Blog 52. Bau Bau. 26 August 2019. 05.27.37S 122.37.22E
Alcedo
David Batten
Sat 31 Aug 2019 04:04
View of part of Bau Bau from Alcedo
The very smart but not quite finished dinghy dock
The tourist board at Bau Bau produced a good mix of activities and some of the best guides to date, with better English and even more charm. Touring the environs of Bau Bau city started with a visit to a traditional weaving village, a museum, a short lecture on the Sultanate of Buton and a drive round the inside of the fortress, which is one of the largest in the world.
Porridge being cooked for breakfast in the weavers’ village
This is the oldest surviving Sultan’s Palace, still lived in by descendants of the Sultan. Once elected, the Sultan continued to live in his family home. This one was within the fort.
Then the usual welcome speech from the government and presentation of gifts for all rally members, including a T shirt and a really nice scarf, neck for the girls and head for the boys.
Stuart from Time Bandit gives thanks at the welcome ceremony on behalf of the Rally participants. The male guide on his right is Salam, who spoke excellent english and was one of the best in every way. Next to the Skipper one of the dancers in traditional costume, then Robyn from Grey Nurse, the Ship’s Boy and Shannon and Valiant from Lil Explorers.
Our schedule promised a free afternoon, but there was a wedding in the town which seemed to require our presence. So we put on the “skirts” given to us in Banu Banua and tried to dress up as smartly as possible given we had neglected to pack our wedding clothes. We did the “long walk” from the bridegroom’s house to the bride’s with the groom and back again with the bride. The Skipper actually got to meet the bride and groom while the female members of crew had to join the woman who walked behind the men and who sat in a very small room in both houses while the men enjoyed space and refreshments. Apparently the groom has to ask the bride’s father permission and promise to take care of the bride etc although the Skipper reported that very little talking took place.
The happy couple in ceremonial dress flanked by the 2 mothers and Shannon and Tally from Lil Explorers on the left and Anne from Time Bandit on the right. Having wedding photographs with random Rally members appeared to be considered the in thing.
Tomorrow, we will be taken to a Hindu village to be shown rice farming, seaweed and pearl farming.
Alcedo
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