South East Sulawesi: Some Other Interesting Places

SEA GARDEN OF HARI ISLAND

In the Indonesia language, "hari" means daylight. Because of the way the sun's ray's reflection the water of the sea surrounding this island, the local people call it the "Island of Daylight", Hari Island. Swimming, boating and other marine sports find a nature home along these shores. Diving to see the colorful fish in a sea garden setting of coral is a popular activity.

MORAMO WATERFALL

No other in Indonesia is quite like the Moramo Waterfall. It is unique in traversing a 2 Km plateau, with 127 separate terraced plumes, with the top of the waterfall some 100 meters above is basin pool. The falls have seven main terraces, each with its own natural bathing pool.

This combination produces clean, fresh, cool air in the shade production tropical, jungle-forest setting, which surrounds the falls. This is the perfect habitat for Southeast Sulawesi's native animals and birds. Those who love nature at its purest will find this an ideal environment. Only 65 km east of Kendari, Moramo Waterfall is easily accessible by car or by boat, crossing Moramo Bay, with wide panoramic scenery of the sea.

MORAMO BAY

This clean, pollution-free bay is only one and a half hours by car or speedboat from Kendari. The white sand beaches of Moramo Bay are host to all sorts of water activities and sports; from sun bathing to water skiing, swimming to boating, observation of numerous fish life under the clear and cleans water.

RAWA AOPA WATUMOHAI NATIONAL PARK

Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park comprises an area of 105,000 ha in South-East Sulawesi province. It was gazette in 1990, becoming Sulawesi's fourth national park. The park is named after the swampy area Aopa and the mountain Mount Watumohai.

Large parts of Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park consist of savanna with palm trees and Alang-Alang. The coast is relatively flat and covered with mangrove swamp forest. Inland the terrain first changes in savanna whereas more inland is hilly with tropical rainforest. This area is dominated by several hills including Mokaleleo Mountain, located in the north and Matoha upland plain (270m) in the east. Mount Watumohai (550 m) and Mount Mendoke (980 m), the highest points in the area, are located in the south. The swampland Rawa Aopa forms an important habitat for water birds. The birds can be watched from Harapan Island, a small island with a hut for bird-watchers in the middle of the swamp.

BUTON ISLAND AND THE SULTANATE OF BUTON

To the southeast of the Sulawesi mainland, Buton Island remains part of Southeast Sulawesi Province. Long before the independence of Indonesia and the unification of Buton with the rest of the country, Buton was a kingdom. This existed from the 14th to the 16th centuries. After this, and until Indonesia's independence, it remained a Sultanate.

During the Sultanate period, the residents conducted trade and communicated with both China and Majapahit Kingdom, on Java Island. Interestingly, the first ruler who governed this region was a queen and the last ruler was a king. It was the last ruler, King Laki Laponto, who became the first Buton Sultan.

Buton Island is well known for its asphalt, called Buton or Butas Asphalt, and for its teak and ironwood. There is daily boat service from Kendari, with a stopover in Raha, the capital city of Muna Island.

The most fascinating culture appeal of Buton Island can be enjoyed when local people conduct ceremonies, celebrations and folk events, which welcome honored guest. One such unique event is "Pakande-kandea", when foods and cakes are offered to visitors and traditional dances are performed.

NIRWANA BEACH AND BONE OGEN

irwana Beach is located about 12 km from Baubau village, and is the capital of Buton Regency. It is well liked for swimming and beach sports recreational, along its white sandy shore and its small adjoining island, only thirty minutes away by sailboat. Fishing is said to be ideal on this small island.

HORSE FIGHTING

This lively event in Southeast Sulawesi is found only in Raha (Muna Island). Fighting is held on the ceremonies occasion, mainly during thanks giving ceremonies, to welcome honored guest, or upon special requests. A feminine horse will be pulled in front of two horses. All horses will fight each other to get the feminine horse. While these contents were previously held in open fields, in around populated areas, today they are conducted in reserved compounds and tracks.

NAPABALE AND MOTONUNU LAKE

Napabale Lake is at the foot of a hill, connected to the sea via a natural tunnel. At low tide swimmers can traverse this span of water for a most unusual experience.

However it is considered unadvisable and dangerous to attempt this feat during high tide, as the water rises to only one half meter from the roof of the tunnel.

Motonunu Lake is known for its clean, clear, dark blue water. Through it is also connected to the sea, its water remains fresh and not salty. Both lakes are 15 km from Raha, the capital of Muna Regency, on Muna Island. They are accessible by sailboat, from Raha, in only 45 minutes.

AMBORASI RIVER

This object tourism possesses its own unique and is scarce because:
- This river is about 70 meters long.
- At any weather (climate) the water remains cold.
- This river is attached with Tamborasi beach.
We can reach this place lay four - wheel drive. It will take us for about 120 minutes. It is a faded road, and the distance from Kolaka city is about 85 Km. This object tourism is located in Ladakai village, Wolo and Kolaka Regency.

MALAHA ISLAND

Malaha Island is beach for betting with its calm and sandy condition. This object became an object recreation for Kolaka society. In order to reach this object recreation we can use a four-wheel vehicle. It will take one for 45 minutes. The distance from Kolaka city is about 25 Km.

Source:www.indonesia-tourism.com