): Most lovely aerial view! Ariel must have loved this view!!
And he was not the only one!
Quoting RvXKaz (Reply 5): Most excellent commentary accompanied with beautiful photos! Gives me a really close insight into how the mystical place is like. Ariel makes an excellent tour guide.
Thank you, also on behalf of Ariel. He really was doing his best.
Quoting RvXKaz (Reply 5): The excellent services of Belinda and Theraze onboard the Spirit of Australia must have gotten you in the mood to explore the natural wonders of the Australian Outback!
You just could not think any better atmosphere of anticipation.
Quoting RvXKaz (Reply 5): Wonderful flight review, as always Suryo, may your passion for flying shine always
Gavin, may our friendship last forever.
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Hey Philip,
Quoting OA260 (Reply 6): Lovely pics and report. Nice to see a B717 report.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): I have been waiting for your next instalment to appear and the wait was worth it.
Thank you for your patience. You know I always look forward to your reply.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): Bargain! Today's price is AUD 330.
Ouch! We were in lucky then with our Red E-deal.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): What was the problem ? - it say's "booking not found".
I had no idea. Neither booking reference nor passport worked at the kiosk, luckily we got Lydia to help us out.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): Very accommodating and useful advice too.
Too right!
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): Interesting to see that the database hasn't been updated to reflect the name-change from National Jet Systems to Cobham.
That while the company has been renamed since early 2009.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): A nice little company that flies from DRW to one of my favourite spots - KNX, though not usually on the Brasilia, more often an E170.
Beauty! If I come back to DRW, I should visit KNX as well.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): Will there be a second - from ASP to PER, maybe?
You will see.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): I thought that the albinos were meant to be following the FlyingFinn.
I have got nothing against albino.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): There goes our national security.
Oops!
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): A few seats empty. Nice for the pax as they get extra space, not so good for QF.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): Sometimes the Piranpa think they know better than the traditional owners, to their cost.
Bad example.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): But I notice two breaks from tradition.
I plead guilty.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): 1) No pose with the cabin crew. Was it not possible due to time or the pressure of the crew's work, or was it just not an option?
Well, I was somehow too shy to ask them for a photo.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 7): 2) No photos of luxury accommodation. The tour was a desert safari but was accommodation in tents or in cabins, or resort hotel setting at Yulara?
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 9): Good to see the next installment of your journey up here.
Thank you.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 9): Looks like you had a great time discovering Uluru. it looks like such a serene place
Uluru just compels admiration.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 9): I had to laugh when you mentioned that your partner waved down the flight attendant for another packet of Pretzels because he thought that was all he was going to get. That's happened to me too and I felt like such a twerp.
Well, we were just unaware of different service standard.
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 10): I'd forgotten that TWA had briefly operated them - shame AA couldn't keep hold of a few as they looked pretty good in that livery.
TWA, AA, QF, don’t you think that every livery fits a B717?
Quoting FlyboyOz (Reply 12): That's intesresting report and I enjoyed reading lots of report and would love to meet you and travel with you one day.
What a great honor! Thank you for reading my report.
Quoting FlyboyOz (Reply 12): I have been to Alice Spring long time ago - we flew Qantas from SYD to DRW via Alice Spring because Boeing 737-400 could not fly nonstop between two cities at that time.
Interesting. Was it due to payload restriction? I thought Boeing 737-400 could fly 4,204 kilometers nonstop and DRW-SYD leg is yet within the range.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 13): Suryo, you're the true king of trivia! Your report is full of it and it shows your true dedication to deliver us the full and detailed experience here!
I am truly honored. Thank you, Nils.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 13): Ha ha, even us men like to keep our skin well fed and hydrated
Quoting adamspotter (Reply 15): Another absolutely fantastic report with excellent pictures! Your reports are so enjoyable and entertaining every time, thanks!
Yes, but never say never.
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redcenterflyer,
Quoting redcenterflyer (Reply 16): Great TR. Alice Springs being my town of residence for about 14 years now, always lover to see pic's of her, and people enjoying the surrounds.
Quoting stipica (Reply 17): like every trip report coming from kind Suryo this one is more special ... so nice to dedicated your work to our members ... you are the soul of trip reports section ...
Thank you so much for the honor. You are too kind!
Quoting stipica (Reply 17): and must to say thanks to H. too ... stipica
You are welcome, also on behalf of H.
**********************************************************
Quokkas From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 8942 times:
Hi Suryo,
Quoting akhmad (Reply 21): You know I always look forward to your reply.
Thank you. I appreciate your saying so.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 21): Beauty! If I come back to DRW, I should visit KNX as well.
Definitely worth a visit and you can also fly up from PER on an F100 operated by Skywest ( XR ). From there, a flight with Slingair over the Bungle Bungle Range is highly recommended, especially if you combine it with a helicopter flight within the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park.
