Indonesia’s capital has about 10 million inhabitants, counting in the surrounding municipality, this number triples up to an astonishing 30 million. Located on the northwest coast of Java island, Jakarta – formerly called Batavia by the Dutch colonists – has evolved as a trading center […]
Indonesia
Yogyakarta – Cultural Capital
The region of Yogyakarta is one of the two last Sultanates in Indonesia. His Majesty Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X is not only the sultan, but also the democratically elected Governor of the Special Region Yogyakarta. The people of Yogyakarta are very proud of this special […]
Sumba – Indonesia’s hidden island paradise
Sumba – NOT Sumbawa! Sumba’s beauty is a well-kept secret, even amongst many Indonesians, leaving this island paradise pristine and charmingly underdeveloped. Twice the size of Bali, only few people even recognize the name, suggesting that we may refer to Sumbawa instead. We only learned […]
Tana Toraja – Overview and Practical Information
Tana Toraja, the Land of the Toraja people, is a small tribal area that stretches over a beautiful green valley in the center of the Indonesian island Sulawesi. Besides soothing long walks over evergreen hills the Toraja Land is reputed for complex, ancient tribal houses […]
Trekking in the Northern Toraja Land
The beautiful lush green landscape of the Toraja Land has cast her charming spell upon us and we are eager to explore the nature of this lovely place in a trekking tour. While trekking, we are again and again reminded of the importance of the […]
Tana Toraja “The living dead” or “Merry funeral!”
Tucked away in a small green valley, the people of Tana Toraja interpret their Christian belief in a very open-minded way. Besides regular church service they still practice ancient and very complex rituals around their dead ancestors. The definition of “dead” Our guide Yohanis picks […]
Makassar – our first time in Indonesia
We arrive in Indonesia. Makassar is the first city we see, the first place where we meet the colorful and curious Indonesians and Makassar’s cuisine tops the “heat” record on our spiciness scale (sorry Thai cuisine… you have been officially dethroned). Makassar is the largest […]