Welcome to Sulawesi~East Indonesia: March 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

INDONESIA

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Indonesia

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Indonesia is a land like no other. It is the largest island nation in the world, encompassing thousands of islands, each with its own unique culture. Naturally, a wealth of travel opportunities abounds.

Some 17.000 islands make up the Indonesian archipelago, a broken patchwork of rain forest and volcanoes, tropical beaches and near-forgotten names: Sulawesi, the spices islands. Populated by more than 207 million people, Indonesia is the world's fourth largest country and home to mankind's last remaining frontiers.

"Unity in Diversity" is the national motto of Indonesia, as there are over 360 separate ethnic groups, all with their own traditions. Remarkably these very diverse groups of people pull together to make their nation strong and cohesive. Indonesians are very proud of their country and heritage.

Their country spans from the western most island of Sumatra, all the way to the eastern most province of Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea. Many individuals do not realized that Indonesia actually comprises more area on the globe than the United States.

Beautiful girls dancing in colorful local dresses.

Beautiful girls dancing in colorful local dresses.

These many islands straddle the equator and offer some of the most compelling landscapes available to a voyager. Lowland swamps, immense volcanoes and crater lakes, vibrant waterfalls, tropical rain forests, terraced rice paddies, as well as exotic flora and fauna all add to the natural beauty found there. The main islands include Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara (which includes famous Komodo), Sulawesi, Kalimantan, the Moluccas and Irian Jaya.

Water sports are always an option in Indonesia and include river rafting, scuba diving, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling and more. There are also exciting one-of-a-kind opportunities, such as witnessing Komodo Dragons-the world's largest lizard; or visiting a traditional Balinese spiritual healer. Remember, Indonesia?s magic awaits your visit.

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Entry Formalities
All visitors to Indonesia must be in possession of a national passport valid for at least six months when entering the country. A 30 - day tourist visa is obtainable form any Indonesia Diplomatic or Consular mission, and may be used any time within 6 months of issue, good for one entry only. Visa - free entry for a maximum of 2 months with a confirmed onward passage is permitted for nationals of certain countries. Please check with nearest consulate. A special permit is required to visit the provinces of Irian Jaya.

Health
A valid International certificate of vaccination against smallpox, and inoculation against cholera and yellow fever is required only for travelers arriving from infected areas. It is recommended for passengers to equip themselves with tables for stomach upsets, such as vomiting and diarrhea and to avoid drinking unboiled water or ice from wayside stalls, while traveling. Antiseptic creams and insect repellents are useful, also antibiotics for infection, particularly respiratory infections. Common sense should be used when eating out. Please check with doctors for details of anti Malaria or other requirements.

Climate
Indonesia has only 2 seasons, the wet season from November to April and the dry from May to October. A tropical country, it is always warm in the lowlands or coastal areas, with temperatures ranging from 35 C to 27 C, dropping to 15 C or below in the highlands. Evenings in the warm areas are cooled by pleasant breezes, and in the mountain areas can quite cold.

Clothing
Dress is normally casual and lights for the hot humid areas. A long casual and light for the hot humid areas. A long-sleeved shirt is fine for evening wear, and for ladies a simple frock. Jacket is recommended when visiting mountain areas. Please observe local customs regarding dress.

Currency
Local Indonesian currency is known as Rupiah. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency which can be brought into or taken out of the country, with Indonesia being a free money market. Most foreign currencies and travelers cheques are easily changed. Larger hotels have banks or money changers in their arcades. Money changers and banks are easily found in major tourist areas. Credit cards are not widely accepted, except in first class hotels and some major souvenir shops. Cards most accepted are American Express, Visa, Bank card, and Diners.

Airport Tax
An airport tax is charged for International departure, domestic departure an varies from island o island.

Links for more Information about Indonesia

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Please Click "Email" For Making Reservation !

IQRA' Tour Organizer

Makassar - South Sulawesi
Indonesia

E~mail: Adventure.Sulawesi@yahoo.co.uk

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DESTINATION

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Sulawesi~East Indonesia

Destinations

Sulawesi

Sulawesi, the name conjures up romantic images of seafaring priates and Torajan princesses. Yet Sulawesi formerly known as Celebes, offers a variety of cultural riches extending far beyond its colorful past. Contained within its unusual shape lie volcanic mountains lush tropical forests, brilliant green rice terraces, and deep dark lakers, all bordered by pristine beaches and sparkling coral reefs. Ancient customs and practices of its multiple ethnic groups are blended into the daily lives.

