Manado is the capital of the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. Manado is located at the Bay of Manado, and is surrounded by a mountainous area. The city has about 417,548 inhabitants. The municipality of Manado is divided into nine districts: Malalayang, Sario, Wanea, Wenang, Tikala, Mapanget, Singkil, Tuminting and Mapanget.

History

The Dutch East India Company built a fortress in Manado in 1658. As with regions in eastern Indonesia, Manado has undergone Christianization by Dutch missionaries, including Riedel and Schwarz. The Javanese prince Diponegoro (national hero) was exiled to Manado by the Dutch government in 1830. The English biologist Alfred Wallace visited Manado in 1859, and praised the town for its beauty.

In 1919, the Apostolic Prefecture of Celebes was established in the city. In 1961, it was promoted as the Diocese of Manado.

The city was heavily damaged by Allied bombing during World War II. In 1958, the headquarters of the rebel movement Permesta were moved to Manado. When Permesta confronted the central government with demands for political, economic and regional reform, Jakarta responded in Manado by bombing the city in February 1958, and then invading in June 1958.

A rare Coelacanth fish (Ikan Raja Laut) was caught by a fisherman in Manado in July 2007 and there are plans to display its preserved body in a museum in Manado. Unfortunately, there is no museum or any representative place to exhibit preserved marine organism specially the rare species found in Manado. This is the remaining problem for the local government to face on.

World Ocean Conference (WOC) and Coral Triangle Initiatives (CTI) were successfully hosted in Manado on 11th to 15th May 2009. The WOC summit was participated by 56 countries and the CTI was consisted of Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands.

Sail Bunaken 2009 held on 12-20 August 2009 was participated by ships and yachts from 33 countries of which 15 countries sent their warships including from the USA, USS George Washington. In Manado Bay also a world record on scuba-diving was created with 2,486 divers entitled as The Most Scuba Diving Simultaneously.

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 Bunaken National Park including the 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 are nearby Lake Tondano, also some volcanoes sites are at Mount Lokon, Mount Klabat and Mount Mahawu .

Church-tourism. Manado is a Christian majority region. Contrary with other regions in Indonesia, in Manado you can find easily many church buildings of different denominations.

Blessing Jesus Statue in Asia. The white-robed Jesus with upraised hands stands on a 32-metre high hill in a residential estate in Manado. This 30-meter statue is the tallest Jesus Christ statue is Asia (if not the second tallest in the world after Rio)

Shopping Malls and Hotels. It is easy to find places to shop around Manado, since many of the shopping malls are located on Piere Tendean Boulevard. There are four recent shopping malls there, namely Mega Mall, Manado Town Square, Boulevard Mall and IT Center. Traffic jam usually occurs at Piere Tendean Boulevard because of the existence of the shopping malls. Hotels are located in the centre of the city ranging from budget, standard to deluxe (five-star).

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Central Jakarta offers more convenient places for tourists to stay whilst visiting. With an abundance of hotels in the area to suit all budgets,it also has a wide selection of restaurants, bars and brothels and shopping malls. Jalan Jaksa is the main backpackers street.

International airlines, including KLM and Lufthansa, fly into Jakarta, as do several domestic airlines. A toll road links the airport to the city and the journey takes about an hour. There is a good Damri bus service which runs every half hour. Boats are also a popular way of getting around once in Indonesia, many services run from Jakarta to destinations throughout Indonesia.

The tower clock was once returned to England to be repaired under a lifetime guarantee, which up to now has already lasted hundreds of years.

The island of Java has a good rail network, centred in Jakarta. Bus travel is also popular, but Jakartas four main bus stations are all a long way from the city centre it can take longer to get to the bus stop than to take the bus trip itself.

Jakarta is almost always hot and sticky. Average maximum temperatures stay above 30C throughout the year

The nightlife is among the best in Asia. From the upscale X Lounge to the seediest discos, Jakarta caters to all kinds of clubbers. The most famous night life district is Blok M in South Jakarta. While lacking the bikini clad go go dancers of Patpong, the meat market atmosphere is much the same with poor country girls turned pro. Tanamor prides itself as Jakartas best known discotheque. During the month of Ramadhan, all nightlife ends at midnight and some operations close for the entire month.

Jakarta History Museum is the place to go if you are into heavy, carved furniture and other memorabilia from the Dutch period. Among the more interesting exhibits is a series of gloomy portraits of all the Dutch governors general and early drawings and etchings of Batavia. Housed in the old Batavia Town Hall, the museum is probably the most solid reminder of Dutch rule anywhere in Indonesia. The large, bell towered hall was built in 1627 and housed the administration of the city, the law courts, and even Batavias main prison compound.

