Makassar

As the main gateway to Sulawesi and the rest of eastern Indonesia, Makassar is probably better for travelers than nomads at the moment. However, this is the place where I met the man, who turned me from a tourist into a real, hardened traveler. A local English teacher and prince with royal blood from the pulau selayar, this man organized a two month itinerary where I traveled to his students' villages, eating their food, sleeping in their homes and gaining a deep window into their lives that left me forever changed. If you'd like to become a traveler, or gain a window into the real Indonesia, go to Fort Rotterdam and ask the guard to meet "Daeng Lala," the English teacher." If you embark on this journey, bring your courage and an open mind, but remember that you are an ambassador of the west. Be respectful of the local culture, and understand that in Sulawesi, there is more than meets the eye.... it goes many levels deep. Good luck and safe travels....Daniel.