Photo diary

To bring things up to date, here are a few highlights from the last 10 days or so, during which time we completed our road trip, had a couple of days in Jakarta (where Sue met the scholarship people and we enjoyed more upmarket accommodation), and spent 4 more days back in Makassar, finally getting a chance to see some more of the city, which has a lot more to offer than it seemed from our first impressions.

The wonderful hanging cafes at Palopo. Just don't all jump at once.
(10 points if you can see the cat.)

Sue, supervisor Phil, and Ayu getting down to the fungus's level.

We were the support act for the President, SBY, on our way back south to Makassar. He had made a flying visit to Sulawesi and was an hour or so behind us, with thousands of fans lining the streets. 

Sulawesian hospitality at a farm in Bantaeng. I was feeling a little crook that day so didn't partake of the durian or corn, but it was quite a spread.

The illustrated map of Indonesian ethnic groups in the National Museum in Jakarta and (below) Miss Bali.

Back in Makassar. There are dozens of food carts along Pantai Losari (the waterfront), possibly 100, but they all sell the same thing: pisang epe (flattened, grilled banana with various flavoured toppings including chocolate, cheese and durian). It feels terrible to disappoint so many people as I walk past, but you would think that some entrepreneurial soul would branch out into something else!

Saturday night at Pantai Losari: electric cars and scooters are all the go. It's the place that kids learn the skills they'll need to survive on the chaotic roads. I couldn't help myself.

The house band belting out "Brown Sugar" at
Resto Balezza, now sadly closed.

© 2014 Steve Dobney