Miangas Island Offers Backpackers Alternative Destination

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The outlying island of Miangas in North Sulawesi province is offering an alternative destination for backpackers seeking a genuine sense of adventure, a Culture and Tourism Ministry researcher said.

"The small island is a suitable destination for backpackers because it conceals a million of attractions particularly its culture with local wisdom," Bambang H Suta Purwana said here on Friday.

The island which is a few kilometers away from the Indonesia-Philippine borders had well-preserved culture, he said.

Citing an example, he said the local people still withhold traditional norms called Eha and social custom called Mababeo in their daily life.

"For example, when they harvest coconut and catch fish they avoid cutting down mangrove. In carrying out any activity they always stick to local custom," he said.

It takes three to four days to reach Miangas island by sea from the North Sulawesi provincial capital of Manado. It is advisable for tourists to go there in May, June and July.

"It is certain there will be no ship going there in December, January and February because of high waves. So during the months the local people only eat tubers. That is special attraction," he said.(*)