It’s hard to say with a straight face you can learn a lot about a place in 3 days … but that’s what I am saying.
And that wasn’t really even 3 days in the coffee areas of Toraja! You land in Makassar (Ujang Padang) and then you must drive 7-8 hours to reach the heart of Tana Toraja, Rantepao, center of the prime coffee areas.
This was my first trip to SulawesiSulawesi coffees are low-acid with great body and that deep, brooding cup profile akin to Sumatra. The coffee is sometimes known as Celebes, which was the Dutch colonial... ...more, way back in 2008.
In any case, it was far too short for such an amazing place. Coffee-wise, culturally, geographically, Sulawesi deserves at least a week of attention, perhaps more. We used our time well, and even this brief initial visit was very rewarding. I think with these images you can see why
But nonetheless I did learn so much, and it charted the course for my subsequent trips for sure -Tom
Like Sumatra, they love to smoke in Sulawesi. And they love adventure, I guess.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Rice paddies and Bugis (the ethnic group) type houses, near Makassar Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Markets and street scenes like Sumatra, in Makassar Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Sulawesi Jaya! Waw! Bukan Main! These odd, idealistic family statues are found in many Sulawesi towns.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Bugis houses have great paint schemes. Sulawesi coastal lowlands.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee A Sulawesi pet store, featuring Pigeons? Sharing space with a bunny? Sulawesi coastal lowlands.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Apparently, the Bugis ethnic group house has the X at the crown of the roof.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Typical Sulawesi motorbike taxi.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Scarey political ads everywhere … I guess it is Sulawesi election season. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Roadside Bugis house, colorful paint schemes.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Snack shacks try to stand out with unique numbers, Sulawesi coastal lowlands.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Inspirational Sulawesi school painting. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Nearby offshore islands along the drive. Sulawesi coastal lowlands.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee More Sulawesi roadside snack shacks … more sensible numbering scheme as well!. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Truck windshield stickers, again.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
At Kupa Beach Restaurant, the so-called “Titanic” is immortalized. Sulawesi coastal lowlands.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Sulawesi coast route, headed to Toraja.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Outrigger transportation, Kuta Beach, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Water buffalo and flourescent foilage, headed to Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Typical fishing boats, coastal Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Whale vertebrae hung from a tree, coastal Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Boat statue at Pare Pare, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee More fine cigarette ads in Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Kopi Bubuk Asli! Toarco packaging for their coffee. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Ominous clouds as we head into the Toraja highlands, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Restored shade trees over the coffee at Toarco Pedermaran Estate, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Toraja warrior statue, headed to Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Coffee flowers after a rain, Pedermaran Estate, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Roadside horse train, headed to Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee S-795 coffee leaves, Toarco Pedermaran Estate, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee The coffee seedling bed at Toarco nursery, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Yemen Mokka seedlings at Toarco, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Gesha! at Toarco, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee New test trees at Toarco, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Innovative composting at Toarco, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Rice hulls mixed with coffee parchment and pulp for composting, at Toarco, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Shunji Yoneda, right, Toarco VP, and Isao Miyake, Toarco agronomist. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee IMG_2242.JPG. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Well organized plot map of PT Toarco Jaya Pedemaran plantation, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Coffee ready for export to Japan, Pedemaran plantation, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Meticulous hand sorting, at Toarco Pedemaran plantation, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Defect chart for sorting at Toarco Pedemaran plantation, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Grading stencils Pedemaran plantation, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Defect samples pulled from Toarco coffee. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Moonrise in Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Unique rice dryers used for coffee when weather is rainy, Toarco Pedemaran plantation, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Great safety posters at Toarco mill, Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Great safety posters at Toarco mill, Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Youch! Great safety posters at Toarco mill, Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Don’t throw an unknown switch? Great safety posters at Toarco mill, Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Avoid blood toes? Great safety posters at Toarco mill, Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Nice cupping lab at PT Toarco mill, Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Liberica – Sulawesi Toarco test garden. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Liberica – Sulawesi Toarco test garden. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Liberica – Sulawesi Toarco test garden. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Typica – Sulawesi Toarco test garden. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Typica top, Robusta bottom, a Graft!. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Catimor – Sulawesi Toarco test garden. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee USDA – Sulawesi Toarco test garden. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee PM-88 – Sulawesi Toarco test garden. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee S-Line (S-33) – Sulawesi Toarco test garden. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee PM-88 (catimor) – Sulawesi Toarco test garden. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Sweet Maria’s Soccer Balls – Toarco, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Lowlands in the foreground, with the mountains to the north.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Tranquil Islands off the coast of Makassar, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Makassar, Sulawesi, as we approach from the air.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee How to use a toilet? Toraja Heritage Hotel, Rantepao. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee KUD, NCBA offices in Rantepao, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Great dates in Rantepao history (?). Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee River view in Rantepao, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Purty flowers of Rantepao, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee AEKI sponsored coffee-themed sculpture in Rantepao, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Welcome to Toraja! Tongkonan themed gate. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Coffee-themed sculpture in Rantepao, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Hmmm… Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Hymne Band and Electone, Alang-Alang. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Big Bomb, October 1928, Makale, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Preparing for a procession, Makale, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Amazing pediments, near Makale, Sulawesi, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Sulawesi coffee dog. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Patios at NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Traditional Tongkonan Torajan houses, Makale, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Torajan roofline repeated in the shrubs, CBI/NCBA Mill. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee So you don’t get lost; NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Thong storage, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Wet huller, for “Giling Basah” coffee, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Catador means “taster”, and “sampler”, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee High flying defect, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Pretty coffee bags, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Sorting on the conveyor, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Hand sorting, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee A few bags of coffee, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Really nice cement pond, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Flourescent flowers, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee IMG_9681.JPG. