Supplementary Issue
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INDONESIA January 2005 Issue No.1 Supplementary Issue CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA, MUMBAI, INDIA INDONESIAN TOURIST DESTINATION : NORTH SULAWESI North Sulawesi - The Adventures beyond Dreams North Sulawesi is one of the 32 provinces in the Republic of Indonesia, with its capital city being Manado (formely also called "Menado"). This region with an area of 1,533,698 ha is located at 0º30"- 4º 3" North Latitude and 121º127" East Longitude. Based on the regional government system, North Sulawesi is subdivided into the Manado Municipality, Bolaang Mongondow District, Sangihe Talaud District and Bitung Municipality. To the North this region borders on the Republic of the Philippines, Sulawesi Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The Eastern part is on the Maluku Sea and the Southern side is the Tomini Gulf. The western part borders Gorontalo Province which until the end of 2000 was a part of North Sulawesi and then became an own province. The terrain is extremely mountainous and hilly, stretching from Lembean - Wulur Mahatus mountain chain (in Minahasa) continuing to Mount Ambang- Mount Gambuta (in Bolaang Mongondow). In Sangihe Talaud there are both active and extinct volcanoes, some towering 1,800 - 2,000 meters. Rich volcanic ash has blessed North Sulawesi with fertile lands; the highlands and lowlands producing rice, coco- nut, clove, nutmeg, vanilla and vegetables. The plains produce rice and corn in Dumoga, Ayong and Sangkub (Bolaang Mongondow). Plateaus in Tondano (Minahasa) also produce rice and corn, while Modoinding is know for its vegetables. Sangihe Talaud is recognized for its high quality nutmeg and Rumbia Trees (Sago Palm the source of a special flour for traditional cookies/snack). North Sulawesi is also endowed with many lakes like Lake Tondano and Lake Moat. The rivers like Ongkag Mongondow, Ongkag Dumoga, Sungai Sangkub, Randangan, Bulia and others are utilized mostly for irrigation of the ricefields. The Tondano River is used to generate electrical power for Manado and Minahasa regions. CLIMATE : Like other regions in Indonesia, North Sulawesi has a typical equatorial climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. Starting in September, cool Northwesterly winds pick up moisture while crossing the South China Sea and arrive in the Sulawesi Sea, about November. The wet season lasts from about November to March, and the dry season April to October. The total number of rain days is 90-130 days with approximately 3.000 mm average annual rainfall. The average temperature is 26 Celsius with the average humidity being 80%. FLORA & FAUNA : The great 19th century naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) was the first to observe that the Indonesia archipelago is inhabited by two distinct sets of wildlife. Wallace's Line, as this boundary is still known, is drawn between Bali and Lombok and between Kalimantan and Sulawesi, and continues South of the Philippines and North of Hawaii to mark the difference in the fauna and flora which belonged to the separate land masses in the last ice age. Sulawesi is believed to have been isolated from both continental shelves and therefore has its own special flora and fauna. Although Kalimantan and Sulawesi are not separated by any significant physical barrier, birds and mammals of these two islands are different. From the botanical standpoint the line is less apparent, Sulawesi's plants appear to be more closely related to those of other dry parts of the archipelago. Indigenous to Sulawesi are the Anoa (dwarf buffalo), Babi Rusa (a wilds boar with tusks growing through the roof of its mouth), black tailless macaques, kuskus, maleo bird (which incubates its 250 gram eggs in mounds of soil warmed by sunlight, hot springs or volcanic vents), tarsier (tarsius spectrum -world's smallest primate) with its head and body length of just 10 cm, brightly colored Red - knobbed Hornbill, etc. Many of these species may seen in Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve and Bogani Nani Wartabone (formerly known as Dumoga Bone) National Park. Several high-quality woods can be found in these two natural reserves, such as Ebony, Ironwood, linggua, gopasa, nantu, meranti, etc. Rattan and colorful orchids as well as various wild palms and other plant species grow in bundance in the forest throughout the region. PLACES OF INTEREST MANADO : Manado offers a variety of terrain with hills, volcanic mountains and scenic plateaus. It is estimated that Manado was inhabited in the 16th century and was called "Wenang". Later, in 1623 the name was changed to "Manado". Influenced by the foreign occupation, the culture reflects the outside influence. Urbanization of the people from Sangihe Talaud, Bolaang Mongondow, Gorontalo and Minahasa has resulted in a diverse population and culture. Manado's population is 342,264 people (1996). There are many places of interest in and around