The highland of Minahasa is a region in the province of North Sulawesi of Indonesia. It is a highly recommended destination for visitors who are interested in seeing becautiful scenery of mountains and farmlands, watching birds and butterfly, eating spicy food, and interacting with the friendly Minahasan people.
Sonder Town is another interesting destination which visitors can see while traveling in the highland of Minahasa. It is a real farming town. We could see fish ponds and pigpens as well as poultry farming in the surrounding area of Sonder. Farmers of Sonder plant clove trees at the frontyards and backyard of their houses. Clove flower used to be the main commodity that is produced by farmers in Sonder. During harvest season, farmers dry clove flowers at the frontyard of their houses. When sunlight hit the clove flowers and dry them, oil from evaporates from them. This creates fragrant smell along the road sides of Sonder town. Now they plant rice, raise chickens and do fish-farming. Because of the availability of water in this area, the population of water birds is very high. Birdwatchers could find Black-crowned White Eye, Sulawesi Hanging Parrots, Soooty-headed Bulbul, Finch-billed Myna, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron. Other birds can also be watched in Sonder. They include Black-naped Oriole, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Pale Blue Monarch, Finch-billed Myna, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Sulawesi Drongo, Sahul Sunbird, and etc.
Tomohon Town is the usual first destination which visitors go when they want to explore the highland of Minahasa. The town is located at an elevation of 900 to 1,100 meters above sea level. This makes the temperature of Tomohon is cool at night. The population of thr town is more than 100,000 people. In 1800 to 1900s, Christian missionaries opened a lot of schools in Tomohon. They still run until now. Eating houses and shops can be seen in Tomohon. There are hotels which visitors can choose during their stay in Tomohon. Important tourist attractions around Tomohon include Woloan village which is famous for their knock-down wooden house production, Lake Linow and Mount Mahawu.
Kawangkoan is another small town in Minahasa whose inhabitants mostly work as farmers. Local people grow peanuts, corn and various kinds of vegetables.
Langowan is usually shortened as LA by local people. This is another town in Minahasa whose economy depends on agriculture. Rice fields can be seen in Langowan and its surrounding villages.
Tondano is the capital of Minahasa regency. It is the location of the campus of State University of Manado. There is Tondano lake and the monument of Fort Moraya in this town.
There are several routes to go to Manado city which is the main gate to Minahasa.
If you are interested in taking a holiday in Minahasa highland to see and enjoy its beautiful landscape, birds and wildlife, craftmanship, culinary, and farmlands, and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.