Exploring South Sulawesi

Ocean, ships and tough sailors are the famous things that you can see from Sulawesi on of Indonesia Island. However, Sulawesi not only rich because of the Maritimes but also their mountain and culture that makes the places more fascinating. Sulawesi has some lovely spot for your traveling. I will show you some of the main tourist to go to and what is like at there. The island is famous with the called Celebes, meaning the famous one in Portuguese word in Asia and Europe because of the spices. Many tourists recommend this island is excellent for scuba diving/ snorkeling, sailing, cruises, water rafting, trekking, sail boarding and ecotourism activity.

Makassar
The city itself is known for long reputation as on of the important trading port and coastal defense for hundred of years ago when kingdoms still at top of their life. Become one of the crucial parts of traders in South East Asia. There is some interesting place in there.

Ford Rotterdam Museum
It is located near the beach, where it used to be the great castle of King Gowa the 10th which known with Karaeng Tunipalangga Ulaweng at 1545. When the Dutch came to Indonesia, they change Ford Rotterdam to become the centre of trading and government. Remaining inside is the historical museums La Galigo museum which keeps historical artifacts of the greatness of the past kingdom of Gowa kingdom. Inside Fort Rotterdam is the nation’s museum, local history institute, Prince Diponegoro hostage chamber and Art and music room. No tickets are needed to get into it but inside the fort there are some tourist guide prepare to guide you around the ford cheaply.

Paotere Harbor
In there you will see one trademark of Makassar, the Pinisi Boat. There are many Phinisi boats and other traditional ships in variant size. This reflects one of Makassar trademark as one tough sailor and till now Paotere is still the centre of the fisherman harbor from other area. The harbor itself is pretty clean and worth it to visit.

Losari Beach
Near Paotere harbor you can see the sunset in Makasar. They have restaurant with indoor and sea view concept in there. The beach is pretty quiet and located a bit private so it’s perfect for your private holiday. Just imagine that a road about 2 km near beach is selling many traditional foods such as Pisang Epe, red fried rice and mie kering. Also try the local Soto they called it Coto Makassar. And near this street is the Somba Opu street, this street is use for souvenirs and gold markets.

Islands of Kayangan, Kodingareng Keke and Samalona
Across the harbor id the Kayangan island where it’s famous for evening for Sunday’s entertainment. Scuba diving is the best thing to do when visiting Samalona and Kodingareng Keke Island. The place trademark is its natural reef and undersea gardens decorated with colorful tropical fishes.

Bantimurung Waterfall
You can find it about 41 km from Makassar. The beautiful waterfall is located between rocky cliffs into a stream shaded by tall trees. At here try to find triodes Helena hypolitus butterfly especially during warm season. And 15m from Bantimurung is a natural dreaming cave with its beautiful forms of limestone.

Don’t forget that Makassar is also famous with their traditional football game “ sepak takraw”. Buy yourself their clothes “Baju Bodo”, which is a traditional bright handwoven silk blouse, worn with gold accessories and combined with silk checkered sarong. Also visit the historical tomb of Diponegoro.

Bissapu Waterfall
This place is about 3 hours from Makassar heading to Tanjung Bira, this area Bantaeng have a waterfall that are surrounded with high cliffs and very beautiful to see. To see it you have to go down about 100metres on stairs but believe me you would not regret it. The Bissapu waterfall is still an exclusive tourist area, so make sure your guide know very well how to get there.

Malino
Malino is a small city 90 km from Makassar. Since kingdom history Malino was known as a recreation place for the kings and Dutch government. At the forest you can see the beauty of Edelweiss flower and famous flower Masamba that can change colour every month from green, turn to yellow and white. Stopped by at Sentral Market and taste the Marquis syrup.

Tanjung Bira
Tanjung Bira is a holiday area for tourist. Here is know for beautiful diving place, beside the white beach that is soft like powder and cool blue sea water. You can easily find many sharks near this area. Close from this the Bentang island and Kambing island is the correct spot to see shark.

