The History of Somba Opu Castle in South Sulawesi

Somba Opu Castle

In 1525, The Sultan of Gowa IX named Daeng Matanre Karaeng Tumapa‘  risi‘ kallonna built a castle that was called Somba Opu Castle. In the middle of the  16^th century, the castle became a very busy spices port and a  commercial center where many merchants from Asia and Europe  anchored there. On June 24^th, 1669, it was conquered and destroyed  by VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) until it was sunk by tidal waves. In  1980‘s some archeologists discovered the castle and reconstructed it in 1990.  Now, it has been turned become an interesting historical museum.

The castle used the combination of clay and egg white as the material replacing cement for building the castle. Physically, it has square shape with length of the castle is around 2 km, 7 to 8 meters in height with total width  is about 1.500 ha.  All of the buildings are covered by thick wall where many heritages of Gowa Sultanate‘s historical  things are kept within. In addition, there are some customary houses representing tribes from South Sulawesi such as Bugis, Makassar,  Mandar and Kojang and artillery with 9 meters in length and 9.00 kg in weight  are kept in the museum. Visiting the castle will be beneficial for everyone who wants to know more information about the history and culture of tribes in South Sulawesi.

How to Access Location Somba Opu Castle?

The castle located in Daeng Tata street, Makassar city, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. It lies 25 km away from Cenderawasih street from the city of Makassar. It can be reached by bus, taxi, or pete-pete (minibus). Its costs Rp. 25.000,00 by taxi or only Rp. 7.000 by pete-pete. Just come to Somba Opu castle, there will be guides that will help you  in giving more information about the castle.

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Mount Inerie

Mount Inerie, at an altitude of 2.245 meters, had ever erupted in 1882 and 1970 on dry season, during June to August. The west side of the mount‘s slope is dominated by thick forest while the east side of the mount is not converted into farming land. Most of the forest in the area of Mount Inerie are situated at 1.000 – 1.500 meters above the sea level.

You can see the entire panoramic view of Bajawa City, on the north-west, which is covered with slight mist above the city. On the south of the mount, the blue sea of Sawu lies in the slope of the mount.

There is a myth about a big stone located in the south of the mount. The big stone is believed as a materialization of Jaramasi and his horse. Jaramasi, jara means horse and masi is a name of a man, is assumed as the guardian knight of Mount Inerie.

Mount Inerie Location

Mount Inerie lies in Bejawa Sub-district, Ngada District, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. To reach the destination, you can take air transportation from Kupang to Ende, in Flores Island. Having arrived at Ende City, you can continue the trip to Bajawa for about 61 km away. From Bajawa, go to the location by public transportation to the location, around 15 km southwards. In Bena Village, you can find some inns for you who want to spend more days around the location.

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Pantar Strait Sea Park

Pantar Sea Park

Pantar Strait that is the separation of Alor Island and Bantar Island is only visited by more and less 100 foreign tourists to dive in the sea park in a year. Such amount is just a small, out of target, considering that the enormous potencies on it. When the economic crisis hit Indonesia, there were only 187 divers came to the location and in the next year, noted that only 109 divers come to the location.

Maritime Tourism in Pantar Strait Sea Park offers beautiful scenery under the sea. It lures many divers from all over the world to come for enjoying its panoramic views. Pantar Strait Sea Park encompasses Alor Besar waters, Alor Kecil Waters, Buaya Island, Kepa Island, Ternate Island and Pura Island.

Around 26 diving spots are found in the location. Those diving spots are: Half Moon Bay;  Peter`s Prize;  Crocodile Rook; Cave Point; The Edge; Coral Clitts; Baeylon; The Arch; Fallt  Line; The Pacth; Nite Delht; Kal`s Dream; The Ball; Trip Top; The Mlai Hall; No  Man`s Land; The Chatedral; School`s Ut, and the deepest one is Shark Close. The last one is the most interesting spots regarding there are many tame sharks so you are not necessary to be afraid of them. Gray dolphin, which is regarded as threatened with extinction can be found there.

Pantar Strait Sea Park Location

Pantar Strait Sea Park lies in the district of Alor, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. You can reach the location by ferryboat from Kupang for about 12 to 13 hours with the direction to Larantuka. The journey then is continued to Kalabahi harbor using wooden boat for approximately an hour. From kelabahi harbor, you can directly enjoy the beauty of Pantar Strait Sea Park.There are many inns, restaurants, guides` services and souvenir peddlers around the destination.

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Sendang Gile Waterfall in Lombok Island

Sendang Gila (read  Gile) is located around the Rinjani mount. It was found intuitively when the  inhabitants were hunting for a mad lion running into the forest that destroyed the  inhabitants‘ village. It is 31 meters high above the earth surface falling down  from a high crag. With a flat bottom on the ground of the waterfall, many  visitors (most of them are domestic visitors) enjoy taking a bath under the  waterfall. There is another waterfall surround Sendang Gila Waterfall named Tiu  kelep. However, visitors tend to visit Sendang Gila because the access to Tiu  Kelep Waterfall is rather difficult and spend for approximately an hour.

It is 600 meters  above the sea level, far from frenetic city, where you can find the tranquil  holiday to escape from your saturation. Fresh air, wonderful and natural  scenery will take you to the peace of your life after spending almost your time  for weary activities. There is another  interesting one from this waterfall; most people believe that the water of  Sendang Gila waterfall has a magical substance. It is believed that everyone  taking a bath there will be a year younger than before. No one knows the truth  of this assumption; just prove it by visiting that place.

How to Access Location Sendang Gile Waterfall?

It is in the west  of Central Lombok district in Senaru village, Bayan sub-district, West Nusa  Tenggara province, Indonesia.  It is 60 km away from Mataram city. The waterfall is part of Mount Rinjani  area.
It needs about 2  to 3 hours by car from Mataram city or Selaparang Airport  to reach the destination. There is no public transportation around there; many  visitors tend to use the car rental services that can be easily found in the  downtown of Mataram or Cakranegara city. You must walk down along the 315  ladder-steps passing through a valley for approximately 15 minutes. It will not spend  much money, only Rp. 5.000,00 for everyone who are eager to visit and enjoy the  waterfall and its nature.

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