The Indonesian Independence Day falls on Aug 17 every year. 2009 is the 64th anniversary of Indonesia's independence from the Dutch. Every year, sporting events and games will be held in schools and also in housing complexes. The common activities include:
- tarik tambang (tug of war)
- bakia (multiple persons wearing one set of big slippers)
- walkathons - normally around the housing complexes
- lomba makan kerupuk (cracker eating competition/race - as shown below)
- lomba kelarang (spoon race. "Lomba" means race or competition)
- Panjat pinang (palm tree climbing)
Same as last year, I took my son to participate in the "lomba makan kerupuk". Every is supposed to just chew and nibble off as much crackers from the string without touching their food. The fastest will win. However my boy still wants to hold it and eat it.....
The rest of the kids competing are older, so I had to line up for mine to register for the competition.
What a big bite!
Don't know why my son likes to put his hand on one of his friend's shoulder? He kept his hand there the whole time when we were watching the "panjat pinang" event.
A group of men tried to climb up this palm tree which has presents dangling at the top. The palm tree trunk is covered with grease. I think they all tried like 20x but still not able to get to the presents. In the end of the day, they had to bring down the tree to get the presents.
