Hotels in Makassar Toraja and Manado
Hotels cottages villas South and North Sulawesi and more ....home

Toraja is known for it's unique tradition especially the way they burry the dead, and the oversized feasts slaughtering dozens of buffalos. This feast usually take place during July to August, when all Torajan outside their land will be back home to participate in the festive season. The festival is basically a worship of the ancestors which is believed still be able to affect human life. The close affinity among Toraja people has made the social life in the area are homogenous in all aspect of life from housing architecture, rituals and most sight of daily life. Although Christianity and Moslem have been here for years, but the Toraja still maintain their heritage from their older generation.

Makassar or known also as Ujung Pandang is the capital city of South Sulawesi and has been the main port for east Indonesian trade since 17th century. Travellers visiting the city are motly businessmen or transit on their way to Toraja Land. Makassar or Ujung Pandang was the biggest kingdom in East Indonesia since 16th century, which was comparable only with the kingdom of Bali in 16th century. The population of South Sulawesi is known for its seafaring sail and is called Bugis ethnic.

Manado is the capital city of North Sulawesi, where their population are Christian in majority. The interest of North Sulawesi that makes Manado become well known world wide is the beauty of under water life, especially the water around the island of Bunaken and its small island around it. The variety of marine life in the sea has been well known since the turn of 20th century, beside the nature of the island also has not less interesting with the beauty of the ever green with its hundreds of small island surrounding the area. The resident of North Sulawesi is known as the Minahasa.

Indonesia Archipelago a country consists of more then 13.000 islands, and 2 million wide of land and 5 million including sea.
Climate and Season throughout Indonesian Island, two seasons are known on all the regions with small variation between them.
Customs and Immigration Short guide to the procedure and regulation, useful information for those applying visa.
Bahasa Indonesia short greeting and usefull pharase of Bahasa Indonesia for the important moment and places.
Indonesian Main Culture among 250 local languages and dialect a clear description has been laid out.
HOTELS IN MAKASSAR TORAJA AND MANADO
TORAJA LAND
Aston Misiliana Hotel US$ 60/r/n
Indra Hotel US$ 28/r/n
Heritage Toraja Hotel totally has 91 traditional Torajanese Bungalows. Each room at Heritage Toraja Hotel is equipped with private terraces overlooking the majestic
Marante Hotel US$ 50/r/n
Sahid Toraja Hotel US$ 50/r/n

MAKASSAR CITY
Imperial Aryaduta Makassar totally has 230 Deluxe and Suite are equipped with private bathroom with hot and cold running water, air conditioned, IDD phone, color TV, writing
Pantai Gapura Hotel has Luxury Cottage Room equipped with air conditioning, Satellite TV, IDD telephone, well-stocked mini bar, room safe, private terrace, luxury bathtub and shower
Singgasana Hotel US$ 70/r/n

MANADO CITY
Manado Beach Hotel US$ 90/r/n
Sahid Manado Hotel US$ 55/r/n
Hotel Santika Manado offers 101 guest rooms including 48 well-appointed Superior rooms, 24 Deluxe rooms, 28 spacious Cottage and 1 (one) exceptionally spacious
The Ritzy Hotel offers 207 room included 8 suites. All rooms at The Ritzy Hotel are equipped with : Individual controlled air-conditioning, Remote controlled television, IDD/STD telephone, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, Bath and Shower, Hair dryer
Bali Hotels by Area
Batam Selected Hotels
Bandung Hotels List
Balikpapan Hotels List
Borobudur Temple Area
Banyuwangi Hotels
Gili island Hotels
Jakarta Selected Hotels
Manado Selected Hotels
Makassar City Hotels
Medan - Padang City Hotels
Senggigi Lombok Hotels
Surabaya City Hotels
Solo Selected Hotels
Yogyakarta City Hotels
Orangutans Bohorok Sumatra
Orangutans Camp Leaky Borneo
Komodo Dragon Expedition
Flores Island of Hobbit 3-lakes
North Sumatra Island Tours
Java Island Tour Selection
Bali Island Rich Culture Tours
Lombok the Sister Island of Bali
Toraja Land South Sulawesi
West Papua Adventures

Below list selected budget and cheap hotels in some big cities of Indonesia. The selected list only give an idea, yet real choice are available on request.

