|
Sulawesi Island, the world´s eleventh-largest island, was originally two separate islands that combined: one half from the Australian continent from the West, and the other from Kalimantan in the East. As a result, Sulawesi’s diverse habitats range from Australian-style savannah to Southeast Asian tropical rainforests.
Visit Sulawesi is an unforgottable experience. It offers the traveller amazing landscapes: mist-covered mountains, unspoiled tropical jungles and volcanic lakes brimming with mysterious, coloured waters, green-stepped rice paddies and sprawling, sandy beaches. A huge range of activities are possible: trekking, hiking, rafting, diving, snorkeling. Exploring its flora and fauna has become an important highlight of the island : there are 127 known mammalian species in Sulawesi, several endemic species of freshwater fish and shrimp, thousands of plant species... Overall, the flora and fauna of this unique center of global biodiversity is very interesting and there is still a lot to be discovered.
|
From the cultural point of view, Tana Toraja is one of the most fascinating and special regions. The Toraja are an ethnic group indigenous to a mountainous region of South Sulawesi. The word Toraja comes from the Bugis language´s to riaja, meaning "people of the uplands". What symbolise this area are are their traditional houses that have tall roofs shaped like ships, known as tonkonang. Life, death and the afterlife are central to Torajan culture. Cemeteries have been built into cliff caves, and are filled with human bones, hanging coffins and tau tau (statues of the dead), all intended to create a happy life after death. Funeral ceremonies are the most important event in a Torajan’s village life.
Exploring Sulawesi is a mixtue of culture, tradition and nature. From Toraja to Manado you will enjoy every place of this exotic island. |
|
