Ep1. INDONESIA - WOW WELCOME CEREMONY - DEBUT - KAI ISLANDS

WOW, WOW, WOW – OUR BIGGEST WELCOME EVER !!!!

DEBUT – K A I I S L A N D S

Catamaran IMPI has been sailing around the world – some 8 years full time now and in all this time we have never received as great a welcome into any country as right here in the KAI Islands of Indonesia … a place known as DEBUT.

Some sailors told us not to expect much in Debut, however our experience has been one of PURE DELIGHT and absolute awe.
The effort these people have shown in making us feel welcome is exceptional and also very humbling when one considers the poverty in Indonesia being the situation for many – it feels to me the folks would literally take the last shirt off their backs and give it to anyone in need.

The Regent who is the elected ruler of the regency or ‘district’ (for want of a better word) is truly an amazing man with great leadership skills.
In our short time with him it became evident that the man truly wants to deliver for his people, that he truly values visitors to his region.
To this end it is clear he could not have received as much monetary return from us sailors as what it cost the region to entertain and dine us – an investment which undoubtedly is going to benefit his people in the long run because so many will want to experience the joy and delight of being welcomed into Indonesia this way.

This video will show some glimpse of the generosity bestowed on the sailors entering here with the ‘Multihull wonderful sail to Indonesia Rally’ supported this year by ‘The Down Under Rally’ (Go North Rally).

Being the ‘lone range sailors’ we always have been, we are not sailors who would usually make use of a Rally Group to tour countries, however, those who have followed our adventures will know the ‘Down Under Rally’ have been amazing in cost saving deals for yachts sailing into Australia and also became sponsors of our animal welfare program in New Caledonia.
Because John Hembrow, who is the founder and director of Down Under Rally had formed an alliance with “Multihull, Wonderful sail to Indonesia’, we felt it would be a good opportunity to use the rally as a means to enter Indonesia which can be quite complex in terms of paperwork, visas, sponsor letters and so on.

We are really pleased we took part in the ‘Welcome ceremony’ at Debut – we fell on love with the people right away – they are a happy, generous and engaging people who show delight in their visitors and enjoy a good laugh or two.

In this video I have tried to capture some of the vibe, some of the local folks culture and hope I can give Debut, it’s people and it’s leaders some credit for their amazing friendship.

People here warmed up to us right away – in some regards we felt like we were right back at home in South Africa – we took part in dancing (a little on the wild side) and not being a great dancer the locals laughed and enjoyed the misplaced foot movements and wiggle of the hips – they even called for IMPI over the loudspeakers for an ‘on the spot interview’ – lol !

Ana and I feel so blessed and totally excited to be part of such a wonderful bunch of sailors on this years rally – truly – all of them such nice people so it was sad when we kept to our dream and sailed away from the team who all headed south – we headed north for Raja Ampat instead and are currently enjoying this region.
I will share some of our footage of Balbulol on Misool, diving in beautiful places and beautiful little islands like Wofoh where the locals tell me is some of the best diving in all of Indonesia (and it is amazing) – and of course our ‘WOW’ visit to WAYAG which to date is the most intriguing and most beautiful place I have ever anchored in. But – all that will follow in our next videos.

Cheers everyone
Impi Out!

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