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Three Spots Other Than the Beach in Wakatobi
WINDONESIA June 26, 2024
Swimming at Topa Labago in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi. (Wakatobi Tourism Authority/Putu Aditya)
The tourist attractions of Binongko Island in Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, is not limited to the beach and undersea life. There are also interesting natural attractions to visit on land, such as bathing withing cave springs and visiting the mangrove forest which some locals believe is the location of supernatural faux-crocodiles.
Those locations are rather easy to reach because the roads going there can still be traversed by motorized vehicle.
We have summarized below several tourist attractions besides beaches on Binongko Island
1. Topa Labago
Topa Labago is a waterway in a cavernous crevices of high cliffs. It is located Bante Village, Togo Binongko District.
The clear water conditions from the cliff crevices provide an interesting and unique travel experience. Tourists can do tuhu-ntuhu, or jumping in Topa Labago from the cliffs, that is preceded by the bhanti-bhanti folk song being chanted.
Topa Labago Binongko can be reached by motorbike. If you have the opportunity to stop by, don't miss the opportunity to swim and enjoy the freshness of the spring water directly at the spot.
2. Taipabu Mangrove Forest
The Taipabu Mangrove Forest is a unique mangrove ecosystem in Wakatobi Regency. If you have the opportunity to stop by, tourists can enjoy the view of the mangrove forest, and also learn about its indigenous community-based forest management.
That is because it is a traditional forest that is hundreds of years old which has been cared for by the Binongko community due to its sacredness to the local community. In order to preserve the mangrove forest, Binongko residents are not allowed to cut down and take lumber from the site.
The Binongko indigenous people also believe in the myth of the existence of supernatural golden faux-crocodiles in the forest. This myth was able to facilitate the fostering of conservation values among the Binongko people so that the forest is still sustainable today.
If you want to visit, the Taipabu Mangrove Forest is located in the Popalia Village, Taipabu Subdistrict, and Makoro Village areas of Wakatobi. Tourists can use both two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles to travel into the forest.
3. Tai Sumapa
Tai Sumapa is a pond within a karst rock valley located in Popalia Village. This pond's rise and fall fluctuates in line with the tides of seawater.
Since ancient times, Tai Sumapa has been used by the people of Popalia as a place to bathe and wash, especially during the day.
Source: travel.kompas.com