I am going to Indonesia with my girlfriend from 29/1 to 1/2. Will be in Kuta, Bali for 5 days for some New Years boozing and would like a couple of days in the mountains before we head off to Sulawesi. There seems so much to see and do in Sulawesi that I'm wondering whether 4 weeks will be enough. Our plan is to start at Ujung Pandang and go straight to Rantepao for some trekking in Tanah Toraja. From there to Lake Poso and the Eastern coast of Central Sulawesi. There are several groups of Islands off the East coast we'd like to see but will limit it to only one: Togian Islands or Banggai islands or the Sula Islands (I know this group is in Maluku but it looks enticing). From there we'd like to spend a good bit of time in Northern Sulawesi and finish up in Manado. If time permits we'd REALLY like to spend visit the Sangihe/Talaud Islands to the North. I'd love it if people could pass on any recommendations, especially as to the Island groups i've mentioned (there's a fair bit of literature on the mainland). Will $(Aus) 2000 be enough money for this kind of holiday? What's the weather like at that time of year (I understand Sulawesi to have many weather patterns)? Will it be safe? Have we given ourselves enough time and if not what should we miss? I'd appreciate any response to this post. Thanks, Robin.
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I suggest to spend as much time as you have on Sulawesi
alone. Bali can be beautiful too, but forget about Kuta
unless you are seeking for parties, boozing ,.....
Don`t under estimate the time you need to travel through
Sulawesi. December / January is the rain season. That may
cause some not unusal landslide in the central part, where
roads are bad anyway. Don`t know how the sea conditions are
at that time of the year? From the islands you mentioned,
we only visited the Togians (3 years ago) and that was a
highlight of our trip. Things might have changed, but we
found Bomba and Katupat to be one of the best places. A lot
of people choose Kadidiri now - for me no special place at
all, except the snorkel trip around Taipi island!!! A real
of the beaten track option would be Sula, but it takes time
to get there. I`m jealous! Gert
Gert, ditto for the above opinion for Bali. Skip it or spend a day on the way out.
Try to skip Ujung as well, should be direct busses from the airport to Rantepao. The road is good. However every traveller I met said the east coast roads are often impassable, very difficult to plan. Suggest flying to whatever town is adjacent to the islands you want to see.
This is also true for bussing to Manado. Very long and often blocked by landslides. Much better to fly from Ujung Padang. Garuda used to sell a monthlong pass good for three flights for 300$, only buyable once there, don't know if they still do this. Also try to find a Pelni boat schedule as a way to get from the south to the north.
Don't want to add confusion, but Bada valley was the highlight of my visit to Suluwesi, Torajalnd second. Have fun and blow off Bali! JB
Gert, ditto for the above opinion for Bali. Skip it or spend a day on the way out.
Try to skip Ujung as well, should be direct busses from the airport to Rantepao. The road is good. However every traveller I met said the east coast roads are often impassable, very difficult to plan. Suggest flying to whatever town is adjacent to the islands you want to see.
This is also true for bussing to Manado. Very long and often blocked by landslides. Much better to fly from Ujung Padang. Garuda used to sell a monthlong pass good for three flights for 300$, only buyable once there, don't know if they still do this. Also try to find a Pelni boat schedule as a way to get from the south to the north.
Don't want to add confusion, but Bada valley was the highlight of my visit to Suluwesi, Torajalnd second. Have fun and blow off Bali! JB