{"id":1460,"date":"2014-02-24T17:29:36","date_gmt":"2014-02-24T17:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/?p=1460"},"modified":"2025-04-21T19:33:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T19:33:48","slug":"whats-in-sulawesi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/nl\/whats-in-sulawesi\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s in Sulawesi?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe I should start by answering the question: “Where is Sulawesi?”<\/em>
Among the 6,000 inhabited islands of Indonesia lies Sulawesi, one of the country\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s largest. When I told my friends we were off to explore Sulawesi, they all gave me the same puzzled reaction: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, how lovely\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in Sulawesi?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/em>
To be honest, I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t entirely sure myself. I had read a few things here and there, but it remained a big question mark.<\/p>\n

So here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what I found on the island of Sulawesi:<\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. Jaw-dropping landscapes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mist rolling over hills and valleys, narrow roads cutting through endless rice fields, rugged cliffs, lush jungles, volcanoes, beaches\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 A variety of landscapes perfect for hikes and motorbike rides.<\/p>\n

\"black<\/a>
black sand beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"on<\/a>
driving a motorbike<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Tana Toraja- remarkable culture and architecture<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This is the land of the Torajan people. Immerse yourself in their fascinating traditions and beliefs in the southern half of the island.
I know the word \u00e2\u20ac\u0153unique\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is often overused to describe just about anything, but if there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ever a case where it truly fits, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s here. I found their \u00e2\u20ac\u0153death-centric<\/a><\/span>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d way of life particularly intriguing.<\/p>\n

\"traditional<\/a>
traditional Torajan jewellery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Torajan<\/a>
at a Torajan funeral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"tongkonans,<\/a>
architecture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Gorgeous deserted islands<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Take the Togean Islands, for example. Getting there is a journey\u00e2\u20ac\u201dtwo days of driving and sailing, non-stop\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbut totally worth it. No phone signal, no internet. A perfect digital detox, or just a relaxing few days of beach, snorkel, eat, sleep, repeat.<\/p>\n

\"mangrove<\/a>
mangrove beach in Bunaken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"beach<\/a>
beach crabs everywhere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sulawesi\"<\/a>
romance returns when technology disappears…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. A dark side<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As mentioned earlier, death is ever-present in southern Sulawesi\u00e2\u20ac\u201dnot in a creepy or dangerous way, but as a celebrated part of life. Every now and then you stumble upon centuries-old bones and coffins. Bodies are buried in caves and cliff walls; skeletons are given cigarettes and money.
At times, it felt like being on the set of a gothic music video.<\/p>\n

\"century<\/a>
surprised by these century old skulls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"cigarettes<\/a>
cigarettes for the dead<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Top notch underwater scenery<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Prepare to redefine your perception of colour\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 Sulawesi offers some of the most vibrant coral and marine life I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve ever seen. Despite past dynamite fishing, much of the coral remains intact. The fish patterns and their colour schemes inspired me to imagine an entirely new wardrobe\u00e2\u20ac\u201dshame I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not a fashion designer!
If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re an experienced diver and looking for something different, check out the Lembeh Strait for world-class muck diving. Snorkel in Bunaken, muck dive in Lembeh, and dive around the Togeans.<\/p>\n

\"snorkelling<\/a>
unfortunately I don’t own a waterproof camera (yet?), so this is the best I can show you. Togean islands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Tarsiers<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If you ask me, they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re the cutest primates on the planet. Sulawesi is home to tarsiers in two of its national parks. We tracked them down with a guide at dawn in Tangkoko National Park. My nine-year-old self gave me a big high five\u00e2\u20ac\u201dchildhood dreams do come true!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"tarsier,<\/a>
tarsier back in his sleeping tree after a night of hunting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"tarsier<\/a>
aren’t they cute?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n