On the subject of National Security, did you know that Cobham also provide the Australian Government's Border Protection Command with maritime air surveillance of Australia's borders? Under contract (which lasts until 2020) they fly 10 highly modified Bombardier Dash 8 maritime patrol aircraft which each year fly some 2,500 missions and 15,000 hours.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 21): Well, I was somehow too shy to ask them for a photo.
FlyboyOz From Australia, joined Nov 2000, 1893 posts, RR: 28 Reply 23, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 8790 times:
Quoting akhmad (Reply 21): Was it due to payload restriction? I thought Boeing 737-400 could fly 4,204 kilometers nonstop and DRW-SYD leg is yet within the range.
Well... there were three reasons - it could be
- payload restriction
- lacked of pax between two cities - so therefore Alice Spring could be a hub - SYD/MEL/ADL/PER to Alice Spring and then transfer to another plane from Alice Spring to Darwin and then vice versa. (except Brisbane)
- Not enough gates/getways at the Darwin Airport. (still the same in your photo). It hasnt been changed much.
I will be more than happy to take you around australia and/or spotting the planes around the airport.
ExLibris76 From Papua New Guinea, joined Jul 2012, 8 posts, RR: 0 Reply 26, posted (7 months 3 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 8244 times:
Hello Suryo,
Thanks for a nice report, as usual. I had no idea QantasLink still flew these birds! I've never been on one and now I have a good reason to go. Looking forward to more of your TRs soon....
Kent350787 From Australia, joined May 2008, 888 posts, RR: 0 Reply 28, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 7904 times:
Thanks Suryo! I was out there last year but, with a 3 year old and 8 year old in tow, my wife made me book the direct flight from SYD to Yulara, rather that 738 to ASP then 717 for the last leg. Nice to see Darwin again too!
And thank you for not climbing Uluru. It amazes me how insensitve so many vistors, inlcuding many Australians, are.
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 578 posts, RR: 19 Reply 29, posted (7 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 7717 times:
G'day Suryo,
excellent report once again, thanks a lot for taking us with you on this journey to the red center of Australia and for pointing out all these details. Brings back a lot of memories for me, having been to Uluru as well once, although this is now some 20 years ago (oh, how time passes).
And congrats of course for logging your first 717, indeed a wonderful plane. And very nice service here by Qantaslink, serving a snack, a sandwich plus a dessert on a 2 hour domestic flight, well done.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): ‘No! It is Artilla or Mount Conner. Many people confuse it with Uluru since it can be seen from the road to Uluru when approaching from Alice Springs,’
Yes, I remember this one as well. We were coming in by bus and everyone on board has gone 'oh, ahh, there it is' until the driver pointed out that no, it is not yet Uluru. Although this mountain is quite impressive as well.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2332 posts, RR: 53 Reply 30, posted (7 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 7616 times:
G’day Roy, FlyboyOz,
How nice to see you again.
Hi Roy,
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 22): Thank you. I appreciate your saying so.
I am very happy to know that.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 22): Definitely worth a visit and you can also fly up from PER on an F100 operated by Skywest ( XR ).
How nice! I have fond memories of flying XR F100 from PER to BME vice versa in November 2004. I would love to do that again.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 22): From there, a flight with Slingair over the Bungle Bungle Range is highly recommended, especially if you combine it with a helicopter flight within the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park.
You just whet my appetite to go back Down Under.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 22): On the subject of National Security, did you know that Cobham also provide the Australian Government's Border Protection Command with maritime air surveillance of Australia's borders?
I did not know that. Thank you for pointing it out.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 22): Under contract (which lasts until 2020) they fly 10 highly modified Bombardier Dash 8 maritime patrol aircraft which each year fly some 2,500 missions and 15,000 hours.
Amazing how versatile Cobham is in terms of service! I have also learned that it has made significant contribution to the oil, mining and gas industry in the region. From "turnkey" transportation systems for major Australian infrastructure projects like Santos's Cooper Basin gas fields at Moomba and Ballera in the heart of Australia to fly-in fly-out (FIFO) services for major mining clients such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton in Western Australia.
Quoting FlyboyOz (Reply 23): - lacked of pax between two cities - so therefore Alice Spring could be a hub - SYD/MEL/ADL/PER to Alice Spring and then transfer to another plane from Alice Spring to Darwin and then vice versa. (except Brisbane)
I like the idea. Alice Spring's, the pounding heart of Australia, as a domestic scissor hub.
Quoting FlyboyOz (Reply 23): - Not enough gates/getways at the Darwin Airport. (still the same in your photo). It hasnt been changed much.
