Sulawesi is a land of
high mountains, misty valleys and lakes and is also known unofficially
as "Orchid Island". Bantimurung
Nature Reserve lies in the south and is home to 1000's
of exotic butterflies. The island is also home to geysers and hot
springs, the most celebrated of which are at Karumengan,
Lahendong, Kinilow,
Leilem and Makule.
‘Land of the Heavenly Kings’ on Torajaland
is noted for their richly ornamented houses and custom of burying
the dead in vertical cliff side tombs. Ujung Pandang,
formerly Makassar, is where the Pinsa Harbour where
wooden schooners of the well known Buganese seafarers are moored.
Fort Rotterdam was built by Sultan Ala in 1660,
to protect the town from pirates and is now being restored. A popular
island activity is horse-racing and bullock-racing and at Ranomuut
there are races with traditional horse-drawn carts (bendi). |
