Sulawesi is a wonderland of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Its remoteness has helped keep tourist development to a minimum, allowing intrepid travellers to enjoy some of the planet’s finest scuba diving, beach lounging and all other kinds of activities. As long as your kids enjoy being outdoors and have a sense of adventure, they will have a blast.

Beaches
Sulawesi’s beaches epitomise the image of idyllic tropical paradise. There is very little development in this region of Indonesia, so visitors can choose from countless empty strips of soft white sand and startlingly clear water. A nice balance of development and nature can be found at Tasik Ria near Manado, Moramo Bay near Kendari, and Batu Gong Beach, also near Kendari.

Hot Springs
The volcanic nature of Sulawesi manifests itself in the best way at Ranopaso hot springs. Set amid a surreal backdrop of green, terraced rice fields, these springs are one of Sulawesi’s most popular attractions. There are bungalows nearby in the village of Koya and good facilities in Tondano.

Islands
There are dozens of beautiful little islands scattered around Sulawesi that are ideal for day excursions. Few of them have accommodation or amenities, but that’s the point. Boats regularly run beach lovers out to Saronde Island and Manado Tua Island for their blinding white sands and calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

Lakes
Manado’s Lake Tondano and its Rembakon Tourist Site is one of Sulawesi’s most scenic and popular freshwater lakes. Bungalows provide accommodation, and the recreation includes waterskiing, boating and fishing. Lake Moat, in the Bolaang Mongondow district, is another beauty. Sitting at 900 metres above sea level, this lake is surrounded by forests teeming with exotic birdlife.

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
Sulawesi is among the world’s most pristine and diverse diving environments. There are hundreds of diving and snorkelling spots here; some of them are truly superlative. Topping them all is Bunaken Island, just offshore from Manado. The headwall at Liang Cove is one of the planet’s most spectacular underwater sites. Its balmy 28^oC water and 35-metre visibility give it ideal conditions. The Sea Garden of Pulau Han is another popular destination, boasting a coral reef bursting with brilliantly coloured marine life.

Waterfalls
For some inland fun, head to one of Sulawesi’s scenic waterfalls. To the north of Makassar lie the Bantimurung waterfalls, a series of cascades that flow from rocky cliffs in the forest. The ornithoid butterflies that are native to this area are extremely beautiful. Moramo Waterfall near Kendari is perhaps the most impressive in Sulawesi. Its water plummets some 100 metres, passing through 127 different terraces, seven of which are large enough to contain sizable natural swimming pools.

Sulawesi has a few interesting cultural highlights scattered around its far-flung territory, but a relative lack of development and tourism infrastructure makes it difficult to experience. This remoteness, however, appeals to many travellers prepared to rough it to witness a traditional ceremony at Kendari or a burial of the Toraja people. A few remnants of Dutch colonialism can be found at Fort Rotterdam and charming villages like Tomohon are well worth a visit.

Fort Rotterdam
This wonderfully preserved fort is one of the best examples of Dutch colonial architecture in Indonesia. Fort Rotterdam still stands guard over the harbour at Makassar, as it has since 1667. Although much of the fort has been restored, many parts were left untouched to provide a nostalgic feel to the buildings.

Kendari Ceremony
The town of Kendari is one of the best places to watch one of the local, colourful traditional ceremonies. They are frequent events, and it’s not difficult to get yourself invited to one. A highlight is the modern dance, which wraps up all ceremonial events in Kendari.

Museum Negeri La Galigo
This interesting little museum located within Fort Rotterdam contains a range of exhibits detailing both the Dutch colonial era and the indigenous people who live in Sulawesi. Musical instruments, traditional costumes and household implements provide some insight into the lives of the locals. The pieces from the Toraja people are particularly interesting.

Tana Toraja
The Toraja people are famous for their gruesome but invariably fascinating burial rituals that happen after the harvest season from July to September. Families keep deceased bodies for years while they save for the sacred funeral rites known as tomate. During a funeral festival, which can last a week, buffalo fights and ritual dances are just two of the interesting events that occur. Tour companies arrange trips to witness these rare funerals in the village Tana Toraja.

Tomohon
One of the best small towns to explore in Sulawesi is Tomohon, located a short distance from Manado. It is surrounded by three active volcanoes that create a tangibly energetic atmosphere, and its elevation of 700 metres gives it a wonderfully cool climate. The town makes a good base for exploring the volcanoes, lakes and hot springs.

The cuisine in Sulawesi varies with each region, but in general it resembles the dishes common throughout Indonesia. North Sulawesi, with Manado at its core, has some of the best food and a few special dishes unique to the Minahasan culture. Their food is extremely spicy, and uses just about anything they can find. Sugar is rarely used, as they prefer lemon and herbs for flavour. Since the Minahasa are Christian, they eat pork and often marinate meat in alcohol. Field rats, bats and dogs are also common items on the table.

The specialities of northern Sulawesi can be found in many parts of the region, and include the staple Manado porridge, a breakfast dish of rice, vegetables and spicy peppers. Ayam rica-rica is grilled chicken topped with spicy chilli paste, ikan woku is local fish simmered in herbs, and perkedel milu are tasty corn fritters. For something less spicy, try the tinutuan, a porridge of rice, noodles, pumpkin and vegetables.

There are some great desserts here as well. Nasi jaha is sticky rice cooked inside bamboo with coconut milk, and coconut tarts can be found everywhere. Local alcoholic drinks come from palm trees. Saguer is a sweet and sour beverage with a low alcohol content that is ubiquitous throughout Sulawesi.

The people of Sulawesi rely on their own craftsmanship to create many of the items they need for daily use. This tradition overflows into more artistic creations as well, and many of their crafts make great souvenirs.

Kendari is one of the best towns to find locally produced goods. The local artists are renowned for preserving traditional designs and using ironwood and native roots as material for their crafts. Check out the Berlin Handicraft Centre or the Handicraft Exhibition Centre for a good selection of quality products. In Makassar, head to Jalan Sombu Opu for its selection of interesting shops.

In north Sulawesi, Manado and its lively markets are the best places to shop for everything from jewellery and clothes to local artwork. One of the most unique crafts in Sulawesi is the art of traditional Ikat weaving. Tana Toraja is the best place to search for these beautiful and intricate weavings. One textile can take months to weave, using either local silk or cotton. The Todi Shop and Ikat Weaving Centre in Tana Toraja have the finest selections, which aren’t cheap but well worth their cost.