The passenger terminal has already been equipped with four aerobridges since the opening in December 1991. Could Bays 5 to 8 have been constructed later on?
Quoting FlyboyOz (Reply 23): I will be more than happy to take you around australia and/or spotting the planes around the airport.
Thank you for your kind offer.
**********************************************************
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 29): thanks a lot for taking us with you on this journey to the red center of Australia and for pointing out all these details.
You are welcome. It has been a great pleasure of mine.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 29): And very nice service here by Qantaslink, serving a snack, a sandwich plus a dessert on a 2 hour domestic flight, well done.
The right menu for the right time and it shows!
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Hi Lars,
Quoting The777Man (Reply 25): Very interesting spotting pictures from DRW ! Airlines I have never heard of which is VERY rare for me.
It has been my pleasure to share them with you.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 25): Very nice service on the QantasLink 717!
Thanks to Belinda, Belinda and Theraze.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 25): Good to see you get on a new aircraft type.
Thank you. I was so excited.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 25): The area around Uluru looks amazing! I've always wanted to go but will go there soon, in a year or two.
You will love Uluru! I look forward to hearing from you about your own experience.
Quoting Kent350787 (Reply 28): but, with a 3 year old and 8 year old in tow, my wife made me book the direct flight from SYD to Yulara, rather that 738 to ASP then 717 for the last leg.
Perhaps you can do that, let say, five years later? Do you mind sharing the names of your angels?
Thank you. Do you know how I look forward to your reply?
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 29): Brings back a lot of memories for me, having been to Uluru as well once, although this is now some 20 years ago (oh, how time passes).
Really? Do you think that it may be about time to go back with your family?
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 29): And congrats of course for logging your first 717, indeed a wonderful plane.
Thank you. I know how you must have felt while flying Volotea
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 29): Yes, I remember this one as well. We were coming in by bus and everyone on board has gone 'oh, ahh, there it is' until the driver pointed out that no, it is not yet Uluru.
Amazing that everyone has gone through the same feeling.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 29): Although this mountain is quite impressive as well.
Reckon! Perhaps, we should return to stay at Curtin Springs for a visit to Artilla.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1241 posts, RR: 34 Reply 31, posted (7 months 2 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 7329 times:
Hi Suryo,
Sorry for the delay, but I've finally got round to reading the next installment of your big trip. And may I say how truly honoured I am at your dedication. I was blushing just reading it!
What an exciting trip it was as well. Your first 717 flight (Congrats! Still missing from my log), such an exciting route, an exotically located airfield and that scenery! (More on that later)
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Like Hannah with her New Zealand based Relaxing Journeys, we struck gold with Australis Inbound Tour & Travel, an Australian based agency with extensive selection of (adventure, accommodated or day) tours, (camping, outback 4WD or air) safaris, cruises and rail journeys across Australian wonders
Sounds like a super company offering a wide range of tours. If we ever make it back to Australia I will be sure to bear them in mind.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): took two to tango. Can you guess which one was my responsibility?
The same responsibility that I have?
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Indeed, I could have our 2D Boarding Passes sent to my mobile, but I preferred collecting them at the airport for the sake of paper version.
Oh quite right. I don’t like mobile boarding passes, nowhere near as much fun!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): ’Oh dear, 24.7 kilograms!’
‘That is above the maximum allowance of 23 kilograms for one piece of checked baggage!’
Suryo, have you not read my recently published book, “How to travel lightly”?
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Gate one. Where else?’
‘How do we get there?’
‘Just follow the sign,’
If only everyone did that Then again, if they did, I might be out of a job……
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Do you know that you could have 32 inches if you had chosen row 12 or further up front?’
Again, similar to the NZ seats on their A320.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Do you want anything to drink?”
“Do you have ginger beer?”
“Sure,”
Well of course. Great you chose something local.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Very funny, Ariel! I have got ready-to-eat chicken chunks, bound together with creamy, full-flavored pesto mayonnaise on cushion of whole meal bread slices,’
I don’t know what to make of the inflight meal. It seems from your description that the food was good, but the presentation was a bit basic, made it look like a packed lunch. It might have looked better in a little snack box?
Now, after the flying, your travel pics. WOW! They are simply breathtaking. From Stewart Highway glimpsed from above, to Artilla (which really does look like Uluru!) and Kata Tjuta. I know it was a fiercely debated topic for us as to whether to visit Uluru, in the end we simply didn’t have enough time. Although my husband said he wasn’t going to fly that far again (hmm, will have to work on that), I think that once I show him your report he might just change his mind. Uluru is a big dream of his.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): ‘For your own safety! You do not want to follow the tracks of other 35 people perished on their attempt to climb Uluru, do you?’
I’m intrigued about this. I thought it was forbidden to climb it, yet there are climbers on your photo. Do you know any more about the rules?
