Indonesia -- Ternate - Bahari & Kora Kora festival 2012

From what we've seen in our 4 months here, the Indonesians love festivals, and the chance to fly banners, play loud music, make speeches, and eat plenty of spicy food! The Bahari and Kora Kora Festival of Ternate was held on 10-11 December 2012, at the island of Ternate, one of the principal Spice Islands of N.Maluku Province in eastern Indonesia). The opening ceremony featured an Indonesian cultural dance with traditional band. Instead of a ribbon-cutting, the Mayor and other dignitaries opened the festivities by beating on Tambur Drums. The main event was the Kora Kora boat race. Teams of paddlers in local wooden canoe-style boats made a number of relay "heats" over the 2 days, racing the boats along the sea front, starting and ending at the Sultan's Pier. Between races, the people had fun at the Amusement Park nearby. Filmed in December 2012.