Beilitung 2
Sea Topaz
Duncan Briggs
Thu 13 Oct 2011 03:52
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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
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