Tana Toraja
Tanah Toraja is very popular among tourist worldwide. The land is filling with unique architecture and fascinating cultures with traditional genuine village style. Probably the most unique noticeable aspects is about Toraja traditional house “Tongkonan”. It is the meeting place for all family gatherings. The towering roof rearing up at the either end is believed presenting the horns of the buffalo. It is also delighted to watch their Toraja’s elaborate death rituals. The ritual itself explains why Toraja people hold such majestic death rituals. Many buffaloes and pigs slaughtered, various dance to honor their ancestor and thousands of people attended either as participant or just looking.

Great Tour to Bali

Please be informed that we also provide tours to Bali for your needs. You can explore the beauty in its place and rest assures that we will arrange your journey excitingly and most important safely. We have few interesting tours options

North Bali Tour
First you will go to Candi Kuning at morning, where they sell a lot of fresh fruit and after that to visit the Gitgit waterfall which is the highest waterfall in Bali. You can have lunch at Lovina beach and explore the beauty of black sand Lovina.

Besakih Tour
Tour is heading to Kerta Gosa, which once was used as a court house in history. We continue with straight to Besakih Pura which is the biggest and widest in Bali. After that you can relax and feel the cool and fresh climate of Candidasa beach and see the old traditional Bali house. And on the way home you can visit the Goa Lawah (Bat Cave) with about thousands bats hanging on the cave.

Kintamani Tour
This tour will take you to visit Batur Mountain and lake. But first you will see the Barong dance at Batu Bulan and visiting Celuk the centre of gold and silver handicraft. Before lunch we will guide you to Bali souvenir shop and then lunch at Puncak Sari accompanied with the view of Batur Mountain and lake. On the way home you will arrive at Tampak Siring where there was the President castle and also to Tirta Empul to see the holy water that are believe is good for long lasting life.

South Bali Tour
We will take you to visit Tanjung Benoa which become the water sports activities such as banana boat, Jet Ski, Penyu island etc (on personal request) and than continue to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) to have lunch and watch the limestone mountain that has an amazing view. Also there will be the tallest statue in the world in the future. After that you will go to Uluwatu to see the Pura which is located on the edge of the cliff at the south of Bali Sea.

Bedugul tour
We wil guide you to visit the Taman Ayu Pura which belongs to Kings Mengwi for centurys ago. Straight to Bedugul to see the Ulun Dalu Pura and have your delicious meals at Mentari restaurant. On the way home don’t forget to see Alas Kedaton to see the holy monkeys closely. And last stop it at Tanah Lot to see the floating Pura.

Ubud and Tanah Lot tour
First you will visit Celuk the centre of gold and silver handicraft, thereafter buy some goodies at Bali special goodies shop, shops till you drop at art market Sukowati. Next is going to Ubud and have lunch at Crispy Duck while enjoying the lovely view of green landscape, monkey forest on the way heading to Tanah Lot.

Honeymooner’s tour
We congratulate for new weed couples and would like to give the very special moment for your first journey of memorable honeymoon once in your lifetime. You will be welcome by Bali princess bringing you flower necklace. Not only a warm welcome but you will also get 5 photo sessions with Balinese costume, special spa treatment include foot wash, Balinese massage, yogurt, refresher facial, flower bath and ginger tea for relaxing the day. And at the end of the day you will be dining at the beach with a romantic candle light dinner.

The Miracle place called Ubud

This is the place where a time seems to be slower or sometimes stopped. You can stay for as long as you like to feel the comfort of your vacation, forgetting about your work and home work. This is Ubud, where you can still find the green land terrace everywhere, where flowers is mesmerizing like it is spring all the year, you can called it a modernized nature.

Pity for travelers in Indonesia was late to found out this place, because many artist from Europe have stay and exploring Ubud since 1920. They came there and getting the fabulous nature, listening to the gamelan music and realize that everyone in Ubud is skillful in art. The perfect combination of nature, culture and human civilization that makes Ubud an international village that keep living and growing steadily.

If you are asking what do you want to find more about Bali? Is it just about the beach for surfing? Or is about the hot sun bathing in the sand? Or is about the crowded night life under the disco lamp splash with strange cocktail? Well if you are looking for the real Bali that still origin, Bali that is not just about shopping but also touchable true life where you can find the great picture at your postcard Ubud your answer.

