Sightseeing Exkursions through the Minahasa Highlands (update on 27-1-2007) TOMOHON is the starting point for most excursions. But also because of its pleasant climate Tomohon is an ideal place of residence for tourists. Many inhabitants of Manado - if they can afford it - have their weekend house there above.
Pictures of our Trip through the Minahasa Higlands:With the following photos I would like to convey you an impression of our experiences:
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| Driving up from Manado to TOMOHON, a pleasant coolness greeted us there. However sometimes we got hot during the journey: When our bus driver cut the corner; and during the overhaul of other vehicles. If you want to reach one of the three reasonably priced Homestays, you must get out in the district "Kakaskasen II". From therE you go on a side road approx. 15 minutes until the end | In 2005 we stayed again
in the "New Volcano" because of its nice manager. Regarding
the condition of the cottages, however, we were disappointed
this time. In the evening we had our dinner à la carte in
the "LOKON VALLEY Homestay" opposite. Caution: Since they cook
extra for the guests, one should already order in advance in time. If you
hear something rustling in the room at night, then it is certainly
a rat, looking for something edible. So nothing to get excited about
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| On our walk on the interminably long main street of Tomohon these Minahasa warriors in their old battledresses came on the scene and posed for a picture. | The market
of Tomohon is just next to the
bus terminal. We did not accept the kind offer of this seller. We decided
in favour of fresh fruits as provisions for our day tours instead.
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| Look at the Lake Linow at Lahendong, a sulphurous crater lake whose colours shimmer in a changing green. | The floor simmers everywhere in this area: Hot water bubbles from the yellowish white earth and the air is filled with a strong sulphur smell. We had to walk here quite carefully because the ground is in places very brittle and the danger to scald our feet was very big. | |||||||||
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| Along our way to the "Waruga graves" in the village Sawangan we took in this waterfall (Kali Waterfall) | The road in this village was
lined by flower gardens. I never saw Bouganville blossoms in
such fullness and colour variety like here. The residents of this place
have specialized in the cultivation of flowers.
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| In these stone graves named "Waruga" the
deceaseds of the village of SAVANGAN became buried in
squating position. The reliefs show typical scenes from their life. By
the way also foreigners (e.g. Japanese and Spaniard) found their last
resting-place on this cemetery.
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| In 2001 I was
invited by an Indonesian friend into his native village TANAHWANGKO (approx.
25 km south of Manado). After I had enjoyed the hospitality of his family,
we still had a walk on the beach. Suddenly I was amongst high-ranking
personalities like mayor, chief constable of the district etc. as a German
guest of honour and was asked to deliver an adress. On this day the traditional outrigger race took
place, as a great event of the year.
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One could recognize at the enthusiasm of the young generation that a white tourist might only quite seldom go astray to this village. Yes, I had even the impression that, for these children, I represented a greater attraction than the real celebration cause, the race. | |||||||||
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| On the way back
to Tomohon we stopped in the famous WOLOAN Village.
Here the traditional Minahasa houses are produced in
prefabricated construction in various sizes and forms. This house e.g.
would already be awailable for € 5,000.
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| Near KARUMENGA I found a place, a little outside the village, where the residents, seperate according to sexes, take their hot bath. Since it was definitely the men's turn I could follow the invitation and join them. This village bathtub is a little pond fed by a hot source. The water enriched with soap and dirt drains away on the other side again. I was very lucky because, one usually shows the tourists only the public baths. | ||||||||||
