Blog 77. 31 October. Benan. 00.27.85N 104.26.86E

Alcedo
David Batten
Mon 4 Nov 2019 04:15
Benan is a small island, one among thousands of islands in Kepulauan Riau province and it was a very pleasant stop. Cold beer was available thanks to “Eddie”, our chief guide for the stop, the mosque was relatively quiet and the locals friendly and welcoming.

JPEG image



Low water at Benan, taken from the pier

JPEG image



The pier with the yachts anchored in the background

JPEG image



The beach on the other side of the island where the main Rally program took place.

We had the usual local dancing, speeches from the Government representatives, lunch which was very “spicey”, wooden top spinning competitions for the boys, a sort of Kung Fu demonstration and kite flying.

JPEG image


The “Kung Fu” team who were also the Skipper’s Wife’s Trash Heroes as they helped clean the beach after lunch.

JPEG image


Kite flying from the beach with Julie from Sky Blue Eyes on the left of the picture

There was also canoe racing and hull cleaning for water enthusiasts. Canoe racing very funny because of the local rowing technique which volunteer rally members found quite challenging.

JPEG image



Rally volunteers watching the local rowing technique before getting to grips with it themselves. Suffice it to say, none of them managed it in the standing position

The evening entertainment was greatly enlivened by one of the Indonesian tourist board members dressing up in drag and leading the dancing, while the lovely “proper” dancing girls made sure all the Rally members joined them.

Today we are on our way, all of 15nm to Pengelap, a new destination in the Riau Province, boasting a new resort which we are no doubt going to be asked to recommend to friend and family!

Alcedo
Sent from my iPad