Chief Bosun Carl VerPlanck took this photo during the welcoming ceremony of one of the traditional dancers. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, INDEX-SATAL 2010. Download larger version (jpg, 1.1 MB).
Chief Bosun Carl VerPlanck took this photo during the welcoming ceremony of one of the traditional dancers. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, INDEX-SATAL 2010. Download larger version (jpg, 1.1 MB).
It is quite difficult to accurately communicate what happened during the 24-hr period beginning at 1200 on 6/22. At that point, ship and mission personnel were planning to provide one 'low-key' ship tour the following day for key US Embassy-Jakarta personnel, the Governor of North Sulawesi, and the Mayor of Bitung. Around 1300 on 6/22, Embassy staff and ship personnel realized that our local Indonesian hosts had additional plans. We just didn't know what those plans were. On the morning of 6/23, the ship was officially welcomed to North Sulawesi. The ceremony included traditional dancers, food, drink, speeches, and even a bamboo-instrument band. By the end of the day, ship and mission personnel were absolutely exhausted. . . .but we all had big smiles on our faces! It was a great day!
