Kotamobagu City

Kotamobagu City is a regional division of the Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi Province was officially established as an autonomous region through UU No. 4/2007 and launch on May 23, 2007.
Located in the middle of Bolaang Mongondow Regency, North Sulawesi Province, at between 0 ° 30'-1 ° 0 'north latitude and 123 degrees-124 degrees east longitude. So, Kotamubagu as a Municipality.

West side of the city is bordered by Passi Barat subdistrict, eastside is bordered by Modayag subdisctrict of East Bolaang Mongondow Regency. In the northside is bordered by Passi Barat and Passi Timur of Bolaang Mongondow Regency. And in the southern bordering with Lolayan subdistrict of Bolaang Mongondow Regency. 

Kotamobagu city is located on the equator, with tropical climate with two seasons namely dry season and rainy season. Rainfall is high enough that reach 2000 to 3000 mm / year, this is very beneficial for the agricultural sector.

The total area of  Kotamobagu is 184.33 km ² or 2% of the total land area Bolaang Mongondow

 Driving along the coast of North Sulawesi, has made Indonesia more beautiful. Along the coast to the city of Kotamobagu is not an easy matter. But the waving of the palms was so beautiful. After four hours of driving, we will arrive in the town of this beautiful valley of Ambang mountain, an active volcano in the Bolaang Mongondow Regency, which had previously been the parent of Kotamobagu city. Kotamobagu city was officially became an autonomous region separated from Bolaang Mongondow Regency on May 23, 2007.

You will be amazed when you see the city of Kotamobagu. This small town is like a 'city in the middle of the forest'. At night, this city is so light with all aspects of life like a metropolitan city, although the city was surrounded by forests and active volcanoes. Although the Kotamobagu city is just a small town with a population of about 120 thousands people, but the lives of its citizens are very dynamic and entertainer. Hence it is reasonable why a number of shopping centers stood there that made the economic activity continues to move from morning 'til night.

The beauty of Kotamobagu city is also as same as the girls there. The girls are beautiful. That's for sure, because the city of Kotamobagu certainly has Manadonese bloody race which has already known in this archipelago as the land of the 'goddesses'...hmmm....

Kotamobagu, a beautiful valley .... Most people who has visited this city will be agreed with this expressions. City of Kotamobagu actually was one of the oldest city in North Sulawesi Province, in addition to Manado, Bitung and Tomohon. So it is so natural if the economic acitivities there continues to growth. It was also natural if then the Kotamobagu City status rise up to became an autonomous city separated from Bolaang Mongondow Regency.

Bentor in Kotamobagu
(foto: detikFoto)

Kotamobagu city is also known as the city of 'bentor'. It's a unique vehicle. It is a motorized rickshaw. This vehicle is a modified two-wheel motor so it looks like a rickshaw. In Kotamobagu, bentor now amounted to thousands of vehicles and crowded the roads everywhere. Bentor even beat taxi (there is no taxi there) and even Angkot and has became major public transportation in the Kotamobagu City. Uniquely, bentor in Kotamobagu and Bolaang Mongondow was equipped with audio system such as a CD player or tape.

According to Assistant I of Kotamobagu city, actually, bentor was 'imported' from Gorontalo. When Gorontalo increased to became a new province, Gorontalo government made the rules to control bentor in Gorontalo. Because of this new regulation in Gorontalo, they moved to the City of Kotamobagu. Perhaps because there is no taxi, bentor become the main alternative to public transportation there, same with motorcycle taxi in several other cities in Indonesia.

Although bentor is the favorite vehicle of this city, but for the government think that bentor can make the city became 'slums'. But it's too late to disciplined, so it will take a long time to control it. "Slow down while learning what's best for the people who make a living through Bentor, especially Bentor more human than pedicab that use human power." Assistant's comments about this.

Matoa
(foto: Totabuan blog)

Kotamobagu is also known as city of matoa. When you visit Kotamobagu city, don't forget to taste this very delicious fruit: matoa. Matoa is not commonly found in all places. According to some information, Matoa is native to Papua. However these fruit also can be seen in North Sulawesi, especially Kotamobagu. Plants that have Latin name: Pometia spp (Pometia pinnata, Pometia coreacae, Pometia acuminata) has a sweet fruit and good to eat. It feels a bit like a mixture of fruit durian, longan and rambutan.
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So, if you are planning to go to Kotamobagu City, physically prepare yourself to travel for about 3 or 4 hours drive by car from Manado City. This is the only transportation. There is no airport there. But definitely, the fatigue you get as you arrived will be gone as soon as you see the beauty of this cool valley city.

You can check many tourism site of this City in here or Tourism Page.

