Wednesday 29 July 2015

Welcome ceremony yesterday morning consisted of people dancing and singing and government officials giving speeches. This lasted for over an hour. Then we and 3 friends (or should that be '3 friends and we'?) waited another hour to get permission to take a van into Tual for ATM and shopping, skipping the scheduled school visit to most likely see young people dancing and singing and government officials giving speeches. Wandering around the bigger town was a fascinating cultural contrast with what we've previously seen and was both enjoyable and productive. Few locals are fluent, but many have a little English. Everyone was remarkably friendly, wanting to talk, shake hands or have their picture taken with us. A surprising number of people had cameras, smart phones or tablets. Gala dinner scheduled from 1900 to 2200 had everyone sitting around until 2000 then an hour of people dancing and singing and government officials giving speeches. Actual dinner was a pretty well done buffet with some very good food and a bit that was more arduously exotic. The day's organized activities served primarily to subdue enthusiasm for attending any more. Of the 20 planned stops, 15 have both welcoming ceremony and gala dinner. Good luck with attendance.

Today's schedule included tree planting and a cultural carnival which one fears might include people dancing and singing and government officials giving speeches. Community night from 1900 to 2100 is described as "dance performance by cultural group from..." One suspects there will also be government officials giving speeches. We'll stay aboard with wine, pork chops and perhaps a movie - no musicals. If able to obtain departure permit this afternoon, expect to set sail for Banda Neira early AM. By the way, zarpe requirement was relayed to everyone not through any official source, but by a cruiser who accidentally made discovery. Should be interesting to find out reception, on arrival at next port, for 2 boats who left yesterday without.

Jack