Toraja Traditional Houses

Tongkonan is a traditional house of Toraja people. The roof is curved like a boat, or some think it may represent the horns of the water buffalo consisting of bamboo tubing.  While the roof is massive the interior is small and dark.  Most of the activity of the community is outside the house.

Toraja Hotel

Who Knew Eggplant could taste so good as a drink

Art work in the hotel

On our way to Toraja- Natural Beauty

Rammang-Rammang Village

 Tourism is now the main money maker- but there are still villagers that fish and grow rice in the the muddy paddies.

Rammang-Rammang

villages along the river.  The mountains are made out of limestone and are quite impressive.

Rammang-Rammang Village

The name "Rammang-Rammang" comes from the Makassar Language , where the word rammang means "cloud" or "fog". So rammang-rammang means a bunch of clouds or fog. According to local residents, this place is named Rammang-Rammang because clouds or fog are always down, especially in the morning or when it rains.

Wedding Chapel on a hill

The hotel complex that I stayed while in Manado had this seperate wedding chapel - I can't imagine the trek up or down. However, it was a lovely site.

Popular breakfast spot

Food was great - but I loved what they did with the work boots.

Seafood Manado Style

Crab with green beans

 Manado is known for its spicy seafood.  We dined at a restaurant owned by a friend of Regina's mom.  The food was delicious - but not as spicy as I would have liked!

Shrimp with coconut milk and chill

Lunch Time

 Fish, Fish, and more fish. With spicy, spicy sambal or chillies.  They always serve the fish whole and Regina and her mom each took a head and ate it.
The fried "pancakes" are small fish with green onions fried - oh so good.

Sausage Tree or The Kigelia Tree

This tree is originally from Tanzania - and while the fruit is not edible its used for a host of medicinal purposes:

malaria, headaches, syphilis and other venereal diseases, rheumatism, inflamed spleen, ulcers, and gastro-intestinal issues. The fruit is known to have anti-microbial properties, and is thought to help with skin problems like eczema and psoriasis. It often even makes its way into high-end anti-aging and beauty products!

Look at the lovely mountains, Aunt Millie!

There are more than ten  gunung"or mountains, including active volcanoes, in North Sulawesi.

Family time in Manado

Three generations - Tasha, Regina, Jenny

Jason helping his grandmother with cell phone

Santa is Coming!

Manado is a predominantly Christian city so there are Christmas decorations all around.  Here are just some of the more interesting ones I've encountered so far. 

Hill of Prayer

High on a Hill in Tomohon, overlooking Manado City and Mount Lokon is “Bukit Doa” or the “Hill Of Prayer”.  There is a church, amphitheater and also the 12 Stations of the Cross where you can walk around and reflect.  Here they are building the manager for Christmas. 

This is the grotto for the Blessed Mother.

Bah Hum-Bug

Not looking like they have Holiday Cheer!

Nursery and Kindergarten Celebration.

One of our teacher's child. They are from India and this was her first Christmas Celebration.

Little Drummer Boys

Christmas Trees Are Us

The Littlest Angels

Even Angels get tired!

Angels in Waiting - for their big performance