Gorontalo City is the capital of the new Gorontalo Province and nestles on the calm waters of the northern shoreline of Tomini Bay, on the southern fringe of Sulawesi's protective northern arm. Here the weather is balmy and equatorial, the landscape punctuated by chains of mountains.
Being the main gateway to the travel mecca of the Togian Islands and only a one hour flight from Manado, Gorontalo is easily reached and often passed through. However, stop to have a look around and you may be surprised by what Gorontalo has to offer, besides the unique diving environment.
Life here is quiet and simple, like a clean and friendly, rural country town. Tourists are virtually unknown in town, so you can experience the cultural, daily workings of a Sulawesi town, unaffected by the tourist buck. No one here trying to sell you a suit or fake tourist knock-offs.
There are a few restaurants in town dealing exclusively in Indonesian and Chinese cuisine. There's also a more upmarket restaurant on the coastline just out of town, with tables on the watera's edge and live music. It's a good idea to bring an Indonesian phrase book as the menus are not translated into English.
Gorontalo is famous for its distinctive corn chowder called binte biluhuta. It is made with corn, shredded coconut, cilantro leaf, and fish or tiny shrimp. On the side are chopped red chillies, sweet soy sauce, lime wedges, and monosodium glutamate to be added according to your taste.
There is a night market in town selling authentic local dishes and a couple of cafes for party time.
Local souvenirs popular from the area include the colourful and soft Krawang embroidery. You can buy this from several souvenir shops dotted around central town.
Gorontalo also has a couple of well stocked modern supermarkets, where you can stock up on life's essentials and conveniences.
Please note that although ATMs accept foreign cash cards, the banks will not exchange any currencies other than US dollars. So, make sure you change all your Russian rubels in Singapore before your arrival.
Local Transport
Bentor
Bentor is the name for the three-wheel motorbike taxi that takes two passengers, sitting in the two-wheeled section at the front, and is powered by the rider from behind. These are quick, convenient and inexpensive.
Bendi
Trundling along in a traditional horse-drawn cart is surely the most picturesque mode of transport in North Sulawesi. Bendis outnumber mikrolets in Gorontalo, especially in the rural areas.
Mikrolet
Check out the front windscreen of these blue minibuses to see the destination. Unless you are travelling a great distance these rides tend to cost next to nothing. |
