Tomohon
Districts
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North - Tinoor, Kinilow, Kakaskasen, Wailan, and Kayawu. The first region to be discovered in Tomohon from Manado. There is mat production, fruit and flowers vendors in several parts such as in Tinoor for fruits and Kakaskasen for flowers.
- Central - Talete, Kamasi, Kolongan, and Matani. Downtown of Tomohon, center of public activities, hospitals, and Mayor office and city hall.
- West - Woloan and Tara-Tara. Traditional House (knockdown type) production, Woloan Ancient Park where Waruga, the ancient tombs are collected in one area, in the same area are 9 springs.
- East - Paslaten, Rurukan, Kumelembuai. Vegetable Farms on the slope of Mt. Mahawu and Mt. Masarang, and the famous Tomohon Traditional Market.
- South - Walian, Sarongsong, Pinaras, Lahendong. Hotspring areas, the outstanding Lake Linow is located in Lahendong.
Understand
Most people in Tomohon are Christian. Christianity plays an important role in all aspects of life. The Christians are diligent churchgoers. Mostly are Calvinist Protestants, members of Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa (abbreviated as GMIM). Instead, the synod of the churches that spread over the Minahasa region is in Tomohon. Christianity has been developing in the area ever since the time of Dutch colonization. Every village in Tomohon has a church from this denomination. The oldest one is GMIM Pniel Kakaskasen 2.
Besides the Calvinists, there is also a Catholic congregation, which is the second biggest in Tomohon. Several parishes exist in Tomohon. The big ones are St. Fransiskus Xaverius in Kakaskasen and St. Joseph. In Kakaskasen, there is a Monastery called Biara Bukit Karmel or Karmel Monastery. There are also other congregations from other denominations such as Pentecostal, Adventist, and several minor denominations. Every village from north to south and east to west has luxurious churches (or at least luxe for its congregation). And also, one village would normally have more than one building according to the number of the denominations. That is one reason you will see a church every several hundred meters.
Holidays
- Christian
- Chinese's Holiday
- Islamic Holiday
Culture
Tomohon is one of Minahasa Tribe region. Therefore, the Tomohoners are Minahasans. However, Minahasa Tribe is divided into several sub tribes, Tomohon belongs to a sub tribe called Tombulu. Pakasaan Tombulu spreads from Tombuluan in the east of Pineleng and Tombariri in the west and from Tomohon in the south to Manado in the north. Pakasaan Tombulu speaks Tombulu Language, Manado Malay, and Bahasa Indonesia. It is believed that Tomohon is the center of Pakasaan Tombulu. Pakasaan Tombulu in Tomohon, especially those who live in the region of Kakaskasen have special customs that are still maintained up until today.- Bakerah Tradition
- Mapalus
This is a tradition of working together on the farm. A long time ago when modern technology for cultivation was still a dream, people in the highlands of Minahasa, especially in Tomohon, created a system of working the land together, called mapalus. Mapalus is a group of male and female farmers who are associated in a system, bound on their own or by village regulations to cultivate their farm lands. The farmers usually were divided into a timer and the workers. The timer's function is to watch the time while working, carry the drum and hit the drum or another instrument called a tetengkoren. The process starts at dawn, around 04:30, with the sound of the drum. As the timer hits the drums in a special pattern, the other members of the group come at the appointed time to a house of one member, the intersection, street corner or any other place where they are meeting. Then, guided by the drum carrier, they go to one member's farm. They work as the sun rises. While working, the workers usually sing songs, either together or responsorily.
- Kumawus
The name of this activity at first was 'muntep remdem' or 'Maso Itang' the meaning 'enter in black'. The point is the family by wearing black clothing entered the worship in the church at 09.00. Another custom in Kumawus is the people will eat on the table covered with banana leaves by hands.
