Text & Images from http://www.north-sulawesi.com/sul_info.html
MT. SOPUTAN
This active volcano is situated in Tombatu, about 60 km from Manado or 10 km walk from Toure village. Soputan, 1825 meters in height, is still active, often steaming and spewing volcanic ash. Trekkers will pass through plantations, as well as areas overrun with "Edelweiss" flowers, usually called "Bunga Abadi" or "Eternal Flower". Often times people choose to camp overnight in the Casuarina Forest before making the final ascent which begins at 4:00 AM.
Pinabetengan village, about 50 km from Manado , is the home to an ancient stone, shaped like a table. It measures 4 m long and 2 m high and is one of remnants left by the Minahasan Tribes where they negotiated the territorial division, unification, peace, and war against their enemies. Pictography carvings on the stone cannot be deciphered.
JAPANESE CAVES
These caves are located alongside the road between Kiawa and Kawangkoan, countryside villages about 45 km from Manado . The caves were built by the Japanese during the World War II primarily for storage.
LAPIAN - TAULU MONUMENT
This monument, located in Kawangkoan, 45 km from Manado , commemorates Bernhard Wilhelm Lapian and Charles Chus Taulu, the leaders in Peristiwa Merah Putih, February 14th, 1946 , which represented the heroic fight to defend the Republic of Indonesia . B.W. Lapian was also a religious hero who established KGPM (Kerapatan Gereja Protestan Minahasa).
IMAM BONDJOL MAUSOLEUM
This mausoleum, located 7 km from Manado , represents traditional Minangkabau architecture and honors Imam Bondjol, a national hero from Minangkabau in West Sumatera . He was a hero of the Perang Paderi (Paderi War) against the Dutch and was later exiled to North Sulawesi . He was born in 1791 and died in Lota Village , Pineleng in 1864.
Located in Kali Village , Pineleng, about 10 km from Manado , this natural 60 m waterfall is an ideal place to enjoy nature and fresh water pools at the base of the falls. It is easily reachable from Manado by public transportation followed by a short 30-45 minute hike past the village. Please read Tips for Excursions.
BOLAANG MONGONDOW
Bolaang Mongondow is the name of a district, which covers the highlands & lowlands between Minahassa and Gorontalo. The population is 411,086 (1996). Beside the legend of their origin, Bolaang Mongondow is renowned for their traditional ceremonies, which are unique and impressive and portray the process of human life from birth to adulthood. These celebrations are great tourist attractions that should not be missed. Another cultural attraction is the traditional dances, which have been preserved over time.
LAKE MOAT
This tranquil lake, about 23 km from Kotamobagu, situated in the highlands 1000 m above sea level, is surrounded by dense forests with abundant bird and animal life.
MOLOSING INDAH BEACH
This beach is 50 km from Kotamobagu, offshore from Motabang village on the tiny island of Molosing . This tranquil tropical island is pleasant for swimming, fishing, boating, as well as snorkeling. There is basic accommodation and restaurants.
MOUNT AMBANG
This impressive mountain is reached by passing through the coffee plantations between Modayag and Lake Mooat and is 27 km from Kotamobagu. This nature reserve offers a crater lake, unexplored forest and hot mud pools.
The National Park, 260 km from Manado, has a land mass of 193,600 ha, altitudes of 200 - 1,968 m and stretches from Dumoga in Bolaang Mongondow to Bone in Gorontalo. Its mountainous terrain and dense vegetation make it an ideal home for maleo birds, anoas, horn-bills, wild pigs, tarsius spectrum and giant fruit bats. Giant fruit bats were a new species discovered in 1992. The major reason for establishing this area as a National Park was to protect the watershed and stop deforestation. The World Bank has lent its support to this program. Much of the forest is at a comparatively low attitude and correspondingly rich in fruit bearing plants and trees, such as wild durians and wild nutmeg.
This district consists of 77 islands, of which 56 islands are inhabited. The population is 260,370 people (1996). Most of the people are involved in agriculture, which include coconut, vanilla, nutmeg, and clove. The islands are located north of the Sulawesi Peninsula , and south of the Philippines . The islands are divided into two main groups - Sangihe, consisting of the islands Sangir Besar, Siau, Tagulandang and Biaro; and Talaud consists of the islands of Karakelang, Salibabu, Kaburuan, Nanusa, Miangaas, plus many other small islands. The capital of Sangihe Talaud is Tahuna, which is located on Sanger Besar.
The airport located about 21 km from Tahuna is serviced by domestic airlines on an irregular basis. Please check with a travel agent. There are seaports in Tahuna, Siau, Tagulandang and Beo which are serviced by various ferries and local boats.
Sangihe Talaud is renowned for its magnificent white sandy beaches with amazing coral gardens as well as an underwater active volcano. It is also known for its beautiful dances with a variety of war dances and those re-enacting legends.
Traditional music of Sangihe Talaud consists of Oli-Oli and Musik Bambu.
Handicrafts from Sangihe Talaud include wonderful ebony carvings and beautiful fine embroidery from Batunderang Island in Sangir Besar.
THE KING'S PALACE
This is the old royal residence used during the period of the Tahuna Kingdom, Manganitu and Tamako. Inside the building you can still see relics of the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and Tagalog episodes. This is a definite must see.
THE OLD CHURCH
This church is located in Manganitu, Sanger Besar Island . It was built by Steyler, a German missionary in the last century. There is nothing left inside, however the building is still intact. There is a family gravesite on the property. Take a look, as it is one of the few historical sights in the islands.
Text & Images from http://www.north-sulawesi.com/sul_info.html
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