VAAH - Ahmedabad, India

World Heritage Sites Air Adventures: Peaks, Prayer Flags, & Palaces
Flight Log #005 – July 12, 2025
Runways, Ramen & the Wonders of Gujarat
Log Entry by Michael Palin, Guest Co-Pilot

Episode Sponsor:
Tonight’s culinary exploits are brought to you by “Gujarat Golden Broth Bowls™”—the only ramen bowl engineered to withstand airport turbulence, spice overload, and the occasional canine tail wag. With built-in chopstick holders and a detachable flask for your favorite single malt, it’s the official tableware of the Tiger Shark Squadron. “Because every great adventure deserves a bowl that’s as bold as your crew.”

It’s been a day that feels like it belongs in an epic poem—or at least a particularly ambitious travel documentary. Our journey began at VOML, Mangalore, where Cropduster was already caffeinated, cigar at the ready, and the dogs were sniffing out adventure (and possibly leftover biscuits). The DHC-5 Buffalo “Pāpulō” (N8086K) was humming with anticipation, and with a quick pre-flight check, we soared northward into a sky that practically begged to be explored.

The flight north was a tapestry of heritage and history. Hampi’s surreal boulder fields and ancient temples shimmered below, and I found myself pondering the logistics of delivering ramen via stone chariot. Pattadakal’s temples lined up like contestants on a reality show, each one vying for the title of “Most Ornate Curve.” Goa’s churches and convents flashed by, their spires reaching skyward as if hoping to catch a passing noodle. Mumbai’s Gothic and Art Deco heart welcomed us with open arches, and the Elephanta Caves offered a final wink before we touched down at VABB for lunch.

Lunch in Mumbai was, as always, a chaotic delight. “Mumbai Monsoon Miso” was on the menu—fiery, fragrant, and just spicy enough to make you forget the city’s traffic for a moment. Cropduster, never one to waste a pairing opportunity, chased the heat with a dram of Islay malt, while Lani and Kai found a sunny spot by the window, tails thumping in approval.

But the day wasn’t done with us yet. With the sun still high, we launched from Mumbai and set our sights on Gujarat. The Ellora Caves appeared first, their rock-hewn temples a testament to patience and ambition. Ajanta’s ancient murals beckoned from their horseshoe gorge, and I made a mental note to return with a sketchbook and a thermos of strong coffee. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park sprawled across the plains, its mosques and temples whispering stories of dynasties and devotion. Ahmadabad’s old city glimmered in the golden hour, its tangled streets promising both history and the prospect of an excellent dinner.

Touchdown at VAAH was as smooth as a well-aged single malt. Tonight, the terminal buzzed with more than just the usual travel chatter. Crew and support staff from the DC-3 “Manu” and the C-130H “Maui” joined us for dinner, bringing tales of their own flights, a few questionable jokes, and an appetite that could only be satisfied by “Gujarat Golden Broth”—a ramen so rich, Cropduster declared it “the only bowl bold enough to stand up to Ahmadabad’s history.” Lani and Kai basked in the attention, tails wagging, while the air filled with laughter, the clink of glasses, and the unmistakable aroma of ramen, coffee, and a hint of cigar smoke.

Meanwhile, the C-17 “Luna Honua” had already flown on ahead, prepping the EM50x command center for tomorrow’s escapade. No doubt the crew is busy stocking the humidor, tuning the sound system, and ensuring there’s enough whisky, coffee, and ramen for whatever the next day may bring.

As I sit here, chopsticks in hand, surrounded by friends old and new, I’m reminded that the true heart of these adventures isn’t just the sites we fly over or the meals we share—it’s the camaraderie, the stories, and the knowledge that, somewhere out there, another runway and another bowl await.

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