Get in
By plane
Tomohon is reachable from any place in Indonesia. The nearest airport is in Manado MDC about 33 km and can be reach in 1 hour via Ring road or 1,5 hour via Manado. There are many airlines destination in this airport are from Jakarta, Makassar, Bali, Gorontalo, Tahuna, Ternate, Sorong, Singapore, Balikpapan and several other minor cities. The airlines with route to Sam Ratulangi airport are Garuda Indonesia, Silk Air, Lion Air, Batavia Air, Sriwijawa Air, Merpati Air, Wings Air, and several chartered air lines.By ship
Tomohon is also reachable by ship and the nearest harbor is Manado harbor for provincial area, and Bitung Harbor national and international service. There are several ship route by PELNI harboring at Bitung Harbor.SHIP ROUTE
1. KM. DOBONSOLO
MAKASSAR (South Sulawesi) - BAUBAU (South East Sulawesi) - BITUNG (North Sulawesi) - SORONG (Irian Jaya) - MANOKWARI (PAPUA) - JAYAPURA (PAPUA)
2. KM. LAMBELU
MAKASSAR (South Sulawesi) - BAUBAU (Buton Island, S.E Sulawesi) - AMBON (Maluku) - NAMLEA (Maluku) - TERNATE N.Maluku) - BITUNG (North Sulawesi)
3. KM. DOROLONDA
BALIKPAPAN (East Kalimantan) - PANTOLAN (Central Sulawesi) - BITUNG (North Sulawesi) - TERNATE (North Maluku) - SORONG (Irian Jaya) - MONOKOWARI (West Papua) - NABIRE (West Papua) - SERUI (West Papua) - JAYAPURA (West Papua)
4. KM. TILONGKABILA
BENOA (Bali) - LEMBAR (Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara) - BIMA (West Nusa Tenggara) - LABUAN BAJO (Flores, East Nusa Tenggara - MAKASSAR (South Sulawesi) - BAUBAU (Buton Island, S.E Sulawesi) - RAHA (Muna Island, S.E Sulawesi) - BITUNG (North Sulawesi)
By car
- Bus
Bus Terminals to Tomohon is from Tondano, Kawangkoan, and Manado and destined to Terminal Beriman, Tomohon.
- Rental Car
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Bluebird Taxi
phone: +62 431-861234 -
Mikrolet Tomohon Tondano
address: Terminal Tondano -
Mikrolet Tomohon Sonder
address: Terminal Sonder -
Mikrolet Tomohon Tanawangko
address: Terminal Tanawangko -
Bus Tomohon Manado
address: Terminal Karombasan, Manado - Terminal Beriman Tomohon
Get around
In Town
Out of Town
You also can reach other destination in Main Land of North Sulawesi from Tomohon.To Tangkoko National Park, in Bitung
Lake Tondano
Bentenan Beach
Nimanga River
Bukit Kasih (Hill of Love), in Kawangkoan
Batu Pinabetengan
See
As a cool highland, Tomohon has some very pleasant hiking and walking.
- Lake Linow (Danau Linow)
- Mt. Mahawu (Gunung Mahawu)
- Mt. Lokon
- Mt. Masarang
- Tomohon Market (Pasar Beriman): Comprises of the Traditional Market, Fresh Market Extreme Market (this is where they sell various exotic meat such as dogs, bats, snakes). It is called "extreme" for a reason. If customer buys an animal alive, it will get slaughtered on the spot. Not for the faint-hearted. Come in the morning before 8am if you want to see the Extreme Market. It gets quiet after 10am.
- Tintingon Hill
- Tumimperas Waterfall
- Wawo Hill
- Knockdown House Industry
- Ancient Site and Amphitheater Woloan
- Tinoor View Point and Tinoor Waterfall
- Inspiration Hill (Bukit Inspirasi)
- Temboan Hill, Rurukan
- Geothermal Lahendong
- Palm Sugar Industry
- Pagoda and Buddhayana Temple
- Sony Art Gallery (Painting Gallery)
Do
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Bukit Doa Mahawu
phone: +62 431 3358833address: Jl. Lingkar Timur, Kakaskasen DuaA quiet area made for Christian pilgrim. It has 'Via Dolorosa' at Mahawu (Jalan Salib Mahawu) to remember the sacrifice of Jesus until He died on the cross. . Inside the area is a Chapel of Virgin Mary, amphitheater Mahawu and man made grotto. All welcome -
Buddhayana Monastery
phone: +62 431 3360881address: Sunge, Kakaskasen tigaa Buddhist religious and meditation complex. Chinese culture preserved in architecture of statues, Kwan Im goddess palace and pagoda. Religious service every Sunday 15.30. -
phone: +62 431-3488659address: Flowers Lane Vacation Jl. Kel. Tangkawarow No. 2 KakaskasenWhen you stays in one of the resorts in Tomohon, having nothing to do, one of the option is go around Tomohon. FLV can arrange your sightseeing trip.