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Mates, our visit to Aboriginal land of Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage List for both its natural and cultural values concludes the first part of Desert Safari in Style.
More than worthy of being on the UNESCO list.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): First of all, I sincerely hope that my friends 717Flyer and Hannah will accept my dedication of this part of our journey to The Land Down Under.
I do so with honour Suryo. Bless you!
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): What an exciting trip it was as well. Your first 717 flight (Congrats! Still missing from my log), such an exciting route, an exotically located airfield and that scenery!
Hence my dedication to you!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): Sounds like a super company offering a wide range of tours. If we ever make it back to Australia I will be sure to bear them in mind.
I will do the same with Relaxing Journeys in case we visit New Zealand.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): The same responsibility that I have?
Yes!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): Oh quite right. I don’t like mobile boarding passes, nowhere near as much fun!
Indeed, not convenient for our boarding pass collection.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): Just like our NZ experience at CHC.
And our problems got soon sorted out by accommodating Customer Service Agents.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): Suryo, have you not read my recently published book, “How to travel lightly”?
Apparently not.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): Then again, if they did, I might be out of a job……
Luckily they didn’t. I do not want you to be out of a job.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): Again, similar to the NZ seats on their A320.
I took the smaller seat pitch into the bargain, only to better experience the thrilling engine vibration.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): Well of course. Great you chose something local.
So many countries, so many customs.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): I don’t know what to make of the inflight meal. It seems from your description that the food was good, but the presentation was a bit basic, made it look like a packed lunch.
You make a point here. I was apparently more engrossed in the food than the presentation.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): It might have looked better in a little snack box?
It might have been. I have found this for comparison.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): your travel pics. WOW! They are simply breathtaking. From Stewart Highway glimpsed from above, to Artilla (which really does look like Uluru!) and Kata Tjuta.
I am so happy to hear that. Thank you so much.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): I know it was a fiercely debated topic for us as to whether to visit Uluru, in the end we simply didn’t have enough time.
You surely made the right decision for that time. I would say, now you have a good reason to return.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): Although my husband said he wasn’t going to fly that far again (hmm, will have to work on that),
I am sure you will succeed in convincing him.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): I think that once I show him your report he might just change his mind. Uluru is a big dream of his.
Yet one more reason to go back Down Under! I genuinely encourage your husband to make this dream of his come true.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): I’m intrigued about this. I thought it was forbidden to climb it, yet there are climbers on your photo. Do you know any more about the rules?
It is not officially forbidden, though as a guest on Aṉangu land, you should choose to respect the people’s law and culture by not climbing it.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): More than worthy of being on the UNESCO list.
Reckon!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): I do so with honour Suryo. Bless you!
flightsimboy From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 849 posts, RR: 4 Reply 33, posted (7 months 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 6170 times:
Hello Suryo,
I do regret not reading this yet I am delighted to be one of the last to comment!! Such an enjoyable read, with the narratives a wealth of information just like you were a resident of the region, all aptly delivered by you and Ariel. And of course Herman to document the photos. As usual a short trip which to most is forgettable, yet you take it and make it into a stellar report, something on the level of an inaugural flight or a maiden voyage on a new airliner. And that my dear friend Suryo is something only you can put together!! Congrats again for a great report.
Congrats on this first flight on the Boeing 717. Did you enjoy it? It appears you did!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Four days Desert Safari in Style. What do you think?”
Forgive me for almost thinking of camels and falcons when mentioning a desert safari, but Australia has it's own large expanse of desert, with all the interesting creepy crawlies that are part of it....Such gorgeous creatures, I almost wanted to pet some of them in the Reptile section of the Featherdale Wildlife Park in Sydney (the surburbs). Though I react quite differently to a house lizard, strange isn't it!!
Ariel you are back!!! And so glad to see you. Now don't you disappear off again, you are very much part of the trip reports here with Suryo and Herman!!
Quoting sultanils (Reply 13): Now Suryo, that's not nice, sending poor Ariel off with 'een kluitje in het riet', in the form of a baggage receipt?!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 21): ‘Thank you, Nils!’ Ariel just whispered to me.
What!! Ariel travels in the Baggage compartment.....Is he still having problems travelling in the cabin after his scary encounter with the dragon on your last Cathay Pacific flights? Oh Poor Ariel, do get some counselling!!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Secondly, my gratitude to Herman for being my (travel) companion to share the joy with.
Oh Suryo, I am a bit worried that you are not giving Ariel the attention he deserves. No mention of gratitude to him too....Ariel Oh Ariel where are you....I fear he has gone off again!!!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Do you know that VH-NXM had the honor to fly Mark (BA319-131) and his wife to Ayers Rock on October 29, 2007?’