The first thing we remember about bali is the gamelan music accompanying the beautiful dancers with their eccentric eyes with total expression. It was the traditional dancing show that make the night in Ubud alive. They were dancing with the golden attribute and its called Legong dance.

You can find most of arts studio, gallery and many museum at Ubud. Museum Neka is one of them, it’s contains painting collection of Bali artist and Indonesia from 1930 till present. The painting are located chronologically so you can easily understand the art history in Bali and Indonesia.

For me, traveling is always about about two things, exploring new places and exploring their special food. Bebek Betutu (duck) and Bebek Goreng (fried duck) is one of their famous food menu. Duck to the Bali people is defining the power and the ability to survive in two nature, because duck able to live and eat at the mainland also duck can move swiftly on the water. What most interesting that the process of making Bebek Betutu take about 8 hours cooked with the traditional way.

Another food is the roast suckling pig (babi guling). It is the famous food in whole Bali. You can find this food at Ubud on Suweta road. This road is always full with cars and motorcycle especially at lunch hour. Everyone is waiting for pieces of pig meats roasted till it shinnies and full of secret flavor that has been passed for generations. The roast suckling pig is served with vegetables mix with coconut and super extra hot originally chilli with warm rice..ehmm yummy yummy.

At Ubud is greatly advise if you doing some sightseeing, it’s the perfect place for healing your body and soul from the heat of the city. The natural environment will makes you feel relax and comfortable. And after a full day activity don’t be to shy to spoil yourself in a spa. with using all natural product that has been known for hundred years ago. Breathe the cooling aromateraphy, drown yourself in the bathtub full of warm water, flowers and ingredients. Let it go all of your thought when doing the aromatherapy massage that combining Swedish, Shiatsu, acupressure and Bali massage in one with massage oil that will revive your vitality.

Last thing I want to tell you is about the ceremony and Bali culture. At Ubud all culture is ritually happened since hundreds years ago. The fruit that is set up like a tower, the ingredients that set up in every Bali house, the ceremony itself and dozens men shouting in cremation ceremony. All of that is the life of culture, sometimes it makes you realize what century are we living now. If you want to explore all of above things that excites you, that make you curious, then please come to Ubud yourself and prove the miracle place that called Ubud.

Interesting Places in Bali

THINGS TO DO

Below are some of the interesting places of interest in Bali :-)

Batubulan : Daily Barong Dance performance, fine stone carvings, furniture.

Mount Batukau :-Virgin forests, serenity,temple.

Bedagal :Highland retreat by the lake, crater, watersports, quality fruits and vegetables.

Besakih Temple :Mother Temple on Mount Agong, huge complex of shrines, majestic.

Candi Dasa :Quiet newest resort area, snorkelling, diving, beach.

Celuk :Silver and gold jewellery.

Denpasar : rebuilt ancient city, art centre, museum, government offices.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave): 8th century archaelogical mystery, Buddhist inscriptions and carvings, elephant head entrance.

Goa Lawah (Bat Cave)1000 year old Shiva Temple, millions of bats cover ceiling.

Jimbaran : Southwest of Bali, fishermen village, beach, sunset, offshore reefs.

Kintamani : Mountainous, spectacular view by Lake Batur, sunrise at peak of Mount Batur.

Kuta : Surfing, beaches, sunsets, night life, shops at Legian street.

Lovina:- North of Bali near Singaraja, still waters, dolphin watch.

Negara : West of Bali, water buffalo races (July to October).

Nusa Dua :Luxurious resorts, diving and surfing, beaches, gold cours e, shops.

Nusa lembongan : Bali's sister island, coral and sand beaches, crystal clear water, surfing.

Sangeh : Monkey Forest, tall nutmeg trees, aggressive monkeys.

Sanur : First resort of Bali, beaches, black and white magic.

Singaraja:North of Bali, beaches, quiet, culturally distinctive.

Tabanan : Mountains, rice field terraces, black sand beaches, rain forests.

Tampaksiring : Wood carving, Sukarno's Palace, Tirta Empul temple and sacred spring water.

