Bitung - Dancers at the welcoming dinner

Bitung - all instruments were made from wood - bloody amazing

Bitung - congestion at the dinghy dock was always an issue

Indonesia Independence Day 18th August - the neverending desire to have photos taken with us

One of the many warships gathered for the celebrations - this was a large Chinese destroyer

A local harbour boat in Bitung

Indonesian tallship gathered for the sailpast in Manado

USS George Washington waqs the star attraction for the sailpast in Manado

Followed by a line of warships that stretched over the horizon

This is an Australian Customs Vessel - trimaran - also gathered for the sailpast

Two Up with Aust Custom Vessel in the background

Waruga tribe ancient burial process - needs explaining

Sulawesi custom houses being built for export - some to Australia - cost about $30,000 delivered

Our welcome in a small village called Lokadidi where we were all (4 yachts) highjacked by the local police at 5am with machine guns

The welcoming committee - all worked out well and we were the centre of attraction as yachts have not been there before

Local Muslim children

And they loved the photos also

A young English teacher named "Anita" who was very friendly and helped us with translation

After being highjacked, we had the privelege of waiting for clearance from the harbour master

It wasn't all bad - we found someone with a keyboard and made the most of the situation

Travelling companion "Southern Mist" under sail

Tarsuis monkey - the smallest monkey, native to North Sulawesi

Just a small python

AS 99% of the transport is motor scooters, fuel is sold in old coke bottles as the tank hold a max of 3 litres

Building scaffolding made from bamboo

Transport into town on the back of a scooter - I did have a helmet!!

Boatbuilding process - timber is cut with a chainsaw and then trimmed with a large knife

School classrooms were very sparse