Indonesia, first impressions
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Fri 2 Aug 2013 12:04
Apart from the obvious, mobile phones, Internet, wifi and dongles, I think it has. I don't know if Kupang is a regular tourist destination but a lot of people I've met so far have a few words of English. Corruption? Well of course it exists but I haven't encountered it during the checking in process. Yes one of the officials asked for a beer but nobody else was even fishing for 'a present'. Inevitably I suppose there have been some complaints from the odd boat claiming demands for beer, wine, rum or presents in general and hinting at problems if they're not forthcoming. Two thoughts on that, firstly the rally organisers have categorically and repeatedly told everybody to politely refuse AND LET THEM KNOW BOUT IT. Secondly I wonder if some of the complainants have been in the Third world before. My attitude is you can't blame them for trying and if you haven't encountered it before I suppose it could be intimidating.
The check-in process was a bit laborious. I think it was probably supposed to be just a quarantine inspection but Customs and Immigration tagged along. After I'd been boarded the rally people put out a general broadcast and said tell them no more than three people onboard. I had about seven milling around but nothing went missing as far as I can tell (I had put tools etc away) and the whole thing was over in about fifteen minutes. Then I had to go ashore and complete the process with a few photocopies of documentation but again it took about twenty minutes, most of it spent chatting. Everybody was smiling and pleasant. and they all spoke passable English.
I had my first nasi goreng and Anker beer. That came to about £3.50...thank you daughter. There was a so-called technical briefing at 1600. That turned into a route review, then some music. Country and western played on a traditional Indonesian instrument. It was like a section of round pole with twenty strings to pluck and actually made for pleasant listening. Then there was a selection of snacks which were basic but good. No cooking tonight. Now I can't remember the name of the fishy chilli sauce. Was it ikan bilis? Perhaps somebody can tell me but I didn't like it 31 years ago and some things just never change
There are tours galore organized, if they all happen and many free meals. Thus far it looks like the rally fee was money well spent.
First impressions? Favourable.
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