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In August 2007, I had the opportunity to visit the island of Sulawesi with a friend Greg Bourke, to study a little known pitcher plant called Nepenthes glabrata which is endemic to elevated habitats of central Sulawesi between 1,600 and 2,000 meters above sea level. Sulawesi is an island of great diversity a melting pot of human cultures as well as a blend of Asia and Australasian fauna and flora and in recognition of its importance, large areas of this spectacular island are protected from commercial logging and remain largely pristine. Aside from plants and animals, Sulawesi is home to some of the most fascinating cultures and most beautiful architectural styles of South East Asia, and the central parts of the island is famous for the spectacular Tongkonan houses which the Torajan people continue to construct. Traditionally, the Tongkonan houses are the ancestral homes and storage houses of their builders and are notorious for their spectacular, highly decorated boat-shaped roofs. Today these beautiful buildings continue to be used for their traditional purposes and also attract large numbers of tourists who appreciate the cultural history of this fascinating part of Indonesia.
A spectacular Tongkonan House near Tana Toraja, Central Sulawesi
