Home | About Us | Terms & Conditions | Booking | Special Packages | Villas For Rent | Contact Us | Links
BALI GENERAL INFO
INTERESTING PLACES
UPDATED NEWS
Bali As The Host For The 1st Asian Beach Games 2008
Bali as the Host for the 1st Asian Beach Games 2008 BABGOC (Bali) – The Asian Beach...

Tumpek Wariga A Ritual Ceremony Dedicated To Vegetations
Tumpek Wariga is a ritual ceremony dedicated to the vegetations....

Visit Indonesia Year 2008 Officially Launched
Celebrating 100 years of National Awakening. There will be more than 100 calendar of events throughout 33 provinces...

more news >>
SULAWESI ISLAND
Sulawesi (formerly more commonly known as Celebes,) is one of the four larger Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is situated between Borneo and the Maluku Islands. Most interesting to visitors are the more populated north and south regions while the central region is a little known area rarely visited ( through, of course, for some travelers this is the most attractive regions . Such as ; Bada Valley ( Lore Lindu ) for its Megalithic Culture and Birding site, Togean Islands with its fantastic under-sea-garden and its coral reefs, and Morowali Nature Reserve.

South Sulawesi is a region of dramatic contrasts - of rugged volcanic peaks and glistering white beaches. So it's hardly surprising the region is home to two vastly different peoples - the seafaring Bugis and the mysterious highland Torajans.

Tana TorajaYou'll drive through spectacular mountain, steep terraced slopes and tall bamboo forests to arrive in a true paradise of un-spoilt natural beauty. (You'll have no trouble understanding why the Torajans believe their forefather were descended from heaven, for this is heaven on earth). Most visitors can't wait to see the Toraja tombs - man-made caves cut into sheer cliff faces with eerie effigies on suspended balconies staring out across the jungle. In Toraja Culture a funeral isa festive event and elaborate rites are performed to ensure that souls pass to the afterworld in an appropriate manner. Families spend much on these feasts and if you're fortunate to be here for a burial ceremony you should be sure to contribute something such as food, soap or perhaps even money to assist the family. Be warned, though, some parts of the ceremony are not for the faint-hearted --- the slaughter by single sword stroke of a scared buffalo is common.

Funeral ceremony usually last about a week with the feasting , chanting and dancing continuing throughout the night. It is on the last day that the coffinis hauled carefully up the mountain side to the family gravesite amidst great shouting and excitement. The best known grave sites are at Lemo and Londa. Here the effigies are those of noblemen and other high-ranking community leaders.

You'll also be struck by the unusual architecture of the traditional Toraja house,the "tongkonan".The roof rises at both ends like the bow and stern of a ship and legend has it that this was the shape of the vessels that carried their ancestors here.

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.

Bunaken is the world class wall diving in Manado/Bunaken - North Sulawesi - Indonesia. The popular Manado ( Bunaken ) region is a possibility year-round but seas are often rough from November to April due to the NW Monsoon. These moist northwesterly winds also tend to bring maximum rainfall around December. During March to October mostly International flight ( Silk Air from Singapore ) and all dive resorts are fully booked. Liang Beach is the longest beach on the island