Saudi King Salman disembarks from gold-clad plane via an ESCALATOR as he touches down in Indonesia with 1,000 aides

Saudi Arabia's King Salman disembarked from a gold-clad plane via an escalator as he touched down in Indonesia with 1,000 aides and an array of expensive personal touches. 

Cheering crowds welcomed the 81-year-old on Wednesday as he began the first visit by a Saudi monarch to Indonesia for almost 50 years, seeking stronger economic ties with the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.

Among his demands for the nine-day trip has been a VIP toilet built for him at a mosque in Jakarta and 506 tons of luggage including two escalators and a pair of Mercedes-Benz limousines. 

 

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The king arrives via the golden escalator for his historic visit to Indonesia - the first by a Saudi head of state in 47 years

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Saudi King Salman, centre left, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo walk under umbrellas during heavy rain at the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

King Salman was greeted by President Joko Widodo and Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian who is standing trial for blasphemy.

Crowds of flag-waving schoolchildren lined the route as a convoy of vehicles carrying the king and his entourage sped through pouring rain to a presidential palace in the nearby city of Bogor, where a marching band played the Indonesian national anthem.  

Widodo hailed Salman's trip as 'historic' and said he hoped it could lead to closer economic ties.

As well as cheering schoolchildren, the king heavy rain also welcomed him to the country. 

Making his way to the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java, seven of his entourage surrounded him with huge golf umbrellas to shield him from the downpour. 

'As the country with the biggest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia will always have a special bond with Saudi Arabia,' he told the king at the palace.

He landed in Indonesia today to join an enormous entourage of 620 people as well as 800 delegates, including ministers and 25 princes.

Jasa Angkasa Semesta (JAS) has been tasked with the huge operation of lugging the cargo from Saudi Arabia, and has dedicated 572 members of staff to handle it. 

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Saudi King Salman, left, waves as he stands next to Indonesian President Joko Widodo during their meeting at the presidential palace

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Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (centre left) welcomes Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz (centre right) at Halim airport in Jakarta on March 1, 2017

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Saudi Arabia's King Salman (front) is accompanied by about 1,000 people and 506 tons of equipment as he visits Indonesia

Salman said he hoped the visit would 'contribute to the improvement of the bilateral relationship between our two countries'.

The visit - the first by a Saudi Arabian king to Indonesia for 47 years - is one of the highlights of a rare Saudi royal tour of Asia which is seeking investment as the world's biggest oil exporter tries to diversify its economy.

Preparations have been elaborate. 

Naked statues at the Bogor palace were covered up before Salman's arrival, while local media reported that 150 chefs had been hired to cook for the king's party and a VIP toilet had been specially built at a major mosque he will visit.

The monarch and his entourage will reportedly stay in five luxury hotels in Bali for several days following the visit to Jakarta.

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The king (front) is taking part in a historic visit to Indonesia, the first visit by a Saudi head of state in 47 years

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The plane carrying Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul Aziz lands at Halim airport in Jakarta on March 1, 2017

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Indonesian students wave flags as they wait for Saudi Arabia's King Salman to arrive at Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

Business deals could be announced, and a series of cooperation memoranda are also set to be signed on issues ranging from security, to health and education. The king is due to give a speech to parliament on Thursday.

Indonesia will also seek approval to send more citizens to the annual hajj pilgrimage in western Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sites.

Salman kicked off his three-week Asian tour in Malaysia earlier this week, and is also set to visit Japan, China and the Maldives.

KING SALMAN'S LAVISH NINE-DAY TRIP TO INDONESIA 

- Due to the size of the operation, King Salman is taking seven planes

- His huge entourage will stay in four luxurious hotels om Jakarta- It has been reported up to 100 security personnel will guard King Salman

 

- The king's safety is such a priority that 10,000 Indonesian police officers will be deployed including soldiers to make sure the visit is secure

 

- The House of Representatives has installed a special seat for his speech

 

- A portable ramp has also been fitted to the House at the king's request

 

- At the Istiqlal Mosque, an elevator and a special toilet have been fitted

 

- Two Mercedes-Benz s600 limousines have made the trip for transport

 

- As well as the entourage, 800 delegates have travelled from Saudi Arabia

 

- An airfreight company had to set aside 572 members of staff for the cargo