Marine / Bima Suci crew enjoying Shetland’s beauty and eager for royal visit
THE BIGGEST tall ship to visit Lerwick this year, Bima Suci from Indonesia, is home to more than 100 crew and almost 80 cadets in training.
She belongs to the Indonesian Navy and is just five years old.
The barque and her crew are currently on a seven month-long tour of the globe – Lerwick is the 13th destination on their journey.
They left Indonesia in April and will only return in October.
Haikal is a senior cadet in the naval academy.
“The journey to Shetland was very, very nice,” he said when Shetland News visited the vessel on Thursday afternoon. “At first we went to Aberdeen… we told the locals there it was very cold and they warned us about Shetland.
“They said ‘bring warmer clothes and extra clothing’.
“Shetland is a very nice place… I can see this island is very beautiful but we didn’t prepare for the windy and cold weather.”
Haikal said earlier in the week, some of his friends on the ship were so cold they were wearing two layers of jackets around town.
Yesterday the crew received much praise from the crowds lining the streets for the parade.
Tall Ships crew parade brings carnival atmosphere to Lerwick
“We went to the crew parade where we showed off our cultural experience… a traditional dance and also we did the marching band,” he said. “The mascots for that are sharks and sea lions.”
The crew is also very excited for the royal visit on Friday, with Princess Anne due to visit the Tall Ships Races.
“We are very lucky to have this opportunity, because Indonesians, the army in particular, we love the royal family,” Haikal said.
“Especially [the late] Princess Diana, we would have a special song for her because she is the top role model for women… we use her as a symbol of a great woman.”
The crew of Bima Suci will be performing for Her Royal Highness tomorrow, and then continue their journey across the world as the ships leave on Saturday.
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