Tantalizing Tana Toraja, Indonesia

I've been to Tana Toraja once on work trip. It's on South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Since it's an official trip, I didn't get to spend time exploring this cultured rich province. I've read about it and even saw documentary of the funeral rituals and processions, the elaborate feast and celebration of the death and what not. I know, it's a near missed not to visit and experience it. But work is work kan. You can't really venture into adventure on your own at your company's expense.

Map of Tana Torajam South Sulawesi

Anyhow, until I have the opportunity to re-kindle with Tana Toraja and its wonder, here's some useful info, pictures and VIDEO on Tana Toraja.

  

Excerpt from Lonely Planet (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/sulawesi/tana-toraja):

Introducing Tana Toraja

A trip to Tana Toraja is like a cultural documentary brought to life. Sweeping and elaborately painted houses with boat-shaped roofs dot terraced rice paddies where farmers work the fields alongside their doe-eyed buffalo. It’s an island hemmed in by mountains on all sides and rich with traditional culture. Life for the Toraja revolves around death, and their days are spent earning the money to send away their dead properly. Funeral ceremonies bring together families who may have dispersed as far as Papua or even Australia. 

Some of the mannequins at the burial site

Buffalo and pigs are sacrificed, there is a slew of traditional dances and enough food and drink for everyone who can make it to the party. High-class Toraja are entombed in cave graves or hanging graves in the steep cliffs, which are guarded over by tau tau (life-sized wooden effigies) carved in their image – you’ll find these eerie yet beautiful cliff cemeteries scattered throughout the region.

The slaughter of the buffaloes in respect of the death

The biggest funerals are usually held in the dry-season months of July and August, but there are funerals (even big ones) year-round. During July and August the tourist numbers swell to uncomfortable proportions and prices soar. Outside these months, you’ll share this cool countryside with the locals and only a handful of foreign travellers. While most people consider attending a funeral a highlight, Tana Toraja also offers some great do-it-yourself trekking opportunities where you can explore the fresh and clean outdoors and meet some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever encounter.

The eerie sight of cave where the dead are finally buried. They were buried up high on the rock. The higher, the respected is the dead to the people

 *Disclaimer: images are courtesy of google images taken from various site. Video is taken from Youtube.

Til then, enjoy!

apekTRAVELS

Bali Kuno (Viewer's discretion advised)

This is the old video I've gotten from youtube. The documentary about bali long before tourism hits. I must say, it's very rustic, pristine and amazingly beautiful. Bali today is definitely not the same. Luckily the culture still thrive and closely guarded. 

So guys, enjoy! 

MYANMAR (mjɑːnˌmɑr/ MYAHN-mar,/ˈmaɪænmɑr/ or /ˈmjænmɑr/)

Yangon at night

Mingla'ba 

Or, good fortune to you! The first word you need to know before going to Myanmar. In fact, it's good to know few words of that foreign country you are visiting, it'll be the ice-breaker as and when you need to interact with the locals. A simple gesture will go along the way you know. 

At Yangon International Airport. A bit old the last time I was there.

The old Yangon Airport.

AND COMPARE THIS WITH THE NEW AND SWAG 
YANGON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Awesome! My time, it was dark, murky and downright scary with officers smoking and wearing slippers!

Ok, on to my latest entry. This time I'm gonna share my experience in Myanmar. But first, I gotta warn you that most of the photos here are obtained from the internet and various blogs, sites, etc. I do not own them and credit goes to these fabulous photographers who managed to capture the beautiful images of Myanmar. 

I stayed for a good 6 days here.

For this trip, I stayed at Sofitel Plaza Yangon for the whole duration of 6 days 5 nights stay. The hotel was really beautiful and I think back then it was 5 star hotel. I was lucky enough that the General Manager was a Malaysian (Mr. Chen, or Chan, and Chong. Forgot the name). He even came to meet us and treat us with welcome lunch and of course, you can't refuse to that! haha. 

Longyi. Traditional Myanmar's sarong for man. You will see this a lot in Myanmar

 We were lucky too in the sense that he understood the Muslim requirements and even assure us that the food prepared there are Halal. Heck, they even have separate kitchen for Muslim meals. He even advised us on the prayer time here in Yangon. FYI, the sun rises early here. At 6.30am you will feel as if it's already 8am in Malaysia.  

While waiting for Myanmar friend to fetch me for some sight seeing, local style!

My trip to this beautiful land was more than 10 years ago when digital camera was so freaking expensive and even when you have it, you kinda take things for granted by not developing the photos you take (cos the cost was quite expensive too). In the end, I lost most of it in the transition of changing offices, departments, etc. I regretted it much.   

Shwedagon Pagoda at the heart of Yangon, Myanmar

The philosophy behind this tall structure

Trip to Myanmar would be ridiculous if you don't go to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda which situated right at the heart of Yangon. It's like what Eifel Tower did do Paris. If you are in the city center, you will not miss this huge pagoda. YOU WILL NOT MISS IT. 

Trivia: It is said that Shwedagon Pagoda kept the remains of Buddha's hair. Awesome right?

map to Shwedagon Pagoda from where I stayed. Not far and worth go by foot as you'll get to see people of Myanmar

The Google map above provide the route to Shwedagon Pagoda from where I stayed. It's about 2.7km and if you are within 3km range, I would recommend you to walk. Well, it's not that far and you could experience Yangon first hand. Plenty of stopover en route to Shwedagon Pagoda. Well, I walked from the hotel. If you decide to walk, be mindful that local Myanmar could not speak English. So if you are lost, thing could get a bit tricky there.  

The famous Shwedagon Pagoda. U have to take off shoes. And the marble floor was really hot. ouch ouch!

To enter the pagoda, you will be required to pay entrance fee and it vary between local and international. I was lucky cos I came with local and I do look like a Myanmar (haha) too. He asked me to be quiet and let him to the talking. So, I save my Kyat (Myanmar currency). If I'm not mistaken, the entrance fee for International visitor is about 6000 kyats (about 4-5 dollars). 

Seen this? An icon to Myanmar

 And yeah, for history and those who like trivial matters (heheh no pun intended), Myanmar has plenty of it! The Lady (as above) is the latest movie depicting the struggle of the people Myanmar resonated through this iron lady named Aung San Suu-Kyi. In the movie, she was brilliantly portrayed by our very own Michelle Yeoh. To me, it was an awesome movie and generated buzz on award circle. It was not nominated for Oscar prolly due to its early release from the Oscar date. Apart from acting, you'll get to see the beautiful cinematography of Myanmar. So, GO SEE THIS MOVIE! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mb7JHsFe5I )

This is view of Bagan. Breathtaking isn't it!

Ruins of Buddhist Temple. Beautiful sight not to be missed.

The Golden Rock

 Ok. The photo above  is called the Golden Rock and located in Mount Kyaiktiyo. And it's quite a distance from Yangon. So, if you are here for more than 4 days, I would highly recommend for a visit to this magnificent landmark. Oh yea, it's 210km away from Yangon, FYI.For Buddhist, it is Myanmar's most popular pilgrimage site and you will definitely see monks clad in turmeric color robe everywhere. 

Aung San Market, Yangon

Colonial Style building make up this unique market

Gems, Antiques, Relics, and everything else at Aung San Market