IINDONESIA May 2005 Issue No. 5 Supplementary Issue

CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF , MUMBAI, INDIA Indonesian Tourist Destination : The Province of Gorontalo is one of the 32 provinces in Indonesia separated with the Province of North Sulawesi. It is located in the western part of North Sulawesi Border. Gorontalo covers an area of about 12.215 sqkms. There are Lake Limboto, and 3 big rivers namely : Paguyaman, Bone and Tolinggula. These rivers are of great benefit for irrigation to water the surrounding rice fields. The fertile soil on this area is good for different tropical crops particularly rice and corn.

Gorontalo City is the capital of the New Gorontalo Province and nestles on the calm waters of the northern shoreline of Tomini Bay, on the southern fringe of Sulawesi’s protective northern arm. Here the weather is balmy and equatorial, the landscape punctuated by chains of mountains.Being the main gateway to the travel mecca of the Togian Islands and only a one hour flight from Manado, Gorontalo is easily reached and often passed through. However, stop to have a look around and you may be surprised by what Gorontalo has to offer, besides the unique diving environment. Life here is quiet and simple, like a clean and friendly, rural country town.Gorontalo is 230 km west southwest of Manado and you can get there by Flight, Taxi and Public bus.

Lying close to the equator, the temperature in Gorontalo is a near constant 33 degree celcius all year round, with humidity about 83% and rainfall of 1,500mm per annum (about half that of nearby Manado). Rainy season runs from December to March, but the rain is only intermittent, tropical downpours rather than incessant and torrential. The north westerly winds blows from April to November, churning up the waters and creating surface swells in Tomini Bay. Indonesian Tourist Destination - GORONTALO PLACES OF INTEREST Formerly called Dumoga-Bone, Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park protects 300,000 hectares of rainforest between Gorontalo and Kotamobagu in North Sulawesi. Most of the park consists of dense jungle and steep mountains, some rising to 2,000 m in elevation. The park’s interior is rich in animal life. Most of Sulawesi’s 80 endemic birds live here. Although babirusa, anoa, and tarsiers inhabit the park, they usually remain hidden from sight. From Lombongo Hot Springs, hikers can take a jungle trail along the stream to the first waterfall, which is about 20 m high. Watch for butterflies. For the adventurous who come prepared, a trail across the stream climbs the mountain to a 30 m high waterfall several kilometres away. Be sure to bring plenty of water. The best time for hiking is dry season, especially June, July and August. The park entrance is 20 km from Gorontalo City.

You can begin exploring Gorontalo’s multi layered history at the Benteng Otanaha Historical Site. About eight kilometres from town, this complex of three small forts provides stunning views of Gorontalo’s interior valley and Lake Limboto. Visitors can climb the 351 steps or take a paved road behind the fort to the top. Benteng Otanaha’s fascinating history began in 1525.Otanaha also offers panoramic views of Danau Limboto, a 5600-hectare lake with the average depth of just 7m. The lake is easily accssible by mikrolet (one hour), along excellent road from the Gorontalo.

Lombogo hot springs, 17km east of Gorontalo, at the western edge of Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, has a swimming pool filled with hot spring water. A nicer spot is the swimming hole at the foot of a 30m waterfall, which is a 3km walk past the springs.

Built in the 15th century by the Portuguese, the single fort at Benteng Oranye Historical Site is located on Gorontalo’s north coast off the Trans-Sulawesi Highway east of Kwandang, some 45 km away. Walk down a small hill from the highway and take the foot path to find the 178 steps leading to the fort. Views from of the ocean and nearby islands are quite beautiful. Supplementary Issue (May 2005) 2 Indonesian Tourist Destination - GORONTALO Pantai Lahilote is a white sandy beach 2km south of Gorontalo, and accessible by bendi or mikrolet.

Shaded by pine and coconut trees, white sand beach at Boalemo offers calm waters for swimming and sunning. In addition to a restaurant, cottages are also available. Boalemo is on the road from Gorontalo to Marisa. The grave site of Ju Panggola is said to date from the 14th century. Local people visit the site to pray, believing that the location has special supernatural powers. It’s about 9 kilometres from Gorontalo City.

