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Sulawesi is a landscape of dramatic
smoking volcanoes, ragged mountains and dramatic gorges, tropical
rainforests, deep lakes, green rice terraces and white sandy beaches .
Beaches slope down to deep seas with extraordinary coral formations
that are home to colourful tropical marine life. The prehistoric
coelacanth, once thought to be extinct, was found in the seas off
Manado in North Sulawesi, not far from the famed Bunaken dive site.
The large island of Sulawesi is surrounded by clusters of islands
where beautiful coral reefs and sea gardens are found , among which at
Bunaken, Banggai, the Wakatobi Islands and Selayar. These offer
spectacular dive opportunities.
Sulawesi has also some of the strangest animal life. This is the
habitat of the dwarf buffaloes or the anoas, the babirusa or pig deer,
the tailless monkeys or macaques, and the shy, tiny nocturnal tarsier
with saucer-like eyes found in the Tangkoko National Park. Trekking
through the breathtaking Toraja countryside or visits to the national
parks are life time experiences.
South Sulawesi is the home of the Bugis-Makassar seafarers , famous
for their ship building crafts that take them as far away as Australia
and Madagascar. Sulawesi is also the home of the Toraja highland
people who for centuries lived nestled in the central mountains, as
well as the home of the fun-loving Minahasa community and the
Sangir-Talaud people living south of the Philippines.
Today, Sulawesi comprises five provinces, these are the provinces of
South Sulawesi, South-East Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi,
Gorontalo and North Sulawesi. The main cities are Makassar, capital of
South Sulawesi and Manado, capital of North Sulawesi.
The Highlights Places to visit in
Sulawesi Indonesia.
Bunaken
Ever fancy yourself being a mermaid? Being able to swim along with
other creatures of the sea , moving to the rhythm of the waves? In the
Bunaken Marine Park, you will encounter a real “mermaid”, and you can
also get a glimpse of sea life here.
Bunaken is an 8.08 km² island in the Bay of Manado, situated in the
north of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Bunaken forms part of the
administrative city of Manado , capital of North Sulawesi. The marine
Park around Bunaken is part of the National Park that also includes
the ocean around the island of Manado Tua – or Old Manado, Siladen and
Mantehage.
Within the Bunaken Marine Park, visitors can see various strange and
colourful marine life along its sea bed. To reach this park, you can
take a motorboat. The journey from Manado takes around 40 minutes.
Entrance fee is 25,000 rupiahs per person per visit.
The translucent waters of the Bunaken seas enable people to clearly
view numerous sea biota. There are 13 species of coral reefs in this
park, dominated by edge ridges and block ridges of rocks. The most
attractive view is the steep vertical sloppy coral reef that plunges
down as deep as 25-50 meters.
Feast your eyes on 91 types of fish found in the Bunaken National
Park, amongst which are the locally known gusimi horse fish
(Hippocampus), the white oci (Seriola rivoliana), yellow-tailed lolosi
(Lutjanus kasmira), goropa (Ephinephelus spilotoceps and Pseudanthias
hypselosoma), ila gasi (Scolopsis bilineatus) and others.
Divers may also meet mollusk like the giant kima (Tridacna gigas),
goat head (Cassis cornuta), nautilus (Nautilus pompillius) and
tunikates/ascidian.
For those who enjoy scuba diving, this is a great place to be. With
about 20 dive spots to choose from, divers will have the chance to
swim below the sea, and frolic joyfully while admiring the sea
creatures.
Make sure to visit Bunaken during its best season between May to
August. That way you can explore the Park to its fullest.
Ban Hin Kiong Temple
The beautifully designed Ban Hin Kiong Temple in the heart of Manado’s
China Town is 335 years old and is the oldest Chinese temple built
here during the Qing Dynasty era in China (1644-1911). It is a house
of worship for the Tridharma followers from Manado and the region.
The name Ban Hin Kiong consists of three words, Ban meaning “plenty”,
Hin meaning “abundant favors” and Kiong meaning “palace”. Therefore,
Ban Hin Kiong means a holy palace that exudes much happiness. At Ban
Hin Kiong, a number of annual events are held every Chinese New Year
and at Goan Siao or Cap Go Meh.
Bukit Kasih
Bukit Kasih – or the Hill of Love is located in the village of
Kanonang at Kawangkoan, some 55 kilometers from Manado, North Sulawesi.
It was built in 2002 as a spiritual center where religious followers
from various faiths can gather, meditate and worship side by side in
this lush and misty tropical hill.
