In Bitung – North Sulawesi, there is an island called Lembeh, which is standing on the Indah Strait. This place is far away from the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta. It will take about more or less three hours of flight. But, the beauty of the underwater view is something more than the tiring journey that will really amuse all the visitors. Scuba diving and snorkeling are activities to be done.

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The scuba diving and snorkeling facilities are the part of Lembeh Resort. It is built to amuse those who really enjoy underwater sport. In addition, the resort gives natural view like the shore, sea, and the tropical park. Wide terrace for each room allows the guest to enjoy sunrise and sunset freely.

The guest won’t miss the diving lesson that is provided by the Lembeh Resort. The diving instructors, which have international certificate will take all the participant to dive and enjoy the view.

Lembeh Resort – North Sulawesi, originally uploaded by CW Ye

Although it is far away from the capital of Indonesia, Lembeh Resort has the best room facilities such as mini bar, satellite TV, flat
screen TV, Balinese styled bath room, and Internet wifi. Library with qualified books collection, swimming pool, souvenir store are provided outside the room. To enjoy all the facilities, we have to pay about IDR 1.781.000 per night.

Bunaken offers fantastic underwater world where scuba diving is best done on the spots around the island. Places that give wonderful view are at Batu Lohang at Manado Tua Island, Ron’s Point, Sachiko and Lekuan at the Bunaken, and Siladen Island. Read more to see the diving in Bunaken video.


Scuba diving in Bunaken video by Bubblevision

Batu Lohang
We can find an amazing view of coral on Batu Lohang. Collection of hard corals to form small hills are very beautiful. These location is included in the Bunaken National Park.
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It is recorded there are 13 genera of corals living in waters of Bunaken National Park, dominated by the edge of coral reef species and coral reef barrier, but Derawan may has bigger collection. The most interesting is the vertical cliffs as far as 25-50 meters.

Ron’s Point, Sachiko and Lekuan
Different view is found at Ron’s Point, Sachiko and Lekuan where more living fishes are swimming across our eyes. Here we may find green turtles, sharks and a host of smaller marine life.

Approximately 91 species of fish found in the waters of Bunaken National Park, including fish gusumi horse (Hippocampus horse), white oci (Seriola rivoliana), yellow tail lolosi (Lutjanus Kasmira), goropa (Pseudanthias Ephinephelus spilotoceps hypselosoma), Ila gasi (Scolopsis bilineatus) , and others. Types of mollusks like giant clam (Tridacna gigas), goat head (Cassis cornuta), nautilus (Nautilus pompillius), and tunikates / ascidian.

Bunaken snorkeling photo by imey0106

Siladen
Siladen is the place that many divers won’t get bored. Colorful corals, fishes and mollusks are at the best appearance to see. Don’t worry, there are many places to rent the diving equipment, and they provide professional diving guides.

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When I travel to North Sulawesi, I visit not only Bunaken at Manado but also archaeological remains at Sawangan village, Airmadidi, Minahasa Regency. The people call the relic ‘Waruga’. The word waruga consists of two words: waru (means a house), and ruga (means body). Therefore, it means ‘the house for the body that backs to the heaven’. From its meaning, may be you guess it as a cemetery. Yes, you are right, but it is a unique burial place for the ancestors of Minahasa.

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Waruga looks like a small stone monument with roof on it. It consists of two parts, the first is cubical stone with hole in it. The hole is the place where the dead body is placed. The stone is about 1 meter in width and 1 to 2 meters high. The second part is the roof, it is made from stone as well. The roof is on the cubical stone, just like a house for the living people. The oldest Waruga was built on about 900 BC.
Characters are carved on each roof but not on the oldest. The carved object represents the work of the dead during their life like midwife, carpenter, hunter, etc. 104 clans are buried there. Together with the body, jewelry like ring, necklace, earring and bracelet that belong to the dead are also buried there. However, it cannot be found in the Waruga now, the government has saved them in the museum to keep it away from thieved.

How to Get there?

The location is about 24 kilometers from Manado. The government has provided easy access to the location. It is avalable car and minibus to the Sawangan village or taxi to be more private.