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Former Etihad Airways A6-EYC! It flew Roni (Ronerone) from Abu Dhabi to Amman in 2004
It is amazing how you can remember or keep track of this information.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Listen! The rumble, the vibrating sound of engine startups! Do you hear the BR715 twins of BMW and Rolls Royce?’
‘Too right! How thrilling while in-flight safety demonstration is being performed,’
Sometimes I wonder why airlines play the safety info while the aircraft is being pushed back or when the engines are gently rumbling. I think it is to soothe the nerves of those terrified of flying, or perhaps it could have an adverse effect for them to see all those emergency procedures which most of the times never happen during a normal flight, such as oxygen masks being deployed.(I'm too busy looking outside while being pushed back to even watch those videos lol)
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Do you know that the ATC is provided by No. 44 Wing of RAAF within 40 nautical miles of the airport as RAAF Base Darwin shares its runway with DRW?’
One of many other interesting facts so nicely documented by you.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Belinda and her colleague Flight Attendant Theraze rolled a meal trolley down the aisle for snack service.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Herman was somehow under the impression that it would be the only on-board service and flagged down Theraze for more pretzels as she worked her way back to the front galley with Belinda.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Very funny, Ariel! I have got ready-to-eat chicken chunks, bound together with creamy, full-flavored pesto mayonnaise on cushion of whole meal bread slices,’
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): I did not expect this pre-packed cake to be surprisingly moist. Even with coconut shavings, it is not overly sweet. Oh, and I just have to give Qantas that there is no healthier finishing touch than a fresh home-grown Royal Gala apple,”
While I am not complaining about the food or the presentation, I am just humbly reminded how one is forced to buy meals on North American flights. That was quite a generous offering for a flight. And yes Qantas does love it's apples!!! lol. On long haul flights they come with a huge bowl of them in the darkened cabin with small torchlights pinned to their ties/blouses so the light falls aptly on the bowl of apples for you to see and take (and hopefully not knock the rest onto the passenger at the side of you had it to be offered in the dark lol)
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): How could you not possibly feel welcome this way
Very welcome indeed. Do you recall all the languages one was welcomed in besides the total of four you mentioned. I see English and German.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): The massacre among the women ensued in a great battle, which ended in the deaths of the leaders of both tribes. The earth itself rose up in grief at the bloodshed, becoming Uluru,’
Very interesting facts!! (Including those I did not quote).....The details above are almost as eye opening as the details of the three sisters formation at the Blue Mountains in Katoomba on the outskirts of Sydney. The legends of those are amazing as well, and when you see the mountains you almost believe the legends....All part of the Indigenous Australian Dreaming. I couldn't be happier with all this "dreaming" considering it gave Qantas it's own Wunala, Yananyi and Nalanji Dreaming aircrafts!!!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): ‘Wanyu Ulurunya tatintja wiyangku wantima,’
‘What are you talking about, Ariel?’
‘Please don’t climb Uluru!’
‘Why not?’
‘Firstly as it is great spiritual significance to the Aṉangu, we should respect their law and culture by not climbing,’
‘And secondly?’
‘For your own safety! You do not want to follow the tracks of other 35 people perished on their attempt to climb Uluru, do you?’
‘No thanks!’
Quoting infodesk (Reply 31): I’m intrigued about this. I thought it was forbidden to climb it, yet there are climbers on your photo. Do you know any more about the rules?
Quoting akhmad (Reply 32): It is not officially forbidden, though as a guest on Aṉangu land, you should choose to respect the people’s law and culture by not climbing it.
I too like Hannah was a bit shocked to see the climbers on the top, who had you not to mention I would have thought were shrubs of grass not even for a moment thinking it was people...gives one a sense of the height involved....I guess some just want to have the view from the top, though if is sacred one should have things in place to prevent climbing.
Thank you once again for sharing this with us.....While I've been four times to Sydney I have yet to go to Uluru and quite possibly the next time I go there will be purerly for the purpose of visiting it. You said the end of part one, are there more to come, or have I missed reading those too?
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): I do regret not reading this yet I am delighted to be one of the last to comment!!
The pleasure is mine too. I am so happy to hear from you! You have always been encouraging from the very beginning. How I look forward to your reply every time.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Such an enjoyable read, with the narratives a wealth of information just like you were a resident of the region, all aptly delivered by you and Ariel. And of course Herman to document the photos.
Thank you so much, also on behalf of Herman (and Ariel).
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): As usual a short trip which to most is forgettable, yet you take it and make it into a stellar report, something on the level of an inaugural flight or a maiden voyage on a new airliner. And that my dear friend Suryo is something only you can put together!! Congrats again for a great report.
What a great honor from you. Thank you!
