In Love With Makassar, Its Silk, Seafood and Landmarks

Makassar Seng Ada Lawan or Nothing Compares to Makassar is the classic saying of Makassarese being proud of their hometown. Honestly I felt the same way when I arrived there.

Due to a kind invitation by a dear couple -who have long been our family’s good friend-, Major General Agus Surya Bakti (the recently inaugurated Indonesian Army Commander for Wirabuana) and Madam Bella Saphira Surya Bakti, my parents and I embarked on a trip to the incomparable city of Makassar at the end of 2015.

I have visited Makassar a few times in the past. The city holds a special place to my Mother as she was educated in the Judicial State College there.

Having been established as a maritime port since the days of Netherlands East Indies, Makassar people were well known as strong fishermen.

Makassar never fails to entice my mind, attract my eyes and tingle my taste buds. From the amazing culture, colorful silk-based textile and delicious culinary dishes, there is something for each visitor.

This trip to Makassar is even more special as I got to witness the amazing development taking place in this capital of South Sulawesi province.

From the moment I set my feet in the airport, I can see how this city has been well developed as the major capital of Eastern Part of Indonesia. The roads to the famous landmarks such as Fort Rotterdam and Losari Beach are getting more organized and big signs have been built there. There are several new malls in the city. Restaurants and cafes can be found anywhere, serving from fresh seafood and traditional dishes such as otak-otak, Coto Makassar, ikan kudu-kudu and the famous Toraja coffee to Western culinary such as steak, fish and chips and Cappucino.

From my amazing experience in Makassar, I wish to share the following locations where one may find traditional textile and souvenir, good food as well as famous landmarks, namely:

A. Traditional Textile and Silk

1.    Sutra Indah shop

   Every textile hunter will know this shop by heart. Indeed, this is the Mecca for all textile hunters. The shop carries various traditional textile from South Sulawesi region, including Makassar Silk and Sarong and Lagosi sarong.

JET and Madam Bella Saphira, spouse of Wirabuana Army Commander, had good times in finding the best Lagosi textile among piles and piles of beautiful cloths.

Various type of silk-based hand-woven textile will entice each tourist, particularly textile hunters!

2.      Losari Silk Shop

Loving my swag look in this Makassar silk koko shirt and songbook!

In the past, songkok was only worn by men from the Bugis and Bone community of South Sulawesi. Songkok with golden threads are only reserved for the aristocrats. These days songkok are generally worn by Makassarese men to attend public functions.

While I went in and out the fitting room, surely my Mom was having a splendid time in choosing the best Makassarese ikat silk.

3.      Aneka Sutra Shop (http://anekasutra.com/)

Aneka Sutra offers a number of traditional textiles, including the hand-woven cotton sarong from Mandar region.

Do you fancy my new talisman scarf from Toraja? JJJ

Each Toraja textile is hand-woven mostly by the women and take at leat several months and sometimes years –according to its intricacy of pattern- to complete.

The Tongkonan is a traditional house in Toraja. Every miniature house is a faithful reproduction of the original Tongkonan house as it is meticulously hand-crafted by Torajanese. Look at those amazing traditional patterns and to think that each details is finalized by Torajanese. What a piece of art!

B.     Food

Makassar is well known for its fresh seafood, Coto Makassar

and otak-otak.

1. Coto Makassar

At the New Year’s Eve dinner hosted by the Major General Agus Surya Bakti and Madam Bella Saphira in their official residence, tasty bowls of Coto Makassar (broth with chunks of beef) are served to the guests. This bowl of Coto is eaten with buras (sticky rice). Sooo fragrant and delicious!

JET and Father:

Indonesian Batik shirt designed by Dudung Ali Syahbana, a Batik maestro from Pekalongan.

Mother:

Kebaya from Batik Chic designed by Novita Yunus (Facebook: Novita Yunus, Batik Chic).

