Cyber First Channel Indonesia: North Sulawesi

North Sulawesi Province

The Capital City of North Sulawesi Province is “Manado”

The first European to set foot on North Sulawesi’s soil were probably the Portuguese, followed by the Spanish. The Dutch acquiered their first foothold in the area. Fort Amsterdam, which no longer exist only in 1657, almost half century after their conguest of Jayakarta and the establishment of Batavia on the island of Java.

Of the old, animist religions, only stone realies remain mostly in the shape of sarcophagi which could still be found in many places on the peninsula. On the basis of old folk tales, it’s believed that the ancient gods of the Minahasa were personifications of either natural phenomena, ancestral spirits of human characteristic. Worship at that time appeared to be center around rituals designed tto ensure a good harvest.

The provinces, which occupies almost the entire boomerang shaped northeastern arm to the island of Sulawesi, is devided into four districs, Minahasa, Bolaang Mongondow, Gorontalo and the Sangihe, Talaud island group bordering the Philippines. This vision appears to conform with linguistic and other differences with have for centuries existed.

Like most other parts of Sulawesi, the north is highly mountainous. Geologically, the northern tip of the peninsula the Minahasa, is an extention of the volcanic chain which streches from this area over the Sangihe, Talaud island and the Philippines toward Taiwan and the Javanese island.

The soil is highly fertile and the vegetation here is luxuriant. Extensive forests with ironwood and ebony trees and many wild orchid varieties are still found here. The region’s fauna includes such rare animals as the Anoa, the Babirusa wild board, the Black Crested Baboon, the Maleo Bush Turkey, and Kuskus Marsupials.

Tilling the land is often done in the old tradtion of mapalus, mutual help. Villages are neat and clean. The houses are built on poles with twin flight of steps leading up to the front porch and potted plants on the window sills. Bright colored bouganville area everywhere.

The people of the Minahasa are known for their friendly, lighthearted and extroverted nature. Old war dances and conchshell music shows are still often performed on special occations and for visitors, but the Minaha’s contemporary dances and music is Western inspired and zesry.

North Sulawesi is on the island of Sulawesi, and borders the province of Gorontalo to the west (originally a part of North Sulawesi until 2001 when it became its own province). The islands of Sangihe and Talaud form the northern part of the province, which border the Philippines.The capital and largest city in North Sulawesi is Manado. The region is predominantly Christian with Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist minorities, which is an exception in this predominantly Muslim country. The largest ethnic group is Minahasan.

North Sulawesi is a new tourist destination in Indonesia. A land of white and black sandy beaches, mountains, highland lakes, volcanoes and towered by mount Klabat. The existence of an ancient civilization in North Sulawesi is shown by the presence of the waruga stone sarcophagi, the oldest reportedly dating back as far as 900AD.

Manado

The provincial capital and main gateway, Mando, is a busy city bulit at the foot of hills overlooking the bay. Manado’s sea port is Bitung, 48 kilometers to the northeast at the tip of the peninsula. The north Sulawesi Provincial Museum has displays of prehistoric articraft and objects, and itmes left by the Portuguese.

The Ban Hian Kong Temple in the Chinese district of the city is said to be the oldest Chinese temple in eastern Indonesia. Every year, two weeks after the Chinese New Year, it is the site for holding of processions, Kung Fu displays and other rituals as well as contests and shows.As the largest city in the region, Manado is a key tourist transit point for visitors. Sam Ratulangi Airport is one of the main entry ports to Indonesia. Try some delicious fresh seafood at water front local restaurants at Malalayang beach or some local food at the city. Ban Hin Kiong Temple is another tourism spot in the city, especially during the Chinese new year celebration. It is easy to find places to shop around Manado, since many of the shopping malls are located on Piere Tendean Boulevard.

Traditional Costumes

The traditional costume Laku Tepu from Sangir Talaudnese commonly is put on at the spiritual ceremony.Laku Tepu worn by a men its lenght reach to ankle. By a men Laku Tepu were put on plus Salikuku (kind of belt made of cloth) and head tie that the high tip placed in front and the knot at back.The women's costume are long Laku Tepu and Sarong with the accessories Bawandang Liku (shawl), earings, and Topo-Topo (a chignon).

Tomohon

The city of flowers, known for flower planting at people's homes. Situated on plateau between two volcanoes, Lokon and Mahawu. It is a cool, fresh air and secure even peaceful by keeping great kindness of people by honoring so much to those who visit the city. There are many churches with its own style of architecture that makes this city is more beautiful and unique. A number of ornamental crops like chrysanthemum, gladiola, aster, gerbera, and anthurium grow fertile in Kakaskasen. Visit Woloan village, where you may find the process of the knock down wooden house. It is a traditional house of the Minahasan. This industry has been developing since 1960 and start export in around 1980.