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Tomohon City

 

Tomohon is a new city in the province of North Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara), Indonesia. Initially, Tomohon was a part of the Minahasa regency in North Sulawesi, and now as a Municipality in North Sulawesi beside Manado, Bitung and Kotamubagu.

Tomohon is known for flower planting at people's homes. Nearby is the mountain Gunung Lokon. Tomohon is known for wood house production, palm sugar (aren) production, vegetable agriculture, and as a centre of Christian ministry and as a student town.Tomohon also has a local TV station, TV 5 Dimensi, with services available to 2,5 million viewers in North Sulawesi.


Tomohon known as the City of Flowers is one of the most beautiful cities in Minahasa municipality of North Sulawesi Province and home to hospitable people. Naming Tomohon as 'The City of Flowers' is absolutely unmistakable.

Try to stroll arround the villages in Tomohon and notice that most of the houses has small beautiful garden full of colourful flowers. In fact, flowers and vegetables are extensively cultivated in Tomohon to meet the demands from hotels, restaurants, florists, etc, in Manado.
Located at an altitude of 650 metres above sea level, and blessed with fertile volcanic soil makes this area covered with lush vegetation and absolutely a perfect place to cool down after sunbathing and diving in Bunaken Marine Park.

Tomohon is also a great place for those who want to just relax after long flights and need to acclimatize before exploring Minahasa Highlands and the rest of North Sulawesi wonders. Tomohon is reachable within 45 minutes drive through a panoramic route from Manado the capital of North Sulawesi and approximately 1 hour from Sam Ratulangi Manado International Airport.

You can check many tourism site of this City in here or Tourism Page.

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Bitung City

Bitung is a city on the northern coast of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. It is in the province of North Sulawesi, and faces Lembeh Island and the Lembeh Strait, which is known for its colorful marine life, in particular sea slugs. Bitung has a population of more than 100,000. Bitung included in North Sulawesi's Municipality.

Bitung City was rewarded three times (2007, 2008, 2009) with the Adipura and Swastisaba as one of the most clean and healthy cities of Indonesia. Even being within the city center, you often have an excellent view of the volcanoes, the jungle of Tangkoko National Park, the famous Lembeh Strait and the ocean. Bitung has tens of kilometers of beachfront both on the mainland and the famous island of Lembeh. The 200.000 people living here are a mixture of different ethnic groups which may differ in culture and religion but live together in a very good harmony. Bitung is an excellent base for your holiday on North Sulawesi. You can find several hotels and 11 resorts in Bitung. Together they offer accommodation for all budgets. Many of them are having a swimming pool, spa and divecenter.

Although Bitung is a modern city in North Sulawesi with Internet Cafés and money machines, you still can find much of the traditional Indonesian life and culture if you look for it. Daily at the local markets and the nightly foodstalls and during events such as Tulude, the traditional thanksgiving day of the Sangihe people and the yearly celebration of the Minahasa tribes. Also during other events with some luck you can witness the traditional war dances Kabasaran, Cakalele, Maengket, Gunde and dances related to fishing and harvesting.
Often at the same events you can listen to the unique traditional bamboo music.

Lembeh Strait

In recent years, more and more divers have discovered the enormous diversity of underwater life of the Lembeh Strait. This stretch of sea is unique. Here you can find all sorts of so called critters on the typical black volcanic sand bottom, as well as beautiful coral gardens, walls and several wrecks. It is NOT unusual to see a number of different Seahorses, Frogfishes, Octopuses, Ghostpipefishes and countless Nudibranch in just one dive or even while snorkeling.
Lembeh Island

This 22 Km long green island offers unspoiled nature, both black and white sandy beaches and small friendly traditional villages. It can easily be visited by boat and there are very good hiking possibilities. The nature is very rich with birds, butterflies, tarsius, civet and lizards.
Beach

Bitung has so many beaches that even on Sunday when traditionally the Indonesian families enjoy themselves playing and swimming on the water front, you still can find a beach for you alone. The more popular beach are Pantai Tanjung Merah, Teluk Kembahu, Pantai Pasir Putih, Pantai Tangkoko and Pantai Batu Putih.
Tangkoko Nature Reserve
The nature reserve protects 8800 hectares of the most beautiful forested land remaining in Sulawesi. The reserve contains a full range of flora communities, including mangrove forest, beach forest, lowland forest, submontane forest and elfin cloud forest. Inhabitants are macaques, tarsiers, hornbills, Maleo birds. Various kinds of trip can be made in this park, such as 5km loop trail, 6km mountain trail, snorkeling and bird-watching in Batuangus cove and of course tarsier viewing.
Near the entrance of the park you can find three basic but clean comfortable homestay.

