Slow Down, Taste and See Our World

ABOUT ME: JOURNEY TO SULAWESI'S CULINARY SOUL

Crafting Authentic Culinary and Cultural Experiences with Tomohon’s Food Community

Born and raised as a Christian in Tomohon, I’ve guided global travelers since 1994, sharing Minahasan cuisine’s bold flavors, praised by food enthusiasts. Fluent in English and French, I partner with local chefs, home cooks, baristas, bartenders, farmers, and owners of homestays, restaurants, and cafes to make North Sulawesi a gastronomy hub. Through Sulawesious Encounters, join our community for culinary tours and adventures like snorkeling, cycling, and photography, celebrating Sulawesi’s vibrant soul.

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Alexander J. Maerah

Portofolio

my roots in Tomohon

Where Faith and Flavors Unite Our Community

Born and raised as a Christian in Tomohon, I grew up in vibrant markets filled with fiery rica-rica spices and fragrant herbs, surrounded by a tight-knit food community of chefs, home cooks, and farmers. My faith and Minahasan hospitality fuel my passion for sharing bold cuisine and traditions. Through Sulawesious Encounters, I collaborate with local crafters and vendors to invite you to taste Tomohon’s culinary soul and feel its heartfelt spirit.

#TomohonRoots #MinahasanCulture #ChristianHeritage #FoodCommunity #CulinaryTraditions

my experience

Guiding Global Foodies Since 1994

Since 1994, I’ve guided tourists of diverse nationalities through North Sulawesi, sharing Minahasan cuisine like tinutuan and cakalang fufu, which food enthusiasts call “unforgettably tasty.” Fluent in English and French, I’ve partnered with local chefs, baristas, and home cooks to craft immersive culinary tours, blending market visits with cooking workshops. Sulawesious Encounters brings our community’s passion to life, revealing Sulawesi’s gastronomic heart.

#TourGuideExperience #MinahasanCuisine #FoodCommunity #BilingualGuide #CulinaryWorkshops

my dream

Building a Culinary Haven with Tomohon’s Community

Inspired by tourists’ praise for Minahasan cuisine, I dream of a Tomohon homestay with a vibrant kitchen, organic garden, and cooking classes featuring dishes like babi woku, crafted with local farmers and chefs. Partnering with cafe, warung, and homestay owners, I envision a cozy cafe with local coffee, a florist with Tomohon’s blooms, and a shop showcasing crafters’ work. My Christian-rooted vision aims to make North Sulawesi a global gastronomy destination, celebrating bold flavors and sustainability.

#TomohonHomestay #GastronomyTourism FoodCommunity #MinahasanCuisine #SustainableDreams

my passions

Fueled by Faith, Food and Adventure

My Christian faith and love for Minahasan cuisine drive my passion for sustainable farming and community dining, shared with local farmers, chefs, and baristas. From blending rica-rica in Tomohon’s markets to cycling Sulawesi’s trails or snorkeling in Bunaken, I thrive on connecting people through food and nature. Sulawesious Encounters invites you to join our food community for cooking classes, diving, birdwatching, and photography, celebrating Sulawesi’s culinary soul.

#Minahasan cuisine #FoodCommunity #SustainableFarming #AdventureTourism #ChristianValues

my Vission for the future

Pioneering Sulawesi’s Gastronomic Legacy with Community

With tourists praising Minahasan cuisine, I envision a network of eco-homestays across North Sulawesi, built with local farmers, chefs, and crafters, featuring kitchens and gardens with ingredients like turmeric and cloves. Fluent in English and French, I’ll offer virtual cooking classes and AR tours to share Tomohon’s flavors globally, partnering with restaurant and warung owners. Sulawesious Encounters will make Sulawesi a sustainable gastronomy hub, blending culinary adventures with snorkeling, diving, and cycling.

#Eco-homestays #GastronomyTourism #FoodCommunity #SustainableFuture #AdventureTravel

"Dear Alex, firstly, we must express our gratitude for all your kindness and hospitality on the 3rd and 4th June 2019. It was nice to see you again especially in your hometown. Although this was my second visit, your knowledge and passion for the area made it feel like a new destination."

– Daniel Hume, England –

"A wonderful and enlightening day. It has been so interesting to see another side of North Sulawesi away from the coast. The countryside is stunning, from the impressive volcanos, lush hillsides of vegetables, paddy fields and lakes. And all brought to life by a wonderfully informative and friendly guide."

– Justin Tate, (Southhamton) England –

"Thanks a lot for the two days packed full of interesting things to do and to see. Alex tailored the tours in a very professional and flexible way to our wishes, understood what we like and made good suggestions accordingly. Alex, keep up the great work and stay as you are."

– Nui & Alex Esser, Germany –

"Thank you very much for your kindness and your professionalism. It was a such pleasure for having your comment, everywhere we went with you."

– Amar Guillen, USA –

"Top guide, Highly recommended... Alex has been a really good guide, we have learnt a great deal that we would have missed without him."