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phone: +62 431-3488659address: Flowers Lane VacationThere are several and special as well as incredible birds can be found in Mt. Mahawu and Mt. Lokon in Tomohon as well as the other part of North Sulawesi such as Rufus Bellied Eagle; Brown Cuckoo Dove; Mountain White Eye; Dark Fronted White Eye; Scarlet Honey-eater; Crimson Crowned Flowerpecker; Sulawesi Spotted Goshawk; Sulawesi Serpent Eagle; Bay Coucal; Yellow Bellied Malkoha; Superb Fruit Dove; Citrine Flycatcher; Streaky Headed White Eye; Grey Sided Flowerpecker; Island Verditer; Sulawesi Dwarf Woodpecker; Mountain Tailorbird; White Browed Crake; Cinnamon Bittern; Scaly Breasted Munia; Cinnamon Munia; Little Egret; Wandering Whistling Duck; Ziting Cisticola; Lesser Coucal; Glamorous Reed Warbler; Javan Pond Heron; Black Kite; Bhraminy Kite; Blue Breasted Quail.
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phone: +62 431-3488659address: Flowers Lane VacationThere is a very interesting activity can be done in Tomohon, Horse Riding. The 4 hours trip is to Wawo hill.
Buy
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Grand Central Supermarket
address: Jl. Raya TomohonThe first supermarket in Tomohon, very close to Bethesda Hospital. Selling many kinds of daily needs as well as fashion, computer, multimedia and so on. -
Cool Supermarket
address: Jl. Raya Tomohon, Walian - Tomohon SelatanVery nice Supermarket in Southern Tomohon. Selling many kinds of daily needs such as vegetables, herbs, fruits and the other stuffs as well as fashion, books, mechanical tools. -
Century Supermarket
address: Jl. Raya Tomohon Multi Mart Tomohona popular supermarket chain with restaurants and arcade on the upper floor.
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Pasar Beriman Tomohon
address: Pasar TomohonSell various kinds of vegetables, meat, spices, herbs, fish, meats, fruits, flowers, clothes. Comprises of the Fresh Market, Traditional Market, and Extreme Market (where they sell various exotic meat such as dogs, bats, snakes) -
Gecko Art
address: Jl. Raya Tomohon, KinilowThis is one of the souvenir shops in Tomohon. Various kinds of souvenirs are displayed in this small shops. Travelers can choose according to their preferences. -
BLPT Kaaten
address: Jl. Raya Tomohon Tondano, KaatenLocates in Kaaten, Matani 1 - Central Tomohon, BLPT is a coconut wood and arenga palm production. They make various kinds of furniture such as tables, chairs, desk, cupboards, beds and small items like toys, and also knockdown houses from coconut wood.
Eat
Check out the Tomohon Culinary Center (Pusat Kuliner Tomohon) at Jalan Nusantara, about 12 minutes' walk away from the Tomohon Market.
Cuisine
Appetizer
- Sup Ubi / Bete - is a very tasty home-cooking for appetizer. It's made by Xanthosoma root with edible hibiscus leaves and or Water Spinach leaves.
- Braunebonen - literally red bean soup. Cooked either with cow bones or pig legs with herbs such as clove, nutmeg, white pepper. The minahasan likes to eat this together with rice.
- Sup Kacang Ijo - literally green bean soup. The preparation is very similar with braunebonen.
- Kua Asam / Kua trang - Sour soup or Clear Soup. The local people has a riddle about this food. "Salt from the sea and Sour from the Mountains meets together in a pan, what is that?" - and the answer is Sour Soup, because it's made by several herbs such as spring onion, lemon leaves, lemon basil, tomatoes, a little bit chilli, red ginger and fish with little bit salt and lime. Very tasty.
