Braving the "Extreme Market" in Tomohon
August 13th, my second day in Manado.
Today's mission was a big one: heading out to a highland town called Tomohon. Why? To infiltrate the infamous "Extreme Market." It's exactly what it sounds like—a hardcore local market where they sell things like dog, monkey, and snake meat. I was a little intimidated, but I knew I had to see it with my own eyes.
First hurdle: getting there. I went to the bus terminal, but they hit me with the classic local rule—"big buses don't leave until they're full." Not wanting to wait forever, I managed to flag down a shared local taxi instead. A quick ride for 20,000 rupiah (about $1.30 USD), and I was on my way.
Tomohon itself is nestled in the mountains, so the air was wonderfully cool. It's actually famous for its flowers, and the town had this really peaceful, laid-back vibe. Wait, is this really the home of the Extreme Market? I wondered.
Along the way, I ran into a friendly local kid hanging around near the market entrance.
After asking around, I found out that the whole market isn't "extreme"—just one specific butcher section hidden away in the back.
Stepping into that specific section, I finally found it.
Yup, snakes. They weren't alive, just already prepped and sold like any other meat at a butcher. A pretty surreal sight.
Bats, too.
And small animals I couldn't even begin to identify.
Taste Test: Snake and Dog Meat
Since I was already there, I decided to go all in and try some at a nearby canteen.
I ordered both snake and dog meat.
First up, the snake. Honestly? Not bad at all. It was quite chewy—though not as tough as alligator—and tasted pretty good.
The dog meat, on the other hand... that was a struggle. The gamey smell was overwhelming! It was coated in this heavy, liver-like paste that made it pretty intense and honestly a bit tough to stomach. If it hadn't been heavily spiced, I probably wouldn't have been able to finish it. Still, it was a very real dive into the local food culture.
Woloan: A Village of Beautiful Wooden Houses
After that intense lunch, I took a walk west from Tomohon to an area called Woloan.
This place is famous for producing traditional wooden houses using a "knockdown" (prefab) method.
Walking down the main road was breathtaking. Gorgeous brown wooden houses lined both sides of the street like a living museum. I even got to watch the craftsmen actively building and assembling the homes right there on the spot. It was such a beautiful, peaceful contrast to the wild energy of the Extreme Market.
Fiery Local Liquor: "Cap Tikus"
By evening, I made it back to Manado.
While eating dinner at a familiar spot, a local family struck up a conversation with me.
They loved Japan, and after chatting for a bit, they insisted I try a drink they had with them called "Cap Tikus."
It's a traditional distilled spirit famous in North Sulawesi, and let me tell you—it is absurdly strong! It was basically local firewater.
But it was also a great realization. When I think of Indonesia, I usually picture the predominantly Islamic islands like Java, where alcohol is super rare. Because Manado and Tomohon have a large Christian population, drinking openly is totally normal here. It was a really fascinating cultural shift to experience firsthand.
What's Next?
Tomorrow, August 14th, starts with a mission to the post office to ship some things back to Japan. After that, I plan to explore more of Manado and scout out the bus station for my next destination: a town called Bitung. The adventure continues!
