Toraja - Sengkang

Today we leave Tana Toraja with all its intriguing death rituals behind and head back down the same way we came.

Rumah Makan & Art Shop Jemz Gunung Nona

We stop at the same ridge-side café as we did on our way up, where the girls recognise us and we chat with them for ages about their desire to visit the UK.

We enjoy a couple of iced cappuccinos while making the most of the great views over the valley and Nona Mountain beyond.

Some cute little Pacific Swallows flit about on the wires just beyond the balcony.

We continue on our journey down the mountain.

Cahaya Mario Restaurant

With tables and benches each made from a single piece of wood, our lunch restaurant in Rappang is pretty impressive. It is also completely empty when we arrive.

We both get caught out when washing our hands before lunch, adding plenty of soap to the palms, and then finding there is no water. Doh! Thankfully we have some bottled water at the table, which we use to rinse our now sticky fingers.

Choosing our own dishes from the menu, we share once the food arrives.

Mie Goreng Korea - tasty with a slight kick to it

Mie Kering - crunchy fried noodles. I didn't realise just how much I'd missed a bit of crunch!

Interesting toilet at a service station later on in the journey

Losari Silks

Once we reach the city of Sengkang, we stop at a silk weaving workshop, where the weaving is carried out manually with old-fashioned looms.

The embroidery, on the other hand, is completely automated!

Exit through the shop, of course.

Sermani Hotel

While modern in appearance, the hotel is run on strict traditional Muslim doctrines, as the sign in the reception indicates.

During my research prior to this trip, I discovered that the Sermani Hotel does not offer evening meals, so we made a point of buying some snacks at the coffee stop this morning. We are therefore very surprised when the receptionist asks us what time we would like dinner. We explain that we will be just having snacks in the room.

Room picnic

Half an hour later, a young boy arrives with a basket of snacks, and with a beaming smile, stating that it is “free”.

The obligatory Koran in the room

Thank you to Undiscovered Destinations for arranging this incredible Grand South East Asia Tour for us.