- Sup kentang - Potato Soup cooked in Pasta such as macaroni or rice vermicelli.
Main Course
- Tinorangsak, pork cooked with herbs such as spring onion, lemon leaves, lemon grass, chilli, and other kinds of herbs; it is cooked in bamboo. Several prepare it using frying pan.
- RW /err weh/, dog meat cooked with chilli, lemon grass, lemon leaves, spring onion and other kinds of herbs. "RW" stands for "Rintek Wu'uk" in the Minahasan dialect, which translates to "fine hair", a euphemism for dog meat.
- Paniki, bat cooked in coconut milk with spicy herbs.
- Paku Popaya Bulu, Vegetables of Edible Fern and Papaya leaves (sometimes with flowers too), cooked in bamboo with spices and herbs. Some people likes to add the salty pork fat.
- Ayam Bulu, Chicken cooked in bamboo.
- Ayam Bumbu RW, Chicken cooked with spices for RW.
- Bebek Bumbu RW, Duck cooked with spices for RW.
- Ragey, a chunky pork satay marinated with spices.
- Bebek Bulu, Duck cooked in bamboo.
- Ayam Garo, literally means scratching chicken, because the preparation is a fast mixing of the herbs and spices on the frying pan similar to scratching it. This food is categorized to spicy food because of the amount of chilli.
- Babi Garo, literally means scratching pork, the process is similar to Ayam Garo.
- Babi Tore, literally means crisp pork.
- Kapala Babi, literally means Pig Head. It is pig head boiled in spiced soup.
- Acar, made of young bamboo, carrots, cucumber, peanut, herbs and other spices such as turmeric and onion.
- Ikan Woku Blanga, any fish cooked in Main Minahasan Spices: chilli, turmeric, ginger, lemon grass, lemon leaves, lime, candle nut, lemon basil, turmeric leaf. It's called blanga because it's prepared by using frying pan.
- Ikan Woku Daong, any fish cooked in Main Minahasan Spices: chilli, turmeric, ginger, lemon grass, lemon leaves, lime, candle nut, lemon basil, turmeric leaf. It's called daong because it's prepared by using palm leaves called woka.
- Ikan Woku Kring, any fish cooked in Main Minahasan Spices: chilli, turmeric, ginger, lemon grass, lemon leaves, lime, candle nut, lemon basil, turmeric leaf. It's called kring because it's prepared with less of water and when it's cooked, we can barely see any soup in it.
- Rica Rodo, made of corn, aubergine (egg plant), long bean with spicy herbs, chilli, and smoked fish.
- Sayor Pusu' made of fluorescent or banana heart, cooked with entrails of animals, normally chicken or pork, such as intestine, heart, and liver.
and so on.
Dessert
- Buah segar - literally fresh fruit, it is prepared from various kind of fruits but mainly papaya, apple, avocado, pudding or gel, young coconut, rambutan, longan, and soursop in syrupy and milky water.
- es braunebon - red bean ice, prepared from red bean cooked in traditional made of palm sugar and then later mixed with blended ice and sweetened condensed milk.
- Es Kacang Susu - Milk and Peanut Ice, prepared from peanut and served like red bean ice.
- Gohu - prepared from chopping papaya with spicy syrup containing red ginger, chilli, vinegar (palm vinegar is better), sugar (brown sugar is better), onion. The local likes to add more chilli.
- Klapertaart - literally coconut tart, prepared from young coconut mixed with milk, eggs, maize flavor, sugar and raisin and frozen in the fridge.
Minahasan Cookies
- Kukis Kalapa, literally means Coconut Cookie, made of unripe coconut, rice flavor and brown sugar.
- Binyolos, made of sweet potato and brown sugar.
- Onde-Onde, made of rice flavor and brown sugar, after cooked it is rolled on grated coconut. It is good to have it while it's still warm but be careful not to eat it while it's still fresh from the boiling pan. It can be very tricky that the outside could be cool while the inside is killing hot. The other variant is Onde-Onde Pulo, the difference between this two are the type of the rice. Onde-onde Pulo is made by sticky rice flavor.
- Cucur, made of rice flavor and brown sugar, some people put anise or aniseed.