South Sulawesi, from its fishing villages to its mountainous landscapes, this geographically and culturally divers area is the most fertile in Sulawesi, and has the densest population outside Java and Bali. Three of its four major tribal groups, the Buginese, Makassarese and the Mandarese have centuries-old reputations for seafaring fearlessness and skill, while the fourth, the Torajan, has perhaps the best known cultural rituals in Sulawesi.

Central Sulawesi, this landscape of striking contrasts with its

mountainous rainforests, and dry valleys provides

many surprises.

Ninety percent of Central Sulawesi's population dwells in

coastal areas, leaving the inland areas largely uninhabited,

and full of rewards for the adventurous. With its striking

beauty and not less than twelve ethnic groups speaking

around twenty-four different languages, Central Sulawesi

represents the ultimate Indonesian cultural experience in a

microcosm.

North Sulawesi, English naturalist, Alfred Wallace aptly proclaimed on this first visit to North Sulawesi in 1895 that the grandeur of its beauty surpassed his already-high expectations. Indeed, with the juxtaposition of its majestic volcanic peaks and unsurpassed coral reefs and beaches, North Sulawesi is one of Indonesia's most spectacularly beautiful areas.

Makassar

Makassar, is known as much for its colorful past as for its cosmopolitan present. Formerly called Ujung Pandang this major port was for 500 years a collecting point for the exotic goods of the East and the getaway to East Indonesia's famed "Spice Islands" Today, Makassar with the rich etnic diversity common to a coastel metropolis, has the feel of a great Asian city.

Wooden prahus still proudly grace the seafront, giving the city an oldworld charm. Food stalls, offering the dazzling and delicious variety of seafood for which the city is famous, line thewaterfont every evening for more than a kilometer. Day tripls offer a wide variety. Explore magnificent coral reefs located just off the coast. Prehistroic caves to the north of the city feature 5,000 year old wall paintings. Or take a trip to the former colonial resort town of Malino in the mountains to the east and wander at leisure.

Lake Poso

Lake Poso, Tentena, Pendolo, according to the legend Lake Poso is the pivot around which heaven and earth revolve. Indeed, located dead in the center of Sulawesi, the lake appears to be the force around which the pinwheel arms of Sulawesi turn. Rich in history and local legend, this area is fun to explore. Lake Poso, 37 kilometres long and 13 kilometres wide, offers rainforests, love and coffee plantations, and villages connected by lush green rice fields

Bira

Bira, for centuries the home of South Sulawesi's boat building. Bira still plays an important role in the sea-faring industry. Three harbors, two for prahus, and one for ferries, compliment excellent white sand beached with clear water for swimming. Daily ferries depart to Selayar Island, which was an historic trading center in the 14th century. Home of lovely beaches, it also boast a 2000 year old Vietnamese Dong Son drum.

Togian

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Togian, located in the heart of the Tomini Gulf. Reachable from Ampana or Gorontalo. To get really off the beaten trek hop on one of the small boats running between Ampana and Gorontalo with stops on the way at the islands Bomba, wakai, Ketupat and Dolong The Togian Islands are also unusual in being surrounded by all major types of coral reef environments.

Toraja

Toraja, located in the ruggedly beautiful mountains approximately 310 kilometers north of Makassar, Tana Toraja is a land of contrasting sights, blue mountains next to vivid green rice fields, interspersed with distinctive sloped-roof houses Life here follows the familiar patterns of the past. Its most important and best-known event is the funeral, a complex and fascinating affair involving several days of ceremony. As a final rite Tau Tau effigies, are constructed and placed in ledges cut into limestone cliffs specifically to guard tombs chiseled into the rock behind them.

Sengkang

Sengkang, the capital of a former Bugis kingdom, this historic and bustling market town overlooking Lake Tempe retains its traditional character, as well as many old cultural traditions, silk weaving, colourful bugis weddings-celebrated, according to Ancient customs, dance, and a traditional orchestra.

Mamasa

Mamasa, is a cool mountain resort, with numerous hot springs nearby. There are interesting walks among the rolling hills, rice terraces and villages. Mamasa is still very much the way it always was. A more rugged version of Toraja.

Palu

Palu, the city of Palu, a fast growing provincial capital located at the foot of Palu Bay, serves the perfect place from which to plan treks into Central Sulawesi. In the ancient and picturesque port city of Donggala, local weavers create kain Dongalla, an exquisite dark silk cloth, using the rare double-ikat method. The area also offers good swimming, fine diving and endless groves of clove trees

Manado

Manado, has a reputation for spectacular beauty. Three volcanoes tower over the city, and much of the surrounding area has been set aside for a nature reserve, including the crystal-clear waters of Bunaken Island, off the north coast of Manado.

Please Click "Email" For Making Reservation !

