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Namrole is a new destination for rally fleets coming to Indonesia. In fact no western tourists have ever visited the island which had previously been a prison island for opponents of the regime.  It is now being developed but it is still very basic with little infrastructure. All the main villages have electricity, there are lots of schools, albeit basic and some televisions.  The island is majority Christian but Moslem girls are much in evidence.  We went ashore for the Welcome Ceremony to be met by traditional Buru elders and lots of tomorrows hope.  Hundreds of school children all immaculately clean, fit and obviously well fed.  In fact although the people have very little we saw no real poverty and everyone was smiling and equally well fed. 

A huge crowd had gathered for what was going to be a very important and well prepared welcome.  A huge effort at considerable expense has been made by the Buru Regency government for our benefit.