Bulukumba

 

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Located at the most southern tip of South Sulawesi’s peninsula, 153 kilometers south of Makassar, lies the district of Bulukumba , holding hidden marvels in its pristine beaches, underwater gardens, and   unique maritime culture. The district is also known as Butta Panrita Lopi or ‘the land of the phinisi schooners” for its long tradition in building these majestic crafts, the pride of the Bugis people.

According to the ancient I La Galigo manuscript,phinisi schooners have been built since the 14^thcentury. These  schooners are mostly crafted  in the area called Tanah Beru, located about 23 kilometers from the capital of Bulukumba, or 176 kilometers from Makassar.

Along the shores of Tanah Beru, you will see tens of dry-docks where phinisi schooners are in various stages of construction. Here the skillful hands of the Bugis with amazing precision, carefully craft the Phinisi that has become the icon of Indonesian seafaring. The Phinisi is built using traditional equipment following exact prescribed traditional techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. Its construction does not only involve strength and technique but also – as the locals believe – supernatural powers, for which every stage requires strictly adhered rituals and ceremonies.

(More information on the construction of the phinisi can be found at: The Bugis-Makassar Phinisi Traditional Boat.Further south, at the most southern tip of the district, about 200 kilometers from Makassar, the secluded white sandy beach, crystal clear calm waters and indulging breeze await at the Tanjung BiraBeach. Its location alone has made it a special place, where the sun rises and sets magnificently along a straight line.  Here the luxurious Amatoa Resort provides magnificent views on the vast spreading white sand,  making this a perfect spot for sunbathing, snorkeling and diving.  

Far on the horizon, the scenic view of the island of Selayar adds to the splendor of the beach. While, not too far from shore, the Liukang andKambing or Goat Islands welcome visitors to step in their pristine environment. There are several boats along the coast that are more than willing to take you to the islands. The seas off Tanjung Bira and around Selayar are also ideal for diving. Around Bira are fringing reefs, but most outstanding by far are the sheer walls at Kambing island, where a stark slab of rock rises out of the ocean between Bira and Selayar. Here the coral cover and schools of fish offer fantastic underwater scenes.

The word “Bulukumba” is believed to be derived from the Bugis phrase “Bulu’ku Mupa”, which loosely translated means “still my mountain”. The name appeared in the 17^th century, when a war broke out between two kingdoms of South Sulawesi, namely the kingdoms of Gowa and Bone.  At the time, the ridge of Mount Lompobattang ,  known as “Bengkeng Buki”, -  which means “foot of the hill”, -   was claimed by The Gowa Kingdom.  The Bone Kingdom, however, refuted the claim and defended the area with all they had.  From this battle came the passionate outcry: ”bulu’ku mupa!” or “still my mountain”. Gradually its pronunciation shifted to cover the entire area of  Bulukumba.

Bulukumba is also the home of a special ethnic group called the Kajang. For centuries they inhabited the interior area of the Kajang regency in an area called Tana Toa, which they regard as having been bestowed to them by their ancestors. Until this day, the Kajang still practice age -old traditions and ways of life that teach men to maintain perfect harmony with nature. Living in simplicity, none of the houses have any furniture, electricity, and other modern convenience.The Kajang also wear black as their daily attire.  For to the people of Kajang,modernity deviates from customary rules and ancestral teachings.

Watching the magnificent phinisi schooners being built, enjoying the white beaches, and the splendors below the sea, Bulukumba is  trulyworth a visit as you venture into the wonders of South Sulawesi.

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IQRA' Tour Organizer

Makassar - South Sulawesi
Indonesia

E~mail: Adventure.Sulawesi@yahoo.co.uk

Makassar

HOME >  South Sulawesi > Makassar: Historic Port for Spices and Sailing Ships

Formerly called Ujung Pandang, the city of Makassar is the largest city in east Indonesia. Capital of South Sulawesi, Makassar enjoys a central location in the Indonesian archipelago and today Makassar is Indonesia’s busy air hub, connecting Sumatra, Java, Bali and Kalimantan in the west with Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Papua in the east.    

