Lae
Lae Island is an island in South Sulawesi that had history of Japanese ruins.
The total area of the island is around 6.5 hectares with white sand and
occupied by 2,000 residents. One of the main attractions here is the site of
war ruins, like underground tunnel that said connected to Fordrotherdam in
Makassar City. As a small island, Lae Lae Island is an option for local
residents, especially from those who come from Makassar to spend the vacation
at the weekend. The uniqueness of the island is that the island has square
shape with building for wave barrier that stretches from the north to the south
at the west of the island. During second world war, the island was used by
Japanese soldiers as the defense area.
Location
Lae
Lae Island lies around 1.5 km from Makassar City, South Sulawesi. It takes 10 -
15 minutes by speedboat through Bangkoa Pier at Pasar Ikan Street no 28 or the
pier in front of Benteng Fordrotherdam. You only need to pay IDR 15.000 or
US$1.5 per person for round-trip. You can make an appointment with the owner of
boat to pick you up or keep their phone number so that you can contact them
easily.
The
short trip will give you chance to enjoy the main land in Makassar City with
the stretches of calm waves. After you arrive, you will be taken to the small
pier in front of the island or you can ask the owner of boat to drop you near
the cliffs.
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| Picture Bowosuhardjo.blogspot.com |
Accommodations
The
accommodation to Lae Lae Island is adequate because the location is not too far
from the city. You can stay in Aston Makassar Hotel & Convention Center, Hotel
Pacific, Hotel Santika Makassar, M-Regency Hotel, Favehotel Daeng Tompo, Hotel
Aryaduta Makassar, Swiss-Belinn Panakkukang, Favor Hotel, Losari Beach Hotel
Makassar, or you can stay overnight with the resident.
Stay with the local resident
means you can enjoy the beauty of island while playing water, sun-bathe,
playing sands or soccer. Along the coastline, there are gazebos that can be
used for tourist. If you want to rest there, you need to pay IDR 25,000 – IDR 45,000
pr US$2.5 – US$4.5.
Activities
The
first time you come to Lae Lae Island, you will see the houses are built so
tight toward the ocean and the lane in front of the houses is used for
pedestrian. This access will ease the visitors to stroll around the island
because it is needed only 30 minutes. In one of corner in the island, there is
stack of rocks that form pyramid.
At
the south of the island, you can see stretches of rocks to break the waves. Because
the houses are near the beach, sometime when the tide is high, the water will
come into the house. That is why most of houses are build with stilts model.
The
stretch of trees along the beach gives it extra beauty. If you like photography,
you can find many spots to get stunning views. The pristine water and white
sand make the beach looks so amazing. The sand is so fine and you can step it
with your bare foot. Usually, the island will be crowded on Saturday and Sunday
morning.
If
you like snorkeling, you can do it as well. But, you have to bring your own
equipment. The beach is good to learn water sports indeed, like swimming, scuba
diving, snorkeling, and diving. Even, you can feed the fish while you
snorkeling or swimming. You can give them instant noodle, rice or bread that is
put inside the bottle. The group of fish will approach you and compete to take
the food. It will be so fun to do it.
After
those activities, you may feel hungry. Don’t worry because there are food stall
that will offer you delicious fried fish. They use traditional ingredient with
fresh seafood. You will enjoy your vacation in Lae Lae Island as you visit
Makassar City.
