Visit Saparua Island

Saparua is a small island east of Ambon. It takes two hours by ferry from Tulehu (Ambon) to Haria, the main harbour of Saparua. There are also speedboats going up and down, it takes less time but it is less comfortable.
Saparua is a coral island and has the shape of a butterfly. It is quiet and small, the main "town" Saparua is the center of the island. Outside Saparua town are the sago palm, nutmeg and clove plantations. The harvest of the cloves is from august till January. During the harvest the air is filled with the smell of the drying cloves. It is nice to see, all the mats full of cloves laying in the gardens and on the streets. In early days there were some bloody fights because the property of some trees was disputed. Since the goverment has transmigrated hundreds of families to Ceram, there is less tension.

On market days, Wednesday and Saturday, the sleepy town is full of life. It starts early in the morning and from all over the island and from the neighbor islands: Pulau Haruku and Nusa Laut, sellers and buyers are coming. It is also the only time that the mini-buses are going up and down to all the other villages on the island. Special is the variation in smoked fishes. Early in the afternoon the market is over and Saparua is as quiet and empty as always.

In Saparua-town is Benteng Duurstede (an old Dutch fort) a few years ago the restoration of this fort has started. Next to the fort is a museum, which shows the history of the rebellion of Thomas Matulessy alias Pattimura. The rebellion was a reaction on the return of the Dutch. After an incident in Porto and Haria in May 1817, the population under the leadership of Pattimura stormed the fort and killed all the people there, except the 6 years old son of the Dutch resident. The saving of this child gave Matulessy the name Pattimura which means "big of heart". In December 1817 after the Dutch has send a large number of soldiers from Java to break the resistance, Pattimura was executed. the saved boy named himself later on "Van den Berg from Saparua". His descendants still have the same family name.
Other places to visit on Saparua are Booi, a village in the southwest, you can only go there by foot because you enter the village by large stairs.

The village Ouw, 4 kilometers southeast of Saparua, is the center of pottery, they don't use a potters wheels but make everything by hand.

Kulor in the northeast is close to the only spot on the island where there still is a piece of tropical forest. Also around Saparua the coral reefs has been destroyed by fishing with explosives, but still there are some unspoiled spots to snorkel and to dive. Near Kulor, Booi and the uninhabited island Molana you can enjoy undamaged coral and various tropical fishes.

Source:malukutourism.com

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Maluku Tourism: Diving in Ambon

Diving in the waters of Indonesia is surreal and as you slip into the depths, a whole new world encircles you, enthralls you and each dive is an experience never forgotten. The waters around the Maluku Islands is no exception and probably provides some of the best diving in the archipelago although some will dispute this.

Diving in the waters of Indonesia is surreal and as you slip into the depths, a whole new world encircles you, enthralls you and each dive is an experience never forgotten. The waters around the Maluku Islands is no exception and probably provides some of the best diving in the archipelago although some will dispute this.

The Maluku islands are a string of islands stretching between Sulawesi and Papua in the eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago. Ambon is a tiny island in the middle of this group of island and consists of two peninsula’s connected together in their eastern tip. Most of the diving and snorkelling in Ambon is done along the southern coast. Ambon has a multitude of dive locations. A cluster of tiny islands in the western tip of Ambon called Nusa Tiga is spectacular and in the bigger island of Seram located in the north is another. Other dive locations can be found in Saparua, Molana and Nusa Laut islands to the east of Ambon, about an hour and a half speedboat ride from Latuhalat. A day trip option is the site at Molana island.

Hukurila Cave and Lehari are both outstanding dive sites and in front of Ambon harbour there is a good diving in a wreck of a cargo ship from the Second World War. The ship is still more or less intact. You have to be aware of the tidal situation because at times the current can be quite strong. However in Nusa Tiga, Seram, Molana and Nusa Laut when the current is strong are the best sites for viewing bigger fish, the fish are also abundant.

Although some say the best time for diving in Ambon is around November to January, diving here is all year around. For muck diving, Laha I and Laha II in the southern part of Ambon’s northern peninsula are shallow dive locations with low visibility. Pulau Tiga is a small group of islands found on the Western Coast of Ambon and the number of fish that inhabit the slopes of these small islands is stunning.

