Lake Of Linow : Story of Unconditionally Love

Perhaps most people have already know about the beauty of this lake. Linow Lake is one of the most famous tourist destination in Tomohon, North Sulawesi. It is also became the mascotfor for city of flowers, Tomohon. The beauty of this lake is equal to the beauty of women in Tomohon. Located near the Tomohon-Kawangkoanroad, Linow Lake lies next to the stunning of Mt. Lokon.

When we go to this lake from Manado City, we will drive through winding and climbing road from small villages called Tinoor which also literally means as small village. In the old days, only took an hour to get to Linow Lake from Manado, but as time goes by followed by the rapid developments of both cities (Manado and Tomohon) now the journey takes several hours due to the heavy traffic that might cause traffic congestion.

When we arrive at the site, we will be welcomed by the smell of rotten eggs which may disturb some visitors. This aroma comes from the sulfur which scattered around the lake. It is believed that this sulfur is the remnant of Mt. Mahawu eruption that occurred hundreds of years ago. But the air surrounding is relatively cool because of the overgrown shady trees which forms a conducive habitat for birds and ducks to play around.

In Linow, the color of water can transform to green, blue or brownish yellow. It happens because the sulfur elements at the lakefloor causing refraction together with the reflection of sunlight cause the transformation of the color and sometimes divides the lake into two sides. One side has a high concentrated of sulfur, while the other side does not. This sulfur concentration, together with the effect from sunlight could make the lake changing its colour. If we look deeper, from the bottom of this lake there are many bubbles rising which come from the sulfur gas under the lake.

The word 'Linow' was taken from the Minahasa word 'lilinowan' which means a place where water are gathered. According to the folktale from the traditional elders in Tomohon, Linow Lake has a love story. In ancient times in the area of Tondano, North Sulawesi, mountains are towering high. On the slope of one of the mountain, there were two clans namely north and south. Southern clan was controlled by a Tonaas (The Ruler) who has a single son named Maharimbow, while the northern ruler has a single daughter named Marimbow. The ruler of the northern clanwas corcerned about his successor, since his only child is a woman. Trying to got out from the crisis, he got an odd idea. He asked his daughter to dressed and behaved like a man and ask her not to marry forever. The request from Northern Tonaas was approved in traditional ceremonies by the Opo Empung (Elders) tied with an oath. If the oath is broken, there will be a terrible disaster on their land. Meanwhile, South Tonaas had almost the same problem. Maharimbow was also asked to swear not to marry as long as his father alive. Even both clan had sworn for their oaths, but destiny tell the other way. The two descendants met and fell in love each other. They were agree to marry and determined to unite the two regions. However, they did not realize that they had broken the oath they promised. The next day, suddenly a massive earthquake happened followed by volcano eruption. The disasters destroyed the area with rocks and lavas which changed the shape of the mountains into a large puddle which became a lake that now called Linow Lake.

The beauty and the story of this lake teaches us that love is unconditional. We have heard the story of Romeo and Juliet which similar to Maharimbow and Marimbow. Juliet does not care that Romeo is from the Montaque clan, the enemy of her clan. Juliet defended her love. Similar story with Rose, from the Titanic, even though he is rich and fiance of a rich tycoon, she knew that Jack came from a poor family, who was able to sail in Titanic from winning a poker game, Rose still in love with Jack. In Twilight, Edward is obviously a vampire but Bella still accepted him. Love is unconditional. Love is undefined.

The story of Linow Lake also teaches us, the employees of the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) to love this institution unconditionally. To explain the meaning of love is more than "You'll never know until you feel it". Indonesia stretches from Sabang to Merauke, from Miangas to Rote. When you have a committment to the organization, you have to prepare to be assigned anywhere across the country. No matter locations that we are assingned now, if we do our duty in DJP based on the values ​​of integrity, professionalism, synergy, service, and perfection, we will find the meaning of love to our institution, DJP.

The story of Maharimbow and Marimbow, Romeo and Juliet, Jack and Rose, Edward and Bella, and other stories will convince us that wherever we are, just believe that there will be always love for us there.