Sulawesi Island, Indonesia

When I was a child, my mother taught me that the island that looks almost like the letter “K” is the island of Sulawesi. Until now I always remember that. Well, that's Sulawesi island with an unusual shape.

It has 4 penisulas, Minahasa Peninsula, East Peninsula, South-East Peninsula and South Peninsula. According to plate reconstructions, the island is believed to have been formed by the collision of terranes from the Asian Plate (forming the west and southwest), from the Australian Plate (forming the southeast and Banggai), and from island arcs previously in the Pacific (forming the north and east peninsulas). Obviously there has been a variety of serious tectonic activities millions of years ago, thus forming a shape like that.

Sulawesi is the eleventh largest island in the world. The apparition of the island is dominated by mountains. The highest peak is Mount Rantemario. Forests in Sulawesi are still quite dense and still poorly explored, except by local residents. And these forests are home to animals and plants. Especially mammals, there are 79 species that are endemic to Sulawesi, as anoa (dwarf buffalo), babirusa (long fanged pig), some primates and primate tarsier. There are also birds maleo, which is endemic, too.

Although there are many endemic species, actually Sulawesi is part of Wallacea, meaning it has a mix of species from Asia and Australia.

In addition to the unique shape and Sulawesi are also blessed by God with nature, population and unique traditions. Inhabited by various tribes, such as the Bugis, Toraja, Minahasa, Manado, Gorontalo, Sangir, Mongondow, Padoe, Buol, Tolaki, Buton and much more. Each with unique traditions. As well as with nature, where there are 8 national parks, 4 of which is Marine Park.

If you really like diving, Sulawesi has some beautiful famous marine park. Bunaken Marine Park in the Gulf of Manado, North Sulawesi, is a marine park that are well known to foreign countries and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will find a variety of coral reefs and marine life colorful and amazing.

Tomini Bay and Olele Beach, not far from the city of Gorontalo, also a dive spot known by many world class divers. Likewise with Togean Islands, which is also a national park. Marine park on the island is also very beautiful and diverse.

There is also the Wakatobi Marine Park which is widely recognized as having the highest number of species of coral and fish in the world. The islands are also famous as the largest barrier reef in Indonesia, second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

One of the unique cultures in Sulawesi, Toraja nobleman Funeral. This tradition of funeral is very spectacular and expensive. A large number, sometimes up to hundreds, buffalos are slaughtered and processed into fine dining for this ceremony which will take up to several days.

The funeral ceremony can be held for weeks, months or even years later, after someone dies. During that time, the family will gather enough money to pay for this ceremony. The most unique is the burial place. The body will be buried in natural or artificial cave in the rock cliffs. Then the cave will be closed with carved wooden statue as a symbol of people who have died.

Another unique funeral was in Sawangan, Tomohon, North Sulawesi. It is an ancient cemetery, known as the Garden Waruga, Sawangan.

Waruga are stone sarcophagi used by the Minahasa tribes to place their dead in a squatting position.

Based on local belief, these graves are made of carved stone that are shaped like a house, a tradition kept since 1600AD. The graves vary, depending on the profession or social status of the person buried.

There are 144 "dotu" or clans Gathered together at the park in Sawangan waruga.

There are many more uniqueness and beauty of the Sulawesi Island, such as the Kingdom of butterflies in Banti Murung, Lore Lindu National Park with its endemic  flora and fauna, an ancient megalithic relics in Bada Valley, the rare Black Orchid at Bancea Orchid Garden near Lake Poso,volcanic island Una-Una , Lake Tondano and others. All will provide a memorable vacation when you visit Sulawesi.