Manado Off The Beaten Path

The highest volcanic mountain in Sulawesi. It's climbable but we did not do that as there're small kids in the group. Anyway, it's a good view. Strangely covered by clouds in the morning and clear in the afternoon.

Danau Tondano is located in Tondano, the capital of Minahasa, the highland, around an hour drive from Manado. There are some good restaurants at the lakeside, but Danau Tondano Restaurant is the best one for me (many palm trees at the entrance gate). During the Independence Day weekend, the exhibition will be displayed there and the delighted colorful lights will be along the lake side on Christmas to New Year.

You will reach Kotamobagu by 3 hours ride from Manado and it will take around 30 minutes more to reach Bakan. It is the hot water spring area with three swimming pools. You will see great view of rice farm and coconut tree on the way to reach there. It is not worth though to go for 3 hours ride from Manado just to see Bakan alone. It was a good tourism site before but not maintained well. Many trash on the site, and the hot water spring gazebos are broken down and becoming dangerous for a visit.

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World famous for its macro life, this is most probably simply the best place in the world for macro photography! Lembeh plays host to a cornucopia of weird and wonderful creatures to be found here and here alone. Seahorses and nudibranchs are in abundance at the shallow black sandy slopes. Then there are the Inimicus devilfish, dwarf lionfish, scorpionfish, pufferfish, octopus, pegasus sea moths, frogfish, ribbon eels and flying gunnards.

Truly a one-off opportunity for all photographers and anyone looking for the unusual and unseen. You are sure to see something that you have never seen before, no matter how experienced you are. The Lembeh Strait also contains WWII shipwrecks at "diveable depth", waiting patiently for the adventurer to explore.

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It is located in Kali village, just outskirt of Manado.You can go with public transportation from Karombasan terminal, ask for microlet going to Kali.It will be near to Tomohon and Tondano buses terminal.The entrance of the village will be a statue of Tuanku Imam Bonjol on Manado-Tomohon Road.It will take around 15-20minutes to the Kali.You can go by taxi or the microlet and you can just ask the driver`s direction to the waterfall.The local people will be very happy to accompany or show you the way to the waterfall.The stairs path to the waterfall is nice but it will be slippery.Bring water with you and toilet paper.Everything is wonderful there but the toilet!!!!Well,common weakness for all the tourist spots in Indonesia.You will see first 2 waterfalls at the bottom.It will take around 20-30minutes by walk.You will find other 3 waterfalls, quite far from the first two.All you have to do is climbing other stairs to go there,around 15-20minutes by walk.Nice place to visit though you have to have more energy to walk to the destination.

I was lost trekking up Mt. Lokon and was finding my way back to the base of the mountain slope when I came across James and his wife tendering their small plot of carrots.

I took a rest while he gave me direction as to how I can get to the top of Mt. Lokon.

They may have little in terms of material wealth, but through my conversation with them I see that they were rich beyond many city folks that I have met.

I think of them, whenever I need to keep a balanced perspective towards life.

Mountain side village at the foot of Mt Lokon.

I just love that layback village atmosphere. Even the dog can afford to layback in teh middle of the road. The only traffic heading his way is a bullock cart, a sand wedge distance away.

No, I don't want you to do anything illegal. But if you like to walk, hike or run through beautiful surroundings, you should join the Manado Hash Harriers and Hariettes in their two-weekly hash.
The Hash-group of Manado is a mixture of man, woman, locals and expats of all ages. Usually they have set out two different tracks: a run for the more experienced people and a kiddy-run (not only for kids).
I reccomend you to do the kiddy-run if you're not used to the climate yet. Usually you walk in a group and you will have to find your own paper-trail. Sometimes you will have to walk down rivers to get across them, so wear old comfy shoes and cloths.
After the run there usually is a small gathering with silly songs, strange rules and lots of Bintang (local beer) if you don't know the rules. If you don't have a sense of humour, please stay away.
You can get an info-flyer at the Green Garden Restaurant (jl Sam Ratulangi) or ask the manager at the Ritzy Hotel (Ruben Simon).