This hill is called the Hill of Love because it is where people from
different religions can gather and worship side by side as a symbol of
religious and peaceful harmony. Five houses of worship are here, a
Catholic Church, a Christian church, a temple, a mosque and Hindu
temple built on the second peak. On the first peak is a 53 meter tall
white cross which can be seen even from the Boulevard beach in Manado.
In addition, this place is believed to be the original place where
lived original ancestors of the Minahasa tribe, Toar and Lumimuut.
Their faces are carved on the hillside beneath the second peak.
Tomohon
Tomohon is a hill resort located some 22 kilometers east of Manado,
the capital city of North Sulawesi province. Tomohon consists of 35
villages in five sub-districts, namely West, East, Central, South and
North Tomohon.
Its land contour, cool weather and fertile soil encourage the local
community to cultivate various kinds of flowers and vegetables. This
city is known as a producer of flowers. When in season, the flower
gardens of the local inhabitants look very beautiful.
Annually the Tomohon Flower Festival is held here in June and July.
During this event, watch the flower floats parade through the town. A
flower tournament is also held during this Festival where participants
from 94 cities in Indonesia take part at the Inspiration Hill.
Gorontalo
There are just so many things that make Gorontalo perfect for holiday,
the beauty of its nature, the culture and not forget to mention, the
friendly people. General information about Gorontalo, stated at North
Sulawesi. Mountains, hills, shore line are the main characteristic of
Gorontalo and it makes the island perfect for marine tourism.
Most of diving site take you just a few minute from town, Diving in
Gorontalo mean diving within the richness of biodiversity, health and
unique coral and reefs.
Lots of beautiful places could be found here. Tomini Bay, for
instance, is famous for under water habitat and undefined creatures.
There is several number of unsettled small islands. Tomini Bay is a
heaven for divers, because the geographic position of Tomini Bay
itself, which is crossed by the equator line, has naturally presented
various kinds of sea creature inside.
Desa Olele or Olele Village is well known as the wild diving spot
among world class diver. Olele beach is a gate to underwater paradise.
The amazing beauty of underwater life on this area has been recognize
and proofed by the enthusiasm of the divers who come to Olele beach.
The divers called Olele as Traffic Jam dive spot.
In Tomini Bay and Olele Beach, you can find some or maybe the most
amazing underwater creatures such as:
Giant Reef (Petrosia Sp.)
School of Gobi Fish (Bryaninops erythrops)
Salvador Dali reef (Petrosia lignose)
Kipas Laut Biru (Acanthogorgia Sp.). There are only 3 acanthogorgia
Sp. In Gorontalo
Anemon Koralimorf (Discosoma Sp.)
Nemo
Ikan Behang (plectorhinchus chaetodonoides), some people call it
cha-cha fish caused they dance and swim around the coral.
Blenni (Escenius Caeruliventris)
Cardinal Fish, damsel, platax pinnatus, scorpaenopsis, oxycephala,
goropa fish, butterfly fish, pusillus, cockatoo fish, Randal fish,
parapterois hetururus, Bothus Sp " half face fish, frog fish, celebes
Not forget to mention that Gorontalo is the Kingdom of Nudibrancia
Seahorses and pigmy seahorses
Lake Tondano
Lake Tondano is a famous tourist destination in the province of North
Sulawesi. It is located 600 meters above sea level and covers an area
of 4,278 hectares (or about 10,571 acres). This lake is situated by
the village of Remboken, some 3 kilometers from Tomohon city or some
30 km from Manado.
Lake Tondano is surrounded by mountains of 700 meters high, which are
the Lembena, the Kaweng, the Tampusu and Masarang. The lake covers
three sub-districts, these are Eris, Kakas and Remboken. From the lake
side, you can see clearly Mount Kaweng.
Lake Tondano has a tourist attraction called "Sumaru Endo" Remboken,
and the Tourist Resort of Bukit Pinus (from Tondano towards Toliang
Oki). From the lake side at Toliang Oki, and Tondano Pante you can see
as far as the beautiful Maluku sea, beyond the Lembean hill.
Lore Lindu National Park
Lore Lindu National Park. The second biggest lake in Central Sulawesi
is Lake Lindu covering the area of 3,150 ha. It is located on highland
about 1,200 m from the sea level. The beautiful panoramic view and it
has a cool climate. Lake Lindu can be reached by car from Palu to
Rahmat village then trekking through the thick tropical rainforest for
about 4 hours. The visitor can stay at cottages. Barkcloth which is
made in Bada, Kulawi and Napu valleys. Some megalithic statues of
thousands of years at Napu, Besoa and Bada Valleys are consider to
have relation with their ancestor worship. The statues with 1,5 m to 4
m height and 3000 years B.C. to 1500 years A. D.