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Congrats on this first flight on the Boeing 717.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Forgive me for almost thinking of camels and falcons when mentioning a desert safari, but Australia has it's own large expanse of desert
No worries! Desert safari with camels and falcons sounds great too.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): , with all the interesting creepy crawlies that are part of it. Such gorgeous creatures, I almost wanted to pet some of them in the Reptile section of the Featherdale Wildlife Park in Sydney (the surburbs).
Seriously? I do not think I would pet any Taipan.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Though I react quite differently to a house lizard, strange isn't it!!
Do you mean animals like blue-tongues? Well, they do not seem that dangerous and venomous . By the way, do you have a house lizard around? I wish we could have one in Netherlands.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Oh Suryo, I am a bit worried that you are not giving Ariel the attention he deserves. No mention of gratitude to him too...
Similar to Garuda’s PK-GEK. ‘gek’ means insane in Dutch.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): It is amazing how you can remember or keep track of this information.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): One of many other interesting facts so nicely documented by you.
Thank you for the recognition. I am doing my best.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Sometimes I wonder why airlines play the safety info while the aircraft is being pushed back or when the engines are gently rumbling. I
Well, I think you already have answered yourself.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): I think it is to soothe the nerves of those terrified of flying,
Shall we put it that way?
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): or perhaps it could have an adverse effect for them to see all those emergency procedures which most of the times never happen during a normal flight, such as oxygen masks being deployed.
I hope not. Can you imagine someone freaking out at this stage of your flight?
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): (I'm too busy looking outside while being pushed back to even watch those videos lol)
Naughty, naughty!
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): I am just humbly reminded how one is forced to buy meals on North American flights.
Well, I would be fine with that, as long as the crew members are hospitable.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): That was quite a generous offering for a flight
Reckon! Full service Australasian carriers are yet full service!
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): And yes Qantas does love it's apples!!! lol. On long haul flights they come with a huge bowl of them in the darkened cabin with small torchlights pinned to their ties/blouses so the light falls aptly on the bowl of apples for you to see and take (and hopefully not knock the rest onto the passenger at the side of you had it to be offered in the dark lol)
Thank you so much for sharing these details.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Do you recall all the languages one was welcomed in besides the total of four you mentioned. I see English and German.
There were also signs in French, Korean and Russian.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): The details above are almost as eye opening as the details of the three sisters formation at the Blue Mountains in Katoomba on the outskirts of Sydney. The legends of those are amazing as well, and when you see the mountains you almost believe the legends....
It must be such a feeling to be there and learn that the sisters were turned into a stone for their protection as the neighboring tribal brothers used force to capture them.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): All part of the Indigenous Australian Dreaming. I couldn't be happier with all this "dreaming" considering it gave Qantas it's own Wunala, Yananyi and Nalanji Dreaming aircrafts!!!
Too right! Qantas brought the Indigenous Australian Dreaming to our attention. It is up to us to learn the legends or story behind the paintings.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Though the lengths are in kilometers and meters the sets of numbers are the same in both!!
My eagle-eyed flightsimboy, I did not even notice.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): I guess some just want to have the view from the top, though if is sacred one should have things in place to prevent climbing.
Do you know that Europeans are least likely to climb while on the other hand, the climb is heavily promoted in Japan by which eighty percents of Japanese tourists do climb? I have also been told that Japanese people show their respect of something by climbing it.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): I too like Hannah was a bit shocked to see the climbers on the top, who had you not to mention I would have thought were shrubs of grass not even for a moment thinking it was people...gives one a sense of the height involved...
Uluru just commends admiration!
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Thank you once again for sharing this with us.....
It has been a great pleasure of us.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): While I've been four times to Sydney I have yet to go to Uluru and quite possibly the next time I go there will be purerly for the purpose of visiting it.
I can only encourage you to come and experience Uluru yourself, while I have to push forward to the eastern part of Australia.
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): You said the end of part one, are there more to come, or have I missed reading those too?
No, you have not missed part two. I am still working on it.
I cannot get enough to say how grateful I am with your supports!
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): Now don't you disappear off again, you are very much part of the trip reports here with Suryo and Herman!!
‘I won’t,’
Quoting flightsimboy (Reply 33): What!! Ariel travels in the Baggage compartment.....Is he still having problems travelling in the cabin after his scary encounter with the dragon on your last Cathay Pacific flights?
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 35, posted (7 months 12 hours ago) and read 5584 times:
G'day Suryo and Herman
Finally I got a read through it, and enjoyed your beautiful photography around Alice Springs. Impressive rock formations.
Now about the flight; first of all my congratulations for getting on the 717 for a first time. It's an interesting bird for sure. So you can really enjoy the 2-seaters with your partner
QF service and ground staff, seems very welcoming and attentive. Kudos to them.
