One of the most famous tourist attractions in Bali is an abandoned Boeing 737. But the more interesting fact about this plane is that no one knows how it came to be here. This plane sits beside the Raya Nusa Dua Selatan Highway, idly resting in a limestone quarry. According to the residents of the area, it could be the work of an entrepreneur. The locals believe that someone brought up the plane in parts and then assembled it here in this deserted location. The possible motive behind this is the entrepreneur wanting to open up a restaurant. However, since the entrepreneur ran out of funds before the dream came true, the mammoth plan simply lies abandoned. [1]
Mammoth Boeing 737 That Lies Abandoned In Bali
Interestingly, this isn’t the first abandoned Boeing 737 in the area. There is one more abandoned plane that lies beside a Dunkin’ Donuts location. Similar to the above, this one too is a tourist location. But for the one lying abandoned by the highway, locating it can be a bit troublesome. A travel guide simply attests to it as lying next to a collection of shipping containers.
The aircraft has absolutely no branding or identification on it. Apart from claims of being used as a restaurant, some also believe that it used to be home. Reports suggest that the plane should have ‘landed’ on this island in 2007. Since 2018, it has been an attraction for tourists.
But That Isn’t the Only Abandoned Plane In The Area!
There have been sightings of another mysterious jet atop a cliff at the Nyang-Nyang beach in 2021. The plane perched on the cliff is probably an investment from Felix Demin. Due to the flagging tourism sector in Indonesia as a result of Covid protocols, Demin believed that an abandoned Boeing 737 would definitely pique the curiosity of people. He currently expects that this place will turn into a popular spot for photography- amateur and otherwise. He also has plans of converting the barren plane into tourist accommodation.
This entrepreneur from Russia and currently a citizen of Bali also mentioned that the previous owners of the plane were selling it as scrap to China when he decided to intervene. Due to certain logistical issues, it took them a week to transport the entirety of the plane. There have been contrasting views about the placement of the plane. While Demin believes that the project could inject some growth into the flagging tourism sector- others aren’t hopeful. Some users of social media have voiced concerns over the possibility of the plane ruining the sea view.
For those who want to take a glance at the first Boeing 737, Tony Dunnell has suggestions for you. The spokesperson for Atlas Obscura believes it is easy enough to locate if you know where to look. He went on to explain, “The view of the plane is obstructed from the highway, so you need to keep your eyes open, or you could easily miss it. When you come across a wall of sea containers on the side of the road, you have arrived. You can see the plane by climbing up onto the containers that surround it. Or, for a better view, head slightly further down the road where you’ll find a path that leads up above the plane. You’ll have to pay a small fee to enter, as the plane is on private property.”[2]