Makasar
Formerly called Ujung Pandang, the city of Makassar is the largest
city in east Indonesia. Capital of South Sulawesi, Makassar enjoys a
central location in the Indonesian archipelago and today Makassar is
Indonesia’s busy air hub, connecting Sumatra, Java, Bali and
Kalimantan in the west with Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Papua in the
east.
In fact, ever since the 14th. century Makassar was already known as a
thriving sea port where merchant vessels from far away China, India
and Cambodia called regularly to trade in silks, tea and porcelain in
exchange for cloves, nutmeg and pearls from the Moluccas and gold and
forest products from Makassar and its hinterland. And when in the 16th
century the Europeans discovered the sailing route to the coveted
Spice Islands, the Spanish and Portuguese made Makassar their
important entrepot to store valuable spices before shipment to Europe.
Meanwhile, in this southern peninsula of Sulawesi, the Bugis, Makassar
and Mandar ethnic groups, known for their seafaring prowess and boat
building skills, had already developed powerful kingdoms that
encouraged trade, fishery, rice cultivation as well as literature and
the arts. The Bugis epic poem I la Galigo is a recognized masterpiece
in Bugis literature, as are the graceful dances and bright silk
costumes of court dancers with their richly decorated accessories of
wide gold bangles, opulent necklaces and tiaras.
In 1667 however, through the Treaty of Bungaya, Dutch merchants
succeeded to oust the Portuguese and Spanish from Makasssar to make
this port their stronghold, banning other Europeans from trading in
Makassar. The Dutch destroyed the fort of Ujung Pandang built by the
king of Gowa in 1545, and fortified this into Fort Rotterdam, which
today still stands prominently on the waterfront of Makassar, while
the king of Gowa was allowed to stay at Fort Somba Opu.
Many Makassar aristocrats who refused to be dominated by the Dutch,
left the city and settled in Kalimantan , the Riau Islands and
present-day Malaysia. The sultans of Selangor and Johore are Bugis
descendents as are the sultans of Kutai Kartanegara in east
Kalimantan.
Located on the busy trading route along the deep Straits of Makassar,
the city of Makassar is a bustling cosmopolitan town with settlement
of many races and ethnic groups, of Chinese, Europeans, Javanese,
Balinese, Ambon and others, where local and international cargo ships
continue to call at its busy port. While at its traditional port of
Paotere, Bugis pinisi schooners can be seen lining the quay to unload
goods from near and far away islands, and various types of fishing
prahus, such as the pantorani, the lepa-lepa and the sandeq unload the
day’s catch.
Today Makassar is also a university town, where youth from all over
the islands, especially from the eastern archipelagos gather to gain
higher education.
And, to provide entertainment for its population and to attract
tourists especially from east Indonesia, Makassar now boasts a large
theme park called Trans Studio, touted as the third largest indoor
theme park in the world.
Makassar’s Sultan Hassanuddin airport is today Indonesia’s most modern
airport. Makassar has a wonderful esplanade called the Losari Beach,
the only place in Indonesia where one can see both a beautiful sunrise
as well as a spectacular sunset. The Losari Beach is lined with luxury
hotels and in the evenings comes alive with food stalls.
Makassar is the Gateway to East Indonesia, as well as the entry point
to an adventurous tour to the Tana Toraja highlands, where awesome
mountain scenery and the unique rituals of the Toraja people await.
Makassar's Circle of Tourism Writers, LPP, the travel industry and
travel lovers of Makassar have created a new web in conjunction with
the Visit Makassar Year 2011 to provide up to date information on this
destination.
Manado
People are Manado’s best asset. Manadonese
are extroverts, warm and fun loving, drawing visitors naturally into
the big family circle. Aptly, the city’s slogan is “Torang Samua
Basudara”, meaning:” we are all one family”. No one here is allowed to
feel lonely.
Manado is the largest, most-northerly city in Indonesia, capital of
the province of North Sulawesi. It is better known for its
breathtaking underwater life at Bunaken, an island that directly faces
this city. But Manado has much more to offer, and you will miss much
if you do not explore this part of the Indonesian archipelago. For
Manado spells fantastic diving, adventures through the wild and
cultural heritage attractions.
