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.