It was early January 2022, when finally husband got his days off and off we went to Rumah Tengah Sawah. A beautiful villa located in Malino Highland, Gowa – Makassar.

I always wanted to stay in this place, but always fully booked! So, it’s a good way to start a new year! (of 2022)

Makassar – Rumah Tengah Sawah is about 1,5 hours drive. The road is bumpy in sungguminasa – gowa, geez! I guess the government really needs to pay attention to fix the road.
However, once entering Malino, the view drastically changed! All green and blue! A good combination of pine and a good sky of South Sulawesi.

Finding Rumah Tengah Sawah felt like finding a hidden gem. Yep! need to trust the gmaps and trust the gut! It is literally in the middle of paddy field (Rumah = House, Tengah = Middle, Sawah = Paddy field). Once, i entered the Rumah Tengah Sawah, I couldn’t stop gasping! A WHOA!

Feels Ubud is moving to South Sulawesi.

The restaurant is sort of a homey restaurant. It is a backyard of the main building.
It was raining hard when we arrived. Good thing, Mantis (the villa where we stayed) is super close from the parking area.
While waiting our room to be prepared, we ordered instant noodle and a cup of hot coffee to accompany our afternoon. Restaurant feels like another backyard where we can sit and enjoy the rice field. Even though, the beautiful view in the afternoon was covered by mist, it was still gorgeous. As usual, I didn’t want to miss this time to slow down, read a book, enjoy my instant noodle and a cup of hot coffee. Not to mention, accompanied by my husband. Well, this is how i translated the love language. Since mine is quality time.

Rain just stopped.
So we went out. Strolling around Rumah Tengah Sawah and enjoying the view. For me, sitting down and enjoying the breathtaking scenery is the moment of gratitude. Truly, God provides.

BBQ for dinner.
The concept for Rumah Tengah Sawah is more for enjoying the quality time the most, I guess.
Since they sent our orders to the villa and we could enjoy the bbq in the terrace. (oh, guest can also enjoy this in the restaurant as well). So, in every villa there is a terrace where the guest can just sit down and spend their time together.

Star looks so bright at night. We could see the milky way too.
Yes, it is so cold in Malino. And of course Rumah Tengah Sawah too. Yet, we could sleep like a log.

Another reason why i really wanted to stay in Rumah Tengah Sawah is their breakfast menu. One of them the variety of tea served by the host. I love tea. And I love to try a new tea cause it rhymes as in opportunitea.
Unlike 5 star hotel breakfast, this home – made breakfast feels special. Especially the cakes and other appetizer.
I went to restaurant at 7 pm and stayed there until it closed! Oh well, mostly because it is comfortable to spend my morning there.

Well, I did return to Rumah Tengah Sawah in May 2022. Simply because it is a place to retreat, to meet myself and to love and be loved.
I consider this staycation was a good start in 2022.

Surabaya, 2023
Digging back 2022 memories
#rumahtengahsawah #sulawesiselatan