Large, scenic lake, beautifully situated between paddyfields and the Lembean Mountains.
Picture: flickr.com
About 36 km southwest of Manado is Lake Tondano, 600 m above sea level. The drive to Tondano passes through charming villages and sprawling clove plantations. Situated right on the edge of the lake is the Remboken Tourist site, an ideal place for water skiing, fishing, and boating.
Remboken is also known as Sumaro Endo (which means: facing the sun) because it is the place at the side of Lake Tondano where people watch sunrise.
Bungalows, a natural hot-water swimming pool and restaurants are available.A village called Pulutan is situated near Lake Tondano, and here people make handicrafts, such as ceramics or flower vase of clay. At Lake Tondano, there is a place called Paleloan, here can be found Minahasan traditional houses. To enter, visitors have to pay Rp 600. Usually this place is used for Bunaken Island and Lake Tondano Festival.
The festival is held anually by the provincial government, and it is centered at Lake Tondano since 1996/1997. In 1998, the festival was not held because of the monetary crisis. In September 1999, the festival is held again at the same time as the election of Nyong and Noni Manado (a kind of Mr. and Miss Manado election). During the festival, every district stays at the houses available at Paleloan.
The festival consists of several events:
The inauguration of Minahasan titles
Marine show at Manado Beach
Art and culture show
Sports competition: diving, skiing, and navy parade in front of Novotel Hotel, Manado
Source: petra.ac.id
