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. 

Indonesia – Beautiful Archipelago Country

Indonesia Archipelago lies between latitudes 11°S and 6°N, and longitudes 95°E and 141°E, in Southeast Asia region, between two continents, Asia and Australia and two oceans, the Pacific and Indian oceans. It is the largest archipelago country in the world with more than 17,508 islands and about 6,000 islands of them are uninhabited. There are 5 major islands, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan and Papua and also some archipelagos,  such as Riau Archipelago, Bangka-Belitung Islands, Maluku Archipelago and Nusa Tenggara Islands.

Indonesia is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Each island and archipelago in Indonesia has its own charm. The beauty of Indonesia is shown in its beaches and natural forests that have been the main attraction for travelers who want a beautiful atmosphere. The arts and culture is a magnet for the tourists who love the expression of soul. And friendliness of people make tourists feel welcome to enjoy the beauty of Indonesia.

Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia  and the sixth largest island in the world at about 480,847.74 km2. It is an elongated landmass spanning a diagonal northwest-southeast axis with the island chain of Simeulue, Nias and Mentawai bordering the southwestern coast and the islands of Bangka and Belitung at the eastern side.
In Sumatra you can pay a visit to Lake Toba in North Sumatra. This lake is a volcanic crater which erupted 75.000 years ago. The landscape is very beautiful with the island of Samosir in the middle. There are several other lakes in Sumatra such as, Lake Maninjau, Lake Singkarak, Lake Kerinci etc. You can also visit the Lagundri and Sorake on the island of Nias, an island in the western  of Sumatra. Sorake and Lagundri are known for very excellent waves for surfing. In West Sumatra, you can visit the town of Bukit Tinggi. There you will enjoy  a very beautiful valley scenery, Ngarai Sianok. If you like hiking, you can hike Mount Kerinci (3,805 ms) , the second highest mountain in Indonesia. You can also visit Weh Island, the most northwest island in Indonesia, to have a beautiful diving spot.

Java is the smallest island  but the most populous one in Indonesia. Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia,  is in this island. Although It is the center of government, business, finance and trade in Indonesia, there are also many attractions you can find here, especially in the “Old City”. You can also come to Bandung in the mountains of West Java. Bandung is known as the shopping city because there are a lot of shopping places. There are many tourist attractions in Bandung such as Mount Tangkuban Perahu and Kawah Putih (White crater). Formerly, Bandung had earned the nickname Parisj van Java.

 Take your time to visit Yogyakarta, a Sultanate that still stands to this day. You can visit the "Keraton", the palace of Sultan,  and Kota Gede as the center of silver craftsmen. Around Yogyakarta, there are many ancient Budhist and Hindhuis Temple, such as the famous Borobudur and Prambanan Temple. Do not forget to go to Mount Bromo while you are in Malang, East Java. Find a very beautiful sunrise there. And for those who love surfing, try G-Land, Banyuwangi or Panaitan Island, Banten. Beat the waves and enjoy the sunshine.


Kalimantan, formerly known as Borneo. In this island, Indonesia shares the land with other countries, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, at the north part.
For adventurers, Kalimantan will became a great experience. There are still a lot of dense forest. Although there already are quite a lot of highway, but the use of water transport is still very closely in daily life. No wonder, because in this island there are a lot of large rivers. On this island, you can visit the Orang Utan rehabilitation center in Tanjung Puting, where they will be trained to become wild again. You can also visit the floating market in Banjarmasin. For divers, try to dive in Lake Kakaban in Kakaban Island.  The lake is unique and there are only 2 in the world, while others are on the island of Palau, Micronesia Islands.


Sulawesi, known to the Portuguese as Celebes before, is an island which its shape almost like the letter of “K”. This island has dense forests and lot of them are still virgin. This will be a good choice for you who like adventuring.
When you travel to Sulawesi, do not forget to visit to Tana Toraja which is famous for their cemetery on the cliffs of stone. You will find a very unique customs there. Also visit Bunaken in Manado. Bunaken is one of the best dive sites in the world. Its underwater life is pristine and very beautiful. There are also Togian Islands, Banggai Islands and Wakatobi  Islands for the options for you to dive.

Papua Island, formerly known as Irian Jaya. This is the second largest island in the world after Greenland.
If you are an adventurer, then a visit to the island of Papua will be able to give you an great experience.
A lot of pure wilderness forests and beatiful virgin beaches are waiting for you. There are many wild predatory animals can be found there and also many tribes that still live isolated from the modern world.
If you love climbing, then Puncak Jaya is waiting to be climbed by you. It cannot be easy to climb since it has snowy peak. This snowy peak is unique and only 2 mountains in equatorial that have snowy peak, Puncak Jaya and Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately, the global warming starts to reduce the snow.
And if you like diving, then your place in the Raja Ampat Islands. Waters of Raja Ampat has a wealth of fauna and flora that are truly extraordinary. The researchers said that the waters of Raja Ampat is on the top position in terms of the diversity of marine life.

In the Riau Islands, you can visit the Island of Bintan. Bintan Island is known for its eco-tourism that encompasses exotic beaches, stunning landscape, aquatic life and nature's marvels. Or you Visit Penyengat, a major landmark of the Bintan Island, for its historical monuments and interesting relics of the past. Adjacent to the Riau archipelago, there are islands of Bangka-Belitung. Bangka island and Belitung Island are the two largest islands in this archipelago.
If you've read the novel Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops) by Andrea Hirata, then on the island of Belitung, the story began. In this island you will find a lot of beautiful and unique beaches such as, Matras and Parai Tenggiri Beaches. You can also find Tin Museum of Indonesia that will tell the story of the glory of Bangka and Belitung as a producer of tin in the past.

Maluku is a tropical paradise located in the eastern Indonesia. It consists of many  small and big islands, approximately 353 of them, which spread out surrounding the ocean and not all of the islands are inhabited. However, all of these islands offer magnificent tropical beach. White sand and clear water attract us to do a lot of exciting activities, such as swimming, sunbathing and diving. Well, Maluku is blessed with incredible sea gardens, idyllic, tropical beaches and rugged.
These are the famous ‘spice islands’ which drew Indian, Chinese, Arab and eventually European traders in search of cloves and nutmeg. Portuguese, Dutch and British competed to occupy Maluku Islands. And indigenous peoples struggling against the occupation.
Banda Islands, Halmahera Island, Ternate and Tidore, and also Ambon are a few attraction of Maluku Islands.

Nusa Tenggara Islands, located to the east of Java. Divided into two provinces, West Nusa Tenggara with 2 big islands of Lombok and Sumbawa, and Flores with 3 big islands of Sumba, Flores and Timor. However, there are many small islands in this archipelago.
Terawangan Gili, Gili Meno and Gili Air, Senggigi Beach, Moyo Island and Mount Rinjani National Park are some of attractions of West Nusa Tenggara. While, Mount Kelimutu, Alor Island, Labuan Bajo and Komodo island are become tourism spot in Nusa Tenggara Timur.
You can also enjoy the sensation of a liveaboard in this archipelago.

Bali Island, Indonesia's famous tourist spot and is one of the tourist destination for foreign tourists. The natural beauty, unique culture and beautiful beaches the main attraction of this island. There are many activities to do to spend your holiday on this island.

This is a glimpse of the tourist attractions in Archipelago of Indonesia, I'll tell you more about it. And hopefully could be a reference for you.