October 12, 2013
Tomorrow, we will fly home.
Three years ago, Jeffrey and Renee made a bold decision to fly around the world in their piston propeller Mirage. In 2013, they found a Pilatus (PC12) both of them love and want to fly around the world in southern hemisphere this time. You are invited to share their journey by following this blog. The purpose of this blog is to hopefully inspire anyone, in a small way,to see the world first hand and experience the nature, the history, and the culture of this world we live in.
October 12, 2013
October 12 to 11, 2013
Patropovlovsk, Russia to Adak Island, Alaska, U.S.A. (930 NM)
Through special arrangement, we got permittion from States Department to land at U.S. soil before we clear custom citing the range of airplane.
Adak Island, AKA, Aleutians Islands, is part of Alaska, U.S.A. In native Aleuts language, Adak means the birthplace of winds. Total population 350. 60 are residents, the rest military. It was very important strategic military base during WWII mainly as military transfer point and training grounds. To this date, there are restricted landmine fields around. Important no more after air carriers are being used.
That being said, also because of its far out location, the island is well preserved for wild life. Great for hunting and fishing. People are super nice. Visitors are very well treated. No hotels in the island. We rented a two bedroom condo for $140 per night. One restaurant in town and only open as needed. Market opens 2 hours daily. I wonder if this is the least populated U.S. township?
Tomorrow, we will fly to Anchorage, and then home.... Wow, can't wait!
October 11, 2013
Sapporo, Japan to Petropavlosk, Russia (1,051 NM)
Petropavlosk is the largest city in Far East Russia. Surrounded by beautiful and active volcanos. Deep, non-frozen harbor made it one of the strategic military harbors of Russia. People seem reluctant to give a polite acknologement to visitors. It is like " I do not speak your language, don't bother me". Which is fine. Boundry respected.
This city develops in fast pace and people are getting richer. Infrastructure is still in the 70's if not 60's. Still good growing opportunities. Airport used to be military. Coldwar marks everywhere. Old and scrapped Mig-Fighters scattered around airport, wow! Picture taking not allowed but we still manage to take a few, Hush!
Buses around streets are mosted retired old Korean buses. Kind of unexpected. No McDonald's. We had dinner at a new hamburger place. Clean and good. Street vendors have good supplies of merchandises. October is very cold already, I had to cut short of my walk.
Tomorrow, we will fly back to U.S.....
October 10, 2013
Taipei, Taiwan to Nagoya, to Sapporo, Japan (1,684 NM)
Runway of Nagoya Airport.
Overnight rest at Sapporo.
Tomorrow we will fly to Patropovlovsk, Russia.