Samalona, The Paradise Island

Samalona Island is one of the beautiful islands in the Strait of Makassar. The distance is about 7 km from the mainland Makassar, precisely in the southwest of the west coast of South Sulawesi, can be clearly seen from the fort Fort Rotterdam Makassar. Samalona Island is one nautical tourism in South Sulawesi that must be visited. White sand and clear sea water make this island perfect for sunbathing. In addition, the island is great for snorkeling and diving (diving), as it is surrounded by a diversity of flora and fauna are beautiful.

Formerly used as a base Samalona island arsenal when fighting the Dutch colonial fortress of the Kingdom of Gowa Sultan Hasanuddin facing the sea, known as Fort Pannyua (Rotterdam). Rotterdam Area fortress that reaches about three acres at the center of defense in Makassar, while the nearby island Samalona into place to attack colonial Makassar. It is said also that this small island formerly used for a place of exile of lepers. Since then, not many people dare to visit this island. But now the island has become a very ideal place to visit for its beauty and its proximity to the city center.

How to get there? Many boat owners will kindly offer you get there by boat. You can rent a small motorized boat would cost IDR 300,000 to IDR 400,000. The ship in front of Fort Rotterdam dock. If you bring the motor vehicle, it can be parked safely at the dock with rental parking IDR 10,000 per night. Small boat trip is around 20 minutes.

Eat and drink what's there? Many locals sell food and drinks on the island Samalona. But you should bring their own lunch because the price of food and drinks here are quite expensive. Food stalls here provide mixed rice, fried rice, and meatballs as a main meal. For snacks there fried banana and sweet potato fries. There drink coconut ice. If you do not like the menu like this, you can bring lunch to buy it at the mini around Losari, or brought from home.

Stay where there? If you intend to stay, you can rent a room or house. For single rooms from IDR 250,000, and for a home from IDR 300,000. These rates correspond facilities offered from the cleanliness and comfort of the stay. If you do not stay, rent a place to rest in the form of bamboo halls from IDR 150,000. The island is very small, it is said the island is composed of two clusters of families that occupy the island generations. Samalona Island is owned by 7 people brothers and sisters. Almost the entire house can be rented there for tourists, there is a traditional-style homes (houses on stilts) and modern (stone house). there is no school on the island. Since elementary school classes, children Samalona already deposited or boarding at a relative's house in Makassar, and for mothers who give birth there only home birth assisted by relatives. There are also many family members living in mainland Makassar, to go to school and work. No one may occupy the outer islands except marrying a native.

The number of homes on the island I had no time to count, it looks like only about 10 houses, including room inn. It is said that the island's vast hectares 2:34. First, the extent of 6.7 ha island but increasingly shrinking and might like Kuta Beach, the island's future will disappear. The island is estimated to be lost / drowned in 2020. After the tour, there was a small building in the center of the island which functioned as Mushalla, there is also a precursor to the island tomb building adjacent to a large tree, it appears some people bring offerings of incense and there, there is also a small mini-market there, in addition to soft drinks I see no liquor is sold there.

What can you do here? You can swim and soak in the morning in the clear sea water. As the sun began to beat down, you can do snorkeling. Tool hire snorkling locals for IDR 100,000 for a full day. You can also do a dive in a rather deep. But the diving equipment you should bring your own. Be careful when snorkeling or diving, do not get too far and you should do it in a group with some friends. It is said that the sea currents can suddenly turn into heavy and can drown people. Be careful also with sea urchins while swimming, there are also common sea snake Samalona nearby waters. During the afternoon, you can watch the beautiful sunset.

Oh Samalona, The Paradise Island