Are you thirsted for visiting complete marine tourist objects in a one place, so you don not need to wander from one place to another? Bunaken Marine National Park is the right answer. Bunaken National Park is located at North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The natural beauty and marine diversity of Bunaken Sea Park in North Sulawesi have long been admired by marine lovers from all over the world, including divers, surfers, tourists through to marine biodiversity researchers!

The Bunaken National Marine Park was officially established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia's growing system of marine parks. The park covers a total surface area of 89,065 hectares, 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists. The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and harbor some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Pick any of group of interest - corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken. The park has around 70 genera of corals; compare this t oa mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found.

Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park.

Biologists believe that the abundance of hard corals is crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. Hard corals are the architects of the reefs, without them, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals (folious, branching, massives, etc.) for shelter and egg-laying. Others, like the enormous Bumphead Parrotfish, Balbometopon muricatum, are "coralivores" and depend on hard corals for their sustenance. Bony mouth parts fused into an impressive "beak" allow these gregarious fish to crunch corals like roasted peanuts.

Some 20,000 people live on the natural resources of Bunaken National Marine Park. Although there are inevitable conflicts between resource protection and use by people, the Indonesian government is taking a fairly unusual and pragmatic approach to park management. The idea is to promote wise resource use while preventing overexploitation. Local communities, government officials, dive resort operators, local nature groups, tourists and scientists have played an active role in developing exclusive zones for diving, wood collection, fishing and other forms of utilization. If successful, Bunaken Marine Park will stand as an important example of how Sulawesi, and the rest of Indonesia, can work to protect its natural resources.

Bunaken National Park Entrance Fee
All visitors to the Bunaken National Park (divers and non-divers) are required to pay an entrance fee, in accordance with North Sulawesi Provincial Government Provincial Law Number 9/2002. The entrance fee for foreign visitors is Rp 50,000 per daily ticket (approximately US$6), or Rp 150,000 (approximately US$17) for a waterproof plastic entrance tag valid for the full calendar year.

Entrance tags and tickets can be purchased direct from all NSWA members, or from ticket counters on Bunaken Island and on Siladen Island. They must be carried at all times that guests' are within the park boundaries, and tags can easily be affixed to guests' diving or snorkeling gear or on backpacks. Enforcement of the entrance fee system is conducted via spot checks by park rangers on land and at sea.

The entrance fee system has been adapted from the well-known Bonaire Marine Park system, and the proceeds from the sales of the entrance tags are managed by the Bunaken National Park Management Advisory Board (BNPMAB), a multi-stakeholder board that NSWA is a member of. The system has been very successful in raising over $250,000 for conservation programs in the Bunaken Marine Park since its inception in 2001.

Accommodation and Transportation
On the island you have the choice amongst a number of homestays, with rates starting at around Rp. 50 000 per day and person incl. fullboard. If you only go for the cheapest option don't complain afterwards if the water in your mandi (bathroom) doesn't get filled up regularly, or food isn't quite as nice as you had hoped for. Life in North Sulawesi in general isn't as cheap as in other regions of Indonesia, and most things on Bunaken have to be brought in from Manado. Depending on the season even fish can be pretty expensive. Better think twice before you try to bargain down prices which are already cheap; for the locals it could mean the difference between being able to eat 3 or only 2 meals a day, or buying school books for the children or not.

Some of the dive operations on Bunaken are offering more upmarket accommodation with running water ((Living Colours) and even hot showers (Cha Cha Nature Resort).

Bunaken's much smaller neighbour Siladen only offers few accommodations. Most popular among budget travelers seems to be Martha's Homestay.

The most upmarket resort within the boundaries of the Bunaken National Park is Siladen Resort & Spa which started operations in 2003. The eco-friendly luxury boutique resort places high emphasis on the protection of the Marine Park and the environment.

The public boats from Manado to Bunaken are leaving daily around 2 p.m (depending on tide), except Sundays, from Pasar Jengki near Manado harbour. Back from Bunaken to Manado usually early in the morning, around 7-8 a.m. Even on Sundays there might be boats, just go to the harbor and ask people there. To charter a boat is about Rp. 150,000 - 200,000 OW. If you want to go to Siladen it is better to inquire first at the harbour, but usually there are several boats as well. The fare to Siladen is also Rp. 15 000.

it is not uncomplete if we visit Ternate, North Mollucas, without taking our opportunity to visit tourism object Tolire Lake. The lake is located around 10 kilometres from Ternate city. Beside its unique shape, the lake also has an interesting legend story.

