Asian Tiger

For most of us, we sure can do with more legroom when we board a plane. I’ve been aboard a number of planes and airlines but I simply forget to record down the seatings with bigger legs space compared to the normal seatings. Note that this is applicable to Economy Class only as all Business Class and First Class seats have obscene legroom.

Here, in this post, I will start recording and post legroom seatings as and when I have opportunity to do so. I seek your help too if you can do the same. Together, we shall build some good resource and help those of us who need that leg space.

Recently, I flew on Malaysia Airlines‘ Boeing 737-400 from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur. The seatings with extra leg space are:

1. Row 5. Seating ABCDEF
2. Row 11. Seating BCDE (Next to Emergency Door)
3. Row 12. Seating BCDE (Next to Emergency Door)
4. Row 14. Seating ABCDEF (Next to Emergency Door)

What a way to start the new year. A horrible news was broadcast on New Year’s Day over the tube that a Boeing 737 from Adam Air has disappeared and believed to have crashed. We all know that plane crashes happens once in a while but what made this news horrible to me was the fact that I have personally taken a flight by Adam Air from Jakarta to Pontianak.

The news really troubled me as I kept thinking what would become of my family if I had been on that very flight? How will my family survive financially and in society? Can my wife cope will the kids’ upbringing? What would become of my kids without a father figure? The more I thought about it, the more depressed I became. It was very clear that I have not planned enough for my family if something happened.

Therefore, for 2007, my resolution is to plan the necessary actions to be taken in order for my family to live their lives to the fullest in the event of the unfortunate.

I have spoken to quite a number of friends and acquaintances about this unfortunate plane crash — many of which advised me to take Batavia or Garuda airlines whenever flying into Indonesia or domestically within the republic.

To the families of victims aboard Flight KI-574, I pray that you find strength and peace during this trying period. Hopefully, you will find the lighted path to continue living your lives.

I have always wanted to go 2 places just for the sake of being there. The first is to stand on the equator and the second is to be at Greenwich where time is 0GMT. Fortunately or unfortunately, I had a little savings and with the high British Pound exchange rate, I decided to get myself to the equator where that imaginary line divides Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres instead of Greenwich.

I flew on Malaysia Airlines on their Airbus A330 and arrived at Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta Airport in a little less than 2 hours. To get myself cheaply to Pontianak’s Supadio airport, I bought the airline tickets from AdamAir. AdamAir is not exactly a budget or low-cost airline but its air tickets are indeed competitive.

It took me a little over an over to fly from Jakarta to Pontianak on AdamAir’s Boeing 737. I have no acquaintances in Pontianak and hence could not ask for reference on a good hotel there. I asked the local taxi driver and he told me that Hotel Santika is a good hotel to be in. I took his advise and proceed to check into the hotel. Registration was a breeze and you immediately get a delicious welcome drink made from Aloe Vera (locals call them Lidah Buaya). The room is extremely pleasant and clean. I would recommend this hotel to business travelers too. Another hotel that I noticed is Garuda Hotel but since I have not stayed there, I really do not know the condition.

As I would have expected, Pontianak is hot and humid (since it is right smack on the equator). I stayed most of the time in the hotel due to the heat and humidity and there weren’t much places to visit (or maybe I’m not too well informed) except for the Equator Monument and the Sultan Palace. Before visiting the Equator Monument, I went over to the Pontianak Sultan Palace to have a look-see but unfortunately by the time I reached (5.30pm), the palace visiting hours was already closed (at 5.00pm).

The next day, I proceeded to the Equator Monument (approximately 20 minutes by car from the hotel) and upon arrival I learned that on every 20th of March and 23rd of September at noon, the top needle point of the monument will point directly at the sun; an event called the equinox.

Overall, I was sadden by the state of the potential money-raking-tourist-attraction; grass uncut, aging building and litter everywhere on the monument ground. At least, I can proclaim that I have stood on the line that divides our planet in two.

Tags: Pontianak, Indonesia, equator, monument, equinox