Medan North Sumatra
Jakarta the Capital city
Bandung West Java
Yogyakarta Special District
Surabaya Port City
Travel to Australia - Bali - Indonesia - Czech Republic - Egypt - China - France - Germany - Holland - India - Italy
Japan - Poland - Russia - Singapore - Spain - Thailand - Turkey - UK - USA
travel01 travel02 travel03 travel04 travel05 travel06 travel07 travel08 travel09
SOUTH & NORTH SULAWESI

The province of South Sulawesi comprises the narrow south-western peninsula of this orchid-shaped island which is mainly mountainous. The seafaring Bugis dominate the southern tip, whereas the northern part of South Sulawesi is inhabited by the Torajas whose unique culture rivals that of the Balinese. The capital city of South Sulawesi is Ujung Pandang was formerly Makassar. Ujung pandang nowdays as the gateway to eastern Indonesia, due to its chief trading port. Beside international trading port, there is traditional Bugis vessels have sailed to as far as the Australian coast. The southern part of Ujung Pandang now developed for water sports activities and further north through rugged country is famous Toraja Land (Tana Toraja) as the land of the heavenly kings. The Torajas have a unique culture based onanimistic beliefs. Toraja land well known for its grand burial ceremonies on cliffs or hanging graves, they practice an ancestral cult even today wheredeath and afterlife ceremonies are great feasts when buffaloes are sacrificed in the final death ceremony, after which the declarer's remains are placed in a coffin and interred in caves hollowed out in high cliffs. The mount of the cave is guarded by lifelike statues, looking out from a balcony. When long drive from Ujung Pandang to Toraja Land the mountains offer a fantastic panorama of natural beauty. South Sulawesi is also known is for its silk industry and silverwork whereas its economy is based on agriculture. Ujung Pandang is easily accessible by air. There are several daily flights from Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya and Manado.
Places of interest :
Fort Rotterdam (Benteng Ujung Pandang) facing the sea front as the Landmark of Ujung Pandang built in 1545 during the reign of Tuni Pallanga, the 10 Sultan of Gowa.
Poetere Anchorag, located on the outskirts of Ujung Pandang, poetere is where sailing boats and other small vessels anchor to unload their cargo.
Samalona island, just across the harbor of Ujung Pandang which has been developed into a pleasant recreational resort. It can be reached by boat within 45 minutes and has simple accommodation.
Sungguminasa, about 11 kms from Ujung Pandang formerly the seat of the king of Gowa.
Tomb of Sultan Hasanuddin. Sultan Hasanuddin (1629-1690) was famous for his exceptional bravery in his straggled against Colonial encroachment in South Sulawesi. His tomb and those of other king of Gowa are located in a secluded cemetry not far from Sungguminasa, 8km from Ujung Pandang.
Malino, located 70 km from Ujung Pandang offers a haven from city life.
Bulukumba, where you will find white sandy beaches at Bira, 178 km from Ujung Pandang to the south. Traditional ship building is also located at this place, not far from here the visitors can cross to the island of Selayar.
Goa Mampu, the largest cave in South Sulawesi, the legendary cave of Mampu is about 140 km from Ujung Pandang.
Bantimurung, located to the noth of Ujung Pandang, Bantimurung about 41 km from Ujung Pandang. Here the air is filled with butterflies which fly from shrub to shrub over the water. These rare brightly colored ornithoid butterflies are considered the most beautiful in the world.
Goa Leang-Leang is now declared an archeological site, these prehistoric caves have strange rock carving of hands and a wild pigs, believe to be 5000 years old.
Pare-Pare is the best place for stop and having lunch when doing the journey from Ujung pandang to Toraja land or reverse.
Sengkang is the capital town of Wajo regency is well known for its silk weaving and the center of Buginese silk. Here we can enjoy the view of Tempe Lake is one of the tourist resort at Sengkang.
Soppeng is located 240 km to the northeast of Ujung pandang well known for its silk industry.
Toraja Land (Tana Toraja), around 328 km from Ujung Pandang within 8-9 hours drive from Ujung pandang the capital city of SouthSulawesi. Toraja Land well known for its unique culture and ancient traditions. Rantepao is the center of tourism in Toraja Land. From Rantepao, side trips can be made to Kete, a traditional village where there are handicraft and unique shops, behind the village there is a grave site on a hillside. Two cliff graves easy to reach are Lemo and Londa. Palawa is traditional village with its Traditional Tongkonan houses.