Tanah Lot : Dramatic ocean front temple, spectacular sunset, snake filled cave.

Tenganan: East of Bali, village of Bali Aga, wonderful fabrics.

Ubud : haven for the arts,paintings, lush rice fields, museums, galleries, dances.

Uluwata : spectacular temple on a cliff.

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Hallo World!!

Guideline to Bali±

Bali is a small mountainous island located in the South Western part of Indonesia and covers 5810 square kilometers with about 2.9 million residents. Tourism is a major part of the local economy with approximately 1.4 million visitors per year. Therefore these are tourist guideline services to help you get to, from and around Bali.

Passport
You will require a passport and it will need to be valid for a minimum of 6 months prior to entry and you must hold a valid ticket out of Indonesia. Please make sure you have at least 4 (four) spare pages in your passport.

Visas
Recently significant changes have been implemented to Indonesia’s Visa laws. Citizens of certain countries are eligible for a Visa on Arrival, at cost of US $25 for a 30 day visa and US $10 for a 7 day visa (these rate are the rate at the time printing).
Those not falling into these categories will require applying for a visa before entry into Indonesia. Some countries are applicable for a free visa such as Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong. Examples of countries that are eligible for the 7 day or 30 day Visa On Arrival include Australia, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and USA.
Prior to departure it is very important to check with your travel agent or contact nearest Indonesia Consulate General Office to confirm Visa arrangements relevant to your country.

Luggage
When packing your bags, be aware of your airline’s weight restrictions (most airlines have a 20kg limit), excess baggage can be expensive. Don’t forget to allow some extra space for all those shopping bargains that you will pick up while in Bali.

Airport
The main airport in Bali is Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar).

Climate
Bali has a year round tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 290 to 320 Celsius. While the dry season is from April to October, Bali is a great place to visit all year round.

Transfers
Most of Bali Resort & Hotel packages include airport transfers. This is a cost effective, stress free way of getting to the resort and is worthwhile organizing with your travel agent if it’s not included in your package. If you haven’t arranged a transfer then taxis are available from the airport, if you do this then make sure you ask the driver to use his meter or get pre-paid voucher at the airport.

Duty Free
It can be very tempting to load up with duty free shopping prior to arriving in Bali. Just remember that Bali is extremely competitive when it comes to beer, spirits and fragrances.
However, wine can be quite expensive in Bali so a bottle of good quality duty free wine could save you some Rupiah.

Custom Regulations
You will need to complete the custom questionnaire prior to entering Indonesia; these will be distributed on your flight. There are strict limits to what you can bring into Indonesia. ie. you cannot bring in more than 200 cigarettes, more than 1 liter alcohol; Animals, fish and plants including their products; Narcotics drugs, psychotropic substances, fire arms, weapons, ammunition, explosive; pornography; more than 50 million Rupiah in bank notes. We recommend you are honest with Customs. IMPORTANT: Drug convictions can be punishable by death!

Arrival into Denpasar Airport
Once you have disembarked the aircraft, if you are not a current Indonesian visa holder, you will need to go to the Visa On Arrival payment counter. The Visa On Arrival fee is charged in US Dollars, though they will give you change in Rupiah. Most currencies can be exchanged at the airport but the rates may not be the best. Once you have a receipt, proceed to the Visa on Arrival counter where they will check your passport and issue you with a Visa On Arrival. They will also give you a departure card which you should keep. Then you will pass through a security check to the luggage area. Once you have obtained your luggage, you will need to proceed through customs with your declaration card, be aware that a number of porters will try and help you with your bags but they will expect a service fee. They could also try and lead you to a money changer but generally you will get a better exchange rate outside the airport.

Departing the Resort
You will need to leave the resort approximately 2,5 hours prior to your flight leaving. A departure tax of Rp.150.000 is required to exit the country so it is best to keep these Rupiah up your sleeve. You will need to check in with the airlines 2 hours prior to the departure of your flight. Then proceed to the immigration payment counter where you will need to pay the Rp.100.000 fee. Make sure you have retained your departure card and present this to immigration with your passport.