Hello, how is life up there?

JAKARTA (JP): A 67-year-old man has spent seven years living in a tree in Warambe village, Southeast Sulawesi, in self-imposed exile for reasons he has never explained.

La Nene, a grandfather of more than 12, built a nest in the branches of a 20-meter tall cashew tree. He made his "bed" out of bamboo splits and his roof out of a mat.

The man from Muna Island has his food served by his wife and offspring in a bamboo basket hoisted up with nylon string, Antara reported.

He will not talk to anyone unless in emergency. His wife, children and grand children only see his face, dominated by a long white beard, as they peer up at the tree.

His children said he had a fever only once and it was not serious.

When asked why he chose to live up there, he only replied, "This is my destiny." (pan)