In fact,  ever since the 14th. century Makassar was already known as a thriving sea port where merchant vessels from far away China, India and Cambodia called regularly to trade in silks, tea and porcelain in exchange for cloves, nutmeg and pearls from the Moluccas and gold and forest products from Makassar and its hinterland.  And when in the 16th century the Europeans discovered the sailing route to the coveted Spice Islands, the Spanish and Portuguese made Makassar their important entrepot to store valuable spices before shipment to Europe.  

Meanwhile, in this southern peninsula of Sulawesi, the Bugis, Makassar and Mandar ethnic groups, known for their seafaring prowess and boat building skills, had already developed powerful kingdoms that encouraged trade, fishery, rice cultivation as well as literature and the arts. The Bugis epic poem I la Galigo is a recognized masterpiece in Bugis literature, as are the graceful dances and bright silk costumes of court dancers with their richly decorated accessories of wide gold bangles, opulent necklaces and tiaras.  

In 1667 however, through the Treaty of Bungaya, Dutch merchants succeeded to oust the Portuguese and Spanish from Makasssar to make this port their stronghold, banning other Europeans from trading in Makassar.   The Dutch destroyed the fort of Ujung Pandang  built by the king of Gowa in 1545, and fortified this into Fort Rotterdam, which today still stands prominently on the waterfront of Makassar, while the king of Gowa was allowed to stay at Fort Somba Opu.  

Many Makassar aristocrats who refused to be dominated by the Dutch, left the city and settled in Kalimantan , the Riau Islands and present-day  Malaysia. The sultans of Selangor and Johore are Bugis descendents as are the sultans of Kutai Kartanegara in east Kalimantan.

Located on the busy trading route along the deep Straits of Makassar, the city of Makassar is a bustling cosmopolitan town with settlement of many races and ethnic groups, of Chinese, Europeans, Javanese, Balinese, Ambon and others, where local and international cargo ships continue to call at its busy port. While at its traditional port of Paotere, Bugis pinisi schooners can be seen lining the quay to unload goods from near and far away islands, and various types of fishing prahus, such as the pantorani, the lepa-lepa and the sandeq unload the day’s catch.   

Today Makassar is also a university town, where youth from all over the islands, especially from the eastern archipelagos gather to gain higher education.

And, to provide entertainment for its population and to attract tourists especially from east Indonesia, Makassar now boasts a large theme park called Trans Studio, touted as the third largest indoor theme park in the world. For details see: www.transstudioworld.com
Makassar’s Sultan Hassanuddin airport is today Indonesia’s most modern airport. Makassar has a wonderful esplanade called the Losari Beach, the only place in Indonesia where one can see both a beautiful sunrise as well as a spectacular sunset.The Losari Beach is lined with luxury hotels and in the evenings comes alive with food stalls.   

Makassar is the Gateway to East Indonesia, as well as the entry point to an adventurous tour to the Toraja Highland highlands, where awesome mountain scenery and the unique rituals of the Toraja people await.The Diving Islands off Makassar are also known to have some of the best spots for diving. Just a mere 50Km from the city, Bantingmurung Bulusaraung National Park awaits with its stunning waterfall and hordes of enchanting butterflies, or visit Bulukumba's fascinating traditional ship building dockyards and pristine beach at Bira

Makassar's Circle of Tourism Writers, LPP, the travel industry and travel lovers of Makassar have created a new web in conjunction with the Visit Makassar Year 2011 to provide up to date information on this destination. The web is bilingual, in English and Bahasa Indonesia.

For an overview of the city, you can click: Makassar Map

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IQRA' Tour Organizer

Makassar - South Sulawesi
Indonesia

E~mail: Adventure.Sulawesi@yahoo.co.uk

Rondje Zuid SULAWESI ( 08 Dagen / 07 Nachten ) Nederlands

 

HOME > PROGRAMMES AND TOURS > Rondje Zuid SULAWESI

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Sulawesi~East Indonesia

Programs and Tours 

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STO offers many more tailor made tours, throughout Sulawesi / Indonesia with a flexibility to suit your personal preferences and specific needs.
What can we offer you?
We can help you plan your programme, reserve flights (throughout Indonesia) and book hotels as well as making specially requested tour arrangements. Click "Email"  for prompt and efficient service.

