Sulawesi is an Indonesian island between Borneo and West Papua with around 17.5 million inhabitants. In the north, the island of volcanic origin is cut through by the equator. The largest cities in Sulawesi include Makassar, Manado, Palu, Kota Gorontalo, Poso and Luwuk. Almost 85% of the island's population profess the Muslim faith.

Sulawesi is the most mountainous island in Indonesia with the 3,440 meter high Rantemario as its highest point. There are still twelve active volcanoes in the north of the island. There are a total of eight national parks on the island of Sulawesi, which are home to several species of monkeys, turtles, snakes, lizards and rare bird species.

The island's most important economic assets are coffee, teak, spices, rubber, rattan, nickel, petroleum, asphalt, natural gas and other agricultural and fishing products.

Tourism also plays an important role in Sulawesi; jungle tours and diving tourism are particularly popular.

The largest city on Sulawesi is Makassar with around 1.8 million inhabitants in the urban area and almost three million in the metropolitan area. Makassar is the fifth largest city in Indonesia and the largest city east of the main island of Java. The port city is located very close to the equator with warm temperatures all year round. The city's most important sights include the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Chinese Temple, the Center Mosque, Fort Rotterdam, the Somba Opu Fortress, the 75 meter high Mandala Monument, the fishing port, the large seaport, a total of 17 universities and various Beaches.

In May 2018 I traveled to Palu and Makassar on Sulawesi for a three day stay. While the quiet city of Palu in the north shines with its breathtaking landscape and its famous diving areas, Makassar is a busy city with a few sights. I reached Palu after a short flight from East Borneo with Lion Air. The city is super pleasant and the volcanic landscape is unique. I had a relaxing stay at the Mercure Hotel and will definitely have a lasting memory of Sulawesi.

In Makassar there was actually too much hustle and bustle for me, so I quickly moved on from there to the Moluccas.