See you soon again,
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 37, posted (6 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 5148 times:
Hi Suryo,
Great to see the next part of your Australian trip. I had always planned to do a similar routing to you in order to log the 717 but seeing that I already have, I don't need to go out of my way to fly the 717 to the rock in the middle of the continent! But it's a really nice aircraft and a change from the 738 which also flies to ASP.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 2):
‘The seats do not look typically of Qantas color. More business-like blue tone,’
Qantas have had blue seats for a long time - I remember blue(/light purple) seats from my flights on their 762s back in the mid-late '90s (they had blue seats on the 744):
palmjet From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 1051 posts, RR: 16 Reply 38, posted (6 months 3 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 5093 times:
Hi Suryo
Great report and superb pictures from a part of the country I am yet to visit.
I really enjoyed seeing Darwin Airport as well - the last time I was there I was in transit on BI on the way to Europe and did not leave airside.
What fantastic pictures of your destination as well. The light in central Australia is truly stunning. You captured some amazing memories of Uluru.
Nice to see the 717 as well. Not that common these days, so quite amazing to see there is a strong fleet of them still flying in Australia. I first flew on the 717 in Australia when Impulse Airlines operated them back in 2000.
Thank you for this latest instalment - looking forward again to the next!
win1290 From Thailand, joined Jan 2012, 249 posts, RR: 2 Reply 39, posted (6 months 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 4710 times:
Hi Suryo!
Fantastic trip report! I absolutely enjoy reading all your reports, love all the details you gave on your report as well as all the interesting information at the destination. Amazing photos throughout, especially of Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park.
Qantaslink service on your flight looks very good. Congratulation on your first 717 flight
Quoting palmjet (Reply 38): What fantastic pictures of your destination as well. The light in central Australia is truly stunning. You captured some amazing memories of Uluru.
Quoting win1290 (Reply 39): Amazing photos throughout, especially of Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park.
Thank you. Herman gets the credit for the pictures.
Quoting palmjet (Reply 38): Thank you for this latest instalment -
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 37): Great to see the next part of your Australian trip.
How nice to hear from you again.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 37): I had always planned to do a similar routing to you in order to log the 717 but seeing that I already have, I don't need to go out of my way to fly the 717 to the rock in the middle of the continent!
Have you flown 717 already? When and where to? Apparently, I am missing something. Anyway, you can still fly to the rock because it is such an amazing place to visit.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 37): But it's a really nice aircraft and a change from the 738 which also flies to ASP.
We killed two birds with one stone as Qantas deployed 717 on DRW and PER bound flights.
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 37): Qantas have had blue seats for a long time - I remember blue(/light purple) seats from my flights on their 762s back in the mid-late '90s (they had blue seats on the 744):
Quoting palmjet (Reply 38): Great report and superb pictures from a part of the country I am yet to visit.
Many thanks for taking your time to reply. I can imagine that there are places in your home country you are yet to visit. It applies for me too with Indonesia.
Quoting palmjet (Reply 38): I really enjoyed seeing Darwin Airport as well - the last time I was there I was in transit on BI on the way to Europe and did not leave airside.
It must have been exciting to fly domestic on foreign airline like your experience with CX from Brisbane to Cairns.
Quoting palmjet (Reply 38): Nice to see the 717 as well. Not that common these days, so quite amazing to see there is a strong fleet of them still flying in Australia.
Too right! Cobham happens to have the world third largest 717 fleet.
Quoting palmjet (Reply 38): I first flew on the 717 in Australia when Impulse Airlines operated them back in 2000.
Beauty! Can you remember its registration? We might have been on board of the same airliner.
Quoting win1290 (Reply 39): Fantastic trip report! I absolutely enjoy reading all your reports, love all the details you gave on your report as well as all the interesting information at the destination.
I am very happy to hear that. Thank you so much!
Quoting win1290 (Reply 39): Qantaslink service on your flight looks very good.
Thanks to Belinda, Belinda and Theraze.
Quoting win1290 (Reply 39): Congratulation on your first 717 flight
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 41, posted (6 months 1 week 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 4071 times:
Lovely report Suryo! Great photos from the Red Centre!
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): ‘I thought these restrictions are not applicable for domestic flights,’
‘True, but The Terminal is integrated combining International and Domestic services. All passengers have to go through the same Security Screening Point,’
When I flew DRW-SIN in 2009, there was a separate International (liquids) screening at the entrance to the gate area so the domestic flights weren't affected.
Quoting akhmad (Thread starter): Refreshment, served twenty minutes after snack service
Service looked very nice, although I'm surprised they didn't hand out the 'meal' at the same time as the drinks
raffik From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2006, 1645 posts, RR: 4 Reply 42, posted (6 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 4072 times:
Great trip report, it really makes me want to return some day! I took the 717 from Brisbane to Mackay in 2004 and it was a great ride, although we were seated at the VERY back and it was really noisy. After take off we moved to the exit seats though and it was very comfortable. Glad that these 717s are still enjoying life- they're quite rare within Europe.
