::South Sulawesi::

Makassar as provincial capital of South Sulawesi (Celebes), has in its history played an important role as the gateway to the former kingdom of Gowa and now to the whole province because of its natural harbour and International Airport accessible by Silk-Air and Malaysia Airlines. The center of business and administration, the city has expanded outwards from its most important landmark, that of Benteng Makassar ( Now : Benteng Ujung Pandang ) which faces the sea front. The province of South Sulawesi comprises the narrow south-western peninsula of this orchid-shaped island which is mainly mountainous. The gateway to Sulawesi is the historic port of Makassar, Makassar is one of the few Indonesian cities to embrace the sea. The focus of the town is a long esplanade curling along the bay, with swaying palms, wide sidewalks and colorful shop houses Their second-storey terraces offering commanding view of the beach, bay and tropical sunsets. While the growing city has sprawled into the surrounding hills during recent decades, commercial and social activity remains centered within a few blocks of the waterfront.


In the late afternoon and early evening hours most of the population seems together along the esplanade, strolling and chatting, snacking at any of the scores of the teashops and roving food stalls ,or simply enjoying the fresh sea breeze as the setting sun touches the horizon, silhouetting the masts and billowing sails of the schooners cruising the bay.

Famed for their seafaring heritage and Pinisi schooners for centuries, the Bugis possess to the present day one of the last sailing fleets in the world. The Bugis vessels have sailed to as far as the Australian coast, leaving behind drawings of their ships on stone with words that have been integrated into the Aboriginal language of north Australia. Situated on the crossroads of well travelled sea-lanes, its capital and chief trading port of Makassar, is till today the gateway to eastern Indonesia. Spanish and Portuguese galleons, followed by British and Dutch traders sailed these seas in search of the spice trade, escorted by their men of war to protect them against the daring raids of the Bugis and Makassarase who attacked the intruders.

The Tomanurung stone with inscriptions can still be seen in a plot neighboring the royal graves, near Sungguminasa, formerly the seat of the kings of Gowa. The Bugis kingdom of Bone, Wajo and Soppeng and the Makassarase kingdom of Gowa emerged in the 13th century. One of the eleven fortresses of the kingdom, it was built in 1545 during the reign of Tuni Pallanga, the 10th sultan of Gowa. When Gowa capitulated to the colonial forces under the treaty of Bungaya in 1667, the fort was renamed Rotterdam by Admiral Speelman who constructed bastions and buildings of typical Dutch architecture making it the center of the civilian government, including a church on its premises. One of the best preserved forts of that area, only the thick walls of earth and stones remain of the original complex, now occupied by educational and cultural offices of the provincial government. The two buildings house the Makassar State Museum, exhibiting archaeological and historical objects, manuscripts, numismatics, ceramics and ethnic costumes and ornaments.

Though unmarked, but of historical interest is the dungeon where one of Indonesia's most prominent heroes in the struggle for freedom, Prince Diponegoro was imprisoned for 27 years. Prince Diponegoro was buried in a family plot in the middle of the city on a street named after him: jalan Diponegoro. The family tree displayed on the wall indicated that none of his descendants returned to the courts of Yogyakarta, instead, they settled in Makassar and their custodian is a great-grandson. Sunsets in the Makassar Strait can be viewed from a promenade at jalan Penghibur or the Paotere anchorage in the north end of the city where the Pinisi schooners are berthed. Across the harbor is Kayangan Island which can be reached in 15 minutes by ferry. A popular recreational resort for the people of the city, there is entertainment in the evening and on Sundays. On the outskirts of Makassar, Paotere is where sailing boats and other small vessels anchor to unload their cargo.The setting casts a glow over the sea with the silhouettes of the boats. This scenery is most often photographed by tourists. Across the harbor of Makassar is Samalona Island which has been developed into a pleasant recreational resort. It can be reached by boat in 45 minutes and has simple accommodation. Recreational sports include diving, snorkeling, water skiing and fishing. Best months to visit are from February to October.

Formerly the seat of the kings of Gowa, about 11 km. from Makassar is the old palace of wood, standing on stilts facing the town square across the administration office. Now the Ballalompoa Museum, weapons and costumes of royalty are on display in glass cases. The royal regalia which includes a stone studded gold crown weighing 1769 grams can be seen only on special request.

Tomb of Sultan Hasanuddin

Sultan Hasanuddin (1629-1690) was famous for his exceptional bravery in his struggle against colonial encroachment in South Sulawesi. His tomb and those of other kings of Gowa are located in a secluded cemetery not far from Sungguminasa, about 8 km from Makassar. The huge crypts are gray with age and just outside the walls of the cemetery, a small fenced-off plot contains the Tomanurung stone on which the kings of Gowa were crowned in a show of pomp and splendor. Not far from the tombs is the oldest mosque in the area, built in 1603. Formerly the holiday resort of the kings. Malino, which is 70 km from Makassar offers a haven from city-life. Located on the slopes of Mt. Bawakaraeng it has a cool climate with forests of pine trees making it picturesque. Deer hunting on horseback was a royal sport in the days gone by.

To the north of Makassar and driving east along the mountain range, is the Bantimurung waterfalls, about 41 km from the capital. A cascade of sparkling water gushes out between rocky cliffs into a stream shaded by tall trees. Here the air is filled with butterflies which fly from shrub to shrub over the water.These rare brightly colored ornithoid butterflies are considered the most beautiful in the world. Toraja Land, through paddy-fields and typical Bugis houses made of wood and bamboo, built on stilts. The long drive from the lowlands of Makassar to the mountain sronghold of Tana Toraja opens up a breath-taking new world. The rugged mountains and verdant valleys are home to a people whose love of religious spectacle is equaled only by their hospitality. With majestic panoramas, captivating villages and dramatic ceremonies, Tana Toraja is the undisputed highlight of any journey to Sulawesi Island.

The area around Sengkang once formed a large gulf that separated southern sulawesi from the rest of the island. Although the coast has receded, the area is still one of wetlands and a shallow lake, now known collectively as Danau Tempe (Lake Tempe). Sengkang sits on the shores of Danau Tempe. it is a quite town that has stunning views out over the water. On Danau Tempe, floating houses with bamboo verandas ,drift with the current , can be seen by hiring a boat and skipper to see them on the water's surface. Besides, Sengkang known as the best home-industry of Silk Sarong among others throughout Indonesia.

*Pictures : Floating village, Danau Tempe.
Silk Sarong are being made