IQRA' Tour Organizer

Makassar - South Sulawesi
Indonesia

E~mail: Adventure.Sulawesi@yahoo.co.uk

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DIVING

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Diving

The possibilities for those seeking fun in the sun while enjoying their favourite watersports in Sulawesi are almost endless. For divers and snorkellors, depending on where you go and what's your pleasure, there are a variety of locations at various levels of developments from which to choose.

Beautiful sea and lakes to dive and snorkel in, underwater parks, beautiful coral reefs, fishes and maybe even dolphins!

Manado, Bunaken, the Bunaken Underwater Park of the coast of Manado in North Sulawesi is generally out of the way form most tourists, but a visit to the area can be rewarding underwater experience. The island of Bunaken with its sea gardens in Teluk Liang cove offers spectacular reef formations and enormous variety of marine life.

Tukang Besi Islands, Wakatobi, a remote Indonesian archipelago Southeast of Southeast Sulawesi. Four major islands covering an area of 821 sqkm (Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, Binongkoko) Several reef areas, small atolls and coral islands belong as well to the same area, tith a total population of 80'000. The coral reefs of the Tukang Besi Islands are off the continental shelf and drop offs extend mostly to more than 600m. Beside very good visibility, the coralscovering hundreds of kilometer of shore lines and barrier reefs.
For more information, visit www.tukangbesidiving.com

Beautiful sea to dive and snorkel in, underwater parks, beautiful coral reefs, fishes and maybe even dolphins!

Togian Islands, an unexplored area in the heart of Tomini Gulf. The area contains an amazingly unique variety of corals. Around the islands are many spo reefs and atolls that surface from considerable depth. Here in a infinite variety of tropical fish, is possible get breathtaking contacts.

Selayar Dive Resort, the island selayar is a narrow island rising 4000m from the bottom of the Banda sea, full of caves, waterfalls and untouched nature. Selayar also means world class diving, private beach, house reef, desert beaches, drop offs and big fish. 4 hours drive from Makassar. Onwards 2 hours by speedboat to the resort.

Boat Rental Phinisi

Have you ever dreamed what you would do on a deserted island. Have you ever dreamed about sailing on a pirate ship around crystal clear waters!!! Who would you want with you, what would you love to eat, what special fantasy can you dream up!

The truth is we can give you access to numerous completely deserted islands. You can pick your place from the charts; we will land you on shore with chairs, umbrellas, cold drinks/food, and a handheld radio. You decide how long you stay and what you want to do. Provide the dream and we will insure the details.

This may sound too good to be true but it is both possible and easy to access!!!! The Bugis Pirate Ship "Tidak Apapa" wants sailors with dreams to come and explore/adventure with us!!! Located 1 hour flight from Bali in the port city of Makassar, South Sulawesi, you will be on the boat and looking at islands within 1 hour of landing.

If Scuba Diving is your dream we are ready to please. Kodingareng Keke is our nearest jewel, 10 km. from the city, with great diving. Kapoposang is rich in diversity with dramatic steep walls. Turtles, Mantas, even the occasional Silvertip Shark (yes I said silvertip) are there. Taka Bakang is an Atoll 60 miles offshore with a Submarine wreck. Do not forget the fishing is as great as the diving.

Sample 3 Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive and be picked up at the airport and transfer to the boat. We will sail directly to Pulau Kudingarenkeke. We will barbecue on the beach and begin our relaxation. Sunset and stargazing is the Captains orders. If arrival time permits we will begin our diving adventure. Night diving is also available.
- Day 2: Early morning arrival at Pulau Kapoposang. This is the diving jewel of Macassar. We will dive till we drop and those that do not dive will swim, sun, and snorkel on the beautiful white sand beach. We will eat on the boat and again enjoy a flaming sunset and brilliant starlights. "Captains Orders'
- Day 3: Sail to Pulau Badi and enjoy a deserted island to ourselves. Again we will dive if desired and travel plans permit. Sail back to Macassar with the afternoon breeze under the black sails of the Bugis Pirate Ship. Transfer available to the airport or hotel.

Sample 5 Day Itinerary
Same as the above however we will sail north of Kapoposang to pristine sand spits with dramatic wall diving. Beach combing and relaxing will be the orders while the adventurous dive where few have ever been. We will have the flexibility to stay in Kapoposang for 2 consecutive days or go and come back before we head to Pulau Badi.

Sample 7 Day Itinerary
After Day 1 on Kudingarenkeke we will sail out to sea to the Taka Bakan Coral Atolls. This is the site of a great submarine wreck and steep wall diving. We'll anchor overnight and continue our diving adventure. The following night we will depart for a midnight sail to Kapoposang and continue the 5-Day Itinerary.