Makassar | Finally! La Galigo!

I wrote an entry months back on La Galigo; a Bugis manuscript from 18th - 20th century of which it is also said to be the largest works of literature, consisting of 6,000 pages or 300,000 lines of text. And my draft remain as it is, a one liner.

Why?

Because while writing the post, I found out that I actually visited Fort Rotterdam where La Galigo Museum is; the one that I missed out during my visit last December. When I heard that Makassar and Fort Rotterdam is in our #TripOfWonders itinerary, I knew that I need to pay this museum a visit. It’s MANDATORY. Yeah, I exaggerated it abit.

I’ve wrote on Fort Rotterdam and you can read it here.

To enter the La Galigo Musuem, one has to pay an entrance fee (but not into the fort) and in here, you get to view a replica of the UNESCO largest works of literature of all time, the rest is about the culture and heritage of Makassarese and Buginese. Launched in 1971, this museum houses approximately 4,999 collections of prehistoric, numismatic, foreign ceramics, history, manuscripts, and ethnography. Ethnographic collection consists of various types of technology, art as well as other objects made ​​and used by Bugis, Makassar, Bajau, Mandar and Toraja ethnicity. Aside from the earlier stated, La Galigo Museum also has collections from local kingdoms and weapons during the revolution.

So one might ask, what is La Galigo literature is all about?

La Galigo is one of the sons Sawerigading Opunna Ware (Leader/Head of State of Ware), a famous figure in the mythology of Bugis, from his marriage to We Cudai Daeng Risompa of the Kingdom of China Wajo. As an adult, La Galigo crowned Pajung Lolo (viceroy) in Luwu kingdom, in the 14th century.

The cycle tells the story of the initial residence on earth of the gods and their descendants. Sawérigading is the main protagonists of the story. He makes extensive travels and falls deeply in love with his twin sister. This incestuous love is strictly prohibited and Sawérigading ultimately marries another woman. In the end the whole divine family gathers in Luwuq and all gods depart from the earth, having lived there for six generations. From Open Science Meeting.

Aside from the heritage and a replica of the literature, the museum also displays Sulawesi’s ethnicity namely Makassarese, Buginese, Mandarese, Minahasan, Toraja and Bajauan as well as their customs. Definitely a worthwhile attraction to include into your Makassar itinerary.

Fort Rotterdam and Museum La Galigo

Jl. Ujung Pandang

No.2, Makassar

Sulawesi

Indonesia

Entrance Fee

La Galigo : IDR 10,000 p/pax

Fort courtyard : FREE

Opening Hours : 8:00am – 6:00pm

Trip of Wonders– Indonesia Social Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia.

Makassar | Snorkeling in Kodingareng Keke & Samalona Island

Ever since my Redang snorkeling experience and upon me getting my diving license (even though I haven’t dive since then), I have become more friendly towards the sea, seeing it in a different light. The seas are no more foreign, wild and dangerous, it is now being perceived as beautiful, colourful and exciting with perhaps, a little bit of ‘worry’ lah. I was looking forward to snorkel during this trip, they say we have 2 snorkeling trips – in Makassar and Gili Trawangan. I can’t wait.

During our first leg, we were scoop to a nearby island just out of Makassar; Kodingareng Keke Island and Samalona Island. Not knowing what to expect (despite that I have googled we will be covering), I brought as per listed by Leya; a typical beach activities must have – sunblock, dry bag, change clothes, sunglasses, hat, towel, flipflops etc. You know, the usual.

Kodingareng Keke Island

We were taken to Kayu Bangkoa jetty, located 5 mins from out hotel; Aston Hotel Makassar to Kodingareng Keke Island. Located 1.5 hours from Makassar and 30 mins from Samalona Island, Kodingareng Keke is actually  sand bed island that consist of a hut and covered structure for picnickers. It is said that Kodingareng Keke is one of the eleven islands located out of Makassar. It is famous for its seascape, marine life and corals; heaven for snorkelers and divers.

If you wish to do an impromptu snorkeling activities, be prepared to part with IDR100,000 for a 1 hour trip for 3 person. You will be taken in a catamaran like small boat few hundred meters away from the island. Do be extra careful as the current here is pretty strong.

For you divers out there, there is an under the sea Atlantis Garden that you can visit during your dive trips. The Atlantis Garden or Patung Patung was created in order to grow artificial reef, help the marine life and ecosystem in the Makassar Straits. Aside from Roman sculptures, a Volkswagen van was aslo sunken to create a more diversified artificial reef seascape.

Samalona Island

Best time to visit both islands is around June-September, unlike Kodongareng Keke, Samalona offers small and simple guesthouse, also known as Kapoposang. The guesthouse here is operated by the Makassar Dive Centre. You can also plan a lunch trip here from Kodongareng Keke and you won’t be disappointed as they will be serving their specialties such as cumi masak tinta (squid cook in ink), grilled fish, sambal belimbing buluh and etc. Trust me, you will not regret it.

Accommodation

Overnight : IDR 300.000 – IDR 400.00 per house

Non overnight : IDR 150.000 – IDR 200.000 per house

Bathroom : IDR 15.000 per person

Backgrounder

Spermonder Iskands

There’s a debate among the experts stating there are 115 or 117 islands in the Spermonde archipelago, sprawling off the coast of Makassar, to up north into Pangkep, south into Takalar and west towards Borneo: estimating home to 30,000 people. The closest islands to Makassar aside from Samalona and Kondingareng Keke are Kayangan, Lae-Lae and Gusung, which is also popular for local weekenders. This Spermonde archipelago is rich in biodiversity; popular for clown fish (nemo), anemones, nudibrach, sharks, dolphins, and reefs.

