The villagers in Ninigo sail outrigger canoes. When we
visited Longan, we (along with our friends on Field Trip) were privileged to be
taken out sailing in one of these sailing canoes. It was a welcome change to
speed along in a sailboat that rivals Hobie cats for their speed. Our captain
and crew were two local boys who expertly raised and trimmed the sails by tying
knots and bracing wooden posts against one another. It was truly impressive what they could do with a
wooden canoe and plastic tarps.
They also showered us with local delicacies like lobster and
sago pudding, after a joyous welcome song. We were presented with handmade
gifts, including a miniature outrigger sailing canoe just like the one we had
sailed in. We had to draw the line at their proposed goodbye feast where they
wanted to kill a pig in our honor. It was just much too generous for our short
stay.
It has been a running joke that Matt has a knack for making
the village babies cry, just by virtue of being Big White Guy. I always thought it was pretty
funny but the tables were turned the other day when I looked and smiled at a
tiny toddler, only to have her start bawling.
Here are a few pictures we couldn't post with our sat phone
while we were in Internet exile. Meanwhile, it's off to Indonesia.
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| Sunken Japanese WWII mini-sub |
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| Just happy as a... |
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| Dinner! |
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| Nice manta just happened to stroll by while we were diving. |
