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The welcome ceremony by the island was held the next day in the afternoon after school and on the beautiful beach on the other side of the island.  It was the best, most authentic and genuine village ceremony we had had anywhere in Indonesia.  Very simple and short.  The high school girls dance was beautifully choreographed and performed immaculately.  (Hugh and I were later to watch them rehearsing one evening).  On each occasion we have moninated a couple to act as chief guests representing the fleet.  This time it was Will and Karen from Chantey (NZ) who received the cakes from the girls.

Hugh was asked to give the response on behalf of the fleet to the official from the tourism ministry.  He gave the best speech of all those since we arrived in Indonesia in July and also gave a large part of it in Indonesian, much to the delight of the crowd.  The young girl from the tourism ministry who had asked Hugh to do it was asked to do some translation by him, which she produced in very quick time.  There was much speculation amongst the fleet afterwards as to what she had actually given Hugh to say.  Most suggestions seem to centre around offers of marriage, the price of goats or his buying beer for everyone!