For starters, the market in nearby Tomohon is a feast for the senses, although parts of it require a strong stomach. There are fresh produce, flowers, and just about anything else people might need for their daily lives.

Tomohon market

A surprisingly short drive from the market at Tomohon will bring you to the Mahawu Volcano, a small but active crater. You can hike up to the rim, where on a clear day you can see all the way to Manado, Bunaken and beyond.

The crater of Mahawu Volcano

The fantastic house-building village which I previously posted about is also near Tomohon.

The emerald green Lake Linow

Yet another volcano to visit in the area is Lake Linow, a water filled crater with several vents around its rim as well as under water. The changing balance of chemicals in the gases causes the lake to change color from time to time. It can be anything from emerald green to red to deep blue.

On my next visit to the area – and I definitely hope there will be one – I’d like to spend the night in the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, where I might see the tiny tarsier monkey as well as a lot of other exotic wildlife. I might also sample the white-water rafting.

Manado-based Safari Tours proved to be a great tour company to work with. They organized everything regarding my trip and took care of every little detail from transportation to admissions.