Diving Sites of Gorontalo : Located on the rugged, northern coastline of mountains and rolling hills in Tomini Bay, Gorontalo not only has similar riches in biodiversity, but it also has its own unique mix of marine life and many species that are endemic to this area. To date ten new species, some only ever found in Gorontalo, have been internationally recognised and many more are slated for further investigation.You may be wondering why the Gorontalo diving sites would posess such exciting andColouredfish colourful from creatures Gili Trawangan as the orange-backed wrasse, yellow-spotted slingjaw wrasse, Sarasvati’s commensal shrimp and Coleman’s coral shrimp. The truth lies in the unique conditions that exist here - Gorontalo is located very close to The Equator and its coastal walls plunge into a deep and very calm bay, allowing deep water marine species to come in very close to the dive sites. It’s also near the centre of “The Golden Triangle” of marine bio- diversity. With only one dive centre operating in Gorontalo, you can sample for yourself this fascinating brand of deep healthy coral walls, wreck diving, pinnacles and bays, in waters that are only crowded by fish. With the 15 dive sites being just a few minutes from town, diving in Gorontalo will appeal to you if you have an interest in marine life identification and in absorbing some authentic culture of Indonesian rural city life. The latest dive destination in Indonesia to be receiving media attention and earning plaudits, Gorontalo, which is only a daily one hour flight from Manado International Airport, rightly deserves the praise and its place amongst the top diving destinations in Sulawesi.

Entertainment & Nightlife : There are a few restaurants in town dealing exclusively in Indonesian and Chinese cuisine. There’s also a more upmarket restaurant on the coastline just out of town, with tables on the water’s edge and live music. Gorontalo is famous for its distinctive corn chowder called binte biluhuta. It is made with corn, shredded coconut, cilantro leaf, and fish or tiny shrimp. On the side are chopped red chillies, sweet soy sauce, lime wedges, and monosodium glutamate to be added according to your taste. There is a night market in town selling authentic local dishes and a couple of cafes for party time. Supplementary Issue (May 2005) 3 Indonesian Tourist Destination - GORONTALO Shopping : Local souvenirs popular from the area include the colourful and soft Krawang embroidery. You can buy this from several souvenir shops dotted around central town. Gorontalo also has a couple of well stocked modern supermarkets, where you can stock up on life’s essentials and conveniences.

LOCAL TRANSPORT Bentor : Bentor is the name for the three-wheel motorbike taxi that takes two passengers, sitting in the two-wheeled section at the front, and is powered by the rider from behind. These are quick, convenient and inexpensive. Bendi : Trundling along in a traditional horse-drawn cart is surely the most picturesque mode of transport in North Sulawesi. Bendis outnumber mikrolets in Gorontalo, especially in the rural areas. Mikrolet : Check out the front windscreen of these blue minibuses to see the destination. Unless you are travelling a great distance these rides tend to cost next to nothing.

USEFUL CONTACTS FOR GORONTALO PROVINCE DIPARDA GORONTALO (Regional Tourism Office) JL. KI HAJAR DEWANTORO NO 147, Tel : (62-435)822579 Fax : (62-435)830412 Website : http://www.gorontalo.go.id Gorontalo Tourism Information Centre Jl. Raden Saleh 159, Gorontalo. Tel : (62-435)22579 HOTELS RESTAURANT SARONDE Hotel,Jl. Walanda Marmis Agung, Jl. Merdeka, Telp. 0435-822598 Telp.0435-824144 Ampera, Jl. S. Botutihe, Telp. 0435-825448 MEGA ZANUR Hotel, Jl. , Telp. 0435-829555 Miranti, Jl. S. Botutihe, Telp. 0435-25448 KRAWANG CITY Hotel,Jl. Black Marlin, Jl. Leato, Telp. 0435-25448 Telp.435-822437 Karsa Utama, Jl. S. Botutihe, Telp. 0435-25448 LIBERTY Hotel, Jl. Kasuari No. 43 , Telp. 0435- 822609 Puja Sera, Jl. Kartini, Telp. 0435-25448 RACHMAT INN Hotel,Jl. Kartini No.26, Kartini, Jl. Kartini , Telp. 0435-25448 Telp. 0435-831117 Fax. 822905 Jawasir, Jl. Siswa , Telp. 0435-25448 YULIA Hotel, Jl. Ahmad Yani, Telp. 0435-828395 Podok Kasuari, Jl. S. Botutihe,Telp. 0435-25448 CITY Hotel, Jl. Ahmad Yani No. 26, Telp. 0435-821678 Pondok Pitate, Jl. Kasuari Telp. 0435-25448 GREEN Hotel, Jl. Gelatik No. 234, Telp. 0435-827287 Olivia, Jl. S. Botutihe, Telp. 0435-25448 HORIZON Hotel, Jl. Aloei Saboe No. 24 Regina, Jl. Ahmad Yani, Telp. 0435-25448 Telp. 0435 - 829738 Ester, Jl. Ki.H. Telp. 0435-823031 CITRA Hotel, Jl. Merdeka , Telp. 0435-821249 New Milad, Jl. Jamaluddin Malik ,Telp.0435-824275

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