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The Centre of
tourism in Tana Toraja is Rantepao, 328 kms
Northeast of Ujung Pandang. Sitting 700
meters above sea level, Rantepeo has cool,
pleasant evenings. A gate built in
traditional boat-shaped style marks the
entry to Tana Toraja. The road passes the
spectacular mountains of Kandora and Gandang
on which, according to Toraja mythology, the
first ancestors of celestial beings
descended from heaven. Two villages with
easily accessible cliff graves are Lemo and
Londa. Londa is one of the oldest hanging
grave sites, in which are buried many
members of local nobility. A large balcony
is filled with effigies of the dead, the Tau
Tau. Young village guides with kerosene
lamps can be hired to enter the caves. At
Lemo, burial chambers are cut out of the
rock and several balconies filled with Tau
Tau overlook new caves being dug to serve as
family graves.
Palawa is an excellent village to visit a
"Tongkonan", or a burial place still
swarming with celebrations and festivals.
Visitors are welcome but they are expected
to adhere to local dress customs, and to
bring a token present, such as cigarettes or
coffee. Take a side trip from Rantepeoto
Kete, a traditional village with excellent
handicraft shops. Behind the village on a
hillside is a gravesite with life-size
statues guarding over old coffins.
WHERE TO EAT
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Restaurants |
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Indo Grace Jl. Mappanyulaki No.
72 Phone: (0423) 21291 |
Torsina Jl. Pao Rura Phone:
(0423) 21293 |
Rahmat Jl. Abd. Gani No. 8 |
GETTING
AROUND
By Air:
The airport serving Rantepao is at
Rantetayo, near Makle, 24 km south of
Rantepao and there is a bus service to town.
By Land:
Buses to Rantepao from Ujung Pandang leave
daily from Ujung Pandang. The journey takes
8 hours and includes a meal stop. Tickets
should be bought in town but coaches
actually leave from Panaikan bus terminal,
20 minutes out of town by bemo. Coaches
typically leave in the morning ( 7 am ),
noon ( 1 pm ) and at night ( 7 pm).
Several companies in Rantepao run buses back
to Ujung Pandang with the departure time and
prices. The number of buses each day depends
on the number of passengers.
Local Transportation:
Bemo is the best way to get to know the
locals, besides chartered vehicles
(minibuses and Jeeps) with or without
driver.
ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
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Arts and Antiques |
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Adil Art Shop Jl.Landorundun No.
27 |
Vaulia Art Shop Jl. Landorundun
No. 11 |
Marura Art Shop Jl. Landorundun
No. 27 Phone: (0423) 21314 |
Raoni Art Shop Jl. Mappanyuki
No. 1 |
Yoyu Art Shop Jl. Mapanyuki No.
12 Phone: (0423) 21713
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Toko Ukiran Jl. Mappanyulaki No.
46 Phone: (0423) 21415 |
Duta Art Shop Jl. Mappanyulaki
Phone: (0423) 21139 |
Gemini Mulia Jl. Mappanyulaki
No. 9 Phone: (0423) 21207 |
Jet Sovenir Jl. Landorundun No.1
Phone: (0423) 21145 |
Rantepao Art Shop Jl.
Mappanyulaki 19 Phone: (0423)
21027 |
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