Tolire lake is under hillside of Mount Gamalama, the highest mountain in North Mollucas. The lake itself consists of two lake. Local people call them Great Tolire lake and Small Tolire lake. The distance between the two is only 200 metres.

Great Tolire lake has an uniqueness. The shape of the lake is looked like a giant tray. It has 50 metre depth and 5 hectare wide. However, there is no one until now trying to measure the lake depth. As the story goes, it has million metres depth and has connection with the sea.

Great Tolire lake is a freshwater lake. There are a lot of various fishes there, but local people
does not dare to catch them or swim in the lake. They believe there are many ghost crocodiles there. Those crocodiles are often visible swimming in the middle of the lake.
They have white color and are 10 metre long.

Not all people can see the crocodiles. According to local people, those who are innocent have opportunity to see those ghost beasts. There is a stroy, long time ago, there was a foreign tourist who did not believe with the ghost. He then went down to take a bath in the lake. Several minutes later, he dissapeared. It was thought the tourist was ate by the crocodiles.

Another uniqueness of the lake is if someone throws something to the lake, it can not touch the lake surface, although he throws it as strong as he can.

Nobody will not believe about it when he never come to the lake before. To try it, we can buy small stones that are sold along the lake bank. It cost Rp. 1000 for five small stones. Then we can try to throws them to the lake. As the story goes, stones thrown to the lake are hindered by magic power generated from the lake bottom. It is the ghost crocodile that has the power to do it.

Local people also believe that at the bottom of Great Tolire lake there are a lot of pay dirt. The owner of those treasures was the people of Ternate Kingdom at the time of Portugis colonial at 15-th centuries. Ternate people at that time threw away their valuable property into the lake, in order not to be robbed by the invader.

So far, there are no institutions or certain organisations which try to do special investigation to ascertain the claim. However, a army staff ever tried to detect the lake bottom using sonar and the tool could detect the existence of metal objects at its bottom. Whether the metals are treasures or not, who knows.

Great Tolire and Small Tolire lakes is believed as a prosperous village in the old time. The village was cursed to become a lake by Universe Power, because there was a father living at that village that impregnated her daughter. When the father and his daughter tried to escape from the village, suddenly the village ground fell and turned into two lakes. Great Tolire lake is believed as the place of father, and Small Tolire lake is trusted as the girl place. Although the story is difficult to be accepted in modern time, the old local people still believe it.

It is not difficult to visit those lakes. It needs at around 10 minutes to reach them from Ternate. We can rent a a car with a fare of Rp. 250.000 a day. Or we can rent a motorcycle with a fare of Rp. 10.000 an hour.

Visiting The Great Tolire lake, there are many tourism objects that can be enjoyed. The panorama beauty of Gamalama peak, the Portugis castles remains, and Sultan (=King) Baabullah mausoleum are also can be visited along the way to the lakes. Sultan Baabullah formerly was an outstanding Islamic king in Ternate.

Besides lakes, tourists can also enjoy the white sand beauty of Sulamadaha beach. The beach is located around 3 kilometres from Great Tolire lake. At the beach, the tourist can rent a boat to go fishing or can go diving to enjoy the beauty of undersea panorama around the coast. It's very attractive, isn't it?

Every end of the year, exactly in November, Ratatotok and Buyat people always waits for the coming of Lakban Beach Festival. Bakudapa meeting of the residence of Ratatotok subdistrict South East Minahasa, held in a full day at Lakban beach.

At the day, thousands of ratatotok people and other regions from Mitra and Bolaang Mongondow regencies are coming to enter for the festival. There are fishing race, sport game, boat parade, decorated pedicab, drumband parade, and a lot of recreative art and entertainment programs.

Visitors are also allowed to go to swim and make a tour at Lakban beach, or climb up Hill of Hope. At the peak of the hill, there is a sign of a cross and star and crescent as a symbol of religious reconciliation. The beauty of both places have been oustanding at North Sulawesi.

All of the games are open for all. For fishing game, the winner is every one who can catch major fishes. the fishes then will be collected, roasted and consumed together. A year ago, the race could catch 2000 fishes from 40 kinds of fishes. The winner made a success of catching rayfish.

"We invite every people to come and enjoy the beauty of the beach and sea of Buyat gulf," said Robert Sasuwuhe, said Robert Sasuwuhe, chief of guardmen VI of East Ratatotok village located at Buyat gulf.

Other games that will be held at the festival are sport game such as volley ball, soccer, areca nut climbing (called in Indonesia: Panjat Pinang), and boat race. At night the people will be entertained by musical party and comedian program from Manado.

