Manado Mayhem: Humidity, Hidden Spots, and a Whole Lot of Questions

okay, so manado. it’s…a lot. i landed with those numbers swirling in my head - 6971019 and 1360518272. don’t ask, it’s a long story involving a lost bet and a very specific set of coordinates someone swore led to the best pisang goreng in southeast asia. it didn’t. not directly, anyway.

first impressions? *sticky. like, aggressively sticky. the weather report said 24.95°C, but the ‘feels like’ was pushing 26. it’s not just heat, it’s humidity. 95% humidity. i swear my hair has developed a sentience of its own. the pressure’s normal, 1013, but honestly, i feel like i’m underwater. and the ground level is 947, which…doesn’t really explain the dampness.

my persona today? i’m channeling a vintage clothes picker. which means i’m mostly interested in finding weird, forgotten treasures and judging everyone’s outfits (silently, mostly). manado’s markets are…promising. chaotic, overflowing, and smelling strongly of spices and something vaguely fishy. i spent a good hour haggling over a batik shirt that probably dates back to the 70s. worth it.

someone told me that the best place to find authentic tinoransak (a local spicy fish dish) isn’t on a menu, it’s at a stall run by a woman named Ibu Rina near the harbor. apparently, she only cooks it on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and you have to know the secret handshake. i’m still working on the handshake.

getting around is…an experience. the traffic is insane. i tried using a bemo (local minibus) once. once. it was like being crammed into a sardine can with a very enthusiastic karaoke singer. i’ve mostly stuck to ride-hailing apps since then. check out this guide to getting around Manado: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g317058-Manado_North_Sulawesi-Vacations.html. seriously, save yourself.

my accommodation is…basic. let’s just say the fan is working overtime. i overheard someone at the local warung (small restaurant) warning a tourist about the mosquitos. apparently, they’re not just annoying, they’re “the size of small birds.” i’m now covered in repellent. it smells like citronella and regret.

*Must-pack: mosquito repellent (seriously, the big stuff).
*Pro-tip: learn a few basic Indonesian phrases. “Terima kasih” (thank you) will get you surprisingly far.
*Don’t bother: packing anything fancy. you’ll just sweat in it.
*Essential: a sense of humor. you’ll need it.

if you get bored, the Bunaken National Marine Park is just a boat trip away - https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Bunaken+National+Marine+Park&find_loc=Manado%2C+North+Sulawesi%2C+Indonesia. i haven’t been yet, but i’ve heard the diving is incredible. i also saw a post on a local forum (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/asia/indonesia/topic/manado-north-sulawesi-questions/) about a hidden waterfall a few hours outside the city. might check that out tomorrow, if i can summon the energy.

apparently, the local coffee is strong*. like, “will keep you awake for three days” strong. someone warned me not to order more than one cup. i, of course, ordered two.

i just checked and it’s…raining right now, hope you like that kind of thing. honestly, it probably won’t make much difference to the humidity. i’m starting to think i’m permanently damp. i’m also pretty sure i’ve eaten something questionable. but hey, that’s travel, right? i’m off to find Ibu Rina and her legendary tinoransak. wish me luck (and a strong stomach).

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