I don’t see any evidence of Dutch architecture here in Manado. The Dutch did rule here as they did over all of Indonesia but perhaps Monado wasn’t significant enough for them to apply much building effort. Today just looking around, you get the sense that this place is going ahead rapidly. There is much construction going on and huge cranes add to the skyline. The highest building is mid-construction and will house luxury shops and apartments. There is money here.
A popular thing for local Manadoans to do, particularly on weekends, is to go to the local beach or visit Banarkan Island. The local beach, Malalayang, is easily accessed. There is no surf here because Monado sits on an inlet and there is barely any sand. You clamber over rocks to get to the water. There is coral though and the locals like to snorkel and dive here. All along the beach are cafés and the popular dish is fried banana. These cafés sit precariously on the edge of the road and you get a nice view of the beach and beyond, over your fried banana and coffee.
Banarkan Island is just off shore and is recognised worldwide for its coral reefs. When tourists come here, Banarkan Island is usually the main reason. It’s expensive to get there and as I also live on the edge of one of the world’s best coral reefs, I avoid the trip. The locals who can afford Banarkan love it too.
In the late afternoon we bike down onto the foreshore to view the sunset. Despite Manado being a busy grimy industrial city, it does have some nice angles, especially at the going down of the sun.
angusmccoll 