Gorontalo to Manado

2 December 2010

After a week of relaxing in the Togean Islands, I decided it was time to drag myself off the islands and continue my journey...I still had a long way to go. So, one afternoon I took the speedboat to Wakai Island and waited for the 'Lembar Pemakai Jasa' Ferry. I booked a sleeping cabin on the ferry as it was an overnight trip (approx 12 hours) from Wakai to Gorontalo in North Sulawesi.

The Bajo

The 'sea gypies' of Indonesia are called the 'Bajo' - an ethnic group of people who have spent hundreds or thousands of years living off the seas...and travelling as families on traditional house-boats.

Coconut Crab

Kadidiri Island...Togean Islands...I didn't think it would be possible but... I was lucky enough to see a coconut crab up-close and personal...a very cool creature.

Tantalising Togeans

27 November 2010

Kadadiri Island was a little piece of heaven.

Dazzling Danau Poso

24th November 2010

After moving hotels to 'Hotel Pison', closer to the centre of Rantepao and spending a day recovering from the grand funeral ceremony, it was time to hit the road again. I hired a new driver with car and headed north to Pendolo, on the south end of Danau Poso - Lake Poso in Central Sulawesi.

'Tomate' in Tembamba

22nd November 2010

Of all the traditional ceremonies of the Torajan people, the most important is the 'tomate' - funeral or literally 'deceased'. There are many traditional customs surrounding the important funeral ceremonies in Tana Toraja.

Tampangallo

21st November 2010

Not far from Kambira Baby Graves, is the village of Tampangallo, between the villages of Sangalla and Suaya. It is believed that the tau-tau - effigies - in Tampangallo are one of the most stunning sights in Tana Toraja and one of the oldest grave caves.

Baby Graves - Kambira

21st November 2010

Kambira is a village, south-east of Rantepao that is home to one of the biggest baby grave sites in Tana Toraja. I was told the baby grave site in Kambira houses up to 20 baby graves...in a tree.

"Tau-tau"

21st November 2010

Another day...another adventure in Toraja land! At 8am headed south of Rantepao to Lemo to see the "tau-tau" in the cliff...(the area had changed a lot since 1995!)

Tongkonan Traditional Architecture & Motifs

Toraja legends claim that the people arrived on the island of Sulawesi from the north by sea. They were caught in a violent storm, which damaged their boats so badly that they were unseaworthy, so they used them as roofs for their new homes in Tana Toraja where they settled.

Tantalising Toraja Land

20th November 2010

Woke early...anxious to see the view from my verandah - it was trully spectacular!! Oh, how I LOVE Toraja Land...Tana Toraja!

Sulawesi - Makassar to Tana Toraja

19th November 2010

Journey from Makassar to Tana Toraja...heading where the hills make you feel like you are on top of the world! ;)

2010 journey to Indonesia

13th November 2010

I am about to embark on yet another journey to Indonesia...happy to leave work behind me and head to paradise on a new adventure. My plan is to travel to Sulawesi...although I have travelled to Sulawesi in the past, that was in 1995, so I was expecting lots of changes and new ventures to learn from.