"Visit the sea gypsies" Pulau Togian Things to Do Tip by Daihappydai

When in the Togians, take the time to visit a Baju, sea gypsy, settlement. Some of the sea gypsies live permamently on boats and only come to land to buy rice and trade for other supplies. Some have no fixed address, no country of residence. One group of Baju have built a semi-permanent settlement around a large rocky outcrop. Houses on stilts over the water are 'attached' to the rock. If you plan ahead, take some pens, pencils and paper - that is what the cildren want most. A small school and some rain water tanks have been constructed on the rock. There seemed to be huge numbers of children, and we were told that large families are the norm. The children were very keen to have their photo taken they wanted to be as close as possible to the camera, and would then grab the camera to see their own image or laugh at that of someone else - hard to control the pack, but all in good fun. Their life is so different to that which westerners are accustomed to but they seemed very happy and very inventive in their play. A guided boat trip from your accommodation would probably cost between 500 and 600 thousand rupiah per boat. It was a great trip and given the chance again, I'd certainly be prepared with some colored pencils to give to the kepala desa.

Address: Togian Islands