Wenang Golf

WENANG GOLF

After your diving experiences and your Highland Tour, you may think, what next? For those who like the game of golf, a visit to Manado's only public course would be another true Minahasan experience. Wenang Golf Course is located on the road to/from the airport (any taxi driver will know). It is set in the typical countryside of Minahasa generally planted with coconut trees. Here, of course, most trees have been cut but there are still plenty around so that harvesting the coconuts is still practiced and naturally contributes in a small way to cover the operating expenses of the course. This 9-hole course was opened in 1978 and from the looks of the clubhouse and facilities, it would be fair to say that not much may have changed. Functional would be a good word but then all you need is there, including a well stocked pro-shop, restaurant(Mie Bakso only!), various drinks, etc. You can also rent clubs, shoes, etc. There are changing facilities, showers, etc but as stated earlier they are dated. So, even if you left your gear at home, and you feel like to play there is really nothing to hold you back. The course itself is laid out in a very tight straightaway manner so that fairways are close together, and at times you may have to duck (you will be warned by your caddy) as a ball may be approaching from say tee-off at 6 onto your 5, or from 2 to 5. The 9-hole challenge consists of 2 holes at par 5, 2 at par 3 and the rest at par 4. Each one has a water hazard. The fairways are well grassed with native species and the greens are covered in Japanese grass (local name). It is kept short and well watered (writer's observation) but they appear as the main challenge as the grass grows in different directions, and this variation is random by green and among greens. A golfer with a low handicap may easily get the ball on the green in 2 shots on a par 4 hole then expecting a birdie! However, the surprising green may only reward with a boogie. That's the challenge. After you stamp your feet (or whatever else you do to vent your frustration) you look around, observe the scenery - look at the towering mountain Klabat - and it's over. Next one better. Listen to your caddy; they are expert greens readers. The course is open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset. It gets a bit hot from 10 to 2 so you can practice during that time on the covered driving range if you wish. A bucket of 50 balls costs Rp. 6,000. Each hole also has a little shelter (pondok) where you can find reprieve from the rain or shine. And on weekdays you don't have much competition. Green fees are Rp. 175,000 for foreigners and Rp. 125,000 for Indonesian/domestic guests. This includes a nominal amount for a caddy but you must tip him afterwards. Of course, you are not limited to 9 holes only. The course has double marked tee-off areas for both male and female players. So you can do your 18 holes if that is your standard.

photo by. Andy AJ

Facilities:

• Club House
• Locker
• Shower
• Pro-Shop
• Restaurant
• Golf Club for hire
• Shoes for hire
• Driving Range

Golf Course Info:

Member of: APLGI
Year Built: 1978
Designer: Pemda Sulawesi Utara

Total holes: 18
Total Pars: 72
Type Course: Member

Owner: Government of North Sulawesi

Address:

Jl. Mr. A.A Maramis, Kairagi II
Manado
Phone: [62-431] 811480
Fax: [62-431] 811480

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Waruga / Ancient Graves

Waruga is traditional grave of Minahasa ancestors' tribe, which had there since Megalithic era, and made from stone called 'dwiruga'। Located in Airmadidi is an ancient historic cemetery where Minahasan ancestors are buried and is a remnant of the megalithic age. Waruga (head stones) are unique square stones with holes in the middle and prism shaped lids। 144 gravestones built as place of corpse, such as respectable people corpse, elite figure or man who assumed have miracle is entered with sit position and folded hand, just like baby position in womb. Engraving in the stone describe death cause, late hobby, character / nature or work. The scenery en route to this venue is also interesting with a sweeping vista of coconut and spice trees (25 km from the resort).

by Phil Brain
Waruga ( Sawangan Village, Airmadidi subdistrict, Manado, South Sulawesi)

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Bunaken National Marine Park

The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia's growing system of marine parks. The park covers a total surface area of 89,065 hectares, 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists.

The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and harbor some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Pick any of group of interest - corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken. The park has around 70 genera of corals; compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found.

BUNAKEN NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE:

All visitors to the Bunaken National Park (divers and non-divers) are required to pay an entrance fee, in accordance with North Sulawesi Provincial Government Provincial Law Number 9/2002. The entrance fee for foreign visitors is Rp 50,000 per daily ticket (approximately US$6), or Rp 150,000 (approximately US$17) for a waterproof plastic entrance tag valid for the full calendar year.

Entrance tags and tickets can be purchased direct from all NSWA members, or from ticket counters on Bunaken Island and on Siladen Island. They must be carried at all times that guests' are within the park boundaries, and tags can easily be affixed to guests' diving or snorkeling gear or on backpacks. Enforcement of the entrance fee system is conducted via spot checks by park rangers on land and at sea.

The entrance fee system has been adapted from the well-known Bonaire Marine Park system, and the proceeds from the sales of the entrance tags are managed by the Bunaken National Park Management Advisory Board (BNPMAB), a multi-stakeholder board that NSWA is a member of. The system has been very successful in raising over $250,000 for conservation programs in the Bunaken Marine Park since its inception in 2001. Please read: The Bunaken Entrance Fee - Questions and Answers

Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park.

Biologists believe that the abundance of hard corals is crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. Hard corals are the architects of the reefs, without them, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals (folious, branching, massives, etc.) for shelter and egg-laying. Others, like the enormous Bumphead Parrotfish, Balbometopon muricatum, are "coralivores" and depend on hard corals for their sustenance. Bony mouth parts fused into an impressive "beak" allow these gregarious fish to crunch corals like roasted peanuts.