"Lakban beach Festival will be started by Fishing race. The festival is held by residence initiative and it is open for all people. Since it is held for the first time at 2004, the participants always increase. The games offered are also added. We also do not forget with entertainments." said Johny Pitol, the commitee chief of the festival of Lakban beach 2008.

The regency government of South-East Minahasa gives full support of the people festival.

We are very glad with the initiative of Ratatotok Buyat Foundation to perform the festival. Because the event will gradually increase the volume of tourism visit in this area," said the chief of Tourism Department of SouthEast Minahasa, Drs. O.W. Tumundo.

Lakban Beach Festival 2008 is carried out by the Ongoing Development of Ratatotok and Buyat Foundation and Government Tourism Department of SouthEast Minahasa, and it is supported by Newmont Minahasa Raya Company.

Lakban Beach Festival will be held at 29 November 2008.


Translated from Kompas

Perhaps not many areas in our place we could enjoy the beauty of the coast, hearing birds hirrup, seeing the bat fly, or observing the crab behaviour under the thickness of mangrove. We convince the village of Tongke-Tongke in the subdistrict of Sinjai Utara, South Sulawesi, has the atmosphere like that.

Early last January, the party of the reporter who is facilitated by Agency of Information Study and the mass media visited the region. There we saw how beautiful the scenery in this territory.

In the morning, when the dawn breaks, the tinge of orange colour in the horizon covers the mangrove forest planting by the Tongke-Tongke local residents. Likewise in the afternoon, when the sun is down.

The clear sunlight ray appears beautiful penetrate the stick mangrove. From the wooden road which passes the middle of the thick mangrove forest, the appearance of sunlight ray becomes very beautiful. Birds warbling in the morning makes the atmosphere become very peaceful. In the distance, apparently also the bats hang down at the buds of mangrove.

Walking on the wooden road in the middle of the forest mangrove, from time to time we examined the crabs going in and out of the muddy land. And when the afternoon came, we did not feel the hot of sunray because of the sway of coastal wind and the thickness of mangrove.

At the end of the wooden road, we will see coastal scenery with forest mangrove spreading almost as long as the coast. it is fascinating then to see the calmness of sea water and the fisherman's ship which one by one leave the coast towards the sea.

Several of us were unsatisfied just enjoying mangrove from the end of the wood footbridge. They want to saw it from the distance on sea. Of course this was not a difficult thing. The fisherman and local residents prepared the small boat to be used for travelling to the sea. Of course, don't forget to give them money for buying diesel fuel. In fact, it is far more beautiful seeing mangrove from the sea in the middle of the boat machine sound.

The Mangrove tour became more complete because we accompanied with several public figures
and the elder of Tongke-Tongke village. They enthusiastically explained about their beautiful area and about the mangrove itself.

"it began with the community's concern when the abrasion threatened our village in the 1980's. At that time, every wave season, the village mainland gradually was eroded by the wave. Various methods were carried out by the community to keep the wave including making defence fortress from the coral stone. In fact, coral was not strong enough to keep the wave raging," said Mustafa (63), one of the public figures of Tongke-Tongke.

Preventing Flood
The high tide flood was a clear threath when the west season. It could not be counted how many fisherman's boats broken because of the wave blow. Then on the resident's agreement, during 1984 planting mangrove was stimulated. Briefly, after planting mangrove, the residents was avoided from all the disasters resulting from the high tide or the wave blow.

"Realizing that mangrove can prevent their homes from the wave, the resident finally continued to plant mangrove as many as possible. Later, they built the small passage in order their boat be able to tether close to their settlement. So not only their homes that are protected, but also their boats," explained Thayyeb.

At this time, forest mangrove has almost covered the coast in their village and the width has reached 45 hectare. In order to be able to enjoy the forest mangrove, they made footpath from the wood in the middle of the forest mangrove. The length of it is around 1 kilometre counted from the coastal lip. Officially, Government Tourism Agency added it by making wooden post at the end of the wood alley. The agency also built another wood footbridge. But unfortunately, this wood house at this time has already destroyed because of its poor construction.

At this time Tongke-Tongke becomes the centre of the research mangrove in South Sulawesi. In the middle of the destruction threat of the South Sulawesi coastal territory resulting from the reduction mangrove from the year to the year, Tongke-Tongke and surrounding area continues to develop this plants as the guard of their coast. This regency at this time also has become the main example of the prospective mangrove in South Sulawesi.

