Manado

About Manado, North Sulawesi

Manado city is the provincal capital of North Sulawesi. Manado is the starting point for exploration of the Minahasa region's many attractions. Fun-loving and extroverted, the Minahasa people live in neat wood frame houses, with fences and flower gardens, giving Manado a European feel. There is a wide range of hotels and restaurants. Those with an adventurous palate should try the famously hot and spicy Minahasa cuisine. The city's numerous shops and markets are filled with an abundance of consumer goods and agricultural produce, while behind every building are glimpses of emerald hills and azure sea.

Inland from Manado, a trip through the Minahasa Highlands will take you to intriguing prehistoric above-ground burial sites, volcanoes, hot springs, the highland lake Tondano and breathtaking panoramas of lush mountains, coffee and coconut plantations, orchid gardens and terraced hillsides. From Manado, also be sure to visit the Dua Saudara Nature Reserve, home to birds and other wildlife unique to Sulawesi, such as the Tarsier - the smallelst monkey, cus cus, Hornbill etc.

Place to visit at Manado

Japanese Cave ( Kiawa Village )

These caves were built by the Japanese during the World War II mainly used as a storage for supplies. You can visit the caves while driving along the road between Kiawa and Kawangkoan, two scenic countryside villages.

Waruga ( Stone Graves - Airmadidi Village )

Waruga ( Stone graves ) 144 beautiful and interesting ancient "Waruga" stone graves (sarcophagi) of Minahasan ancestors dated the Megalithic age can be found in Sawangan village, close to Airmadidi, 24 km from Manado. The small museum and the local guide explain what has been found in the tombs.

Watu Pinawetengan ( A megalithic stone )

A megalithic stone of the ancestors of Minahasa, its surface is covered with crude, mysterious live drawings and scripts which have never been deciphered. According to Minahasa history, this is the place where the ancestors first divided up the land among the people (Watu Pinabetengan means "The stone of discussion about the division"). The ruling was made in order to ensure a peaceful and harmonious life. Seven divisions were made amongst different areas of Tombulu, Tonsea, Toulour, Tontemboan, Tonsawang, Ponosakan and Pasan Ratahan. This is located in Tompaso, about 45 km from Manado.

Lake Linow Color ( Lahendong Village )

Lake Linow is located near Tomohon and is a beautiful but strange lake, which can change color. Sometimes it is red, sometimes green and sometimes blue. A good location for relaxation and resting.

Tomohon ( The City Of Flowers )

A nice little town and the center of Christian Missionaries lays about 25 km from Manado. Located at 700 meters above sea level and between Mount Lokon and Mahawu and with a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius it is a place to cool off after the hot air of Manado. The land around the village is covered with flowers.

Volcanoes Lokon and Mahawu ( Rurukan Village )

Mount Lokon (1.580 m) and Mahawu (1.311 m), both have crater lakes of considerable beauty, duck-egg blue and smoking. Lokon is usually considered to be more beautiful of the two, but right now it is to risky to there since there was a warning from local goverment. Mt Mahawu is ok and normally they walk from Rurukan Village. It takes only 1 hour walking from Rurukan Village to the top of Mt. Mahawu. Walking condition is good, you are welcome to do trekking in this mountain.

Tarsius / the smallest monkey - Tangkoko Batuangus

A nature reserve on open grassland covered with a great variety of plants. Located on the slopes of mount "Dua Saudara", the area is composed of impressive green hills and valleys with amazingly scenic views of natural beauty. There are black apes, maleo birds, snakes, wild pigs, hornbills and rusa deer. Located north of Bitung, it covers on area of 3,196 ha. This nature reserve has several cottages and small restaurants nearby. From Manado it takes arround 2 hours and 30 minutes to this place. In the past, the road was so rough you would need a 4WD jeep. But now, newly laid roads allow easy accessibility by passenger cars and vans. You are welcome to visit this area.

Bunaken island ( Liang Beach )

Liang beach is the main beach of Bunaken island, located on the west side. Tt this beach you will find diving resorts - Froggies Divers, Bastianos Diving Resort and Cottages and Sulawesi Dive Quest.

Bunaken island ( Pangalisang Beach )

Another beach on Bunaken island called Pangalisang beach. Only some of the dive resorts have their own beach. The diving resorts in this place are Living Color Diving Resort, Cha Cha Diving Resort, Two Divers and the new dive resort of Mc Dive Bunaken.

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