Celebrations, food and plenty of noise

IT of the offending noise

Indonesia, as a whole, is primarily a Muslim country, however the eastern provinces where we are at the moment, are more Christian. That doesn't stop the mosques from calling the 'faithful' to prayer several times a day. And, we've been fortunate enough to anchor right beside the town mosque with it's bellowing speakers which start at four o'clock each morning while it's still pitch black outside, waking us up very early whether we want to or not. 

And, just I write this, he's started up again.  Oh lucky us.

We returned to our boat after Friday night's festivities about eight o'clock with the noise of the shore side celebrations in full swing. Just when we thought things couldn't get much louder, the mosque started up in competition. The cacophony of sound was almost comical and we had to yell at each other to be heard. Fortunately, the mosque doesn't go on too long and the beach band progressively toned down to a civilised level.

Saturday night was the big gala dinner hosted by the governor of this province and the mayor of Kupang.  We were taken by bus to a lovely outside venue a few miles away where we were treated to a very formal greeting and presented with a bag of goodies consisting of t-shirts, Indonesian woven scarves, a small Komodo dragon in a case and lots of papers promoting activities and places.

Next, the traditional dancing and a fashion show which was followed by dinner; quite excellent and a huge spread. 

There were the obligatory speeches but not unreasonably long and we were presented with more woven scarves and another bag with a cap and more papers.  We left laden with goodies and marvelled at why they wanted to give us all these items.  

It was a super evening and I know we're going to get a little tired of all the traditional dancing and singing eventually but we're still new at this so thoroughly enjoying it.  

Troutbridge finally arrived safely on Thursday afternoon after a fairly arduous trip not made any easier by the fact that he had a rope wrapped around his prop as he entered the channel and had to dive it.  

PHOTO GALLERY:

 

The welcoming committee

Paul and hostess

Three local ladies