Some 20,000 people live on the natural resources of Bunaken National Marine Park. Although there are inevitable conflicts between resource protection and use by people, the Indonesian government is taking a fairly unusual and pragmatic approach to park management. The idea is to promote wise resource use while preventing overexploitation. Local communities, government officials, dive resort operators, local nature groups, tourists and scientists have played an active role in developing exclusive zones for diving, wood collection, fishing and other forms of utilization. If successful, Bunaken Marine Park will stand as an important example of how Sulawesi, and the rest of Indonesia, can work to protect its natural resources.

Accommodation and Transfer

On the island you have the choice amongst a number of homestays, with rates starting at around Rp. 50 000 per day and person incl. fullboard. If you only go for the cheapest option don't complain afterwards if the water in your mandi (bathroom) doesn't get filled up regularly, or food isn't quite as nice as you had hoped for. Life in North Sulawesi in general isn't as cheap as in other regions of Indonesia, and most things on Bunaken have to be brought in from Manado. Depending on the season even fish can be pretty expensive. Better think twice before you try to bargain down prices which are already cheap; for the locals it could mean the difference between being able to eat 3 or only 2 meals a day, or buying school books for the children or not.

Some of the dive operations on Bunaken are offering more upmarket accommodation with running water ((Living Colours) and even hot showers (Cha Cha Nature Resort).

Some guesthouses ("homestays") on Bunaken:
Pangalisang Beach: Lorenso's Homestay
Liang Beach: Panorama, Nelson's, Papa Boa
There are a lot more...

Bunaken's much smaller neighbour Siladen only offers few accommodations. Most popular among budget travelers seems to be Martha's Homestay.

The most upmarket resort within the boundaries of the Bunaken National Park is Siladen Resort & Spa which started operations in 2003. The eco-friendly luxury boutique resort places high emphasis on the protection of the Marine Park and the environment.

The public boats from Manado to Bunaken are leaving daily around 2 p.m (depending on tide), except Sundays, from Pasar Jengki near Manado harbour. Back from Bunaken to Manado usually early in the morning, around 7-8 a.m. Even on Sundays there might be boats, just go to the harbour and ask people there. To charter a boat is about Rp. 150,000 - 200,000 OW. If you want to go to Siladen it is better to inquire first at the harbour, but usually there are several boats as well. The fare to Siladen is also Rp. 15 000.
(http://www.sulawesi-info.com)

The Dive Sites :

Most diving takes place near Bunaken and Manado Tua, because of their many excellent sites. The following is representative of the diving in the area.

• Lekuan Walls (I, II, III)
  This long wall on Bunaken is divided into three sites: Lekuan I, II and III. Together they represent the park's best. Steep walls are marked with deep crevices, sea fans and giant sponges. The shallows are filled with fishes. The wall, often protected from stronger currents, is frequented by bumphead parrotfish, turtles, and Napoleon wrasses.
• Mandolin
  Mandolin has a knockout reef crest and a wall that attracts thousands of fishes like schooling fusiliers, surgeonfish, unicornfish, and bannerfish. They are acclimated to divers and are easily approachable.
• Bunaken Timor
  There are strong currents and lots of fishes on this long wall. The shallow reef isn't as spectacular as some but there are turtles, sharks, eagle rays, and other big fishes in the blue. Overhangs and small caves mark the wall.
• Tanjung Kopi
  Tanjung Kopi is a nice wall with a small school of barracuda and lots of sweetlips. Visibility in the shallows is not terrific but the numbers of fishes make up for it. Nudibranches and fire gobies are easy to spot here.
• Siladen Island
  Siladen has a beautiful wall of soft corals that bloom when the current is running. The shallows are nice with lots of fishes and schooling snappers.
• Muka Gereja
  Muka Gereja is a pretty site with thousands of fishes in the shallows and deeper canyons that lead to the wall.
• Barracuda Point
  Barracuda Point, on northwest Montehage, is one of the furthest sites. A school of giant barracuda are regulars along with jacks and tuna.
• Manado Wreck
  This 60m (200ft) long German merchant ship sank near Molas Beach in 1942. It sits upright with the bow at 23m (78ft). The ship is split near amidships back to the stern, exposing the wheelhouse and cargo holds. Dives finish up on a nearby shallow reef. Expect 10-15m (30-50ft) visibility. (http://www.my-indonesia.info)
  

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MANADO CITY

Manado or Menado is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia, and estimated to have been resided since XVI century and was call "WENANG". Later, in 1623 the name was changed into "MANADO". Formerly known as "CELEBES" by the Duch. Manado is located on the shores of natural curve of Manado Bay and is surraunded by a mountains area. The culture of the people in Manado has been mixed one. Urbanization of people from Minahasa, Bolaang Mongondow, Sangihe Talaud, and Gorontalo was resulted mixed population and cultural. Manado is famed as a member of the "SPICE ISLAND" of colonial times, it still exports large amounts of cloves, vanilla and other spices.

Tourism and Places of interest

As the largest city in the region, Manado is a key tourist transit point for visitors. Sam Ratulangi International Airport of Manado is one of the main entry ports to Indonesia. In 2005, no less than 15,000 international passengers entered Indonesia via Sam Ratulangi International Airport. Ecotourism is the biggest attraction in Manado. Scuba diving and snorkelling on the nearby island of Bunaken are popular attractions. Ban Hin Kiong

Temple is another tourism spot in the city, especially during the Chinese new year celebration. Souvenirs shops are located

on B.W. Lapian street. Other places of interest Lake Tondano, Lokon Volcano, Klabat Volcano, Mahawu Volcano , Ambang Volcano, AWU Volcano, Soputan Volcano, Waruga / Ancient Graves, Bunaken National Marine Park.

Sam Ratulangi International Airport

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