Bunaken offers marine wonder

Those who love traveling might want to visit Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi.

The spread of coconut gardens and rice fields is a view that welcomes visitors as they enter the City of the Waving Coconut Trees. Manado is no stranger in tourism as it is one of the country's world-class tourist destinations. Thanks to the exotic spots in Manado, visitors who enjoy marine tourism regard it as the best destination for marine activities and water sports, from diving and snorkeling to fishing.

The Bunaken sea garden is obviously one of the marine areas most visited by both foreign and local tourists wishing to enjoy its underwater beauty. With about 15 diving spots in the Sea Garden located in Bunaken Island, it presents the great underwater walls, also called the hanging walls - the walls of giant coral that stand vertically, arch toward the surface and are adorned with various colorful coral and many kinds of magnificent fish.

If you are lucky, you will see pilot whales and sperm whales in several places, as well as spinner dolphins.

In spots called Likuan I, Likuan II and Likuan III, you will see not only beautiful coral pointing out toward the deep sea, but also white tip sharks. The spots are also where 1-meter diameter green turtles rest, at a depth of between 10 and 30 meters.

Old Manado and Siladen Islands also have spots offering beauty like Bunaken offers. Napoleon fish, which grow up to 2 meters in length, may be seen at a depth of 5 meters or more.

In addition, the city of Manado has one of the best alternative marine tourism destinations. Malalayang-Kalasey Beach has mesmerizing beauty just like Bunaken Garden. It is here that the world diving record was broken during the Sail Bunaken 2009. House Reef, which is what Malalayang-Kalasey Beach is called, also offers an ocean panorama that is no less beautiful than Bunaken. The unique biodiversity makes it a world diving and research destination. Various kinds of centuries-old coral reefs and unique fish are abundant here.

Diving can be done from the beach. Beginning at a depth of between 4 and 12 meters, one can watch eight kinds of clown fish and three kinds of lion fish darting all around. There are also sea horses, robust, ghost pipe fish, dragonets, mimic octopus, coconut octopus, various kinds of nudibranches, stingrays and blue ring octopus, which can be easily found. It is no wonder that is a favorite place for world-class photographers to explore the 3-kilometer-long area.

Among the favorite times for photographers and divers to visit is during the mating season of the mandarin fish. The unique fish, which is brightly colored and only about 4 centimeters in length, look really beautiful when they mate. Divers have to wait for sunset, at about 5 p.m. to be able to witness the activities of the fish, which live among coral reefs at a depth of 6 meters.

To enjoy the uniqueness and beauty of the House Reef at Malalayang Beach, divers can contact several diving operators in the area, such as Dragonet Diving Center, Blue Wave Diving Center, La Rasscase, Minahasa Diving Center and Murex Diving Center. Many diving gear rental shops with affordable prices are also found in the area, which borders Minahasa regency.

Uniquely, at House Reef, divers can hire traditional boats, called Pelang, belonging to fishermen. For about Rp 150,000, they can enjoy the beauty of Malalayang Beach for an hour and a half on a boat accompanied by a fisherman.

The new world diving record, which is listed in The Guinness Book of Records, is announced on a plaque signed by Admiral Willem Rampangilei. Just dive to a depth of 9 meters from the front part of the Boboca monument in Malalayang, and you will find a wondrous spot.

Malalayang Beach is also a fishing paradise. Several natural phenomena like the visit of several kinds of whales and dolphins can serve as a hint that fish such as cakalang (skipjack tune) and tude (Indian mackerel) are present. This phenomenon occurs from November to June.

Visiting Manado would not be complete without enjoying the culinary. Manado congee with nike laut and cakalang mixed with rica roa is a dish you should not miss. Other great dishes include roasted tude and saut*ed water spinach. For dessert, try iced kidney beans mixed with durian and avocado, and tart made from young coconut and margarine, known as klapertart.

All of the delicacies found along the roads in the 150 square-kilometer Manado, including around the Malalayang Beach, are served at affordable prices. Manado is indeed a place recommended for those who want to unwind on the weekend or during a long holiday.

Gracey Wakary, THE JAKARTA POST, Manado, north sulawesi