Ever slept in an old airplane for the night?
Well, I highly recommend it! Now, finding one…….
Well, if you are about 500 miles due east of Perth, Western Australia, you can find the Dakota at the Lily. (www.thelily.com.au)
This DC-3 (C-47) was built in Long Beach in 1944. Commissioned into the Royal Dutch air force, but stationed in Australia. After the war, it served in commercial use for KLM and Garuda mostly in Indonesia. After a zero fatality belly landing in Broome Australia in 1974, it went out of service.
And, if that is not enough, they have the largest stone windmill in the country as well. It is all developed and run by a charming couple, Pleun and Hennie, originally from Holland. So, I sit here typing this looking out over the wings to the Stirling Range national park, where I will be off to tomorrow.
Pleun built this by hand. It took him years, but it is accurate to historical records from his home area and totally functional.
Ok, let’s take a tour. Note the actual DC-3 door for entry.
kitchen and galley at the far rear.
Wonderful living area with dining table, TV, beds and such. Floor slopes up to the front where the bath is. Beds and dining /prep area are level of course.
And, at the front of the bath is the actual cockpit.
My view from my bed. Pretty cool, huh?
What a nice setting to enjoy for a few nights.
