Sulawesi is a land of contrast. Mountains and volcanoes dominate the landscape, lush valleys ancient burial sites and megalithic remains and colorful dance ceremonies celebrate the afterlife. Magnificent coral gardens hold a multitude of tropical marine life that protects coastlines of virgin-white beaches. If that's not enough of a temptation, Sulawesi's wildlife is like no other you've seen before; for example the anoa (dwarf buffalo) and babirusa.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities
Coastlines that protect virgin white beaches are perfect for fishing, sailing and surfing, diving and snorkeling. Some of the world's most beautiful underwater environments are located in Sulawesi. There's the Bunaken Marine Reserve with white sandy beaches, a dense population of fish, coral and deep underwater gullies and valleys; Lembeh Straits and its WW I shipwrecks and unusual black and sand bottoms; the Togean Islands which host all major reef formations (fringing barrier, patch and atoll); Wakatobi in the Tukang Besi Archipelago and its fascinating fossil reef formations and a myriad of marine species, such as sperm and pilot whales, spinner, bottle-nose dolphins and dungongs; the sea gardens of Takabonerate National Park, southwest of Selayar Island, which is the third largest coral atoll in the world as well as the Banggai Archipelago, the Makassar Straits, Kapoposang and Selayar islands. See traditional boat building techniques at Cape Bira, Bulukumba, the center of the Bugis shipbuilding industry.

Nature Reserves
In Tara Tara village near Tomohon, North Sulawesi, see colorful cakalele war dance performances. In Airmadidi and Sawangan, there are pre-Christian stone tombs called warugas in which the dead are buried in an upright position. See the ancient culture and ceremonies of Tana Toraja. Apart from the wonderful scenery of lush valleys and rice fields sheltered by rocky cliffs, Torajan villages are architectural masterpieces, consisting of the beautifully decorated Tongkonan houses. Coffins containing bones and skulls are kept in the cliffs and cve graves. These unique burial sites are a typical Torajan ritual At Lemo, carved-out cliff balconies hold Tau-tau, wooden effigies of the dead. A pre-historic cave at Miasa Te'ne (Leng Lompoa Cave) has finger paintings depicting men and pigs. The cave was once inhabited by the Toalaean indigenous people some 5,000 years ago. In Bada Valley of Central Sulawesi, see mystrious megalithic statues. while the south which is home to the seafaring Buginese, see traditional boatbuilding techniques at Bantaeng and Bulukumba.

Cuture
Lore Lindu in Central Sulawesi in the largest habitat for Sulawesi's endemic mammals, such as the anoa, babirusa, deer, monkeys, cuscus, civets, squirrels, rats, and over 55 types of bats and more than 230 species of birds, including the maleo and hornbill. 150 species of rare butterflies are found at Bantimurung. Known as Turtle Island, Pasoso Island has a high population of green turtles. Between the months of September and October, the turtles lay their eggs in the island's sandy beaches.

Cuisine
Ujung Pandang is famous for its seafood which is popularly served grilled on coconut husks. Fish, crab, giant prawns or squid are first marinated in tangy sauce, grilled then served with spicy condiments. For the mopre adventurous there's coto makassar with buffalo intestines, as well as fruit bats and forest rats from North Sulawesi.

Shopping
Buy painted and carved woodwork from Toraja, including boxes for betel nut and tobacco and wooden panels, ornaments of intricately carved wood or the valuable ebony from Sangir; beautiful Krawang embroidery, a specialty of the Gorontalo region, or filigree silverware and ornaments from Kendari in Southeast Sulawesi, hand-woven silks and cotton from the southern regions.