Wanci Welcome
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sun 7 Aug 2016 22:57
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Wanci
Welcome
  We all assembled ashore at seven
thirty expecting to have a low-key welcome under the gazebo outside the Wakatobi
Information Centre. No, we were whisked off in buses to the Regent’s house.
There we were not honoured guests seated in the middle, we were to one side with
the cheap seats to our right. Our interpreter told us
to help ourselves to the buffet and explained each
dish.
  Rhonnie and
Lance (Paw Paw) had plenty of time to pose with a group of
ladies as the buffet table was against the wall, meaning a one-way queue. Not
sure what the two ladies at the watermelon end were
doing but they both looked very smart. Beyond them, in front of the stage are
the important guest chairs...........
 Elders, chiefs and
four kings settled on the stage and someone spoke in Indonesian for ages.
The microphone was handed to a man to lead a prayer which was quite
long.
  Food was
blessed, uncovered and everyone was asked to take their shoes off and
try a little.
 Four wise
men look on.
   Guides
appeared to tell us (Deb) what was going on and we took our seats for the first group of dancers.
 Mr Regent
took to the stage and spoke for a very long time. His ‘guests’ in front of the
stage had a cup of coffee (we had water), every time they clapped he got going
again and on and on it went. This was clearly a ‘do’ that was happening and we
were tagged on as an afterthought.
   On my left John (Afar VI) began to fade, Bear to my right faded and then John
gave in. Each had plenty of time to get a power nap in and still Mr
Regent went on.
 The hysterical part was when the
interpreter got back to the stage and we thought we were in for another long
‘do’, he merely spoke three sentences. Well........if that was the gist of it
perhaps he could write Mr Regent’s speeches. Grant (El Gato, surname
Forbes) was introduced as Mr For Bes to reply and thank on our behalf. Three
sentences, three translated sentences and we all cheered. Well done Mr For Bes.
Paw Paw is now known as Pow Pow and Beez Neez is now
know as Business........
  The second dance
group. The men in the cheap seats ate from cardboard tuck boxes and the
boys had to wake up.
  We all went to the stage to be presented with a hand-woven scarf and then the captains had to line up for a
presentation.
  I had to fight to get through the
myriad of photographers (all local, all elbows and one fell off the stage taking
a few potted plants with him....) to see Bruce
(Matilda) and Bear take possession of their
plaques.
 Bear with his
plaque.
  The dancers
pulled most of us up for one dance and without a by-your-leave we were outside
waiting for the bus. Home by eleven thirty.
ALL IN ALL FOUR OUT OF TWENTY
WELCOME CEREMONIES IN THE BAG.......
LOVELY FOOD BUT TOO MANY
SPEECHES |