Blog 59. Sumbawa. 17 September. 08.41.94S 118.00.72E

Alcedo
David Batten
Fri 20 Sep 2019 10:18
Sumbawa, Island of soot and honey. Also buffalo racing, the world championship no less and the beautiful Whale Shark. Our tours were mostly a 2 hours taxi ride away, very luxurious, or 2 hours in an open boat starting at 03.00am, not so luxurious but worth it.

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Walking the course for the buffalo race, teams of 2 buffalo that will be connected by a yoke as per the bright turquoise and yellow ones being carried, about 40 teams in all. Judges box is opposite.

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Placing the all important “stick” that the buffalo have to pass either side of, with rider still on board, on order to have a qualifying score.

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The Rally volunteers discussing the rules and the wisdom of volunteering to race, from L to R, Brent from Impi, the guide - Fireman, Bronwin from Stella Australis, Amy, Patrick - also Stella Australis and Matt

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At the finishing line, buffalos going either side of post, rider still in position

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After watching this, anxiety levels are high....

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... but our guys and girls show talent and report feelings of exhilaration as well as the delights of a free mud treatment as shown by Julie from Sky Blue Eyes

After bullock racing, more weaving, bee keeping, coffee making and a ritual celebration to mark the changes of the season from dry to wet, the latter in a village called Muer. All surprisingly enjoyable.

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Honey being harvested from forest bees. The honey comb is the waxy mass that looks a bit like seaweed, while the eggs are in the pale brown structure that looks like some sort of plant. The bees are so tiny, they are not really visible. The honey is delicious

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Villagers in Muer, who had been waiting about 2 hours for us while we faffed around shopping at the main town in Sumbawa, unaware of that the ministry of tourism had decided to add it to the program. The guides were equally surprised to be stopped on the way back to the anchorage, but our welcome to the village and the sheer number of photographs they wanted with us, made it a memorable detour.

Only the Whale Shark tour to go before we leave Sumbawa for Lombok and Bali and the tourist hot spots of Indonesia.

Alcedo

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