The fifty-kilometre highway running east across the peninsula from Manado to Bitung is covered by frequent minibuses from Terminal Paal Dua. These wind up at Terminal Mapalus , from where a microlet will carry you the final 5km into BITUNG . The Pelni port is on Jalan Jakarta, with departures on KM Ciremai, KM Kambuna, KM Tilongkabila and KM Umsini down Sulawesi's east coast to Makassar and Kadidiri, and further afield to Java, Kalimantan, Maluku, Irian and the Philippines . Organize tickets and timetables either in Manado or try the Pandu Express office here at Jl Sukarno 5 (tel 0438/30480).

There are a handful of places to eat on Jalan Sudarso - the Remaja Jaya is a pricey Chinese place serving big portions - but Bitung's accommodation is pretty dire and new arrivals should catch a microlet from Jalan Sukarno back to Terminal Mapalus, where minibuses to Manado await.