BIRA BEACH SOUTH SULAWESI

 

Bira Beach lies at the south-eastern tip of South Sulawesi. Coming from Makassar the 190 kilometers going there will take about four hours by car. Tanjung Bira and surroundings are famous for their white beaches with powder-like sand and shipbuilding. Tourism is slowly developing in this area, resulting in better access to the villages and some reasonable quality places to stay. Bira is suitable for relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, diving and walks in the area. Please be aware of the very strong currents around cape Bira.

 

The rainfall pattern in Bira (and as well Bulukumba and Sinjai) is different from Makassar and many other areas in Sulawesi, Bali and Java. While Makassar has heavy rains in the period December - February, Bira and surroundings are dry, though an occasional shower from the west will be possible. In Bira most rain falls during the months April, May and June.

 

The most visited part of the peninsula is around the very end of the tar road. This area is called Kapongkolang. Unfortunately this place has in the past been cleared of trees before the building of restaurants and small hotels started. Because of the dry limestone soil, trees only slowly come back again. It takes just a short walk from here to visit greener beaches in the area.

 

Bira's harbour you will find at the south-east side of the peninsula. This is the place from where the ferries to Selayar and Labuan Bajo (Flores) leave. During the west monsoon many classical style boats that usually are operated for dive cruises moor here for shelter and repairs.

 

Pulau Kambing, Pasi Tanete and Selayar

South of the Bira peninsula lies the 80 km long, long-stretched island of Selayar. The 16 km wide strait between Bira and Selayar is well know for its attractive diving spots. The most popular dive locations here are around the islands "Pulau Kambing" and "Pasi Tanete". It is strongly advised to be accompanied by a dive guide that knows this area well, as currents can be dangerous. 

 

 

 

TANAH BERU

On the road from Bulukumba to Tanjung Bira you will pass after about 25 km Tanah Beru, a village full of boat builders. In the past many boat builders from around Bira moved here, resulting in an interesting concentration of boats under construction. If you are in the village, just go off the main road at the point it makes a sharp curve, and spend some time to visit the building sites. 

Most boats are of the type "Finisi" (Pinisiq). Many of these boats still are built without the use of technical drawings. Still many wood connections are made with wooden pins. Recently the price of boats built here went up drastically due increasing hardwood prices. This did not stop new boats being built. A big part of the boats under construction are ordered by foreigners that operate these "pinisiq" for dive cruises.

 

TORAJA TOUR, SOUTH SULAWESI

Welcome to the Tana Toraja, the "Land of Heavenly Kings".

The long drive from the lowlands to the mountain stronghold of Tanaopens up a breath-taking new world. The rugged mountains and verdant valleys are home to a people whose love of religious spectacle is equaled only by their hospitality. With majestic panoramas, captivating villages and dramatic ceremonies, Tana Toraja is the undisputed highlight of any journey to Sulawesi.
Upgraded roads, an airport and several star-rated hotels have opened the Toraja highland to visitors of all interests. The essence of the Toraja beliefs and way of life can be experienced without undue effort, as many interesting sites are clustered around the town of Rantepao, easily accessible by road...

Toraja Land whose ancestor oriented group believes that their forefathers descended from heaven onto a mountain some twenty generations ago. Their colourful culture is especially rich in elaborate sacrificial, post mortuary, and cave burial sites.
Tana Toraja (Toraja Land), which lies in the north of the province is known for its unique culture and ancient traditions. The center of tourism is Rantepao, 328 km from Ujung Pandang by road. There are several small bungalow hotels at Rantepao, and Makale, the district capital. The entry to Tana Toraja is marked by a gate built in traditional boat-shaped architecture. The road passes through the mountains of Kandora and Gandang on which, according to Toraja mythology, the first ancestors of celestial beings descended from heaven. The majority of the people still follows an ancestral cult called "Aluk Todolo" which governs all traditional ceremonies. From Rantepao, side trips can be made to Kete, a traditional village where there are handicraft and unique shops. Behind the village there is a grave site on a hillside. Life-size statues guard over old coffins. As roads are not always paved, it is necessary to use a jeep or walk if the weather is good (between May and October).
Two cliff graves easy to reach are Lemo and Londa. Londa is one of the oldest hanging graves belonging to the nobility. A large balcony is filled with effigies of the dead. Kerosene lamps with young village guides, can be hired to enter the caves to see skeletons and old coffins. At Lemo, burial chambers are cut out of the rock and several balconies filled with effigies look out while new caves are being dug to serve as family graves.
There are several grave sites and traditional villages of which Palawa is a classic example of a village on a small hill with "Tongkonan" or a burial place with celebrations and festivals. Visitors are welcome but they are expected to adhere to local customs of dress, seating and bringing a token present.