Enrekang about 236 km to the north of Ujung Pandang where you can see beautiful landscapes at Bambapuang as the best place for having refreshment when doing journey from Ujung pandang to Toraja land or reverse. Polewali-Mamasa is the capital town of Polmas regency located 246 km north of Ujung pandang, inhabited by Mandarnese, Buginese, Torajans and Javanese ethnic groups.
Hotels in Ujung Pandang - South Sulawesi.
Marannu City Hotel, located in Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin no3-5, Ujung pandang.
Makassar Golden Hotel, located in Jl. Pasar Ikan no 52 Ujung Pandang.
Makassar City Hotel, lcoated in Jl. Khairil Anwar no 28 Ujung pandang.
Hotel Marjan, located in Jl. Mesjid Raya no 84 Ujung Pandang.
Losari Beach Hotel, located in Jl. Pasar Ikan No. 1 Ujung Pandang.
Hotels in Rantepao - Toraja Land, South of Sulawesi.
Aston Misiliana Hotel, located in Rantepao Toraja land.
Rantepao Lodge, located in Jl. paorura Toraja Land
Marante Highland Hotel, Toraja land.
Sahid Toraja Hotel, Toraja Land.
North Sulawesi is the most developed region on Sulawesi island that inhabited by four largest ethnic groups, they are the Minahasans, Bolaang Mangondow, Gorontalo and Sangihe Talau group, but there are many more dialects and subgroups. In 16th century at the first contact with europeans northern Sulawesi had strong links with the Sultanate of Ternate northern Maluku and Bugis traders from Southern Sulawesi. The region is very rich and the most prosperous in Indonesia because of its local products such as cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, coffee and coconuts. Therefore Indonesia government really focus to develope infrastructure is probably the best in Indonesia and export demand for its local products. The most interesting places around North Sulawesi is city of Manado is one of the pretties city in the east as described by naturalist of Alfred Wallace. Manado as the provincial capital is very clean, confident and cosmopolitan with the highest standard of living in the eastern Indonesia. Manado is the main gateway to north Sulawesi province. The land structure shows as 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 Bitung about 48km from Manado. This seaport carries trade between one island and the others as well as with Singapore and the Philippines. For intercity travelling the road are good, particularly the network linking Minahasa, Bitung, Bolaang Mangondow and Gorontalo. Along Jl. Sam Ratulangi the main road running north-south, you'll find upmarket restaurant, hotels and supermarkets. Jl. Piere Tendean is slowly changing with new breakwaters and dive centers. Bunaken is around 1,5 hours by motorized outrigger canoe from Manado, Bunaken island is a veritable paradise for snorkelers and scuba diving. The coral reef off Bunaken island is particularly good for that and shouldn't be missed while you are in this region. The drop off wall at liang cove is rare in the world, as it's described by international divers as being spectacular with caves, gullies, and coverns harboring an immense wealth of marine life. The water everages a balmy 28o Cand visibility is sensational over 30m. The Bunaken sea garden is rich with colorful tropical marine life. Manado Tua Island is the main island of its sister island group : Bunaken, Siladen, Mantehage and Nain, situated just off Manado city in the bay. The path to the top take several hours to climb but the view takes in all the islands in the Manado bay. Superb for snorkelling 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 northern most tip of the Minahasa peninsula and along the east coast. The reef lines the coast of Tangkoko Batuagus in the area of a nature reserve. A permit should be obtained from the sub Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (Nature Conservation Office) in Manado before heading for this reserve. Tasik Ria is situated about 20km southwest of Manado and has a beautiful sandy beach with coconut trees. Ideal for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, diving and snorkelling. Tasik Ria seashore resort has a four stars Manado Beach Hotel with 205 rooms, swimming pool, bar and discotique is a lush seashore resort. Other recommended hotels in Manado such as : Sahid Manado Hotel, Santika Manado and the Ritzy Hotel Manado. Tara-Tara is located 15km further southwest from Tasik Ria where you can find traditional village as the center of Minahasan culture and arts. Watu Pinabetenga where you can find a megalithic stone of the ancestors of Minahasa. Tangkoko Batuangus is located on the slopes of mount Dua Saudara as a nature reserve an open grassland covered with a great variety of plants. Here you can find black apes, Maleo Birds, Snakes, Wild Pigs, Hornbills and Rusa deer. Dumoga Bone National Park is around 260 km from Manado. At this park you can find specific animal species like Maleo Birds, Anoas, Hornbills, Wild Pigs, Torsius Spectrums and fruit Bats