Page 72 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

North Sulawesi Overview
nnual temperatures range from 25 degrees to 28 degrees Celcius
although temperature decreases with altitude (approximately 1 degree
Afor every 200 meters above sea level). The dry season runs from April
until October and the rainy season from November to March. It is not only How to Get There
crops that flourish here – North Sulawesi also boasts numerous indigenous AIRPORT
species such as the ‘anoa’ (a dog sized, dwarf water buffalo), the tailless black
macaque and the tiny tarsier which, despite having huge eyes, only grows to
10cm.Tangkoko Nature Reserve and Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park also Dr. Sam Ratulangi International Airport on the edge
provide homes for many endemic bird species and the commonly seen giant of Manado City is the main entry point to North
fruit bat. Sulawesi (airport code MDC). International flights
arrive almost daily from Singapore and domestic
flights from Jakarta, Bali, Makassar and other major
Indonesian cities are frequent throughout the day.
Manado is North Sulawesi’s capital between the Dutch and the Minihasans Most dive operations will include airport transfers
city and it embodies diversity not only remained solid and earned the people in their package prices or provide them for a small
within its people but also its surrounding of North Sulawesi the name “Anjing surcharge.
landscape; just 25km from the heart of Belanda” meaning “Dutch Dogs”.
the busy, bustling and congested city you
can escape to picturesque towns such as Manado’s population is just under
Tomohon - nestled on a plateau between 410,000, 64% of whom are protestant
two active volcanoes where the air is cool and 31% Muslim, 4% Roman Catholic
and fresh; flowers and exotic plants grow and 1% practice Hinduism and Buddhism. N
in abundance and life is taken at a much In Manado churches appear all around
more leisurely pace. the city - religion here is important and
almost all Christian families belong to a
Historically, abundant crop and rice church and many small businesses still
supplies made Manado a strategic port close on Sunday mornings.
for European traders travelling to and
from the spice islands of Maluku. The Music is huge in North Sulawesi’s culture, N
Spanish built a fort in Manado much the people not only embrace modern
to the distaste of Manado’s rulers who music from pop and rock to country
sought help from the Dutch in Ternate classics but they also have a rich history
to overcome them. The Dutch obliged of traditional music and even have their
and took control of Manado in 1655, built own instruments such as the ‘kolintang’
a fort of their own in 1658 and the last which is a type of wooden xylophone. As
of the Spaniards were expelled shortly in most parts of the archipelago music
after. Dutch influence flourished in North would be nothing without dancing and
Sulawesi and the people embraced the the Minihasan traditional dances do not 1. Muka Gereja 8. Likuan 15. Jalan Masuk 22. Bulo
imported goods, culture and religion; In disappoint. The ‘Kabasaran’ is a traditional 2. Tanjung Kopi 9. Muka Kampung 16. Raymond’s Point 23. City Extra Kalasei
1881 missionary schools were created in war dance which expresses patriotism, 3. Mandolin 10. Pangalisang 17. Mike’s Point 24. Batas kota
Manado and these were the first attempts heroism and courage and is one of the 4. Ron’s Point 11. Bunaken Timur 18. Siladen 25. Termal
5. Fukui
12. Sachiko Point
19. Batu Kapal
at mass education in Indonesia. As anti- most impressive to watch as the men 6. Alung Banua 13. Barracuda 20. Tanjung Pisok
Dutch rebellions grew in Java the relations wearing red costumes with swords and 7. Celah Celah 14. Bango 21. Molas Wreck
shields leap and cry out to frighten their
enemies.

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