SULAWESI, Indonesia's fourth largest island, splays like a drunken spider on the seas between Borneo and Malukku. The long narrow arm of the mountainous northern peninsula contributes most to the island's contorted shape. The province of North Sulawesi occupies the majority of this strikingly beautiful peninsula and accounts for 13% of Sulawesi's 159,000 sqkm of land area. The island's physical beauty, with its forested mountains and stunning coral reefs, is surpassed only by its intriguing biology.

Here we find Asian monkeys sharing the forests with cuscus, pouched mammals of Australian origin. Throw in peculiar species such as the Babirusa, or "deer-pig", with tusks that curl upward through the snout and the maleo, a chicken-sized bird that incubates large eggs in hot volcanic soils, and we have a queer and unique mix.

"Wallace's Line" refers to the remarkable change in wildlife that takes place east of a line drawn between Bali and Lombok and between Borneo and Sulawesi. Many characteristic Asian animals like the great forest cats terminate their ranges on the west side of this line. Both the geographic region and the line are named for the famous English naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, who traveled to Sulawesi in the late 1850s. Wallace was the first to write about the unusual characteristics of the region's wildlife in his still fresh and insightful book The Malay Archipelago. A contemporary of Charles Darwin, Wallace independently and simultaneously developed the theory of evolution, his ideas were stimulated by what he encountered during his extensive travels in Indonesia. Wallace is considered the father of biogeography, the study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals. Although North Sulawesi is very different today than when Wallace first stepped ashore, it still holds much of the fascination that captivated naturalists almost 150 years ago.

Manado
This municipality is the capital and commercial centre, the main gateway to North Sulawesi Province. The land structure shows a morphology of wavy slopes and hills in the northern and central part of the city. The southern part is made up of the mountain foot of volcanoes in central Minahasa. The principal deep water port of northern Sulawesi, however, is at Bittung, about 48 km from Manado. This seaport carries trade between one island and the others, as well as with Singapore and the Philippines. For intercity road travelling it good, particularly the network linking Minahasa, Bitting, Bolaang, Mongondow and Gorontalo.
 
Bunaken
About half an hour by a motorized outrigger canoe from Manado, Bunaken island is a veritable paradise for snorkelers and scuba enthusiasts. The coral reef off Bunaken island is particularly good for that and shouldn't be missed while you're in this region. The drop off wall at Liang Cove is not only rare in the world, as it's described by international divers as being spectacular with caves, gullies, and caverns harbouring an immense wealth of marine life. The water averages a balmy 28 degrees C and visibility is sensational (over) 30 m. The Bunaken sea garden is rich with colourful tropical marine life.
 
Manado Tua Island
Manado Tua is the main island of its sister islands group: Bunaken, Siladen, Mantehage and Nain, situated just off Manado city in the Bay. The path to the top takes several hours to climb but the view takes in all the islands in the Manado Bay. Superb for snorkeling and skin diving, and ideal for corals and sponges. The beach is a mixture of white sand and coral formations. Beautiful reefs and coral gardens are also found around the islands of the northernmost tip of the Minahasa peninsula and along the east coast. The reef lines the coast of Tangkoko Batuangus in the area of a nature reserve. A permit should be obtained from Sub Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (Nature Conservation Office) in Manado, before heading for this reserve.
 
Tasik Ria
Tasik Ria is situated about 20 km southwest of Manado and has a beautiful sandy beach, with coconut trees. Ideal for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, diving and snorkeling. Tasik Ria seashore resort is completed by its four-star "Manado Beach Hotel" with 250 rooms, swimming pool, bar & discotique is a lush seashore resort. Easily reachable by public bus or taxi from Manado.
   
Watu Pinabetengan
A megalithic stone of the ancestors of Minahasa, its surface is covered with crude, mysterious live drawings and scripts which have never been deciphered. According to Minahasa history, this is the place where the ancestors first divided up the land among the people (Watu Pinabetengan means "The stone of discussion about the division"). The ruling was made in order to ensure a peaceful and harmonious life. Seven divisions were made amongst different areas of Tombulu, Tonsea, Toulour, Tontemboan, Tonsawang, Ponosakan and Pasan Ratahan. This is located in Tompaso, about 45 km from Manado.
 
Waruga
An ancient cemetery of Minahasan ancestors consits of 144 Sarcophagi, which is a remnant of the Megalithic age. It has a special historical value. Specific Sarcophagus known as "Waruga~ are unique square stones with holes in the middle and prism shaped lids. The artistic aspect of the Sarcophagus is known by the decorative sculpture and carving around the tombs and the lids with various motifs such as of human beings, plants, animals, and traditional geometrical motifs like clouds, strings curls, double braids. Located in Sawangan village, about 24 km from Manado.
 
Tangkoko Batuangus
A nature reserve on open grassland covered with a great variety of plants. Located on the slopes of mount "Dua Saudara", the area is composed of impressive green hills and valleys with amazingly scenic views of natural beauty. There are black apes, maleo birds, snakes, wild pigs, hornbills and rusa deer. Located north of Bitting, it covers on area of 3,196 ha. This nature reserve has several cottages and small restaurants nearby. It is only reachable by four-wheel drive jeeps from Girian village over a rough road.
 
Dumoga Bone National Park
Located on the border between two districts, approximately 260 km from Manado, this park covers Dumoga in Bolaang Mongondow and Bone in Gorontalo. Its mountains and hills covered by dense forests and vegetation make it an ideal reserve of rare and specific animal species like maleo birds, anoas, hornbills, wild pigs tarsius spectrums and fruit bats.
The rainfall favours a very rich flora. A entry permit should be obtained from Sub Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (Nature Conservation Office) in Manado. This National Park has several cottages and small restaurants nearby.
 
Lake Tondano - Remboken Tourist Sib
About 36 km southwest of Manado is lake Tondano, 600 m above sea level. The drive to Tondano passes through picturesque villages and clove plantations. Situated right on the edge of the lake is the Remboken Tourist site, an ideal place for water skiing, fishing, and boating. Bungalows, hot water swimming pool and restaurants are available.
 
Karumenga
Hot baths with water originating from hot volcanic springs attract people for relaxation and health reasons. Located in the village of Karumenga, Langoan, about 50 km from Manado.

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