Makassar Things to Do Tips by RoyJava Top 5 Page for this destination

FORT ROTTERDAM

Ford Rotterdam is one of the best-preserved examples of Dutch architecture in Indonesia. This old fortress on Jl. Ujung Pandang, overlooking the harbour right in the heart of the city, is one of the principal attractions of Ujung Pandang. Rebuilt in Dutch style the fort now bears the rather more nationalistic title of Benteng (Fort) Ujung Pandang.

The fort's big La Caligo Museum consists of 2 buildings, one covering ethnology and the other history. See the assortment of exhibits including rice bowls from Tanah Toraja, prehistoric kitchen tools from South Sulawesi, musical instruments from Manado and various traditional marital costumes. The gift shop sells beautiful Bugis sarung of pure silk.

It's open Tuesday to Thursday 0800 - 1400 pm., Friday 0800 - 11.30 pm., Saturday & Sunday 0800 - 12.30 pm. Monday and holidays closed. Entrance is 7500 Rp. adults, 2500 Rp. children (maybe changed for now).

Address: Jalan Ujung Pandang, Ujung Pandang - Sulawesi

Directions: Center of Ujung Pandang, harbour area

Diponegoro Tomb & Monument

The very popular Prince Diponegoro of Yogyakarta led the Java War of 1825-1830 but his career as a rebel leader came to a sudden halt when he was caught and arrested by the Dutch. He was misled when offering peace and exiled to Celebes/Sulawesi! He spent in Makassar the last 26 (!) years of his life in Ford Rotterdam where he wrote his memories.

His grave and monument (Kuburan Pangeran Diponegoro) can be seen in a small cemetery where Indonesians still pay hommage at his tomb. In his famous memories he mentioned the Javanese Ratu Kidul and, it has been an honour to create a small aquarelle for the Dutch Diponegoro-book.

Address: Jalan Diponegoro, Ujung Pandang - Sulawesi

Directions: From Soekarno-harbour head West (Jl. Sangir)

BANTIMURUNG WATERFALL

Located 42 km NE from Ujung Pandang you may enjoy BANTIMURUNG, a natural reserve and famous for its butterflies. It is a classic "objek wisata" (tourist object), a protected area. There are great waterfalls just set amid lushly tropical, and vegetated limestone cliffs.

Although crowded with Indonesian daytrippers on weekends and holidays, yet a wonderful and picturesque retreat from the heat of Ujung Pandang. The forest hills hereabout are riddled with caves ...

Just past the 15-m warerfall there's a cave at river level. Scramble along the rocks past the waterfall and get onto track. Bring a torch/flashlight to look inside the cave or, when guided by locals, enter and enjoy the thousands and thousands of multicoloured kupu-kupu (butterflies). These butterflies are famous for its beauty, once collected by the great naturalist Alfred Wallace (1629-1670). Yes, he was here!

Euhhh,... be careful of the "daun gatal", a stinging nettle. Watch some scorpions, and ... do not enter the beautifully coloured but treacherous lake . You could be disappear, for this area is notorious for its ... quick-sands!

Address: Bantimurung Waterfall, Ujung Pandang

Directions: Take a bemo direct from Ujung Pandang's central bemo station (trip takes about one hour)

Website: http://%bhttp://www.indonesia-tourism.com/south-sulawesi/places.html

PELABUHAN PAOTARE

The anchorage of Ujung Pandang/Makassar is Pelabuhan Paotare (Harbour of Paotare, pronounced "putre") in NW end of town. This is where the famous Bugis "Pinisi" (schooners) berth and, of which Pinisi-models haven't changed since Genghis Khan. Yes, the exact same sailing ships you can watch at Sunda Kelapa, Pasar Ikan, Jakarta's harbour ...

A lot of cerita rakyat (ancient story tellings) enclose the stories of Bugis and Makassar sailors, brave and heroic sailors. They sailed to China, Africa, Madagascar island, Australia, and even visited tiny islands in the Pacifics. They looked upon the stars to find their way, and looked for predictions in the ocean-water. They always had the right feeling by smelling the ocean ...

Hire yourself a boat to chase and photograph prahu's in the harbour. The colors are brilliant ... impressive ...

Address: Pelabuhan Poatare, Jl. Hatta, Ujung Pandang

Directions: North-West end of Ujung Pandang, head for harbour

Website: http://%bhttp://home.versatel.nl/Belindo-Tours/id34.htm

Central Market

The markets of Ujung Pandang are renowned for their delicacies of the sea, and fruits are a plentiful delicacy, too. Bananas always are available, find different types of bananas common on the market. I love the pisang susu/ambon (the smallest sweet baby-banana) and the banana-milkshake. Try the fresh-baked bananas (pisang goreng) and the kue pisang (a delicious banana-pudding named "Nogosari" at Java). The Central Market (Pasar Pusat) in Ujung Pandang is a feast for the eyes ...

Address: Central Market, Jl. Andalas, Ujung Pandang

Directions: Close to the Diponegara's Grave Monument, Ujung Pandang

TANAH TORAJA

Sulawesi, famous for homeland of the Torajans and its ancient, cultural heritages. More trackers visit Tanah Toraja (Torajan Highland) than any other place on Sulawesi. To watch those typical saddle-roof houses (tongkonan), the remarkable burial rites, striking architectural style surrounded by picturesque rugged-hill landscape.

Torajan people are Christian and its traditions and culture are too complex to explain in some words. They worship their ancestors and have animistic beliefs, performing huge ritual ceremonies for the dead. These festivals are tremendously colorful, free to enjoy by tourists. That is why Tanah Toraja gained popularity as tourist destination. Almost steeped in magic, mystery and mythical traditions you'll never forget Tanah Toraja that soon ...

Tanah Toraja - Sulawesi

Address: Tanah Toraja, Sulawesi

Directions: Go from Ujung Pandang/Makassar by booked trip

Other Contact: %cr%bwww.sulawesi-info.com

Website: http://%bhttp://www.promotingbali.com/beyond-bali/sulawesi/tanah-toraja/touring/

PULAU SAMALONA

Pulau Samalona is a pleasant island, surrounded by reefs with clean, clear water. It's famous as resort for swimming and diving and one of the natural coral islands offshore of Ujung Pandang (about 40 min. sail). Go for a snorkel and watch the coral reef which still is in good condition, and structured of all types. You'll love the under sea garden decorated with fascinating colorful tropical fishes.

Want to stay for a night, there are some facilities, and ... wanna go for a wreck diving, go for Samalona and the beloved Maru wreck ... (a Japanese warship, still carrying ammunition, and is about 50-60 m long)

Address: Pulau Samalona, Ujung Pandang - Sulawesi

Directions: Head for the harbour of Ujung Pandang, sailing by a traditional motorized prahu (local sailing boat, about 24.000 Rp.)

PULAU KAYANGAN

It's a pity we had no time to visit the Salayar island, a long, narrow island off the tip of the South-West peninsula of Sulawesi and, inhabited by Bugis-Makassarese people. So we sailed for Pulau Kayangan, an artificial island and holiday resort just 15 min. ride offshore. It offers bungalows, restaurants, playground and beer garden, but nothing natural ... and Sunday's over-crowded!

Address: Pulau Kayangan, Ujung Pandang - Sulawesi

Directions: Head for the pier opposite Ford Rotterdam, Ujung Pandang harbour

Website: http://%bhttp://www.virtualtourist.com/m/7c3af/125dfd/1/