Makassar
The Gateway To Eastern Indonesia And The Home Port Of The Bugis And Makassarese, Whose Wooden Pinisi Schooners Are Still Built By Hand And Still Working Cargo · Makassar, South Sulawesi
Makassar is the largest city in eastern Indonesia and has been its commercial hinge for four centuries. FORT ROTTERDAM, the best-preserved Dutch fort in the country, was built on top of a Gowa sultanate fortress after the Dutch broke Makassar's independence in 1667; PRINCE DIPONEGORO, who led the Java War against them, WAS IMPRISONED IN IT UNTIL HE DIED THERE IN 1855. The other thing to see is a working harbour. AT PAOTERE, PINISI SCHOONERS ARE STILL TIED UP LOADING CARGO - huge wooden Bugis sailing ships built by hand without plans, whose construction UNESCO listed as intangible cultural heritage in 2017. THE BUGIS WERE THE GREAT MARITIME TRADERS AND RAIDERS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO, feared far enough afield that the English word bogeyman is generally traced to their name. Most visitors pass straight through on their way to Toraja, changing planes at the busiest airport in eastern Indonesia without ever leaving it. One day here is worth taking.
Makassar, South Sulawesi, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
MAKASSAR IS A CITY OF A MILLION AND A HALF AND IS ALWAYS OPEN; its airport is the main hub for eastern Indonesia and most visitors change planes here. FORT ROTTERDAM opens in daylight with a small fee or donation and houses the LA GALIGO MUSEUM, which CLOSES ON MONDAYS. PAOTERE HARBOUR IS A WORKING PORT, busiest in the early morning, with no admission - you walk in, and a small tip to whoever shows you round is appropriate. LOSARI BEACH is a seafront promenade rather than a beach and comes alive in the late afternoon for sunset and street food. BOATS TO SAMALONA AND THE OFFSHORE ISLANDS leave from near Losari and are chartered by the boat. Makassar is HOT AND HUMID year-round and the traffic is heavy.