– Charlie Bird & Paula, England –

"Very nice, beautiful surroundings and Alex knows a lot about the Minahasa country! I like to see the people: how the life and the work and I also like the hotsprings and rice fields."

– Martje Van Kuiren, Netherlands –

"Beautiful country, friendly people, much history, good food and very enjoyable conversation. Thank you."

– Bronwyn, Australia –

"Alex, thank you for taking us to such interesting spots. One favorite was the Catholic chapel today and the cloth factory. Enjoyed your excellent commentary."

– Bronwyn, Australia –

"Your warmth and friendliness made the volcano tour extra-special."

– Jeff & Barb Zavar –

"Alex, thank you for the care and concentration to this Grandma. You did an excellent job in organizing restaurants, Ect. One thing missing - clothing and trinkets markets. We love shopping! Thank you."

– Eunice Helbig, Australia –

"Thank you for the great day. We enjoyed the great landscape of North Sulawesi and the friendliness of all the local people here. And we appreciated the information given by our tour guide Alex! Noch einmal vielen Dank fur den schonen Tag und die vielen Informationen. Wir waren uber die Freundlichheit der Menschen sehr erfreut und mochten bald einmal die Insel weider besuchen. Danke, Alex!"

– Sabine & Erich, (Liezen) Germany –

"We enjoyed the trip very much. We must stress high professional level of Alex (our guide) which helped us to realize the dream of childhood to visit vulcanoes and tropical forest. We are going to continue acquaintance with tradition and culture of Indonesia and its beautiful nature. The trip to the jungle was amazing. It was very nice to see the nature of Indonesia. The visit to local market was also useful and we enjoyed it very much. We wish Alex further achievements."

– Dmitry Meskove, Natalia Meskova, Tatyana Meskova & Alexey Meshkov, Russia –

"Alex, thanks so much for all your wisdom as we have travelled around, your anecdotes stories (from me especially). Again thanks for help at the bank."

– Bell Service, Australia –

"Thank you so much for an excellent guided trip to many beautiful places. We will be back one day and then we hope you can be our guide again. Good luck and take care of Tomohon and Minahasa for us."

– Anders & Lino, (Oslo) Norway –

"Thank you so much for an excellent guided trip to many beautiful places. We will be back one day and then we hope you can be our guide again. Good luck and take care of Tomohon and Minahasa for us. Best wishes and God’s blessings for continued enjoyable guiding."

– Elaine Schumann, (Cleve) Australia –

"Thank you for your patience, kind and smile. I pray for you that you can meet the right partner that love you as you are. Farewell my Friend."

– Denni Rau, Australia –

"Thank you for making us famous for one day ! The volcano was big, wet and beautiful. We learned a lot about the religions on North Sulawesi."

– Karl van Santen & Sylvia Eeden, (Bussum) Netherlands –

"The itinerary is very good. Well plan. Mahawu is now very easy to climb and make it tourist friendly without loosing it charm. The hilly and and countryside is very beautiful. Linow lake is very pretty and relaxing. Sipping a cup of coffee there will be magical. Our guide Alex is very knowledgeable and good with a well-thought-out itinerary. Very helpful and professional. We shall come back again in near future."

– Hiew Chee Faun & Lee Wan Zhen, (Selangor) malaysia –

"Alex you are the one God choose for us. You have natural kindness and good heart. We enjoyed your guard in touring Manado. God bless. We will remember you. Thank you."

– Lucy, Australia –

"Thank you for being such a patient guide. You have also shown me some beautiful countryside. It looks so peaceful and calm here. God bless you in your work as a guide."

– Marian Shepherd, Australia –

"We have had a very nice day with you, Alex! Indonesia is in our heart now. We hope to meet again, maybe in a coffee “gallery” where they perform traditional dancing and singing, give workshops and where we can eat local food! See you next time."

– Fleur & Frank Lineele, Holland –

"Kepada yang terhormat Bapak Alex! Your tour has been a great success for everybody. Your English is “baik sekali”, likewise your understanding for leading a tour is great. Best of luck with your tour business. Highly recommended by Lyndon Grissner."

– Lyndon Grissner, Australia –

"Well Alex, what can I say! You have been just great and yes, the best guide we could have had in Manado! Everything has gone really well and we are greatful."

– Pdt Sue, Australia –

"Alex, you have been a wonderful guide! I have appreciated the effort you have made to cater to our needs and happiness. I am very happy to recommend you to anyone who visits Sulawesi. God bless you."

– Jenny Cornish, Australia –

"A wonderful trip. A lovely day and a lovely guide. It has been wonderful to see the island beyond the beach, the volcano, the hot springs. You have been hugely welcoming and friendly like the rest of the people in North Sulawesi. We have had a great time and eaten too much lovely food. Thank you."

