I’m now in Kendari (the armpit of Sulawesi!) and have just reported to the local immigration office to get my limited stay visa (Kitas) sorted. That involved lots of sitting around to have my fingerprints and photo taken for their online system… Of course I’ve had both of these taken many times before but despite them being on the system they do like to waste time taking them again… I’ve paid my admin fee (and the usual unofficial admin fee on top!) so I’m waiting for them to process it now. Fingers crossed it will be ready this afternoon so I can take the morning ferry to Buton. The rest of the local permits here (police, ‘badan riset’, forestry etc) are being arranged on my behalf by a friend so I can get to the field faster.
It’s pouring with rain now and has been all night, hopefully this won’t continue. Last year it rained every day non-stop while I was here and it made the fieldwork extremely tough. It also makes the ferry crossing a bit hairy!
Signing my life away 😉
Dr Nancy Priston 
Your trek makes a walk in Bushy Park seems a bit tame!! Hope all’s well.Xxx