There is still some type of glitch that affects our ability to read, and your ability to post comments on this blog...something to do with iPad stuff, so sorry if we have been ignoring youse.
Sitting at Sam Ratulangi international airport in Manade, and it was an interesting journey, but more about that later.
The farewell
It is the tradition at Hohidai, that all guests/ volunteers are given a farewell function, and as the Indonesians love any excuse, it was a party too.
Nathalie will have volumes of Indonesian, especially Manado and Halmaheran cooking recipes, upon her return, because the evening started again with cooking at the bosses home, with Lisa and Suni(sp?) leading the instructing.
For the benefit of Esther and Peter's ( who are in Singapore for visa reasons) the household was being run with an iron fist. Then we were off to Hannah, Peter, and Litje's home for Manado Buber (sp?) green stuff with corm and garlic in it, like a soup, but chunky, and grassy stuff in it. Then to the Asrama( meeting hall) for the farewell.
The farewell
A modern dance routine
Traditonal Tobello sword and shield dance, NB. the fellow on the left is not a traditional Tobellan
Traditional Galalean (nearby region) dance
Nathalie keeping up with the kids.
Lisa, keeping up with Rudi one of the senior nurses.
Ronnie, the man who collected us from the airport, sang Amazing Grace with a wonderful voice.
Then there were many speeches, thanking the medical, teaching and maintenance help we were able to provide and then prayers of thanks? Then the party really started. Fried bananas, sweet potato, and a ginger and peanut drink that was taken warm. Lisa enjoyed hers so much, she wants it next time too. The locals dip their fried bananas in chilli. Far too tough for us.
Many of the medical staff, quite shy..but bring out a camera..
Wawan collect us early from the guesthouse, and he had one of Peter and Esther's children, Molens with him. When he stayed in the van, we discovered that he was going to travel to Manado with us.
It was very sad to be leaving Hohidai, and especially Lisa, Kevyn, and Sandie who we have got to know and rely upon very much over the last few weeks.
It was to be his first flight, as he had to go to Manado, for some dental work. The problem was that there wasno ticket yet purchased for him, and it hadn't been worked out how he was to be collected from the airport. No fuss...things will happen.
Molens, on the Tarmac, heading to the bus with wings, propellers, pilots, and SEAT BELTS, that not only are supplied, but have to be worn
The boarding pass
As it turned out, there's one seat left, and Molens sat next to Nathalie and Andrew got the seat next to mum and a wriggly crying infant, but no problem, we shared some pineapple cookie ( made last night) and it pacified the child, and Andrew for some time.
Co-incidence, or conspiracy?
Standing on the Tarmac at Kao airport, one could ponder the probability of another copper in Victoria, knowing where Halmahera, let alone Kao airport, in northern Halmahera.
Arriving at the airport we did view the first (non Hohidai) Bule or foreigners we had seen for three weeks. And with every respect, it indicates that" the holiday is over".
One of these foreigners, who had obviously been surfing, with five others of various nationalities, walked up and said "'It is you, I was over there thinking I know that fella."( referring to Andrew). Then the penny dropped, it was Dave Tate, a senior constable from Rosebud police, whom Andrew has had a passing professional acquaintance with over 10 years. Dave had been on a surfing tour boat, floating around Morotai, and Halmahera Ultara. Bumping to an acquaintance in rural Victoria, is surprising, another location in Australia, very surprising, major overseas capital, absolutely amazing, but in Kao airport, Halmahera., waiting for the thrice weekly 'wingsair' flight to Manado.....conspiracy...they are following me!!!,! Then he flew to Singapore one seat in front opposite side.
Surveillance still of the man following Andrew
Anyway, the exciting bits are nearly done...waiting for the connecting flight to Singapore. Hopefully we can, upon a few day's contemplation provide the closing briefing, in due course.
From, him and her, r and l respectively
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