Air Asia had recently added a new destination into its list of coverage. Now Makassar is on that list. Air Asia is also currently having a promotion (Makassar, the Mystical 13th Wonder!) whereby the one way ticket to Makassar goes for MYR 5.00 (excluding tax and fees) only. Great right? The only thing is… i have no idea where is Makassar. Do you?

It’s funny that most of us have not heard of this city called Makassar since it is the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the LARGEST city on Sulawesi Island. Known also as Ujung Panjang, the town flourished as the port and trading centre for the medieval kingdom of Goa.

Its airport, Hasanuddin International Airport is located 20 km from the city and has flights to Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Kendari, Palu, Manado, Gorontalo, Ambon, Ternate, Manokwari, Sorong, and Jayapura. Plus, interesting enough it is only one hour from Bali.

Little is known of Makassar but there are a few notable sights worth a visit.

Fort Rotterdam (Benteng Ujung Panjang)

- Fort Rotterdam taken from http://admonike.multiply.com/-

Fort Rotterdam is said to be one of the best preserved Dutch architecture in Indonesia. Within the fort, there is an art centre and the “La Galigo museum. Besides the building and arts that attract visitors, the fort is also famous because of the tomb of the exiled Prince Diponegoro of Yogyakarta. I’m going to spare you the history but the tomb of Diponegoro is located in the middle of town on a street which carries his name.

Benteng Somba Opu

This ruin is located in the delta south of Makassar. Once a fort of the powerful Makassar kingdom, now large portion of the bricks were taken and used as building materials. However, it still can be visited and there is an adjacent open air-museum of traditional houses and also an archaeological museum.

Paotere Harbour

- Paotere Harbour taken from http://makassar-photos.blogspot.com/-

Here at the harbour, visitors gets to see traditional Buginese sailing boats load and unload their cargo. Although the length of the mast had been reduced, the boats still attracts visitors especially photography enthusiast.

Makassar is of course also known for its nearby virgin beaches and the attractive seascapes. Small islands that make up Spermonde Archipelago offers a great place for a peaceful stroll on the sand and fun activities such as snorkeling and diving among colourful coral reefs.

- Beautiful beach taken from http://makassar-photos.blogspot.com/-