He did it His Way

The final day of official engagements on Buru Island was a whirlwind tour of potential tourist spots.
 

This young man was part of the official welcoming party

 
First we were taken way up into the hills and down the other side to a remote village to attend a rafting festival. The Elders gave us a solemn ceremonial welcome and there were dances and lines of people waiting to greet us.

The Elders welcome us to the rafting village (and below)
  

  
After some long speeches in Indonesian we all got to have a ride on the rafts which were decorated with various fruit or vegetables but it felt a bit like the real fun was going to begin when we left. 

The rafts await!

 
 
We drove a little further to a small, traditional hamlet where there was a gong house in the middle of the circle of homes.

The gong house

 
We were able to enter their small houses (some on stilts). Their simplicity brought it home to us that we have so much “stuff”. They had the bare necessities, cooking pots and a few utensils, a sleeping mat, a few clothes and that’s about it.

  
   
 
Then we were taken to a stunning coconut palm fringed beach where there was more dancing and singing and chatting to people, followed by another enormous feast. 

  
  
Our tour continued to another beach side village which had a gorgeous island just offshore. Looked fantastic but sadly there was no time to visit it. 

Some very sweet and serious young girls performed a dance for us and then our group plus hundreds of villagers poured onto the beach where we were besieged with requests for photos.  

 
  
  
After a long day, the prospect of another dinner was daunting but we all arrived showered and in our best clothes ready for another evening of merry making. 

Of course, there was Karaoke and then dancing, and naturally, the Regent and Vice Regent both had to sing. 

The highlight was when the Regent sang the classic “I Did it My Way”. 

When he got to the chorus all the yachties spontaneously joined in. Not sure he appreciated our assistance but with our vocals the big finish was awesome and he received a standing ovation!