Makassar Adventure Part 3

Visit to Fort Rotterdam - Fort Rotterdam is one of the historical fortress of the Dutch Colony that are still can be seen in Makassar today. The Fort was built by the Dutch colony sometimes in the 17th Century.

The entrance to the Fort

The overall area of the Fort

Some of the buildings in the Fort

The Fort cum museum displaying weapons used by the Dutch during the colonial time.

Makassar Adventure Part 2

Three days meeting in Makassar with tight schedule does not allow us to uncover Makassar to the fullest. The meeting arrangement is perfect, the host has done a fantastic job especially in meeting arrangement and reception.

Suprisingly I reunion with my good friend Halim in Makassar who is representing BDA. He was my Uni Malaya coursemate before.

Lets see what is there in Makassar....

Makassar is famous with its batik..which is called Batik Makassar. The following photos showing sweet Makassar model with some of the latest fashion made of batik.

Food is also something that attracting our attention in Makassar. "Sup tulang lembu" and grill prawn were the main dishes during the dinner.

Coto is one of the "must tasted" food for visitors to Makassar..which tasted like sup power.

We had chance for city tour on the final day after the meeting. The first destination was Rumah Adat in Kabupaten Gowa outside the city. Rumah Adat is actually the Singgahsana or Palace..former residence of the last Sultan of Makassar, Sultan Hassanuddin who governed the territory sometime in the 15th or 16th century. The palace kept all the Sultan's belongings and historical facts and artifacts that show the greatness and the power of the Sultan that time.

The entrance to the Palace..now converted into a Museum..it was made from heavy wooden structure. Those who read the history of Southeast Asia may aware the important role of Makassar in the trading activities in the early days until it attracted the attention of the western conquerors.

The visitors are welcomed to the palace with traditional dance similarly practiced in the early days when the Sultan receive visitors. The Palace is full of an invaluable collections of treasures such as the gold "mahkota" weight at 2.7kg! You can figure out its value based on today's gold price.

Golden Mahkota weight at 2.7kg!

Golden Snake

Gold coins from various part of the world showcased the evidence of trading activities in the old days.

Vicky 8th Birthday

Vicky's birthday was delayed as I was on travelling on the 6th November. As my promise, we had simple candle blowing ceremony at RasaMas@Boulevard on the 8th November.

As usual, the BOY whose birthday is in January become the birthday boy..the first blowing the candle.

Big Smile from birthday girl..you are 8th years old already. Lucky the aunt bought her the LULUBELE shirt which automatically become her birthday present.. Nicole tumpang sekaki ..always wanted her next birthday to be more grand than Vicky's.
Dunno what kind of smile is this!! Special smile from reuben

Makassar Adventure Part 1

Welcome to Makassar City

I had the opportunity to attend the regional grouping of BIMP-EAGA meeting in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia recently. Those who read history in secondary school might heard about Makassar...major centre for trade & business activities in the Southeast Asia in the 14th 0r 15th centuries. It has since become the capital city of South Sulawesi.

The Waterfront, projects the identity of Makassar city. The blend of blue ocean and groups of islands facing the waterfront create a scenic view

One of the Star hotel located near the waterfront area. The room rate per night could reach quarter a million pak...of course rupiah lah

One of the old area of the City ..major business is clothing & garments..makassar silk is quite famous here beside the markisa juice and coffee toraja

Don't surprise..Toyota's family e.g. vios, avanza & innova conquer the road..beside the motorcycles. Our proton cars does not seem to make its presence in Makassar yet

The new and modern part of the city..one way traffic is convenient for the motorist