Beilitung 2

Sea Topaz
Duncan Briggs
Thu 13 Oct 2011 03:52
Yesterday we received an invitation to have dinner with the President of Indonesia.Only ten people could go so names of boats were drawn out of a hat and we were one of the lucky ones. Then later in the morning we heard that the president was not coming, but the vice president would come. All the other participants of the rally could come to but not meet the (vice) president. So we all dressed up in batik shirts and sarongs and set off in coaches to the main town. When we got there we heard that the vice president was not coming, we were all entertained together in the big multi-purpose hall. Some ministers arrived some time after us. There were several speeches (in Indonesian) and then a buffet. There were live performers; the music was good. The yachties even ended up dancing, photoraphed by the local press. For us it was not one of the better evenings. Today the vice president is visiting the area where we are anchored. Hundreds for fishing boats turned up last night for the grand parade of boats that is happening now. We took the dinghy this morning to take photos of the fishing fleet. Fishermen climbed over their boats to come and shake hands with us and to take our photographs while we were taking theirs. There are also lots of dancing performances going on and thousands of local spectators around.  We met some teachers in the crowd one day and they asked if we would like to meet their children. They came yesterday afternoon and it was great fun listening to them practise their English. They were so well behaved and shy, they gave us pictures they had drawn for us.
This is our last day on the rally. We have a farewell party tonight and then we are on our way to Singapore. It has been a great experience all in all. We look forward to doing some if it again next year.
 
       
 
    Welcome ceremony during our tour                            Trance dance with "horses"
 
 
           
 
    Locals coming out to take pictures of us                                        Some of the school kids
 
       
 
        School kids teachers and parents                                            Dressed up to meet the vice president
 
       
 
        Smaller fishing boats on parade                                                Fishing boats all dressed up in flags
 
       
 
    Bigger fishing boat with out riggers                                                And Sea Topaz dressed for the party