Bitung

The harbor and Industries city, located on the northern coast of Sulawesi and about 47km from Manado. It is one of the tourist gate way and also an important port in eastern Indonesia. The port is well equipped with a wharf capable for ocean liner. The uniqueness of this municipality is the wildlife sanctuary at nearby area and Lembeh island that stands like a natural shield for protecting it from winds and waves. The places to visit are fish auction market which facing to Lembeh island, here you will see so many kind of fresh fish from the fishing boats that sale through auction and then distribute to fishing companies and others market in Manado, Tomohon, Tondano and etc. A private animal collection park to see closer of some endemic animal and birds of North Sulawesi and other parts of Indonesia. You can see closer Tarsius spectrum, Kuskus, python, black monkey, crocodiles, many kinds of birds, babi rusa and kasuari birds and others.

The Bunaken Island

The Bunaken island in Manado bay is the one of beautifull sea gardens in Indonesia. It’s spectacular drop offs with tunnels and niches. It’s rich coral formations, the outstanding wealth of it’s marine life, and excellent horizontal and vertical underwater vicibility make this marine park surrounding the island of Bunaken, Manado Tua and Siladen just out side Manado Bay belong the truly great diving sport of the world. In many places, the hallows, teeming with marine life of all sorts and colors, extend for miles beyond the shores to make a real snorkeler’s paradise. It’s coral reefs in crystal clear water ofter great impression and exciting experience for scuba divers. The best months for diving from April to September.

Dotu Lolong Lasut, Chinese Temple has sea shell collection, orchid garden. Tinoor, a beautiful sight of Manado facing the Manado bay and Bunaken Island. Through the clove plantation to Tomohon, passing the chain active vulcano of Mount Lokon and Mount Mawahu. Lahendong known for sulphuric bubble and unique colorful Lake Linow. In Kawangkoan, it’s lokal market selling rats, dogs, snakes, kalong birds and wild pigs. Visit to Pulutan village to see the traditional pottery and Remboken on the edge of Tondano Lake. Sawangan is the mystical ancient tombs of Minahasa known as Waruga.

Bunaken Island has sea garden. To visit Bunaken Island by boat to admire and explore by snorkeling the famous underwater sea creature abound in innumerable species of decorative fish among and coral reefs which are some rare of species in crystal clear water. Tangkoko Nature is an open grassland covered with various plants and trees and an infinitie variety of plants belonging to innumerable botanical families. Located on the foot of Dua Saudara Volcano, the area is composed of impressive green hills and valley with an amazing view of natural beauty. We could see the tropical forest paradise is unbelievable. The jungle near Batu Putih village we could see Tarsius Spectrum, the smallest monkey in the world, hornbills, black monkeys (Macaca Nigra), cus-cus and the Maleo birds.

Diving

North Sulawesi is very popular for world diver community. There are a lot of snorkeling and diving sites that very attractive and challenge to be explored, and one of the best is the fascinating Bunaken Marine reserve. A low crescent-shaped coral island ringed by a steep fringing reef. Bunaken offers white sandy beaches, a dense population of fish, coral and deep underwater gullies and valleys. A dozen or so dive sites are mostly concentrated off the south and west coasts of Bunaken.

The other favorite sites is Lembeh Strait, which has been recognized in over the past several years as the capital of critter diving. The place you come to see the broadest range of unusual and rare critters in tropical marine diving. all of the rare and unusual there is to see in the tropical marine diving. Several factors contribute to such outstanding diversity of this place: its geological history, its overall geographic position and the topography of Lembeh Strait.

Bunaken Marine Park

Only a few kilometers offshore from Manado city lies Bunaken marine park, This tiny cluster of islands is surrounded by some of Indonesia's very finest coral reefs, acclaimed by divers the world over and frequently visited by the world's top underwater photographers, who find the perfect combination of abundant marine life, pristine coral and calm, crystal-clear water unbeatable.

The Bunaken marine park is a true natural wonder, each island ringed by a dense coral reef which almost makes the naming of individual site pointless-the whole place is one huge dive site. Diving in this area is almost without exception wall diving-on sheer, vertical coral walls with phenomenal growth well into the depth, often well below 50m (165ft). Fish life is both profuse and diverse, with strong showing from all the common reef fishes and frequent visitations from deeper-water species like sharks, rays, tuna and jacks.

There are abundant turtles on the reefs, and a diversity of nocturnal species which is absolutely remarkable. Diving condition are exceptional, which visibility consistently in the 25-30m (82-100ft) range, sometimes 40m (130ft) or more, and water temperatures generally around 26-27 C (78-80 C).

Bunaken National Park is very representative of Indonesian tropical water ecosystems, consisting of sea grass plain, coral reef, and land/coastal ecosystems. The northern part of the Park area covers the islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Montehage, Siladen, Nain and Nain Kecil, and part of the Tanjung Pisok coastal area. The southern part of the Park covers part of the Tanjung Kelapa coast. On land, these islands are rich in species of palm, sagu, woka, silar and coconut. Among the animal species that live on the land and the beaches are black-crested macaques (Macaca nigra nigra), Timor deer (Cervus timorensis russa), and bear-cuscus (Ailurops ursinus ursinus).

