#Oranjeboven: Orange Pride going for a well-deserved tan in the Caribbean

It has been a while since I uploaded a new post and today I have more than a valid reason to post a short story. Yesterday we were honoured by a very special visit of KLM's only orange coloured aircraft, the Boeing 777-306(ER) with registration PH-BVA. As far as I know, it was the first Boeing 777-300 that ever visited our island. As I often say to my friends in the Netherlands, a tanning hour in Aruba is good for your mind and body... After it was stranded in China for over a month and a half, let us say "Bon Bini" to Orange Pride to enjoy the sun at our "Aruba Dushi Tera".

According to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines,

the introduction of the special aircraft was partly prompted by a social media post KLM published on King’s Day 2015. At the time, KLM’s followers were presented with a picture of an orange aircraft, along with the question: “Should we colour orange next year on King’s Day? #OrangeExperience”. 30,000 likes and 2,500 positive responses later, KLM rolled out its orange aircraft.

The well-known KLM Blue is being combined with orange highlights. The transition between the two colours features aspects of the Dutch flag. The combination emphasises KLM’s Dutch roots and pride in the national colour of the Netherlands.

From the moment we heard the first rumours of its visit, we were very excited and started making plans to catch this beauty. Some of my fellow spotters went to the south side of the landing area of runway 11, another one was stationed at the "Bucutiweg spot" while I was at the GA area to catch the arrival. Most of us then joined at Hyatt Place Aruba Airport for some fabulous sunset and night shots.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at TNCA 20 Feb, 2021

I also want to share this bonus picture of the PH-BVA landing at runway 27 at its home base Amsterdam during a typical Dutch cold autumn rain shower:

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-306(ER) PH-BVA "National Park De Hoge Veluwe" at EHAM 10 Oct,2019

I do recommend the following reading as well:
KLM Blog "Van blauw naar oranje in 4 dagen
KLM Blog "From Blue to Orange in 4 Days"

KLM Blog "#Oranjeboven: KLM’s unieke oranje vliegtuig promoot Nederland"
KLM Blog "#Orangepride: KLM’s unique orange aircraft to promote the Netherlands"

Luchtvaartnieuws.nl: KLM Boeing 777 'Orange Pride' eindelijk terug in Nederland