Uluru looks great. We had a brief stop there too on the same trip. Take care!
redcenterflyer From Australia, joined Feb 2008, 63 posts, RR: 0 Reply 43, posted (6 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 4069 times:
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 41): So, you can still climb Uluru, but you are requested not to. Is that right?
-living in Alice Springs, I can verify you are correct. You can still climb Uluru/Ayer's Rock, however the local aboriginal people request you not to. More often then not, it seems closed, due to winds, or heat. I think there are moves to close the climb all together.
RyanairGuru From Australia, joined Oct 2006, 2511 posts, RR: 2 Reply 44, posted (6 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 4066 times:
Wow! What a wonderful trip report!
And I'm really glad you enjoyed my favourite airline and favourite country
(not that I'm at all biased )
Quoting RvXKaz (Reply 5): Very interesting that the FA does the passenger boarding!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 21): I had never seen such procedure elsewhere
It's standard on QF domestic flights. To be honest I'm not sure why more airlines don't do it since it cuts down on the number of ground staff that need to be employed.
Oh yes! QF has a minor obsession for Royal Gala red apples.
Even when they're not part of the normal service you can always ask for one, and are pretty much guaranteed to get one regardless of where you are in the world
Quoting ojas (Reply 45): A stunning TR once again!!!
Thank you. I am very happy to know that you like my report.
**********************************************************
Gabriel,
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 41): When I flew DRW-SIN in 2009, there was a separate International (liquids) screening at the entrance to the gate area so the domestic flights weren't affected.
You are right. There is a secondary security screening after Emigration. Thanks for pointing it out.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 41): Service looked very nice, although I'm surprised they didn't hand out the 'meal' at the same time as the drinks
It may be QF serving procedure for flights of two hours and above.
Quoting raffik (Reply 42): it really makes me want to return some day!
So it seems, it has been eight years ago for you. Don’t you think it’s about time?
Quoting raffik (Reply 42): I took the 717 from Brisbane to Mackay in 2004 and it was a great ride, although we were seated at the VERY back and it was really noisy.
I would love to be seated next to the engine!
Unfortunately I could not select seats further back during check-in.
Quoting raffik (Reply 42): After take off we moved to the exit seats though and it was very comfortable.
You were lucky. Those seats were taken on our flight.
Quoting raffik (Reply 42): Glad that these 717s are still enjoying life- they're quite rare within Europe.
Well, 717s are still active with Blue1 and Volotea.
Quoting raffik (Reply 42): Uluru looks great. We had a brief stop there too on the same trip.
Way to go! You just had to drop by if you were in neighborhood.
Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 41): So, you can still climb Uluru, but you are requested not to. Is that right?
Quoting redcenterflyer (Reply 43): -living in Alice Springs, I can verify you are correct. You can still climb Uluru/Ayer's Rock, however the local aboriginal people request you not to. More often then not, it seems closed, due to winds, or heat. I think there are moves to close the climb all together.
Thank you so much for your clarification!
**********************************************************
Alex,
Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 44): And I'm really glad you enjoyed my favourite airline and favourite country
(not that I'm at all biased  
Hehe, I love Australia, its airlines, and the people as well! Are you Australian descendant by chance?
Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 44): To be honest I'm not sure why more airlines don't do it since it cuts down on the number of ground staff that need to be employed.
Well, I am glad that not many airlines do that because cutting down on the number of ground staff can mean less job opportunities.
Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 44): Oh yes! QF has a minor obsession for Royal Gala red apples.
Even when they're not part of the normal service you can always ask for one, and are pretty much guaranteed to get one regardless of where you are in the world
Good to know. Thank you for enlightening us!
**********************************************************
Ojas,
Quoting ojas (Reply 45): Sounds like an awesome plan
RyanairGuru From Australia, joined Oct 2006, 2511 posts, RR: 2 Reply 47, posted (5 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 3524 times:
Quoting akhmad (Reply 46): Thank you for enlightening us!
Sorry to have hijacked your thread!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 46): I am glad that not many airlines do that because cutting down on the number of ground staff can mean less job opportunities.
Oh I agree, I kind of hope it doesn't catch on more, but I see the economic case for it from the airline's perspective.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 46): Are you Australian descendant by chance?
No worries. I am grateful of this additional information of yours.
Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 47): Oh I agree, I kind of hope it doesn't catch on more, but I see the economic case for it from the airline's perspective.
That is fine. Isn't it interesting that you can look at the matter from different points of view?
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