Just a little over a month and it is the start of high season 2015! With so many guests coming this year, we can expect interesting, long, hectic and fun days. And since most of our colleagues are Muslim and the fasting period is starting soon, we had more than enough reasons for a weekend getaway with the whole office to have some quality time and a tasty BBQ.
We decided to go not too far from home, to the quaint mountain village of Malino. It is only 80 km away from Makassar, but with these roads it takes nearly 3 hours to get there. When you live in Makassar it is such a delight to stay in Malino, even if it is for a little while. Fresh air! Nice cool climate, the most amazing surroundings, waterfalls and above all peace and quiet.
During the colonial days in Sulawesi, Malino was a beloved retreat for the Dutch who wanted to get away from the heat for a while. It was also the meeting place in July 1946 of Indonesian leaders and the Dutch who proposed plans for a federation, an alternative to Soekarno’s Republic, which eventually lead to a reign of terror and thousands of deaths. More recently, in 2002, Malino was the place where peace agreements were struck for The Moluccas and the areas around Lake Poso.
Even though Malino is of historical value, yout truly want to visit this place because of the exquisite nature. The green hills, valleys and waterfalls are just calling out to be explored!
We left the office on Friday afternoon and upon arrival started to prepare for the BBQ. After a long evening filled with delicious barbecued meat, corn, baked potatoes, a few French cheeses and some nice salads we all layed down to stare at the stars that were visible in the clear night sky. We even caught a glimpse of the milky way!
The following morning we all went on one of the walks we organise for our guests. It is a wonderful stroll through rice paddies and small villages. It was a little bit slippery due to the rain that fell in the morning, so a few of the girls can tell you how the ground in Malino feels like, just in case you were wondering. Always bring good hiking shoes!
As it is the end of the rainy season, the rice terraces are simply amazing this time of year, the greenest they can ever be!
It was a relaxing weekend and everyone is more than ready to take on the busiest time of the year!
Interested in walking or cycling the lush green hills of Malino? Check out our Insight Malino tours for the possibilities.