Destination Makassar – Rich Cultural Heritage in Indonesia

17 May 2012, Singapore – Makassar,  formerly known as Ujang Pandang (from 1979 to 1999),  is the capital of South Sulawesi province of Indonesia and also the largest city on the Sulawesi Island. Being a trading center of eastern Indonesia since the sixteenth century, Makassar is still able to maintain its cultural heritage after all these years.

My trip to Makassar was a short but eventful trip, despite the cancellation of the island hopping trip due to strong monsoon wind. Instead, a specially arranged detour trip to the rural village allowed me to spend an afternoon with the kids from a village.  I saw the untainted side of country life and wished I could spend more time taking pictures and interact with the villagers.

 

Having spontaneous travel mates for cultural trips always adds spice when visiting attractions that most would find plain & boring. I had a lot of fun at the Balla Lompoa Museum. With the ladies all dressed up in the traditional Baju Bodo and the remains of the Palace of the Kingdom of Gowa as the backdrop, we took many photos.

 

 

Fort Rotterdam is a Dutch fort built during the 1670s, which now houses the La Galigo Museum with Indonesian artifacts from as early as the thirteenth century and ceramic collection from China, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan.

 

 

At Paotere Harbour, we got to see the wharf docked with many traditional Indonesia two masted sailing ships called the Pinisi. The Pinisi was first built in the sixteenth century and has now evolved to motorised versions while keeping its traditional hulls.  They are still widely used by the Buginese and Makassarese for transportation and agricultural purpose.

 

 

Other than the cultural sites, there’s an integrated tourism spot, Trans Studio World, with a large indoor theme park, shopping mall, restaurants, hotels, and marina all under one roof. The theme park is fully indoor and air conditioned, so you can enjoy a whole afternoon of fun regardless of rain or shine. The rides in the theme park are quite decent and there is more than a handful to choose from. The only set back is the theme park is operated fully in Bahasa.   So if you don’t mind the language then Trans Studio is a great way to spend an afternoon or more with the young ones.