Bali is a place characterized by ancient art; painting, dancing and many more. There are many places in Bali that you wouldn’t want to miss when you are there for your holidays. “Ubud” is the center of Balinese painting and has a collection of traditional as well as modern art. Ubud has many small hotels near it offering many affordable discount hotel. Other attractions include Kuta, Nusa Dua, Tanah Lot, Batubulan, Gianyar, Pura Besakih and terraced Rice paddies.

Kuta is one of the most flourishing tourism resorts. It is the best place to view the beautiful, heart touching scenes of sunset. Many affordable hotel deals can also be available at nearby hotels in Kuta such as Kuta Sea view Boutique Resort &Spa.  The most popular hotel deals are provided by Puri Saron Seminyak Hotel & Villas, Legian Beach Hotel, The Kayana Hotel, Santika Beach Hotel and discovery Kartika Plaza hotel. They also favor their customers and tourist by giving hotel deal on many offers. You can find wide variety of hotels ranging from luxurious to affordable ones.

People all around the world interested in visiting sacred place would love to travel all the way to Bali to have the privilege of seeing Pura Besakih. For the followers visiting this temple and other nearby temples in Bali is like doing a special pilgrimage. If you view it from the mountain, the sight created is not only impressive but also striking. They stay there for not a day but for more than a week. If you are one of them then finding a good accommodation is really important but don’t worry by doing little browsing, you can easily book a hotel room or a suite within your range and with the best hotel deals and you can also earn the opportunity of getting discount on different deals.

You can also surf on net and find different travel blogs written by people who have great knowledge about these places. Such travel blog will make your trip easier and more convenient for you. There are some well known travel blog websites and national geographic. These travel blogs have all the information related to your desired city and will help you find the best hotel deals and best places to shop and enjoy your trip to your utmost.

This city down under has it all. From Victorian-era architecture, numerous cultural organizations, museums, galleries and theaters to public parks, gardens and a wide-range for shopping, Melbourne is a great place for a tourist. Visitors can also stopover at Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road and Philip Island. The heart of Melbourne is vibrant and features cultural heritage and futuristic aspects as well. The nightlife in Melbourne is globally renowned. The party atmosphere lasts all day and night with pulsating music, bright and wild ambiance, where travelers can expect excellent entertainment inside the night clubs and bars. Live music, local artists and wonderful people make up some of the features on offer in the city. Melbourne has something to offer everyone and also features famed historical landmarks such as the Gold Treasury Museum and the Federation Square. The cultural attractions are plentiful with museums dedicated to science, Jewish history and the world of sport.

Sports enthusiasts will love Melbourne. The Melbourne Cricket Ground, Albert Park which hosts the Formula One Grand Prix and the Telstra Dome are some of the attractions that a sports lover should not miss during their stay in Melbourne. The renowned University of Melbourne is worth a visit especially for young travelers for educational value. Much is offered by way of dining options in Melbourne of gastronomical delights from Italian to Japanese or Indonesian.

Public transport options like train, car and bus can be used to get around and explore the hot spots of this vibrant city. Visitors can stay in any one of the Langham Hotels like the Langham Brand for a pleasurable holiday in Melbourne.

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands located in the south of the province North Holland.

Amsterdams airport at Schipol is also one of Europes most important and makes the city easily accessible to travellers from abroad.

Explore Amsterdam by foot, tram, canal tour or bike. Word of warning though with the bikes on a recent count there are over 400,000 bikes in Amsterdam, if you are a bit wobbly it could be best to start in one of the parks.

Amsterdam has plenty of attractions to interest a traveller, including world renowned Arts Museums, canal cruises and an incredibly diverse Nightlife embracing Indonesian restaurants, Opera, Ballet through to Coffee Shops and the Red Light District. A good starting point for any visit to Amsterdam is the Tourist Information Office.

The phrase going window shopping will never mean the same again. It is a real tourist area just remember when the Dutch say no photos they mean it. The red light area is one of the oldest districts in Amsterdam. With cobbled streets and fantastic Dutch architecture it really is a beautiful area. Prostitution was only legalised in the year 2000 but has been the main pull of this district for Centuries.

The many places where you can sip a coffee and smoke a spliff are one answer. In 1976 the Dutch, taking their normal pragmatic approach to humanities weaknesses, realised that the use of marijuana was widespread and re classified it as a soft drug. As a result, locals and visitors can now walk into a coffee shop and purchase up to five grams of the stuff for personal use as long as theyre over 18.

Hotels are located in the heart of the city and all major attractions and nightlife areas are only few steps away.

The capital city is home to a surprising succession of English language comedy, including a world renowned improve troupe, international stand up festival and plenty of budding talents.