Tomini gulf is one of the most beautiful and worth-looking natural resources at Central Sulawesi. It is one of the widest gulf in Indonesia. The gulf is rich of fishes, islands with white sands, and seabads with beautiful coral reefs. Even if we do not have a time visiting those islands, their beauty is still able to enjoy along seabeach.

Tomini gulf spreads out at 13 sub-provinces of 3 provinces i.e., Central Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and North Sulawesi.

Parigi Moutong location is 82 kilometer from east of Palu and has the longest coastal area of Tomini gulf compared with other 13 sub-provinces. Based on data from Parigi Moutong government, its coastal area spreads about 472 kilometer along Tomini gulf coastline. Its territorial water is around 3.483,36 kilometer square including 13 little islands.

It is not difficult to go to Parigi from the capital of Central Sulawesi, Palu. There are many public transportation going there, using non AC or with AC. Parigi city can be reached from Palu at about 2 horus. The journey from palu to parigi is not tiresome as we will pass plateau which is known as Kebun Kopi (=Cofee Garden). The scenery is beautiful and the air is cool and tender.

If you want to enjoy the more impressive trip, your Palu - Parigi journey can be continued to Gorontalo province. Along the way from Gorontalo to Parigi, we will pass Tomini gulf coast. Of course, we will enjoy the beauty of coastal scenery and villages along the road we pass through.

What a Beautiful!
Actually almost parts of parigi Mountong is in the Tomini gulf coast. That is why the beauty of Tomini gulf can be enjoyed almost at all areas or villages of Parigi Mountong, the widest sub-province in Central Sulawesi.

Arriving there, we start our journey from Sausau and Torue districts which borders on Poso sub-province. At Sausu, Matakosa village, we can enjoy Tumpapa beach with its white sand. We also can see traditional fishery proccessing and, more interesting, is the place where Maleo bird is breeding. Maleo bird is one of rare bird and endemic to some places in Central Sulawesi.

Meanwhile in Torue, the trip to enjoy the beauty of Tomini gulf will be different because we will pass the settlement of the Balinese community. As in Bali, in Toure and Sausu, the coloured and carved temples are the typical characteristics of each resident's houses. When public holidays or when there are religious ceremonies at Bali, the same ceremonies are also spread out by the local community. Almost every time we will be encountered by residents who use typical Balinese clothes. Of course this situation will make us feel like in Bali.

From Torue, we can continue our trip to South Parigi. In this subdistrict, we could enjoy the Tomini gulf by different way. There is a cape called Makakata cape at South Parigi, which has 2 square kilometer in width. The journey to the cape can be reached at around 15 minutes by motorboat.

The Makakata cape sticks out in the middle of sea, close to the Lindu Lake. From the Makakata cape, we could see the mountain across. Moreover also could enjoy white sand, swimming, fishing, surfing, and various other water activities.

There is still other worth-visiting place in parigi where we can enjoy the beauty of Tomini gulf. At about 60 kilometre from Parigi city, Tomoli village, Toribulu subdistrict, there is an island called Kelelawar (=Bat) island. The island is flanked by two capes of mangrove forest forming like a gate. The Kelelawar island is a breeding place of bat species. The uniqueness of the bat in this island is on their color, i.e., yellow, brown and black.

One place we should not miss it is equatorial village in the South Tinombo sub-district. "I think many persons do not know that equator pillar is not only at Pontianak. We also have it here." said Moechtar (37), a Parigi villager.

After we pass all the way, we will arrive at the end of parigi mountong sub-provinces, border with Gorontalo province. At about 271 kilometre north of Parigi, there is a Moutong sub-district. The district is an old city. We will find many historical buildings of Moutong palace.

There are two beautiful places at Moutong, i.e., Moian beach and Lalayo island. The Moian island is wide enough with its white sand and the location of salt production, as well as the span of local villager fish-ponds. When the sun set, the Santigi Cape that stretches at the background of Moian coast gives us other beautiful scenery.

Don't worry about foods and accomodation. Along the road, there are many restaurants that offer heterogenous food. Fresh fishes is the most food offered. At some beaches, we also can buy fishes from the fisherman and directly cook them while we are enjoying the scenery of the beach.

The Bupati (=the local government head of a sub-province in Indonesia) of parigi Moutong, Longki Djanggola, said that nature potent of his district will be managed as tourism objects so it can increase local government income, as well as local residents's.

"We will develop tourist management in coordiantion with local people. So people will feel directly their benefit. The government will just give the facilities to develop tourism assets in each district in this sub-province," said Longki.
(Reny Sri Ayu Taslim - Kompas)