Belitung S2 33 E 107 40
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Our last stop in Indonesia was at Belitung, an island off
the coast of Java that was once an important tin mining area. The tin has all
gone and the main industry is now palm oil farming. As a result the interior of
the island is either plantations or spoil from old workings. However the coast
is in places spectacular with interesting granite landforms and beautiful
beaches. Consequently the island is trying to promote tourism and we and the
yachties of Sail Indonesia were used as a vehicle for attracting a number of
cabinet members and the vice president to see the island to try to
encourage inward investment.
A special dinner was put on in our honour with the cabinet members in attendance ... the beauty queen of Belitong and Miss Indonesia herself were in attendance....looking very un Indonesian!
At another event the cruisers themselves gave back a little entertainment. Here is the German contingent strutting their stuff.
There was also a parade of literally hundreds of local fishing boats through the anchorage.
There were plenty of security around including these soldiers who were happy to pretend to arrest Peter.
I am not sure the man on the left quite realised the point of the photo!
We were sad to check out of this amazing country and its wonderful people, so many of whom have smoothed our way through the islands and entertained us with their warmth and good will. Our special thanks go to Dewi and Raymond, the movers and fixers of Sail Indonesia seen here doing what Indonesians love best....karaoke.
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