A dive operator called Maluku Divers has opened in Latuhalat in the southern part of the island and this small outfit gives good service to divers. Accommodation is provided in the dive center or in the house next door. The rooms are basic but clean, with hot water and air conditioner.

Best Time to Visit :
It is possible to dive Ambon year around. The best months however are from September to May. During the months from May to August diving is the best on the northern side of the islands and also the quite bay of Ambon, but prior arrangement is necessary to ensure divers understand what to expect at this time of year.

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Maluku Tourism: Natural beauty

Sea Park

Since ancient times, Maluku has been renown for its spectacular sea gardens. No wonder the beauty of Maluku's underwater life has drawn so many domestic and international visitors!

The seas fringing the Maluku Islands are exceedingly rich in biodiversity. Some of the dazzling fish and sea animals include parrot fish, butterfly fish, clown fish, trumpet fish, damsel fish, pipefish, scorpion fish, lizard fish, puffer fish, eels, octopus, sea horses, sea snakes and sea turtles. Just to name a few! All these creatures can be directly enjoyed trough snorkeling or SCUBA diving.

But without even getting wet, many reef creatures can be enjoyed from the surface of Maluku's clear, blue waters. These other wordly life forms include colorful sponges and soft corals, plate corals, brain corals, mushroom corals, red and black corals, crinoids, gorgonians, and giant clams and sea stars.

All in all, the beauty of Maluku's sea gardens, bathed in warm sunshine, make for a truly enchanting natural experience.

Some locations of the famous sea gardens in Maluku are among others in Ambon island, Banda islands, Nusalaut island, Seram island, Kai islands, Aru islands and Tanimbar islands.

Sea Shore

The Maluku seashore is no less stunning than its underwater life. Maluku boasts a wide diversity of coastal settings. White sand beaches, black sand beaches, beaches with interesting coral reefs and flanked by scenic cliffs, rocky shores and stretches of mangrove teeming with wildlife...it's all here. Maluku's thousands of beautiful shores are sure to beckon you back time and time again.

Coral reef

It feels uncompleted if the beauty of various fish species are not followed with the attractive coral reef like Black coral reef, Sponges, Plate coral, Coral flower in the form of bowl, will truly hypnotize whoever sees them.

According to a number of researches in Maluku water, it consists of more than 738 species of sea fish. There are several of species i.e. Pelagis (sea surface fish) and Domorsal (deep sea fish) has made Maluku water becomes a fascinating sea park. From the hundreds of species of fish there are among others known as, Ornate ghost, Pipefish, Anemone fish, Trumpet fish, Scorpion fish, Juvenile damsel fish, Lizard fish, Black spotted puffer, Porcupine fish, and Juvenile catfish. The enchantment of those several of fish are really made the panorama of the scenery of Sea Park in Maluku islands looks so splendid.

Charming Creatures

There are numbers seemingly charm creature under the water besides creatures those make the life under water panorama beautiful. They leave together with fish and the coral too, which a few of them are Moral eel, Seahorse, Banded sea snake, Jellyfish, Featherstar, Nudibranch, Garden eel, Anemone hermit crab, Spinnenkrabbe, Hinge-beak shrimp, Tropical posy. Each one of them appears with each unique unveiling.

National Park

Wisely, the Indonesian government has realized the need to preserve Maluku's natural wealth and beauty for all time. With this goal, various national parks and reserves have been set aside.

By far, the most famous of the Maluku protected areas is Manusela National Park, occupying 189,000 acres, or about one-tenth of Seram Island. Manusela is rich in a wide variety of ecosystems: seashore habitats, lowland rainforests, montane forests, pygmy forests, and even subalpine scrub topping Gunung Binaya. Mount Binaya, at 3,027 meters, is Maluku's highest peak.

Manusela National Park is enriched with unique flora and fauna due to its wide range of habitats and its intermediate position between the Oriental and Australian biogeographic realms.

The native people that dwells around the national park adds an interesting cultural attraction to the region.

We invite you to enjoy Manusela, but please remember while visiting this and all national parks: "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints".