Major General Agus Surya Bakti and Madam Bella Saphira:

Sarimbit hand-woven textile (outfit for couple using the same patterned textile) from West Nusa Tenggara.

The Governor of South Sulawesi province, Mr H. Syahrul Yasin Limpo and the Army Commander Wirabuana, Major General Agus Surya Bakti, with guests.

2. Galore of Fresh Seafood

1. Apong Restaurant is famous for its Makassar style chilli crab. A different take from Singaporean one yet the taste is sooo good one hardly can ever forget. Well, JET is a foodie dear, I can go on and on about food!

Now, let’s pick our favourite fresh sea food!

With Madam Bella Saphira in front of the Apong Restaurant.

The famous ikan kudu-kudu which looks like a box (kudu-kudu fish).

2. A favourite among several Indonesian Presidents, Bahari Restaurant is famous for its black peppered female crab, otak-otak (fish cakes), bandeng (milk fish) and the acar tuing tuing (fish eggs pickles)

My parents, both are big fans of seafood, clearly enjoyed the fresh seafood topped with fresh mango and chili sauce.

The tuing-tuing (fish eggs) pickled sauce with otak-otak (fish cakes). In the past, when one visits Makassarese family, one would be offered a dish of otak-otak and its peanut sauce. Nowadays, the traditional otak-otak is served almost in each restaurant.

The famous Bahari’s black peppered crab and parape style grilled milk fish.

3. Losari Restaurant is famous for its parape style grilled bandeng (milk fish).

The parape style grilled bandeng

My Mother and I with our Makassar-based family.

4.    Nasi Kuning Riburane

Nasi Kuning (yellow rice) used to be eaten to mark rites of passage such as birthdays and weddings in the past. Nowadays nasi kuning is a favourite for Indonesian breakfast, including Makassarese.

Nom… nom… wanna taste our special Nasi Kuning Riburane?

C.   Famous Landmarks:

1. Losari beach has been the landmark for Makassarese for ages. Recently, the area has been modernized so that tourist would be able to enjoy walking on the sea shore and take loads of photos. You bet I did!

If the Los Angeles residents are proud with their famous Hollywood sign, the Makassarese are proud with their Losari Beach sign.

JET wears a hand-stamped Indonesian Batik cotton scarf from Wale Batik Minahasa (http://www.walebatikminahasa.com/). Wale Batik Minahasa offers countless bold and handsome Batik cloths and shawls with unique patterns depicting the province of North Sulawesi.

With Mom in front of the pride Makassarese Phinisi ship.

Nothing compares to the City of Makassar!

2.    Cathedral of Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ

Welcoming the New Year would not be complete without attending a mass in this Catholic landmark in Makassar. Built in 1898, the church remains the main destination not only to Catholic Makassarese but also to tourists, including us, who wish to experience holy mass in this great city.

My Mother was 18 years old when she celebrated her first mass in this Cathedral. I am thoroughly grateful to be able to take Mom to celebrate mass back in this church as she reaches her 7^th decade.

Dad, Mom, Sister Marietta Toemion and Sister Inez.

The Grotto of Blessed Virgin Mary is located in the courtyard of the Cathedral. This serene sanctuary is truly an oasis for those looking for peace and calm in the midst of bustling Makassar.

JET wears a hand-painted Indonesian Batik shirt with kawung pattern from Novita Yunus for Batik Chic (Facebook: Novita Yunus, Batik Chic).

The imposing Christmas tree in front of the Makassar Cathedral.

And finally a wefie with the Lady of the residence, Madam Bella Saphira Surya Bakti, at her official residence in Makassar.

Now, what are you waiting guys? Book your flight to Indonesia and travel to Makassar, experience the heart-warming hospitality, delicious culinary, abundant landmarks and exquisite hand-woven textile.

Never miss JET’s globe-trotting stylish fashion and tasty culinary adventure in instagram (@JETJAKARTA), Facebook page (JET’s Fashion Diplomacy), twitter (@Jonesey4Eva).

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