The mangrove forest of the Park contains, among others, Rhizophora sp., Sonneratia sp., Lumnitzera sp., and Bruguiera sp. This forest is also rich in species of crab, lobster, mollusc, and sea birds such as gulls, herons, sea doves, and storks. The seaweed species that can be found here include Caulerpa sp., Halimeda spp., and Padina spp., while the dominant seagrasses, in particular in the islands of Montehage and Nain, are Thalassia hemprichii, Enhallus acoroides, and Thalassodendron ciliatum.

Thirteen species of coral have been recorded in the waters of the Park, dominated by fringing reef coral and barrier reef coral. An interesting feature is the 25-50 meter vertical coral wall which is inhabited by 13 coral genus. About 91 species of fish live in the waters of the Park, among them being the emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator), almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana), spotted seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), yellow stripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira), four saddle rock cod (Ephinephelus spilotoceps), pinkish bass let (Pseudanthias hypselosoma), two-lined monocle bream (Scolopsis bilineatus), etc.; and species of mollusc such as the great clam (Tridacna gigas), horned helmet (Cassis cornuta), pearly-chambered nautili (Nautilus pompillius), and ascidians. There are five islands in the Park (Bunaken, Manado tua, Siladen, Montehage and Nain island) where visitors can enjoy diving, snorkelling and marine tours.

The other object of interests are

Kema Beach or Batu Nona, Tasik Ria Beach, Tara – Tara & Karumega, Manado Tua & Siladen, Marine Park, Tangkoko Dua Saudara Nature Reserve, The Dumoga Bone National Park, Watu Pinawetengan, Lake Tondano, Karumenga, Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Waruqa, Museum, Negeri La Galigo, Museum Balla Lompoa (Beteng Sungguminasa), Museum Lapawawoi, Museum Batara Guru, Museum Negeri Propinsi Sulawesi Tengah, Museum Negeri Propinsi Sulawesi Utara, Kienteng Ban Hian Kong, Gunung Lokon Volcano, Benteng Otanaha, Gunung Colo Volcano, Gunung Klabat Volcano, Gunung Sesean, Monument of Mandala (Monumen Mandala).

Transportation

From Jakarta or other major cities on Java, North Sulawesi’s capital of Manado could be reached by air and sea. Overland bus services link the city with other towns and ethies in the other provinces on the island. Manado is a buistling city with a range of city transportation means, from buses to predrobs, buses run services into the country side. Boats could be hired for trips to the fabulous coral gardens.

Airmadidi - the setting of acclaimed local mineral springs where, it is said, angels from heaven come to bathe when the moon is full. The pre-Christian tombs (warugas) are an interesting attraction in Airmadidi.
Bitung - an important regional port town, with regular buses running to Manado throughout the day. Lots of traditional Indonesian eateries (rumah makans) are clustered in the centre of Bitung.
Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park - located approximately 50 km / 31 miles to the west of Kotamobagu and encompassing just under 494,200 acres / 200,000 hectares. The Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park was previously named the Dumoga Bone and is nothing short of a haven for Indonesian wildlife.
Danau Tondano - a large lake just under 30 km / 19 miles from Manado. Danau Tondano is a truly exceptional beauty spot and features lots of reliable hiking trails. A number of very decent restaurants line the road around the lake, being popular for Sunday lunches.
Gorontalo - a busy port town with a distinct countryside atmosphere. Diving is becoming a serious attraction in Gorontalo, although is rather seasonal, being best between November and April. It really is worth coming to Gorontalo to see the wonderfully preserved colonial Dutch houses, which are amongst some of the finest in the whole of Sulawesi.
Kotamobagu - a market town often abbreviated to simply 'Kota'. Travellers will find Kotamobagu a handy stopover between Manado and Gorontalo, as well as being a great base for accessing the nearby Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park.
Manado - a large city with a population now topping half a million residents. The city of Manado may have lost some of its colonial character and charm, but still delivers on tourist attractions, being home to the North Sulawesi Museum Negeri and the historic Kienteng Ban Hian Kongtemple.
Pulau Bunaken - attracting keen scuba divers from the world over, who come here to marvel at the sheer colour and biodiversity of marine life around the shoreline. The island of Pulau Bunaken is part of the Taman Laut Wakatobi (Wakatobi Marine National Park). Glass-bottom boat cruises around Bunaken are always a popular attraction with tourists.
Sangir and Talaud Islands - there are a total of 77 different islands within the Sangir and Talaud archipelagoes. The main islands of interest include the Karakelong, Kaburuang, Salibabu, Sangir Besar and Siau.
Tangkoko Batuangas Dua Saudara Nature Reserve - a very accessible nature attraction and one of Indonesia's most outstanding. Do make time to visit the attractions of the Tangkoko Batuangas Dua Saudara Nature Reserve, which include black macaques (small monkeys) and red-knobbed hornbills. Permits are necessary for entry into the park and are available at the National Parks (KDSA) office in Batuputih.
Tomohon - situated beneath the towering Gunung Lokon volcano, Tomohon serves as a quiet weekend break for those living in Manado. The local market is a good way to familiarise yourself with Tomohon and its rich produce.