SULAWESI

The orchid-shaped island of sulawesi, formerly known as celebes,is made up of four huge peninsulas. With its long coast line, numerous active volcanoes, and high mountain interior. It has spectacular scenery in all regions. Four distinct cultural groups live on the island: the minahasans in the north, the torajas in the central mountains, and the makassarese and buginese in the south. The customs and handicrafts of all these peoples, the sailings vessels of the buginese and their silks, the ceremonies and carved dwellings of the torajas are just a few of the attractions of this rich land.

UJUNG PANDANG

Ujung Pandang, formerly Makassar, the capital of south Sulawesi and an important port, is located on the south-west tip of the island. In its picturesque harbor are anchored the hand-wrought. Two-mastered Buginese schooners that have been carrying inter-island trade for centuries.

HOW TO GET THERE

Garuda, Merpati And Mandala have flights that connect Jakarta with Ujung Pandang. Mandala airport is about 22 km from Ujung Pandang it takes about 45 minutes by taxi to reach the city.

HOTELS

Grand Hotel, Makassar Beach Hotel, Victoria Hotel, Wisma Kenari.

RESTAURANTS

Timor restaurant, Bamboo Den restaurant, Asia Baru restaurant, Rumah makan empang, Apollo restaurant.

SHOPPING

Antique Chinese porcelain is still being discovered around Ujung Pandang, and prices may be lower than those in jakarta. The local government requires that travelers get officials permits to take porcelain out of ujung pandang, failure to do so can result in the confiscation of items at the airport. Sulawesi (makassar) silk is made in beautiful plaid patterns: it is expensive. Ujung Pandang and kendari silver, quite similar to Yogyakarta silver, is available at moderate prices. Beautiful carved wooden pieces made by the Torajanese are another shopping find. The main shopping street is jl. Somba opu.

SIGHTS

An old dutch fort, now largely abandoned, overlooks the harbor.

Pulau Kayangan : an island 15 minutes by motor boat from Ujung Pandang. Thirty bungalows, snack restaurant and beer garden. Arrangements through the grand hotel. The island further out than Pulau Kayangan can be reached by rented motor boat. Their beaches, swimming and snorkeling are better.

Malino : 150 km south-west of Ujung Pandang. Various bungalows for rent, also small hotel, mountain resort, take sweaters, tennis court.

Bantimurung : 50 km east of Ujung Pandang (an hours drive) exquisite waterfalls about 60-70 feet high. Surrounded by luxuriant shrubs adorning steep, rocky walls, many butterflies, crowded on Sunday.

Pallengo : a small village built on stilts, north-east up the river from Ujung Pandang, where one may see workman making perahu (boats). Enroute to Pallengo is the tomb of Sultan Hasanudin, the revolutionary hero who fought against the Dutch.

TANAH TORAJA

A full day’s travel by jeep or bus will take the traveler from Ujung Pandang to Tanah Toraja, 320 km. Distant, where the traditional houses resemble sway-backed, elaborately decorated arks and time is still measured by the moon and the market. Ideally, one should go when a funeral ceremony for one of the few remaining Puangs (nobles) is taking place. Although Tanah Toraja is most renowned for the unique ceremonies, sacrifices, and dances which make up such a funeral, the area also offers spectacularly scenery. Best known sights are the hanging graves at lemo and graves in the cliffs of londa. Soppeng is center for silk weaving.

HOW TO GET THERE

Buses are often overcrowded, but quite inexpensive. The liman express makes two trips daily to rantepao. Since the roads are very poor, a jeep or mini-bus is the best vehicle to rent. Prices are high. Ninggo jaya, beringin jaya transportation, jl. Sarrappo, Ujung Pandang, is one company renting out buses. An early start will allow time for a visit to the Bantimurung waterfall, and a much needed luncheon break at pare-pare.

HOTELS

Wisma maria, wisma tana bua, hotel sarla, misyl yahna home, wisma yuani, wisma hasanuddin, wisma gubernur.

MENADO

Menado, the chief port of north Sulawesi, points directly toward the southern tip of the people are Christians, and Dutch is widely spoken.

HOW TO GET THERE

Garuda and Merpati serve Menado, the flights are usually tightly booked, make reservations well in advance. The airport is some distance from town, taxis are available.

SIGHTS

Warugas : stone sarcophagi dating back approximately 200 years, large collections in village graveyards, with some single warugas in family yards. The lids are decorated with carved people, serpents, flowers. Ask permission of village head (hukum tua) to visit graveyard.

Tomb of imam bonjol : one of Indonesia’s famous heroes, in village of lotak (turn off at pineleng, 8 km. South of menado).

Copra plantations : can be visited. Coconuts provide the central source of wealth for the area.

Tomohon : a hill villages less than 1 hour, south of menado. The area around tomohon is famous for its cloves and hot springs.

Lake tondano : located about 56 km, south of menado, less than a 2 hour drive, the road is bad, check condition before attempting trip. The lake is paradise of unexploited natural beauty.

Bitung : located on the east coast, a pleasant 1 hour drive from menado. The harbor is the attraction.