V-Richardson - home

Denpasar to Makassar 
 
Travelling alone in<a class="wiki_link_ext" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia" rel="nofollow"> Indonesia</a> can be a very exciting and learning experience. Travel is very easy with no prior reservations required - just book a ticket to an island and go! I have had the most amazing experiences travelling alone with the locals prepared to go out of their way to assist me in any way they can. 
 
<img src="/file/view/Travelling_alone_in_Indonesia.jpg/77546681/300x225/Travelling_alone_in_Indonesia.jpg" alt="" title="" style="height: 225px; width: 300px;" /><img src="/file/view/Inside_the_Tongkongan.jpg/77340373/300x225/Inside_the_Tongkongan.jpg" alt="" title="" style="height: 225px; width: 300px;" /> 
A traditional Torajan rice storage building. The intricate carvings represent all of the important things in their lives. 
<img src="/file/view/Rice_storage_house.jpg/77342549/300x225/Rice_storage_house.jpg" alt="" title="" style="height: 225px; width: 300px;" /> 
Tongkongan - the Traditional Torajan house that the extended family live in. The Tongkongan is always the centre of any ritual ceremony such as weddings or funerals. The buffalo horns signify wealth in the Torajan society. The buffalo horns on the houses have been sacrified in ceremonies and are displayed so that all in the community can verify their wealth. 
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="/file/view/Tongkongan.jpg/77341217/224x299/Tongkongan.jpg" alt="" title="" style="height: 299px; width: 224px;" /></div> 
 
Buffalos are a sign of wealth to the Torajans. A good buffalo herder can earn three times the wages of a nanny in Jakarta. 
<div style="text-align: center"><img src="/file/view/Buffalo_in_Rambo_Solo_Parade.jpg/77339491/607x455/Buffalo_in_Rambo_Solo_Parade.jpg" alt="" title="" style="height: 455px; width: 607px;" /></div>