Restaurants
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Gloria
phone: +62 431352841The best pig ribs in town. A full meal of white rice, 3 pig ribs (costellata), braunebonen (red beans) soup and vegetable only cost Rp 15.000 (US$ 1.5) -
Kobong Cafe
address: Jl. Raya Tomohon -
Kit Sang Restaurant
address: Jl. Raya Tomohon -
Restaurant Sineleyan
address: Jl. Raya Tomohon -
Risoma Restaruant
address: Jl. Raya Tomohon - Manado, TinoorThe best Minahasan Cuisine. It locates out of town and unfortunately the restaurant is hard to achieve just by microlet service. The menu includes Pangi, Acar, Tinorangsak (pork cooked in Bambu), RW (dogmeat), Paniki (Fruit Bat meat), Braunebonen (Red bean soup), Sayor pait (bitter vegetable) and many more. -
Heng Mien Restaurant
address: Jl. Raya Tomohon Manado, TinoorThe famous Minahasan Cuisine Restaurant in town. Unfortunaley, this restaurant also locates out of town on the road to Manado. The menu are almost all the famous of the Minahasan cuisine such as RW, Paniki, Pangi, Sayor Pait, Acar, and so on. To get here, you can charter a mikrolet the fare starts from Rp. 75.000 per trip, or ask the hotel to arrange the Dinner here.
Drink
There is also a certain kind of drink called Sukur, made of red ginger cooked with traditionally made of brown sugar in a clay pot. This drink is very good for health. Often time used when somebody get cold or cough.
Sleep
Gardenia Country Inn TomohonAbout 30 minutes from downtown Manado, this countryside inn has bungalows, chalets, and standard rooms. Rates start at $88 for a single bed in the chalet, including free breakfast, welcome drink, a fruit basket, mineral water, tea and coffee in your room, afternoon tea and coffee with traditional snacks, and free Wi-Fi. It has a garden with fishponds, tropical flowers and plants, along with unique birds and butterflies give it the feel of an environmental sanctuary. In another part of the garden, you will find different organic crops like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, tropical exotic fruits, and local herbs like basil, chilies, lemongrass, ginger, turmeric and so on which is used by the kitchen there.
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phone: +62 431 353333, +62 431 353888address: Kinilow Jaga VIRight outside of town and a 400-meter walk from the main road. There are five types of rooms: Standard, Superior, Deluxe, Highland Suite and Highland Grand Suite. All have private bathrooms with hot and cold water showers. Other amenities that are provided for your comfort in all our rooms are satellite TVs and large, comfortable beds. Free Internet. Tour arrangement from highland tour to volcano trekking and whitewater rafting.
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Mountain View Homestay
phone: +62 431-353423address: Jl. Raya Tomohon, Walian Tomohon SelatanIt locates fifteen minutes ride on a public Microlet from Terminal Beriman Tomohon, and in front of Cool Supermarket. The homestay or inn have hot and cold shower. Mobile contact +62 81340363553 -
phone: +628124423362address: KinilowA ten minute walk from the Highland Resort. The bungalows are spaced further apart from each other than the Highland Resort and are also quite new. 250,000 Rp. per night
Volcano ResortFive minute ride on a public mikrolet from the Terminal, and a 5 minute walk off the main street. Or you can charter a mikrolet for about 15,000 Rp. Wooden bungalows with attached cold showers cost 200,000 Rp per night. Economy double rooms are 100,000Rp. Includes breakfast.
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phone: +62 431 3158666address: Jalan Kali-Kinilow, Lingkungan VI, Tomohon Utara 95362This mountain resort features 12 traditional bungalows: double and twin bed, bathroom with western toilet, hot water shower and terrace. Flat screen television, free WiFi and mineral water. Own Spa with several wellness treatments. The restaurant serves specialties from the Minahasa Highland as well as Indonesian, Chinese and western dishes. Try the home made Mountain View Grog. They offer an early bird breakfast if you have a morning flight to your next destination. The resort is run by German management and offers a wide range of tours into the area as well as rafting and kayaking trips, caving, volcano trekking, waterfall tours, horseback riding, mountain biking, birding, cooking classes, ...