Blog 66. 5 October 2019. Bawean cont. 05.37.44S 112.37.22E

Alcedo
David Batten
Wed 16 Oct 2019 00:24
Bawean’s program, second edition, had the welcome ceremony starting on the 4th October at 2.00pm at Mombhul Beach, not a beach as we would understand it, but a “resort” area just above the mud and rock left when the tide is out.

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Transport to Mombhul beach fo the opening ceremony, an open truck, not more than 10 passengers per truck! Bronwin and Pat from Stella Australis next to the Ship’s Boy. Hassan from Kandiba with Carlos the dog on her other side.

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The very smart stage used for both the Bawean Fesitval, which coincided with our visit and the welcome ceremony. Local musicians in the background and Hans from Tulavu giving the thank you speech on behalf of the rally in the foreground.

After prayers, very mumbled they always are, that’s how we know they are prayers, some very long speeches and some traditional Bawean dancing, it was a walk to the “beach” followed by a truck ride back to Labuhan Beach in the very lovely evening light.

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The sun beginning to set over the hills, with rice fields and worker in the foreground.

Day 2 of the Bawean program, the third edition and it is an 08.00 start for a trip to Cena, a well known snorkelling spot. So we are a bit surprised when the trucks set off in the wrong direction, but we are assured we are going to Cena. Well, we did, but only after being driven right round the island and after a visit to one of the local markets and a village that specialised in dried/smoked fish. Considered a delicacy in Jakarta, but having seen the way they are dried and smoked, we were not keen to try them. By the time we got to the pick up point for getting to Cena, the tide was out, there were no boats to take us over there and we were feeling the effects of several hours in a truck with no seats and no suspension. Time to go back to the boats!

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Cena, a boat ride from the main Island, tide out, boats busy and unavailable. It was never going to happen, somebody, somewhere was failing the rally program

When we did get back to the TIC on the beach, we were told there was no transport for the gala dinner and that was off as well. Not sure what that was all about, either some local politics or financial wheeler dealing, because we did go to the Gala dinner on the man made part of Mombhul Beach and a there was clearly no way it had been cancelled. So back in the trucks at 5.00pm and off to the party. Drums and dancers waiting on the beach to welcome us, polo shirts all round, a master of ceremonies, band and pop star singer, tables and white cloths and a very posh dinner. 2 “lobsters” per table, prawns, chicken, fish, a few hard to identify dishes and, of course rice. After dinner, the Minister of Tourism and Miss Indonesia, who had been at the welcome ceremony in a pair of heels like stilts, plus “friends” arrived as if by magic, but no wives or speeches. Alleluia (for the latter that is). The Minister of Tourism would have undoubtedly been a pop star in a different life, as he did a lot of singing as well as dancing and he danced with quite a few female rally members, including Alcedo's crew. Maybe that is why the wives had to stay at home.

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Gala dinner line up in the polo shirts, with 2 random officials in the foreground (not in polo shirts) and the stage and band in the background. We never know what to expect on this Wonderful Sail 2 Indonesia Magical Mystery tour.

So an early start the day after the Gala Dinner and we are on our way to Kumai, Kalimantan, 200nm away, sailing well with one reef in the main, full Genoa and lots of fishing boats and FADs to avoid.

Alcedo
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