Take a sidetrip in Manado

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In-between trips to humongous cities and destinations, most travelers have to spend at least a night or two at a place not originally part of the itinerary. These places are commonly just known as ‘stopovers’ and not much attention has been displayed resulting to it being overlooked.

The tired and excited traveler would just have to check-in to a hotel nearby an airport, spend the night there dozing with giving the ‘stopover’ place a chance to boast what it has on its possession.

Despite the fact that the place is a tourist destination in limbo, travelers put their energies to megalomaniac metropolises ahead and spare their precious time and money to maximize the visit. Manado, a ‘stopover’ city in Sulawesi, Indonesia is really more than what you think it is, and prepare yourself to be staying here for long.

Location

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Dubbed as the capital city of North Sulawesi archipelago in Indonesia, Manado is specifically located on the Bay of Manado and is beautifully surrounded with luscious greens and high mountaintops.

Manado is a bit far from the rest of its mother country and because of the fact that it is mixed remote and modern, most visitors drop by here for a connecting flight or cruise ship dockings.

Climate

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As according to the Koppen climate classification, Manado is under the tropical rainforest class with an average of 112 inches of rainfall annually. Because of the dense clouds being formed from the bay and other bodies of water, Manado has more months of rain from November to June, with the remaining four months that are clear and sunny.

Generally, the temperatures in Manado are playing in the range of 24-degrees Celsius to 30-degrees Celsius. Even the highest peaks in Manado which are Tomohon, Tondano and Kawangkoan are generally cooler yet sunny at the same time.

Transportation

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The main way to get into Manado from mainland Indonesia and other parts of Asia is through the Sam Ratulangi International Airport. Though not as busy as other neighboring airports, this terminal caters to 15,000 international tourists every year.

For local travel, be guided by the fact that the following are your best options for ease and convenience — Trans Kawanua, Angkutan Umum and buses that goes back and forth to Tomohon and Manado. Terminal Malalayang delivers long distance routes from outside Manado.

What to See

Kienteng Ban Hian Kong

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Well-restored and an edifice to visit before you leave Indonesia, Kienteng Ban Hian Kong is said to be the most ancient Buddhist temple in eastern Indonesia.

This very temple serves as host to some spectacular events that are famous in the Sulawesi archipelago.

Public Museum of North Sulawesi

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Be educated with the rich culture and heritage of Manado by visiting the Public Museum of North Sulawesi, which have an array of various artifacts, including traditional costumes and housing tools, crafts and paintings and many others.

Bukit Kasih

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Inhale the freshest of Manadoan air and climb the hills of Bukit Kasih, which is a good 2435 steps from ground base.

Dotted with natural hot springs, relax after you’ve taken the view of the general Sulawesi Island.

http://laurenceourac.com/take-a-sidetrip-in-manado/

Images
(1) www.heartland.geocities.jp
(2) www.north-sulawesi.org
(3) www.virtualtourist.com
(4) www.flicker.com
(5) www.carolkiecker.wordpress.com
(6) www.reportsfromeastjava.wordpress.com
(7) www.indonesia.travel