#TravelTips

#TravelTips 1 : Please bring sunblock, dry bag, change clothes, sunglasses, hat, towel, flipflops and a lot of water. Don’t forget your cameras yah! *wink*

#TravelTips 2 : These 2 islands are suitable for picnickers, so do pack your lunch so that you can stay longer and enjoy the sun and sea.

#TravelTips 3 : Boat rental to Samaloma Island cost approximately Rp. 350.000 – Rp 400.000. Feel free to negotiate.

#TravelTips 4 : Boat rental to both island will cost approximately Rp. 500.000 – Rp 600.000. Feel free to negotiate.

#TravelTips 5 : The boat can fit 8-10pax.

#TravelTips 6 : Jetty opens as early as 8am in the morning.

Trip of Wonders– Indonesia Social Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia.

Makassar | Terung Market/Pasar Terung Field Day

When Farah approached me and ask “Nak gi pasar tak/Would you like to go to the (wet) market?”. Knowing very well I won’t say no. That was the beginning of our secret trip (so Edgar say).

Pasar Terung is the local (wet) market situated 10-15mins drive from our hotel; Aston Hotel. I was slightly worried as we only have approximately 2 hours window to visit the market and have to pack and bring my luggage down at 5am, just in case we came back late. This I figure will minimize me rushing to pack and check-out. Smart move as we got back ngam-ngam….

Not many travelers include market as one of their must visit places during a trip, but for avid travelers, this is rather common and perhaps mandatory as street photography is best done at these type of places. And we nail it. Well, kinda.

Few major things I want to highlight here that is the :

Chilis – as you can see in the photos below

Ketupat (rice cake wrapped in palm leaf) – also as you see in the photos below

Gula merah/kabung (brown sugar/palm sugar) – yah yah…. Photos below

Coto Makassar (beef soup with rice cake) – Enough said

I am going to take you through these food, fruit (yes, chili is a fruit so the Google say) and delicacies.

Rawit Cabe or Chili

Do you that rawit chili is one of the hottest and spiciest chili in Indonesia. When we visited the market, I realized they have more than 3 types chilis sold here, hence I start to ask the type and the hot/spicy level and they say it’s the famous rawit, and the best thing is that the local eat it raw. Yup! You heard me right al right. I tried eating it in my coto, I ordered another glass of Teh Botol.

Ketupat (rice cake wrapped in palm leaf)

I have been wanting to write on types of ketupats in Malaysia but kept postponing it due to…. Me being lazy. But guess what, I bumped into a few types of ketupat here in Pasar Terung and it certainly made my day. The Makassareses are spoilt for choice, they have Lontong, Songkolo Ipit, Buras, Ketupat Besar and Ketupat Kecil, but they don’t have our lemang buluh, ketupat daun palas, ketupat periuk kera nor kelupis. And yah, I bought the interesting looking ones to try – Songkolo Ipit (the purple ones).

Gula merah/kabung (brown sugar/palm sugar)

I only know of gula merah, gula Melaka or/and gula kabung of which some say they are all the same i.e. made of palm sugar, the only different is the packaging and the state/province of origin. Little did  I know, in Makassar, things get a little more ‘fanciful, shapeful (#eh) colourful and wonderful’. I didn’t manage to ask them (I still don’t know how and why I failed to ask, perhaps I was so excited on the xxx-ful that I forgot. Perhaps) but if I manage to get any advice from my readers, I will update this post yah.

Coto Makassar at Coto Nusantara (beef soup with rice cake)

The name says it all, what makes it yummeh is the rawit chili with the beef soup. Good gracious great ball of spicy hot fire! Trust me, the taste is better than its looks – I take lousy photos when it comes to food. Yes, I admit.

#TravelTips

#TravelTips 1 : Go early in the morning, as early as 6-7am. Not to worry, it is very bright with sun shining and all, Sulawesi is very far east so the sun rises earlier here.

#TravelTips 2 : Take your time, strike a conversation, take plenty of photos and sample the local delicacies. Makassareses are very friendly people.

#TravelTips 3 : Even if you are Asian or from South East Asia, don’t assume you’ve seen all the fruits, plants or vegetables because we saw a few that we stared and stared and stared which kinda make the locals laugh.

#TravelTips 4 : It’s a wet market, where proper attire and shoes, either a flipflop or sportshoes.

#TravelTips 5 : As precaution (due to the crowd), please ensure your valuable is secured tightly near your body.

#TravelTips 6 : Don’t flash your wallet, money or super-duper expensive gadgets aside from your cameras or phones.

#TravelTips 7 : Learn a few local language, those simple ones like “Selamat Pagi/Good morning, Terima kasih/Thank you, Apa Khabar/How are you? Etc”.

#TravelTips 8 : Bring loose change, easier when you want to buy the snacks to sample.

#TravelTips 9 : Take normal cab, the tricycle is overly changed. In fact, it is the same price as a normal cab (minus the aircon).

Coto Nusantara

Jalan Nusantara, Kota Makassar

Sulawesi Selatan

Indonesia.

Price : Rp. 12.000,-/per bowl (rice cake sold separately)

Opening hours : 7:00am – 6:00am

Trip of Wonders– Indonesia Social Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia.