Photo: Aquarius dressed for Indonesian National Day


Today is Indonesian National Day. All week workers in the city of Jakarta have been dressing the Capital up for the occasion. The national colours of red and white a displayed everywhere; the fences surrounding public areas, national monuments, the entrances of public buildings are all draped with red and white bunting. Ships in the harbours and alongside the wharves all dressed in signal flags and an air of excitement has been building all week. The Indonesian population are, and rightly so, very proud of their great nation. This morning at precisely 1000 hours, all of the ships started blowing their horns to mark the day of Independence. Just after, a squadron of jet fighter aircraft flew over our boat headed for the centre of Jakarta - 12 modern aircraft in formation was a wonderful sight and significantly demonstrated the advances Indonesia has made over the years since colonial days. Libby and I dressed Aquarius last evening in preparation for the National day of our host country. Our little gesture was very well received by the staff and workers at the marina. Congratulations and best wishes to our Indonesian friends.