C. Sulawesi's charms lure visitors

Ruslan Sangadji ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Central Sulawesi   |  Mon, 07/28/2008 12:06 PM  |  The Archipelago

Central Sulawesi's provincial capital Palu, which has a low annual rainfall and a temperate climate, is home to beautiful landscapes, diverse wildlife and fascinating indigenous tribes.

It is well worth a visit.

When in Palu, stop at the Central Sulawesi Museum in West Paly district, where 7,000 historical artifacts are on display, representing Central Sulawesi's 12 ethnic groups. At the museum you can learn about the Daur Hidup ceremony and the processes for making Donggala (woven sarongs), tree bark fabric and sago.

Also not to be missed in Palu is Sou Raja palace, which is commonly referred to as Banua Mbaso, which means "large house" in the local dialect. The palace belongs to the ancestors of the noble family of the Kaili tribe, the dominant tribe in Central Sulawesi.

The palace, which is well maintained, is located in Lere subdistrict in West Palu.

Within the structure is the tomb of Dato Karamah, who chronicled the birth of Islam in the province. Originally named Abdullah Raqie, he traveled to Palu from Minangkabau, South Sumatra, in the 17th century to propagate Islam and was later given the title of Dato Karamah, because of his supernatural powers. Those who revered him embraced Islam, including the ruler of Kabonena, I Pue Njidi.

Dato Karamah married Ince Jille and had two children. Today, many Muslims flock to his grave to pray.

Palu also has many beautiful beaches, including Taman Ria, Tumbelaka, Buluri, Mamboro and Talise, which can be accessed via Jl Rajamoili and Jl Cut Mutia. Conditions on the water are excellent for wind surfing and parasailing.

Visitors can also watch the sunset over Mount Gawalise, as nearby fishermen spread their nets in the bay.

Another tourist attraction is Mount Gawalise, located 34 kilometers from Palu. On a green plain on the mountain's side lies Dombu village, which has a cool mountain climate.

Other villages nearby include Matantimali, Panasi Baja, Bolobia and Rodingo. They are largely inhabited by members of the Da'a tribe. Some live in tree houses, and many prefer to walk everywhere they go and rarely wear shoes.

However, some also lead contemporary lives, wear modern clothing and pay for goods in money. A few have set up businesses at markets in Palu.

Another major tourist spot in Central Sulawesi is Lore Lindu National Park, one of many wildlife conservation parks in the province. It is located some 60 kilometers south of Palu.

The park spans 217,991 hectares and elevations range between 200 and 2,610 meters above sea level.

To enter the park, visitors can obtain entrance permits from the Lore Lindu National Park Center on Jl Muhammad Yamin in Palu.

The park is one of the world's best bird-watching spots. It is home to an astonishing variety of endemic plants and wildlife and offers breathtaking views.

The park is situated on the Wallace Line, the imaginary line drawn in the nineteenth century by British scientist Alfred Russel Wallace, who inadvertently traced the joining of the Asian and Indo-Australian tectonic plates by studying species diversity in the region.

The park is situated south of Donggala regency and west of Poso regency in an area of wet land that is the source of three major rivers in Central Sulawesi -- the Lariang, Gumbasa and Palu rivers.

The area is home to large mammals native to Central Sulawesi, including the anoa, the babirusa, the slow loris and devil and kakaktonkea monkeys.

At least 55 species of bat and more than 230 species of bird, including the native maleo and enggang, flourish in the park.

Thousands of insect species of unique shapes and colors can be found, including butterflies of striking colors.

Other tourist draws in the region include relics from the megalithic era found in Bada valley, Besoa and Napu.

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