Tempting GardenWood slats for windows, flowers in background. Rantepao, Toraja. Sulawesi, Indonesia. At 6 am, right on schedule, Semuel picked me up with his motorbike for a ride in the countryside. We first headed for Batu Tumonga, the highest “village” on the mountain northwest of Rantepao.

It took about 1 hour, with beautiful scenery on the way. We rode through a layer of clouds, and by the time we got to Batu Tumonga, we were above them, looking down over the valley.

I had breakfast at a restaurant on the hillside, enjoying the view. Semuel and I were briefly joined by 2 Indonesian women, one of whom is a photographer in Jakarta.

Our ride continued through plenty of terraced rice paddies as we contoured along the mountain. We stopped a number of times for photos, and I probably shot 3 or 4 rolls. It was great scenery, and fun to be on the bike.

We came back through Rantepao, and I used the opportunity to get more film and eat lunch at Manbo.

At 11:30 we headed out again, first south on the main road, then west through Mandandon. We rode past the airport, down into another pretty valley, and then up over a hairy rocky road at a steep angle. I was impressed with Semuel’s driving, but my butt was still sore. It was good to be back on pavement. We took the road less traveled to get back.