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Some of the samples we were cupping at NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Wow … they use home roasters, NCBA/CBI mill, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee One of the most fanciful stories I have ever read … courtesy of Starbucks. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Hot chick sticker, near Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Dramatic landscape, Makele Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Tongkonan for rice storage, or for bodies awaiting burial! Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Tongkonan and pig, for a church celebration, Makale, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Church celebration, Makale, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Measuring out coffee at the Buntu market, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee So many pigs for the feast, Church celebration, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Another happy family, Makale Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Rice storage, ceremonial Tongkonan, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Plump person crossing, Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Covered bridge, Near Rantepao Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Mega-Tongkonan, Rantepao Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Another great Toraja cement statue. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Little man folded napkin. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee PT Toarco Jaya Office, Rantepao Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Huge timber bamboo, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Morning mists, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Killer motorcycle painting, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Typical Toraja house with family Tongkonan . Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee A line of Tongkonan, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Nutty 50 foot statue at Makale, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Detail of the monster Toraja warrior statue at Makale, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Picture of a me taking a picture, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Typical countryside, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Mix of residences and Tongkonans, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Mix of traditional and christian faiths, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Ducks and rice paddies, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Coffee trader at Buntu market, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Another view of Tau-Tau wood carving on porch, Tana Toraja Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Tau-Tau on porch of Toraja house. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Betelnut-chewing woman at the Buntu coffee market, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee A coffee buyer at the Buntu market, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Baby Torajan! Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee IMG_9853.JPG. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Trading parchment coffee at the Buntu Market, Buntu, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Trading Coffee at the Buntu Market, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Islamic girls at Buntu coffee market. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Coffee trader, Buntu Market, Buntu, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Chewin betelnut and trading coffee, Buntu, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee 
Amazing face! Buntu coffee market. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Scootering your mother around … Buntu, Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Parchment coffee, Buntu Market, Buntu, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Trading parchment coffee at the Buntu Market, Buntu, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Beautiful Torajan, Buntu, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Christian Torajan graveyard, Buntu, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Nice grafitti, Buntu, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Wendy and her new friend, at Lion Lestari “cupping”, Buntu , Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Jesus and TV, Buntu, Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Skin and bones … Buntu, Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Dogs n Chickens – Buntu Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Toraja wedding car! Buntu area, Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Older Tongkonan bamboo roofs – now they are metal covered.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Entrance to Londa Gereja and grave site. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Egads, the prized albino water buffalo, Londa, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Prized albino water buffalo, Londa, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Not the prettiest guy in the world …Prized albino water buffalo, Londa, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Not the prettiest guy in the world …Prized albino water buffalo, Londa, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Not the prettiest guy in the world …Prized albino water buffalo, Londa, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee TauTau for Tourists, Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Tongkonan, Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Tau Tau look out above the cave burial site. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Caskets, Caskets, everywhere. Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Old caskets, Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Part of old Tongkonan to carry the remains to the cliffs, Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Tau-Tau wood carved effigies, Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Toraja Grave Site: Tau-Tau wood carved effigies, Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Caskets in the cave rafters …Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Tau-Tau wood carved effigies, Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Caskets stuffed in every crevice, “trash” is old offerings to dead: Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Caskets on a ledge by the cavern ceiling: Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Skulls everywhere – the caskets deteriorate and they fall out! Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Natural limestone cavern Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Caskets in decay; Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Clothing below is from the deceased – they are buried with their possessions: Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Adornments on more recent burials: Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Eerie limestone formations: Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Many cans and bottles, offered to the dead; Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee Bottles and detritus, offerings from relatives: Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee We had to crawl 20 meters on hands, knees, or just drag ourselves through! Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Cramped passage, no lights_ I used my camera flash to see! Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Probably where I whacked my head! Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Caskets tossed everywhere – since Toraja believe in reincarnation, the body and box are not important at this point.. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Skulls, skulls, skulls. Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Skulls that get separated from their box are placed on a ledge: Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Outside the eerie burial caves, this solo rooster seems like a guard, or a reincarnated Londan? Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Tongkanan carving, Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Odd parasitic plant, near Londa, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
View of the cliffs at Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Liang; Toraja cliff burials, detail from previous image: Londa cliff burial, Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Beautiful traditional Toraja patterns; Londa , Tana Toraja. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Moonlighter. Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Roadside Karaoke, Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
No Smacking? . Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Another 8-8-08 victim: . Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
We love stallions!. Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Yet another great, fresh avocado shake. . Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
From Lion Lestari coffee exporters, Sara (Heni Sarawati) and Phillipe. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
At the gas station, kinda weird mickey mouse, doesnt like smoking or cell phones, . Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
Mickey, on the phone, and his gnome friend, with a real chicken, . Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee ![]()
I can never resist a good chicken photo. Tana Toraja, Sulawesi. Sulawesi Tana Tojaja Trip 2008, Thompson Owen, Sweet Maria’s Coffee