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Rondje Zuid SULAWESI ( 08 Dagen / 07 Nachten ) 

Nederlands

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Rondje Zuid Sulawesi (08 Dagen / 07 Nachten) 

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Dag 01	Na aankomst op de luchthaven van Makassar vertrek naar Bira. De Buginezen staan bekend als de beste scheepsbouwers en zeevaarders van Indonesië. In Tanah BeruTanjung Bira, aan het parelwitte strand. kunnen we zien hoe deze mooie trotse houten schepen, de "Phinisi" worden gebouwd. Lunch onderweg. Overnachting en diner in
Dag 02	Na het ontbijt vertrek naar Sengkang, een klein stadje gelegen in het centrum van het voormalige Koninkrijk Bugineze naar Tempe meer. In WatamponeAndi Mapasissi, om zijn verhalen over de voormalige Bugineze Koningen te luisteren. In de namiddag, een gemotoriseerde "sloep" Tempe meer, hoe de vissers met hun gezinnen op hun drijvende dorpen wonen op dit meer zien. 'S nachts en een echte "Selamat" diner in de "traditionele huis" van Bugize Etnische
Dag 03	Na het ontbijt vertrek naar Toraja. In de ochtend eerst nog een bezoek aan de locale huisnijverheid van Sengkang en omgeving; het weven van de Bugineze zijde. De tocht gaat via Palopo waar we de oudste moskee van Sulawesi kunnen bezoeken. De route van Palopo naar Toraja levert prachtige vergezichten op. In de middag aankomst in Toraja. Lunch onderweg, diner en overnachting in het Hotel.
Dag 04	Na het ontbijt, de gehele dag op ontdekking door het Toraja land. We bezoeken vandaag onder andere Lemo, waar de rijen Tau Tau poppen op de balkons voor de graven staan. Suayaen omgeving, om achter het geheim van de babyboom te komen. Londawaar de doden nog steeds met groots ceremonieel worden bijgezet en Kete Kesu, niet alleen bekend vanwege zijn mooie Tongkonan's maar ook vanwege het prachtige houtsnijwerk. Lunch in locaal restaurant, diner en overnachting in het Hotel.
Dag 05	Na het ontbijt wederom de gehele dag op excursie door het Toraja land. Vandaag bezoek aan Batutumongavanwaar we een prachtig uitzicht hebben over Rantepao en de vallei. Prachtige omgeving voor het maken van een wandeling of misschien een lichte trekking down. Een wandeling door de sawa's en het dagelijkse Toraja-leven met zijn karbouwen, en Tongkonan's met zijn zadeldaken. Ook bezoeken we vandaag Sa'dan, bekend als het weefgebied van Toraja. Lunch onderweg, diner en overnachting in het Hotel.
Dag 06	Gehele dag in Toraja. Het leven is daar in volle gang. Wie weet wordt daar één dezer dagen de wekelijkse grote veemarkt gehouden, die de moeite waard is om te bezoeken. Of wordt er ergens een ceremonie gehouden waar we welkom zijn. Lunch in een lokaal restaurant. Diner en overnachting in het Hotel.
Dag 07	Na het ontbijt vertrek terug naar Makassar. In de ochtend een stop op de Puncak Lakawan tegenover de "erotische" berg om van het uitzicht te genieten. Vervolgens een tocht langs de Bugineze dorpen met de typische "huizen op palen". Lunch in een visrestaurant in Pare Pare. In de namiddag aankomst in Makassar. Diner en overnachting in het hotel Pantai Gapura Makassar, gelegen in het centrum van de stad aan zee.
Dag 08	Na het ontbijt een rondrit door het voormalige Ujung Pandang. We bezoeken onder andere het oude Hollandse Fort Rotterdam en Paotere, de oude haven waar de Bugineze Phinisi nog met de hand worden geladen. Door naar de luchthaven van Makassar voor het halen van de vlucht naar uw volgende bestemming. Please Click "Email"  For Making Reservation ! IQRA' Tour Organizer Makassar - South Sulawesi Indonesia   E~mail: Adventure.Sulawesi@yahoo.co.uk