A successful finish for sector 2

Another early start and we were off to the airport to start the final leg of the sector. First things first, time for checks and refuelling (thankfully not by hand), but still time-consuming.

The heat was oppressive and Anouck mentioned the word “sauna”. Gregory described Spirit of Douglas as therapy for the body and the mind. I chipped in adding that Spirit is also therapy for the soul.

Over the Gulf of Thailand, we dodged towering CB clouds and were afforded glimpses of Thailand’s east coast and beautiful beaches before heading back into the clouds over central Malaysia. Incredible views of the mighty rainforests below us, but it was a bumpy descent! We were all very happy to land at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur is also a milestone on the World Cruiser Tour as it signals the end of sector 2. A toast was called for. And once that was done, we got to work prepping Spirit for some scheduled maintenance before the next sector of the journey. 

Reflecting back on sector 2, from freezing France to muggy Malaysia, this sector has given (and demanded) a lot. Snow, high mountains, oceans, deserts, cold, heat, humidity, crowds, chaos, mechanical problems, permitting politics and even pests. Lots of jet lag, crossing seven time zones and three continents. 

But above all, Spirit of Douglas has again brought immense joy. To those flying aboard and to those who have encountered her along the way. And hopefully, to everyone who is following her adventures from afar. As our chief pilot Paul put it, “travelling in Spirit of Douglas is a unique experience connecting us all with the world we live in and its people. She’s a superstar everywhere she goes and is clearly universally loved”.

Well said, Paul. Now bring on sector 3. Thank you all for reading and to the entire team helping create a successful World Cruiser Tour.