Calypso's Journal: A Day to Remember

Faces of Flores

Wow, if we had been British Royalty or the president of the USA, we couldn't have been treated with more ceremony and hospitality. From the moment of the welcoming function to a full day tour of a couple of traditional villages, we have been hosted to the utmost. And, we haven't even had the gala dinner yet, that's this evening.

The first evening was the welcoming affair with the local school children displaying traditional dances and costumes – absolutely delightful. The time and effort put into these must be incredible. However, one change from the norm was six little boys performing an American-style breakdance just to show that tradition isn't absolutely everything. They did a fabulous job of it and were obviously have great fun.

The following morning at six am, we were met by two buses to take us to the next regency of Nagekeo for another welcome with the region's officials. Breakfast, in the form of what we'd deem to be lunch or dinner, was served along with a few speeches then we were whisked off to another village in another regency up into the mountains.

Here was a small traditional village where the welcoming party danced us into the central sphere for more music, dancing and speeches AND, breakfast! We'd already had our normal muesli and yoghurt aboard Calypso so this was now our third breakfast. I felt a bit like Frodo, Merry, Pippin & Samwise in “The Lord of the Rings” referring to first breakfast, second breakfast and elevenses, to be followed by lunch, of course. It was still early in the morning but the local home-made palm wine, arak, was also on offer – a tad harsh on the system to my mind but a certain husband showed his appreciation.

The long-standing structures in the village, made of wood, bamboo and thatch, have suspended floors with high ceilings and are remarkably cool inside. We were shown around the home of one elderly couple (he was 98) and were impressed at the comfort internally, albeit a bit stark by western standards, but it was beautifully maintained and a very practical home for the heat of Indonesia.

Women sat around weaving their beautiful fabrics, even creating the threads from the nearby kapok trees. More dancing, more speeches and we were off to the next village. And you guessed it, more food.

Again, a marvelous welcome from people who sincerely seem to be perfectly thrilled to have us there. It was mentioned later that we were the first tourists to this village of Bajawa, nestled near the foot of the beautiful active Inerie Volcano up in the mountainous inland region. I hope they continue to have visitors but not too many to spoil it.

They demonstrated how they make their special rice (combined with coconut and cooked in bamboo tubes), and this was followed by some of their own traditional dances and music. Then lunch.

This time we were offered a myriad of local delicacies before lunch which was promptly followed by lunch itself, another incredible display of local dishes all cooked in conditions that we would consider rough camping. They were truly delicious; they'd gone to so much trouble and effort.

Paul receiving scarf

Just before departing, we were all presented with a beautiful hand woven scarf along with a bag of the local design. Overwhelming.

The trip back was fairly long as the roads were windy and full of potholes but we had a chap entertaining us with his guitar singing local and American songs and also had a police escort the whole way; siren blaring, stopping all on-coming traffic to allow us through. Yup, royalty couldn't have had it better. Even when our bus broke down about an hour away from our destination, a bus full of officials and supporters made room for us and the poor driver was left to sort things out.

We arrived back after sunset somewhat tired but knew we'd had a most amazing day.

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