Culture Corner: Indonesia - Bunaken & Tomohon

Hello, and welcome to Part I of my photos from a two-week holiday in Indonesia. It's a huge country, of which I saw only tiny pieces. The photos here are from the northern part of Sulawesi, specifically the island Bunaken and a city on the “mainland” called Tomohon. Part II to come.

After a quick stop in Jakarta, it was to the air again to Manado for diving at Bunaken and exploration of Tomohon.  In the photo above, Bunaken island is located directly in front of the volcano.

With a few hours to kill in Manado before catching the boat to Bunaken, there was this delicious lunch of fried tuna in coconut and lemongrass sauce.

The public ferry to Bunaken had all manner of color.  Lacking basic infrastructure it's through the ferry residents have fresh water, fuel (for motorbikes, generators, and scooters), concrete, fruits, and tourists.

World-class snorkeling and diving are the reason to visit Bunaken, which I did almost everyday.   For those interested, almost every dive is a wall dive on the reefs that surround the island.  Here is a look up the wall.  

And looking down the wall...

And there are green turtles everywhere.

Life on Bunaken Island is simple and peaceful.  And while most Indonesians I met were quick to smile, I couldn't help but feel those on Bunaken smiled because they appreciated their simple, laid back life.

Main street on Bunaken island.

The Bunaken parking lot.

All in all I spent six wonderful days on Bunaken - everyday a beautiful sunset.

After Bunaken, I went back to the main island of Sulawesi to a small city in the highlands called Tomohon, home to Mount Lokon, an active volcano.

The hike to the caldera is on an old lava flow.

The caldera, smoking and stinking like sulphur.

In Tomohon one can also find Tekaan Telu Falls.  The would be viewer descending 850m in about 10 minutes to see the falls, they then need to ascend 850 meters to get back.  In 32 degree, humid heat, this was a short but intense hike.

I have seen a fair number of Buddhist temples in my life, but never one with a giant turtle, that is, until Tomohon.

After Tomohon, it was time to say goodbye to Sulawesi, and hello to Yogyakarta.  

Part II to come shortly.