Kendari, SE Sulawesi, Aug 9 (ANTARA News) - The participants of international yacht rally and yacht race from Darwin, Australia, started entering Wakatobi waters on Tuesday, local Culture and Tourism Office spokesman Tawakal said.
He said the yacht rally and yacht race participants set sail from Darwin on July 23, 2011 and started entering Wakatobi waters in Southeast Sulawesi on Tuesday to participate in Sail Wakatobi-Belitong 2011.
Tawakal said that as of Tuesday morning eight yachts, participating in the international rally and race have entered Wakatobi waters.
"At present the crews of the yachts swimming and diving in the waters at Hoga island to enjoy underwater natural beauty of various coral reefs and marine biota around the island," Tawakal said.
According to him, eight yachts which have arrived in Wakatobi waters entered the Indonesian archipelago through Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara.
Tawakal admitted that yacht rally participants tried to arrive in Wakatoby earlier because they wanted to enjoy the underwater natural beauty and the hospitality of Wakatobi people as much as possible.
"The official welcoming ceremony for all participants of the yacht rally and yacht race will be conducted by Wakatobi district government on Tuesday night, August 23 to mark the peak event of Sail Wakatobi-Belitong 2011," Tawakal said.
He said the 149 participants of the yacht rally and race from six countries would arrive in Wakatobi from two entry points namely Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara and Saumlaki in West Southeast Maluku district.
"I have been informed that 25 yachts have anchored in Saumlaki and will arrive in Wakatobi on August 23 at the latest," Tawakal said, adding that Sail Wakatobi-Belitong peak event, to last for a week until August 29, would be opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on August 23.
According to him, the Wakatobi district government has prepared various cultural attractions to enliven the the Wakatobi-Belitong international marine event.
"Various attractions that have been prepared are among others
mass underwater wedding, traditional sports festival, traditional art and cultural festival, and diving activities at Wakatobi waters. (Ant).
