03;58.37S 126:56.27E

An elaborate ceremony presided over by the Vice Regent for South Buru who gave a long but obviously well received speech, (after one burst of applause Dave on Alexes suggested he had just promised everyone a weeks holiday and free beer) all in Indonesian of course as nobody speaks English except one or two of our official guides.  The crowd grew and slowly edged closer and closer to get a better view of the dances and us.  They were enjoying the spectacle as much as we were.  In fact in a lot of places during the visit it was difficult to get to the front to get good photos as all the prime spots were taken by the locals.  Fair enough.  Julie having been dropped off from the Mexican yacht Windkist had been in the village for several days and had been helping them get the arrangements right.  She was invited to give a vote of thanks on behalf of the fleet which she did extremely well, including repeating it all in Indonesian to huge applause from the crowd.  Well done her.