– Martine & Jean-Pierre, Belgique –

"Thank you for very good guiding. It was a wonderful trip especially to see the hot springs and the wonderful lake. Also on the way to here, to see the fantastic nature of this beautiful island. We will always remember this trip and our fantastic time at this island."

– Julia & Ruben, (Hermersberg) Germany –

"Thanks for the extra holiday in our holiday! Nice to hear also over your passion of dancing; the gracious fingers and hand movings."

– Ellen, (Tuden) Netherlands –

"We really enjoyed this tour with our very competent guide, Alex. Especially talking about life, religion and philosophy was great. Thank you Alex for this wonderful day. Alex, du bewelgst dich mit einen Ganz besonderen eleganz!"

– Robert Haspel, Austria –

"Alex, thanks for showing us the beautiful places of Tomohon and surrounding. We had a very nice day and we will remember you as enthousiastic guide, who has wide interest in other countries and cultures. And by the way: We will also remember your elegant way of walking. In Dutch: “schryden”. The tour had a lot of different items: volcano, special lunch, the lake and wooden houses. That made it very agreeable. Thanks a lot. Kind regards."

– Margot & Wim Aben, (Boshoop) Netherlands –

"Meneer Alex is a very enthousiastic guide, tells a lot about the people, herbs, vegetables etc. Interesting! Great tour, we have seen a lot. His hometown, I call “Canna Village”, really nice."

– Saskia Maas, Netherlands –

“Alex is an excellent guide who knows the area intimately. His command of English is very good and makes good conversation and easy understanding.”

– Tim Booth, Australia –

“Alex was very polite and helpful. His knowledge was excellent.”

– Janet Tan, Singapore –

“This is the third time I have made this tour. This was the best I had for interesting things to see than last time. Made better by Alex, the tour guide.”

– Paul Hatfield, UK –

“Alex is a perfect guide, very friendly and very knowledgeable about the area around Tomohon. His tours are great.”

– David Crane, Mongolia –

“Alex was great guide to show our group the “hidden sights” off the beaten path.”

– Wolfgang Wegenar, (bangkok) Thailand –

“Alex, the guide was very nice and very knowledgable about local Minahasa history and culture.”

– Lori Lessner, (Washington DC) USA –

"Ganz besonders danken wir, Alex, fur die vielen informationen und die gute Beyleitung durch seine Heimat. Vielen Dank."

– Andre & Simone Schleusing, Germany –

“Hemos guidado preudado de este paisaje maravilloso tanto bajo el mar com eu la montanye sus habitants y la cordialidad que nos a bridando Alex. Nos lleramos a Barcelona un grato recuerdo de nuestra estancie con vostros. Saludos."

– Josep, (Barcelona) Spain –

“Alex ist ein sehr guten, universell Gebildeten Fuhrer wie ich nie einen kennen gelernt habe.”

– Doris Triebelnig, Austria –

"Alex ist ein sehr guten, universell gebildeten fuhrer wie ich nie einen kennen gelernt habe."

– Doris Triebelnig, Germany –

"Sehr schone Tour mit Alex, die Landschaft gefallt uns sehr gut. Gute organization und Betreuung."

– Susanne Paschen & Thomas, (Mannheim) Germany –

"Alex warein perfekte Guide, der sich voll auf unsere Wunsche konzentriend hat."

– Betina Sperling, Germany –

"U heft ong een leuke dag bezoek. Voord de locale markt uns enduitwekkend. Het bezoek aan de stiffen weveng, war voor ons zeer interessant. De manier van weven heeft enduik op ons gemeekt."

– Rudi Ronbouts, Belgium –

"Tak for en herlig tur. Vi har nydt den. Det er et smukt gront land, med mange smukke natur oplevelser. Om nogle ar vender vi maske tilbage. Vi foler os godt tilpas I dette land. Med den venlige befolkning. Tak for din venlige made at vaere pa Alex. Venlig Hilsen."

– Henning & Anna-Marie, Denmark –

"Dank je wel en misschien tot ziens in Schooten."

– Jeannine, (Schooten) Belgium –

"Dank je voor een geweldige dag in de omgeving van Tomohon. De locale markt was ercht de moeie waard. Gammes van de regenbur bij de vulkaan. Het zwavel meer was ercht apart. Dank je wel en misschien tot ziens!"

– Hennie & Hetty Dekker, (Gouda) Netherlands –

Join the Journey

Taste Sulawesi’s Soul with Our Food Community

Inspired by global travelers’ love for Minahasan cuisine, I invite you to join Sulawesious Encounters and our vibrant community of chefs, baristas, bartenders, farmers, and crafters. Speaking English and French, I offer bespoke culinary tours, cooking classes, and adventures like snorkeling, diving, birdwatching, cycling, and photography. Partner with our homestays, restaurants, and cafes to plan your Tomohon journey via our Contact page or follow our social media for updates. Let’s savor Sulawesi’s flavors together!

#CulinaryTours #FoodCommunity #AdventureTourism #BilingualTours #TomohonExperiences