Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Issue 04/2016 | Page 45

© Wikipedia Commons/ Midori

FOOD SPECIALTIES

Tinutuan (Bubur Manado), or
Manadonese rice porridge, is served
with a mixture of local vegetables
such as watercress, pumpkin and
cassava. Fried dried anchovies and
tuna flakes can be added to the
porridge. Usually eaten for breakfast
this is delicious, healthy and a musttry. Another popular dish from
Sulawesi is Nasi Kuning – Manadostyle fragrant yellow rice served with
savoury smoked cakalang (skipjack
tuna), egg, fried sweet potato and
shredded beef. To spice the dish up,
add sambal balado to the rice. SDOP
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
Lembeh is a year-round destination.
Average topside temperature is 23–
30°C with water temperatures of 28–
29°C. Expect cooler conditions from
July to August when it can drop to 23°C
but cooler waters also coincide with
the greatest number of critters. The
best visibility is October to December.
January to February has the lowest
visibility due to the rainy season but
water is at its warmest.
HOW
Fly into Sam Ratulangi International
Airport, which has direct connections
from Singapore on SilkAir or domestic
flights from Jakarta. Then it’s a 1½–2hour drive over to the Strait. Check
with your airline on luggage weight
restrictions and limits prior to your
journey.
ENTRY
Most foreigners will be granted a visa
on arrival for US$35 for up to 30 days.
Your passport must be valid for at
least six months and make sure you
have a page empty in your passport
for the visa sticker.