Zoo

If you want to have a closer look at the animals living in North Sulawesi and other part of Indonesia, it is worthwhile to pay a visit to the small zoo Naemundung in Tanduk Rusa or Tasikoki, the rehabilitation center for endangered species in Tanjung Merah. Both centers are nicely located at the seashore.
Monument of Interest

In Bitung and on Lembeh Island you can see many Churches, Mosques, and a beautiful Chinese Temple. Historical events are honored by several monuments such as the monument Trikora Mandala Sakti and the Japanese monument.
Transportation

1. Sea port: Pelabuhan Samudera Bitung, Pelabuhan Traditional Ruko, Pelabuhan Perikanan, Pelabuhan Ferry
2. Airport: Bandara Internasional Sam Ratulangi
3. Local: Mikrolet, Taxi, Bus, Ojek, Bendi

Distance from Bitung (Bitung is an excellent base for your holiday on North Sulawesi)
Manado International Airport 32 Km
Manado City 40 Km
Bunaken Island 50 Km
Minahasa highland 40 Km
Tomohon 50 Km
Waruga the ancient Sarcophagi 25 Km
Hotel in Bitung

1. Wisma Pelaut – Telp: +62438-36078
2. Nalendra Hotel – Telp: +62438-30403
3. Phoenix Hotel – Telp: +62438-30255
4. Fatamorgana – Telp: +62438-21227
5. Mandarin Hotel – Telp: +62438-30111
6. Crysant Hotel – Telp: +62438-31211
7. Bumi Nyiur – Telp: +62438-31004
8. Bitung Plaza – Telp: +62438-30183
9. Pondok Indah

Resort in Bitung

1. Divers Lodge Lembeh
   www.diverslodgelembeh.com info@diverslodgelembeh.com +62 812 4433754
2. Kungkungan Bay Resort
   www.kungkukungan.com resort@divekbr.com +62 438 30300
3. Lembeh Resort
   www.lembehresort.com info@lembehresort.com +62 438 30667
4. Sulawesi Dive Quest
   www.sdq-dive-lembeh.com info@sdq-dive-lembeh.com
5. Nomad Adventure Divers
   www.nad-lembeh.com Sandra@nad-lembeh.com +62 0813 56811228
6. Kasawari Lembeh Resort
   www.kasawari-lembeh.com klr@kasawari-lembeh.com +62 813 56557704
7. Bastianos Resort
   www.bastianos.com info@bastianos.com +62 438 5500223
8. Two Fish Divers
   +62 813 56218328
9. Black Sand Divers
   www.blacksanddive.com blacksanddive.com  +62 811437736
10. Benteng Resort
11. Mama Ross home stay in Tangkoko. Phone: +6281340421454
12. Tarsius home stay
13. Rangers home stay
    
    
    

    
    

    You can check many tourism site of this City in here or Tourism Page.

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Manado City

Manado (pronounced [mənado]) is the capital of the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. Manado is located at the Bay of Manado, and is surrounded by a mountainous area. The city has about 405,715 inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in Sulawesi after Makassar. The municipality of Manado is divided into nine districts: Malalayang, Sario, Wanea, Wenang, Tikala, Mapanget, Singkil, Tuminting and Mapanget. Manado City included in Municipality of North Sulawesi.



As the largest city in the region, Manado is a key tourist transit point for visitors. Sam Ratulangi International Airport of Manado is one of the main entry ports to Indonesia. In 2005, no less than 15,000 international passengers entered Indonesia via Sam Ratulangi International Airport.
Manado is also home to some of the biggest and most influential churches in the province, with many of them located along the iconic Sam Ratulangi Street. Ecotourism is the biggest attraction in Manado.
Scuba diving and snorkelling on the nearby Bunaken National Park, including the island of Bunaken are popular attractions.

Ban Hin Kiong Temple is another tourism spot in the city, especially during the Chinese new year celebration. Souvenirs shops are located on B.W. Lapian street.
Other places of interest are nearby Lake Tondano, Lake Linow, Lokon Volcano, Klabat Volcano and Mahawu Volcano.
Citraland, a wealthy suburb of Manado, is home to Asia's 2nd tallest and the world's 4th tallest statue of Christ (Christ Blessing Statue), and perhaps the world's first statue in the flying posture.
Wakeke Street, somewhere on the middle of the town, was resolved by the local government as culinary tourism area for tinutuan or bubur manado, that is manadonese porridge. One of Indonesia's only synagogues is in Manado City.

It is easy to find places to shop around Manado (as an icon of North Sulawesi Tourism), since many of the shopping malls are located on Piere Tendean Boulevard. There are four recent shopping malls there, namely Mega Mall, Manado Town Square, Boulevard Mall and IT Center. Traffic jam usually occurs at Piere Tendean Boulevard because of the existence of the shopping malls.

You can check many tourism site of this City in here or Tourism Page.

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