TOUR BANTIMURUNG BUTTERFLY

In 1857, leading British naturalist, Alfred Russell Wallace discovered wonders beyond his imagination as he travelled into the interior of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. He found himself surrounded by thousands of enchanting butterflies of various sizes and colors.  Fascinated by the scene, he dubbed the area “the Kingdom of Butterflies” and later spent most of his life in this region to enjoy and examine the 150 species of butterflies not found elsewhere. Today the area is known as the Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, which is not only the scene of butterflies but also of magnificent caves and a stunning waterfall.

Located in the Maros regency in the province of South Sulawesi, the Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park is a mere 50Km from Makassar or 20Km from the Sultan Hasanuddin international airport.

The Bantimurung National Park has a total area of approximately 43,750 hectares and is divided into three major types of ecosystems, namely the karst ecosystems, a lowland forest ecosystem, and a lower montane forest ecosystem.  The valleys of limestone hills and steep karts walls with tropical vegetation have made Bantimurung an ideal habitat for various rare and endemic species of butterflies, birds and insects.

Although there are not as many butterflies today as there were during Wallace’s expedition, visitors can still observe the wide variety of butterflidx within the Butterfly Conservation Captivity managed by the Center for Butterfly Breeding. Among various species of butterflies found here are: the Troides halipron, Papiliio Pofites, Papiliio Satapses, Papiliio blumei and Graphium androcles. One of the rarest and biggest butterflies of the world, the papillo androcoles are also found in this National Park. This unique species has the tail similar to swallows. Within the national park, visitors can also find a butterfly museum which houses thousands of unique and rare butterflies that have and still inhabit the area. Among other fauna found in the area are: the Kuskus (Phalanger celebencis), Tarsiers (Tarsius sp.), Monkeys (Macaca Maura), hornbills (Ryticeros cassidix, Peneloppides exahartus), and Weasels (Macrogofidia mussenbraecki).

By the butterfly center, the fascinating Bantimurung waterfall draws visitors with its powerful rush of water and refreshing atmosphere. This is a favorite holiday destinaton especially on weekends.

The word Bantimurung itself is derived from two Bugis words: Benti meaning water, and Merrung meaning roaring. Therefore meaning roaring waters. Others also suggest that the name Bantimurung comes from the words Banting Murung or smashing one’s gloom, meaning that here visitors can release their sadness or depressing thoughts through  refreshing nature.

With a height of 15 meters and a 20 meters width, the Bantimurung waterfall can only be described as one of nature’s finest artwork, where waters rush down through its multi levels rocky streams, decorated by colorful surroundings.

The hills of Bantimurung-Bulusaurung National Park also hold wonders in some of its astonishing caves. The most notable of these caves are the Goa Mimpi (dream caves) and Goa Batu (the Stone Cave). Inside these caves, visitors can marvel through their interiors filled with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. The dreamlike crystal clear stalactites and stalagmites earned the cave its popular name, the dream cave or Goa Mimpi. Among these caves are found prehistoric “hand stencils”, similar to the rock art of Australia.

Hiking through 10 meters ascending stairs, visitors can discover another amazing cave, the Stone cave, or Gua Batu. Aside from offering hiking challenges, Goa Batu also present enchanting sceneries of small waterfall, and a 30 meters long intriguing cave.