Novotel Manado Resort with Mount Klabat as a view

As you may know from my previous preview article (Here), I spent my Christmas in Manado  traveling through all the usual scenic and interesting places in the region. The most important will be Bunaken National Marine Park, where it was famous for the snorkeling and diving spot where you can see variety of colorful coral reef.

We flew in to Manado International Airport (Sam Ratulangi International Airport) by transiting through Jakarta and arrived Manado at around 11 pm local time. After that we check in to our hotel (Novotel Manado Resort). It was a beautiful resort with beautiful mountain view and golf course.

Novotel Manado Resort with Mount Klabat as a view

The infinity Pool – Novotel Manado Resort

By that time we are tired and decided to just take it easy the next day. We rent a car and head up to Tomohon area. Half way we stop by to see the Blessing Christ statue (The first flying tallest statue). Along the way up we pass through beautiful paddy fields.

Beautiful Paddy Fields at Tomohon Area

Christ Blessing Statue

Locals enjoying the view of Blessing Christ Statue from the viewing point

After we arrived at Tomohon area we went to this area called ‘Woloan’ where locals or everyone can do their so called window shopping of Minahasan Style Houses. I mention window shopping is because you can just hand picked which type of finished house and ask them to tear it down and transport it to your place and put it together for you. It’s almost like IKEA but for houses. No nails involved in the building process, just carving and joining them together. Really cool though.

The House Frame

House Window Shopping

The next big thing that we visited is Lake Tondano. There is another lake call ‘Lake Linau’, but when we arrive, it was raining, so we just continue our journey to Lake Tondano. Lake Tondano located around the mountainous area of Tomohon, 600 meters above sea level. We arrived around the area nicely around golden hour where the sun was low and everything covered with golden lights and really glowing. I decided to stop at one of the paddy field just beside the road and took several photos including the photos of her with the paddy fields. As you may know, golden hour is the favorite timing for every photographer since everything looks warm and shiny. We continue to the Tondano lake right around sunset time. Here you will find several floating restaurant that serve local food with fish from the lake itself.

Continue to Part 2 (Here).

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