While in Java, I have heard of the name Makassar being mentioned at least on three different occasions. This shouldn't be a surprise as Makassar, being the capital of South Sulawesi and the largest city on Sulawesi Island, has been the dominant trading center of eastern Indonesia since the sixteenth century. The traditional Indonesian two masted sailing ships called the pinisi boats sail from here to Sunda Kelapa in Java and it was there that I first heard of the Bugis or Makassarese bringing wood or rice to Java from Makassar. Then, of course, there was the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah where a man in the distinctive Toraja House told us of the city and also about the Perak Sultan whom he claimed had been there to plant a tree and that he was a descendant of the Bugis in Sulawesi. The man had also offered us some Toraja coffee and that ought to be good coffee- In a train from Jogjakarta to Solo, in the luggage compartment, there was a little paper bag which was used to pack the Toraja coffee. Someone saw the printed word, Makassar on the bag and instantly said, You are going there, aren't you? Yes. Very soon... the ticket has been bought! 2
Which of these places would probably remind you of Makassar?
Traveling Tip: Keep your ears open!
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