Bantimurung

To the north of Ujung Pandang and driving east along the mountain range, is the Bantimurung waterfalls, about 41 km from the capital. A cascade of sparkling water gushes out between rocky cliffs into a stream shaded by tall trees. Here the air is filled with butterflies which fly from shrub to shrub over the water.
These rare brightly colored ornithoid butterflies are considered the most beautiful in the world.

Paotere Anchorage

On the outskirts of Ujung Pandang, Paotere is where sailing boats and other small vessels anchor to unload their cargo. The setting casts a glow over the sea with the silhouettes of the boats. This scenery is most often photographed by tourists.

Bulukumba

Bira

Bira is a very small place on the most southern tip of West Sulawesi. Besides beautiful beaches and crystal clear water, there's not a lot to do there, but than again this is what makes it interesting. There's a possibility to do some good diving here for experienced divers, but prepare to grab deep in your pockets as they charge 70€ for 2 dives (end 2004). Due to 'Idul Fitri' (Muslim celebration in November) we decided not to go to the nearby islands, judging from Bira and the stories we heard, they must be very interesting.

Further westward on the southern coast in the Bira Cape is Bulukumba, another sea resort 153 kms from the provincial captal. Here visitors can view the building of pinisi schooners and other boats on the white sandy beaches.

Malino

A mountains resort, which lies on the slopes of Mountain Bawakaraeng approximately 2500 feet above the sea level, 71 kms from Ujung Pandang, Malino has a cool climate and serene countryside amid a forest of pine trees.

2 km away is the Takapala waterfall, a cool climate and perfect place where hardworking business men can get new strength and fresh ideas for their activities when they return to the city.

A morning walk through the forest of pine trees just outside the village is a refreshing and most enjoyable experience.

Tomb of Sultan Hasanuddin

Sultan Hasanuddin (1626-1670) was famous for his exceptional bravery in his struggle against Dutch encroachment in South Sulawesi. His tomb and those of other kings of Gowa are located in a secluded cemetery not far from Sungguminasa, about 8 kms from Ujung Pandang.

The huge crypts are grey with age and just outside the walls of the cemetery, a small fenced-off plot contains the tomanurung stone on which the kings of Gowa were crowned a show of pomp and splendor.

Not far from the tombs is the oldest mosque in the area, built in 1603 and known as the Katangka Mosque.

Sungguminasa

Formerly the seat of kings of Gowa about 11 kms from Ujung Pandang, is the old palace of wood standing on stilts facing the town square across the administration office. Now the Ballalompoa Museum, weapons and costumes of royalty are on display in glass cases, The royal regalia which includes a stone-studed gold crown weighing 15,4 kgs can be seen only on special request.

MUSIC AND DANCERS

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   PAKARENA

It’s a traditional dance from Makassar ethnic. In the sphere of Gowa Kingdom. This dance is often displayed on the traditional ceremonies, specially on the wedding party, circumcision or on the occasion of welcoming exalted guest. There are some Pakarena dances that are adjusted with original area and the ceremonial forms in which they are danced.

•  PAMASARI

One kind of traditional dances, that still displays on influence of Hindustan dance is “Pamasari”. It is a dance carried out by transestile who wearing glasses with women’s clothes. This dance belong to the folk dance which now nearly extinct.

•  PEPEKA RI MAKKA

It is a dance that reminds us to prophet of “Abraham” who had been burned by the unbeliever (idols worshipers). Dancers hold in their hands fire as dancing instrument by which they burn themselves with confidence to the word of God that they will not be burned (wasted).

BENTENG SOMBA OPU

The ruin of tjis Makassarese fort can be found in delta of the Jeneberang River, 7Km south of Makssar. In 1669 Bugis-Dutch forces destroyed the fort while bringing about the ruins of the powerful Makassar Kingdom. During the following centuries a large portion of the bricks were taken away to serve as building material for houses and wells in the area.

Little is left of the once all-important fort, though part of its western wall has been restored, and can be visited. For many people the highlight of the try the adjacent open-air museum of traditional houses from South Sulawesi, complex also contains an archaelogical museum housing objects found during excavalations of the fort and its surroundings.

FORT ROTTERDAM (BENTENG UJUNG PANDANG)

Fort Rotterdam not only contain some interesting buildings, an arts century an the “La Galigo” museum but also provides a quiet haven away from parts or town. In the late afternoon and evening you can often find young people playing music or rehearsing for theatre performance.

The King of Gowa built the fort in 1545. After other forts in the area were destroyed in 1669, Fort Rotterdam was taken over by Dutch. In 1937 lost its military function and was handed over to the Fort Rotterdam Foundation for cultura purposes.

Art and Craft

Sulawesi silk famous throughout Indonesia. The natural silk is processed into yarn in Soppeng, and in Bone but the weaving is mainly a cottage industry. Farm women are seen with their short looms weaving silks of brilliant colours after their return form the field in the afternoon. They are made in lengths of two meters for sarongs and can be found in shops in Ujung Pandang.

Kendari silver is made in Ujung Pandang and not in the town of Kendari in Southeast Sulawesi. The delicate filigree work is fashioned into jewellery, table ornaments like pinisi schooners, Toraja houses, etc.