The term Dutch cuisine once tended to inspire peals of laughter. However well travelled chefs have returned home to apply their lessons to fresh local and often organic, ingredients. Transcending its setting on a land best suited to spuds, cabbages, carrots and cows, the nation is now employing its greenhouses to grow an array of ingredients.

Visit Ann Franks house, the windmills, the zoo the cheese factory its all in easy reach.

Its an old city dating back to 12th century, with a beautifully preserved city centre canals, locks, bridges, canal houses in all shapes and sizes.

A city break to Amsterdam means different things to different people.  This is a city of contrasts and contradictions but one that can never be classed as dull.

With most of the city centre built on or around a grid system of canals, it is a very easy city to get around and get to know.  And being relatively compact most attractions are accessible either on foot or using the trams which form the backbone of the excellent public transport network.

So your first decision in Amsterdam centres upon what to do first.  This is a city steeped in history and a boat trip on the canal system is perhaps the tourist’s “must do”, providing an ideal way to see the main sites in comfort.

After that it’s a question of choosing your preferred Amsterdam.  If you are there for art, culture and history, you will not be disappointed.  The ever popular Anne Frank House is a fascinating glimpse into wartime Amsterdam and the Rembrandt and Van Gogh museums provide more art than you can shake a very big stick at! 

Of course with more than 50 museums in the city, there is something for everyone.  From the more “traditional” museums dedicated Jewish History, Tea and Coffee and Vodka to the infamous Sex Museum and the equally divisive Hash Museum.

Talking of which… it is the famous red light district that brings in just as many tourists as the history and culture.  Centred around the inner circle of canals, this area is synonymous with the city’s recent history.  With its narrow alleyways, sex shops, legalised prostitution and “coffee shops” selling marijuana, this is the real draw for students and young people looking to discover the city’s more “colourful” side.

But despite these seemingly incompatible sides, the city somehow works.  When night falls, the museum-goers take in the cities cafés and many restaurants (if you don’t fancy the Dutch cuisine, a visit to one of the city’s many Indonesian restaurants is a must), the younger crowd head for the many bars, clubs and vibrant music scene in the city.

Amsterdam is a city for all ages and has something for everyone.  It’s no wonder that it remains perennially popular with tourists from the UK.

Amsterdam is a city whose layout is determined by a web of canals radiating out from an historical core to loop right round the centre. These planned, seventeenth-century extensions to the medieval town make for a uniquely elegant urban environment, with tall gabled houses reflected in their black-green waters. This is the city at its most enticing, a world away from the traffic and noise of many other European city centers, and it has made Amsterdam one of the continent’s most popular short-time destinations.

The city has not stopped developing. As with the usual cities it develops in form of building and architecture. Amsterdam has developed new canals also. Four new canals of Amsterdam on Java Island were developed. Four narrow canals, Brantasgracht, Lamonggracht, Majanggracht and Seranggracht have been built in 1995 and interweave this island. Extraordinary houses have been built along these canals are worth seeing. Some seem to be built higgledy-piggledy.

The houses and building built by these modern architects are a sight worth seeing. Nineteen young and promising architects, including René van Zuuk and Bjarne Mastenbroek, designed the houses. These architects were asked to design Amsterdam Canal Houses with a unique concept. The only thing their designs have in common is that each building is 4.5 meters wide and four to five stories high. The houses are not only unique but also interesting. In addition to the houses the nine bridges built across the canals for cyclists and pedestrians are also unique and interesting. Artist duo Guy Rombours and Monika Droste designed them. They have created authentic works of art.

The island’s four brand-new canals, Brantasgracht, Lamonggracht, Majanggracht and Seranggracht, are situated 1.5 meters below the quays. Just as intriguing and interesting are the nine bridges across the canals for cyclists and pedestrians. The houses along these canals are not exactly run-of-the-mill. Some seem to be built higgledy-piggledy. A unique concept for contemporary Amsterdam canal houses was created by nineteen young and promising architects. Because of the different designs, each street has an ambiance all of its own.

Java Island is an architectural gem, right in the middle of the IJ harbor. The island is connected to the mainland with a bridge only. On narrow Java Island many houses have been built in the past few years, designed by architect Sjoerd Soeters. A road for local traffic is situated on the northern side of the island. The southern side boasts a shopping promenade with expensive owner-occupied houses. A cycle path with gardens on both sides dissects the island. Every inch of the island is being used and the housing density is high.

When first proposed the new canals that divide the narrow island were controversial as they are very shallow by Amsterdam standards. They were considered more cosmetic than functional. A footbridge which forms a distinctive style has been built to allow pedestrian connection to the entire island. Despite the limited width of the island, the development retains an urban feel with a spinal alley running through the developments. Dockside parking and mixed uses foster the traditional canal side ambience. New bridges connect Java Island to other sections of the eastern docks. A city on water has been developed for the people to enjoy.

