h i s t o r y for May, 2010...
The lakes of Sulut: Danau Tondano and Linow
Errr… Anyone still reading my blog?
My apology for the longggggggggg procrastination on my travel updates. Somehow it makes absolutely no sense to still linger on my yesteryear’s vacation stories, hah! By the way, did you guys know that AirAsia has suspended its flights to Manado, North Sulawesi since February? Seems like I made the right choice for going there last December! :D So those of you (Malaysians) planning to go there this year, you better change your travel itinerary! But if you really do insist on going there, you’ll have to cross the border to Singapore and get on board SilkAir, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. I gotta warn you though, it’s EXPENSIVE.
Ok, back to my North Sulawesi tales…
Sulut (North Sulawesi’s alternative name), a place so foreign and wild to many, will not only thrill the most adventurous travellers with its majestic volcanoes and amazing scuba diving experience, but is also capable of satisfying the ordinary visitors with its relaxing atmosphere and friendly people. After days of soaking in the heat of Manado and Bunaken, we escaped into the pleasant climate of the Minahasa Highlands, famed for its refreshing cool air and some of the region’s most beautiful danau, the Indonesian word for lake.
A village church spotted on our way to Danau Tondano
One of the many caves used by the Japanese Army during WWII as a storage for supplies. You can see these alongside a stretch of road on the way to the lake.
Somehow this reminds me of Malacca. Does it not?
Horse-drawn carts were everywhere in North Sulawesi!
A memorial of the Dutch colonial masters who once controlled the region
Paddy fields were a common sight in the highlands
Located 600m above sea level, Danau Tondano is basically a caldera of a large extinct volcano from the prehistoric Quaternary Period. It’s the largest lake in the province and it hosts a number of fishing villages along its shore. When we finally reached our destination, it was time for lunch. There was this lovely restaurant by the lake built in timber and raised on bamboo stilts, and I loved the place so much! The cool breeze was so soothing that it never stopped caressing my face. Nice… And oh, the views! Boy, I must say they were truly breathtaking! Trust me… I could really sit there all day long just for the amazing scenery. :)
The kolintang, a traditional Minahasan xylophone-like musical instrument greeted us at the restaurant’s hallway
Beautiful Danau Tondano. I wish I could have a home here…
Ain’t this just picturesque? Just like somewhere from the Swiss countryside! :)
A giant Christmas tree on the lake!
A closer look at the bamboo masterpiece
The restaurant and its koi farm
Some aquatic plants… Water hyacinth?
Quaint bamboo gate
Row, row, row your boat…
Another famous lake in North Sulawesi is Danau Linow, a relatively small lake with high sulfur content. And because of that, the colours of the lake are constantly changing depending on the light and viewing perspective. Entry to the lake requires a fee (which IMO was quite expensive) and that includes a serving of coffee at the lakeside coffeehouse.
On our way there: Jubilant teens in santa hats were out in the streets for the forthcoming Christmas celebrations
The lake with its intensely green hues
Clouds in the sky? They were mostly hot vapours and steam from the surrounding hot springs and volcanic zones!
A canoe on the banks of the lake
A grasshopper ~ one of my favourite shots
I really thought that the lake waters were boiling hot, as was told by various guides. But curiosity got the better of me, and I actually went to feel it. Nope, it was cold! Perhaps I ‘touched’ the wrong side of the lake… LOL!
Love this! Another favourite shot of mine.
A path leading to the coffeehouse
A relaxing place for meetups and gatherings
Can you see the colours changing? :D
One of the treats that we had at the coffeehouse, hah!
Compilation of MANADO & NORTH SULAWESI TRIP 2009
- PART I : The forgotten frontiers: Tales from Manado and North Sulawesi
- PART II : Great churches of Manado
- PART III: In the shadows of volcanoes: Manado Bay and its harbour
- PART IV : Off to Bunaken
- PART V : Livin’ la vida Bunaken’s way
- PART VI : Bunaken’s blue, blue seas
- PART VII: Christ Blessing and the Waruga
c a t e g o r y | passport to nowhere
f l u f f e r p u f f | churches & cathedrals . indonesia . lakes . sulawesi . travels . volcanoes
20 sOleiLians