Located on a promontory, Manado is backed by mountains and a number of
active volcanoes, while facing the open sea . Its wide Pierre Tendean
Boulevard bordering the water edge is lined with top class hotels and
restaurants serving typical Manado cuisine. From here you can see the
perfectly cone-shaped mountain called Manado Tua, which, together with
the islands of Bunaken, Mantehage, Siladen and Nain form the
Bunaken-Manado Tua National Park, world famous among divers for its
steep walls and fantastic underwater life. A deep trench separates
this National Park from the city, preventing pollution of the park.
Behind Manado are a number of active volcanoes called Lokon, Soputan,
and Dua Saudara whose lush green tropical terrain are ideal for
trekking, eco-tours, bird watching and white water rafting. The
Tangkoko National Park is habitat to the world’s smallest monkeys
called tarsiers, cute little animals with saucer-large eyes. And all
around you will see coconut trees and plantations. For, the region of
Minahasa is also known as the land of the waving coconut trees or ”
Nyiur melambai”.
Tana Toraja
Safely protected beyond the lofty mountains and rugged granite cliffs
of the central highlands of the island of Sulawesi, are the Toraja
people who live in valleys that are lush with green rice terraces and
fertile coffee plantations.
“Discovered” and opened to the world from their long isolation only
since the beginning of the last century, the Toraja today still adhere
to their age-old beliefs, rituals and traditions, although many of her
people are modernized or have embraced Christianity.
When one travels to the Tana Toraja highlands, therefore, expect to be
awed by the spectacular beauty of nature, at the same time experience
how communities have through the ages sustained their beliefs and
traditions in splendid isolation in order to survive this eternal
cycle of life and death on earth.
The road from Makassar to Toraja runs along the coast for about 130
km's and then hits the mountains. After the entrance to Tana Toraja at
the market village of Mebali one enters a majestic landscape of giant,
gray granites and stones and blue mountains afar that form a sharp
contrast with the lively green of the fertile, rain-fed terraces and
the rusty red of the tropical soil. This is Tana Toraja, one of the
most splendid areas in Indonesia.
Here, the nobility of Toraja are believed to be descendents of
heavenly beings who came down by a heavenly stairway to live here on
earth in this beautiful landscape.
And to keep up the energy of the land and its people, the Toraja
people believe that these must be sustained through rituals that
celebrate both life and death, which are attached to the agricultural
seasons. Here rituals in connection with life are strictly separated
from death rites.
Toraja is most well known for its elaborate funeral ceremonies that
can take days and involve entire villages. These are not only moments
for mourning but are moreover events to renew family ties and to
ensure continued unity among villages and communities.
Death ceremonies, however, are held only after the last rice harvest
is in and cleared, which is normally between July to September, while
ceremonies celebrating life are held in conjunction with the planting
season which starts in October. These timings are possible since the
dead are not buried immediately but are kept for months, sometimes for
years, in the ancestral house until time and funds allow for a proper
funeral.
Tourists to Toraja, therefore, are either attracted by its unique
culture and rituals, most of which are mostly centered around graves
and death ceremonies. While others prefer to avoid the morbid images
and go trekking through the spectacular, almost untouched Toraja
countryside visiting remote villages, or exhilarate in rafting the
Sa’dan river rapids.
Capital of Toraja is Makale but visitors usually head to the town of
Rantepao, heart of Tana Toraja – the Land of the Toraja people.
Tangkoko National Park
The Tangkoko National Park is a flora and fauna conservation area on
Mount Tangkoko, Bitung in the province of North Sulawesi. To visit
this park, you will pass Batuputih Natural Park located between
Batuputih Bawah subdistrict and the Tangkoko National Park itself at
Batuangus.
The Batuputih Natural Park covers an area of 615 hectares and is a
savanna suitable for camping, outbound activities and relaxation by
the beach. Since the Batuputih park is most visited by tourists, it is
therefore also the best known, although it is only one of four
conservation areas at Tangkoko.
In addition to the Batuputih Park, Tangkoko also comprises the
Tangkoko-Batuangus National Park with a total area of 3,196 hectares -
covering Mount Tangkoko-Batuangus and its surrounding areas – which
are the Duasaudara National Park with a total area of 4,299 hectares
(covering Mount Duasaudara and its surrounding areas), and the
Batuangus National Park with 635 hectares (located between the
Tangkoko National Park and Pinangunian village.
Togean Island
Togean Islands. A community - based ecotourism as well as in
conserving the biodiversity. A bewildering array of tropical rain
forest covered six islands formed by volcanic activity. Situated in
the vicinity of equator. This enchanting archipelago is one of the
jewels of Central Sulawesi. Stunning reefs, small isolated white sandy
beaches, traditional fishermen village of a Bajau, verdant rainforest
have left many a world weary travel searching for superlatives.
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