the city. MANADO TUA ISLAND : This island is the main island of the group. There is a hiking path to the top which takes several hours to climb, and offers a spectacular view of all the islands of Manado Bay. Superb for diving and snorkeling. Indonesian Tourist Destination - NORTH SULAWESI BUNAKEN SEA GARDEN : The world famous Bunaken Marine National Park, with an area 75.26 hectares, is located very close to Manado and com- prises of 5 islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage and Nain. The superb diving and snokelling sites puts the Marine Park in one of the top 10 dive area of the world and is a mecca for seasoned and beginner divers alike. Wall diving offers a spectacular drop off 100's of meters deep and the warm water is particularly inviting. But it is for the diversity of sea life to be found around the Park that attracts divers from around the world. Whether you are a fan of big pelagic fish down to the smallest anemone, whatever your fascination, you certainly won't be disappointed. For those who are avid underwater photographers be sure to bring countless rolls of film, photo opportunities abund. The variety of fish and other marine life often spotted include: Napoleon Wrasse, Angelfish, Turtles, Blue Ribbon Eels, Stingrays, Eagelrays, Snappers, Groupers, and sharks to name a few. There are hundreds of other species too numerous to list but easily lo- cated at a variety of sites. There is now a number of professional dive operators in and around Manado with well-trained staff and a commit- ment to safety. Accommodation is available at most dive operations and full packages including equipment hire and meals are extremely competitive. SILADEN ISLAND : This island is comprised of many white sandy beaches. Good diving for experienced divers, but good snorkeling for all. To those who feel the need to escape from civilization, this tranquil place offers a pleasant opportunity for relaxing and sunbathing. RANOMUUT HORSE RACING AREA : This track is primarily used on holidays, national days and for special events where the public can witness horse racing as well as the traditional cart racing. Check with you hotel front desk for information. BAN HIN KIONG TEMPLE : This 19th century temple, the oldest in east Indonesia, is the worship place of Chinese Buddhist believers. The temple is located on Jl. Panjaitan in the center of the city. During Toa Peh Kong each February, a traditional Chinese parade dating from the 14th century is held. WOLTER MONGINSIDI & PIERRE TENDEAN MONUMENT : A monument to commemo- rate the meritorious young men from North Sulawesi, Wolter Monginsidi and Pierre Tendean. Wolter Monginsidi died during the struggle of Indonesian Independence and Pierre Tendean died in the so-called "communist rebellion" on September 30, 1965. Situated on the waterfront, facing the Bay of Manado, it is usually crowded with people who want to relax while enjoying the beautiful panoramic view of the bay. The monument is located in Bahu at the intersection of Jl. Monginsidi and Pierre Tendean. MUSEUM NEGERI PROPINSI SULAWESI UTARA : This Provincial Museum offers visitors and students alike, information about art, culture and history. It includes displays of the four ethnic groups inhabiting North Sulawesi, as well as the Batak Tribe (West Sumatra), Lombok, Bali, Central Sulawesi and Irian Jaya. Historical artifacts from the Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese and Swedish can also be seen. It is located on Jl. W.R. Supratman, Manado. SECOND WORLD WAR MEMORIAL : A memorial to commemorate the destruction of Manado which was heavily bombed and to honor the victims of World War II. It is located in the center of Manado next to Gereja Sentrum (City Center Church). GOLF : Wenang Golf Course, a nine hole course, located on the road from Manado to the international airport covers an area of 1800 square meters. Clubs are available for hire as well as caddies. TANGKOKO BATUANGUS NATURAL RESERVE : Located at the foot of Dua Saudara Moun- tain, the area is comprised of rolling hills and valleys with a variety of hardwood trees and unusual plant life. The animal life is also quite varied, and one can often view Tarsius Spectrum (world's smallest primate), black tailless monkeys, Maleo Birds, wild pigs and kuskus (marsupial family). Tangkoko Batuangus Reserve offers a suitable protective envi- ronment to help prevent these animals from becoming extinct. Tangkoko is located in the northern sector of Bitung, and comprises an area of 3,196 Ha, and takes about 1.5 -2.5 hours to reach from Bitung or Manado, respectively. Please note that the road to Tangkoko is somewhat difficult and visitors are recommended to visit with a local tour operators to ensure a safe journey and to take advantage of an experienced guide who can assist in spotting the wildlife. Losmen (simple guesthouses) are available for overnight stays. BITUNG: The city of Bitung is located on the northern coast of Sulawesi, approximately 47 km from Manado.