Tropical paradise on the tip of Sulawesi<\/p>\n
TONGKAINA, Molas, North Sulawesi (JP): If work stress burns
\nyou up consider taking a break in a place where you can hear the
\nvoices of nature.<\/p>\n
North Sulawesi province offers sea and mountain lovers many
\nplaces of interests. Manado's only resort hotel, the Santika
\nManado in the Molas district village of Tongkaina is located ten
\nminutes by speed boat to the world famous scuba diving site of
\nBunaken.<\/p>\n
As soon as you leave Manado airport you will immediately feel
\nthe tranquil village atmosphere in your 45-minute trip to the
\nhotel.<\/p>\n
Santika Manado is nestled on a hilly seafront surrounded by
\nmangrove forests, shrubs and trees with a long pier into the sea.<\/p>\n
The hotel boasts 99 guest rooms including 28 bungalows and a
\nlarge swimming pool. It also has a five-star diving club, the
\nThalassa, which provides scuba diving lessons.<\/p>\n
Guests are completely isolated from the modern world and sleep
\nto the serene humming of crickets, wake to the chirping of birds.
\nIn fact the birds sing all day long. This is a place to fish a
\nfeast of inspiration.<\/p>\n
Santika Manado, one of a chain of nine hotels, eight in major
\nIndonesian cities, is constructing a conference room and a tennis
\ncourt scheduled for completion in March next year. There is a
\nnine-hole golf course 25 minutes drive from the hotel.<\/p>\n
At sunset, the panorama of sea and islands, including Bunaken,
\nManado Tua and Siladen fades to one of the most romantic sights
\nin the world.<\/p>\n
Bunaken has more than 40 diving spots and is home to 90
\npercent out of the 2,200 species of fish in the world. Its
\nunderwater cliffs drop 300 meters or more.<\/p>\n
If you are not a diver you can still enjoy the colorful fish
\nand reefs by snorkeling. Or ride a boat with a glass bottom. Or
\nsimply lay back on the white sandy beach.<\/p>\n
Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi is a much slower-paced
\ntown compared to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. But
\ntraffic in the city has been heavier in recent months. Residents
\nattribute it to migrants from Jakarta and Maluku who came to
\nManado to escape from riots or communal unrest.<\/p>\n
Besides water sports, visitors can make an easy one-day
\nexcursion to Tomohon and Tondano, famed for their flower and
\nagricultural products.<\/p>\n
For more adventurous travelers, the Tangkoko natural reserve
\nis only 85 kilometers away. A two-hour afternoon walk and nature
\nlovers will arrive at a location where Sulawesi tarsiers, the
\nsmallest primates in the world, can be observed. They come out
\nfrom the trunks of trees at twilight to forage.<\/p>\n
The lowland forested area which is close to the magnificent
\nBitung port also offers mountain climbing in nearby Dua Saudara
\n(twin peaks) mountains.<\/p>\n
A number of airlines fly to Manado, the capital of North
\nSulawesi including Bouraq, Garuda, Mandala and Silk Air.(hbk)<\/p>\n
More information on North Sulawesi tourism industry can be
\nobtained from www.northsulawesi.com<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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