Cruising from Bali to Irian Jaya and down to Cairns

[JohnM]

Next morning we arrived at Maumere on the island of Flores. Quite a large town, but we are taking a 1 hiur bus trip into the mountains to a remote village.

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A convoy of about 8 busses of varying sizes, with a police escort, necessary to clear the road for us. A good paved road all the way, but only one effective lane with wide shoulders.

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Arrived the village and the school kids were excited (only a couple of cruise boats make it up here) and were taking photos of us, taking photos of them.

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AN elaborate welcoming ceremony, unfortunately only view-able by a few at the front.

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Then led down to the performance area. Quite flash.

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The band

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Several perfomances, this one related to marriage involves an elephant tusk and the gradual chopping down of a banana tree.

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Ouch.

Unusual phallic symbolism...

 

[bPeteb]

Ouch.

Unusual phallic symbolism...

I think Roo was very circumspect in his description

 

[JohnM]

I think Roo was very circumspect in his description

Circum what?

 

[RooFlyer]

Basically involving defence against attack, necessitating climbing up bamboo to fire arrows from there