This city down under has it all. From Victorian-era architecture, numerous cultural organizations, museums, galleries and theaters to public parks, gardens and a wide-range for shopping, Melbourne is a great place for a tourist. Visitors can also stopover at Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road and Philip Island. The heart of Melbourne is vibrant and features cultural heritage and futuristic aspects as well. The nightlife in Melbourne is globally renowned. The party atmosphere lasts all day and night with pulsating music, bright and wild ambiance, where travelers can expect excellent entertainment inside the night clubs and bars. Live music, local artists and wonderful people make up some of the features on offer in the city. Melbourne has something to offer everyone and also features famed historical landmarks such as the Gold Treasury Museum and the Federation Square. The cultural attractions are plentiful with museums dedicated to science, Jewish history and the world of sport.

Sports enthusiasts will love Melbourne. The Melbourne Cricket Ground, Albert Park which hosts the Formula One Grand Prix and the Telstra Dome are some of the attractions that a sports lover should not miss during their stay in Melbourne. The renowned University of Melbourne is worth a visit especially for young travelers for educational value. Much is offered by way of dining options in Melbourne of gastronomical delights from Italian to Japanese or Indonesian.

Public transport options like train, car and bus can be used to get around and explore the hot spots of this vibrant city. Visitors can stay in any one of the Langham Hotels like the Langham Brand for a pleasurable holiday in Melbourne.

Manado is the capital of the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. Manado is located at the Bay of Manado, and is surrounded by a mountainous area. The city has about 417,548 inhabitants. The municipality of Manado is divided into nine districts: Malalayang, Sario, Wanea, Wenang, Tikala, Mapanget, Singkil, Tuminting and Mapanget.

History

The Dutch East India Company built a fortress in Manado in 1658. As with regions in eastern Indonesia, Manado has undergone Christianization by Dutch missionaries, including Riedel and Schwarz. The Javanese prince Diponegoro (national hero) was exiled to Manado by the Dutch government in 1830. The English biologist Alfred Wallace visited Manado in 1859, and praised the town for its beauty.

In 1919, the Apostolic Prefecture of Celebes was established in the city. In 1961, it was promoted as the Diocese of Manado.

The city was heavily damaged by Allied bombing during World War II. In 1958, the headquarters of the rebel movement Permesta were moved to Manado. When Permesta confronted the central government with demands for political, economic and regional reform, Jakarta responded in Manado by bombing the city in February 1958, and then invading in June 1958.

A rare Coelacanth fish (Ikan Raja Laut) was caught by a fisherman in Manado in July 2007 and there are plans to display its preserved body in a museum in Manado. Unfortunately, there is no museum or any representative place to exhibit preserved marine organism specially the rare species found in Manado. This is the remaining problem for the local government to face on.

World Ocean Conference (WOC) and Coral Triangle Initiatives (CTI) were successfully hosted in Manado on 11th to 15th May 2009. The WOC summit was participated by 56 countries and the CTI was consisted of Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands.

Sail Bunaken 2009 held on 12-20 August 2009 was participated by ships and yachts from 33 countries of which 15 countries sent their warships including from the USA, USS George Washington. In Manado Bay also a world record on scuba-diving was created with 2,486 divers entitled as The Most Scuba Diving Simultaneously.

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 Bunaken National Park including the 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 are nearby Lake Tondano, also some volcanoes sites are at Mount Lokon, Mount Klabat and Mount Mahawu .

Church-tourism. Manado is a Christian majority region. Contrary with other regions in Indonesia, in Manado you can find easily many church buildings of different denominations.

Blessing Jesus Statue in Asia. The white-robed Jesus with upraised hands stands on a 32-metre high hill in a residential estate in Manado. This 30-meter statue is the tallest Jesus Christ statue is Asia (if not the second tallest in the world after Rio)

Shopping Malls and Hotels. It is easy to find places to shop around Manado, since many of the shopping malls are located on Piere Tendean Boulevard. There are four recent shopping malls there, namely Mega Mall, Manado Town Square, Boulevard Mall and IT Center. Traffic jam usually occurs at Piere Tendean Boulevard because of the existence of the shopping malls. Hotels are located in the centre of the city ranging from budget, standard to deluxe (five-star).

Website of Manado Tourism and Culture Office: www.manadokota.go.id

Also, you can read more of Manado at www.visit-manado.com

If you’re interested to see some amateur photos of Manado and its surroundings, please visit our family’ pictures in Facebook at butje-liuba lasut. Or, send us an email at butje_liubovi@hotmail.com.