Cave

No one can question the beauty of Maluku's hidden underground treasures. Akohi Cave in Tamilouw village, 40 km east from Masohi in south Seram, for instance, is decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, draperies - even gypsum needles and angel's hairs.

In north Seram, Lusiala Cave, high in the cliffs behind Saleman village, features awe-inspiring biological attractions. Each evening the sky darkens with a river of millions of bats. The bats circle and circle above the village, singing an eerie song, as they congregrate then wind off towards the sea, for then to the Seram mountains. Mind these creatures carefully--by local belief, Saleman's little bats or lusiala, are the grandchildren of the ancestors.

Of historical interest, some of Maluku's caves have been used as hideaways during World War II and other battles.

Casual cave trekkers find Maluku's underground world alluring. But more dedicated cave explorers are drawn further by the lure of the unknown. Much of Seram's karst terrain, including the 3,027-meter Gunung Binaya, remains little-explored. Recent discoveries in north Seram have revealed Api Lima Cave behind Masihulan village (over a kilometer long) and Hatu Saka Cave, behind Saleman village (nearly 400 meters deep). What else awaits discovery?

Volcano

The Maluku Islands are the products of an on-going collision between the Pacific, Australian and Indian tectonic plates. As such, this region is very geologically active and complex. Some of the results of Maluku's geological activity are volcanoes, including a few that remain active into present times.

Banda's Gunung Api, for instance (the name literally means "Fire Mountain") was active as recently as 1989. The perfect conical symmetry of this volcano makes it irresistible to climb. Those who's summit its 600 meters are treated to stunning panoramic views of surrounding islands.

Other tectonic activity in Maluku gives rise to hot springs, such as the vast springs found in Tehoru south Seram, Tulehu village on Ambon island and in Oma village, Haruku island. These springs are sometimes likened to a nice heated swimming pool.

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Maluku Tourism: Cakalele Dance

A. Brief Information

Cakalele dance is a traditional dance from Maluku Province that is performed by 30 people either male or female. Male dancers wear war clothes dominated by red and yellow color. Not only that, they also hold parang (swords) on the right hand and salawaku (shields) on the left hand and don aluminium hats decorated with slipped feather on it.

Female dancers wear white dresses while holding handkerchiefs – in local language called lenso. During the performance, they play in groups consisting of two dancers while keeping dancing followed by the music of tifa (percussion), flute, and bia (flute made of big sea shell).

Tari Kebesaran, another name of Cakalele Dance is commonly performed to welcome honoured guests such as religious scholars, and government officials visiting Maluku. Tari Kebesaran means the pride dance.

B. Distinctive Features

Some of the distinctive features of the dance are the clothes, the swords, and the shield (salawaku). Each of them has its meaning such as red clothes symbolizing heroism, bravery and patriotism of Maluku people. Likewise, the swords symbolize the dignity of Maluku people that must be kept. The last one is the shield (salawaku), the symbol of protest againsts injustice government.

C. Location

Cakalele Dance can be watched in Haruku Island, Central Maluku District, Maluku Province, Indonesia.

D. Access

Accessing the island from Ambon City, you can take public transportation passing by Tulehu with IDR 7500 for its cost. Then the trip must be continued by taking speedboat wading across Tulehu Strait to Haruku Island for about 30 minutes with IDR 30000 per person for its cost.

E. Ticket Price

Free.

F. Accommodation and other Facilities

Around the location, in Haruku Island, you can surely find some hotels or guesthouses and food stalls offering local cuisine of Central Maluku District.

Source:www.wisatamelayu.com

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Maluku Tourism: The Old Wapauwe Mosque

A. Brief Information

Back to the 13th century, it is said that the local inhabitants of Kampong Wawane, the province of Maluku, were animistic devotees. For about a century later such a condition began to change following the arrival of Javanese merchants to Maluku and Papua. The Javanese merchants arrived at Maluku and Papua for economic purposes, but later on broadened to Islamic mission. They came to Maluku and Papua to introduce Islam; hence the former animistic belief began to fade.

Further development of Islam in Maluku was signed with the establishment of Wapauwe Mosque in 1414 A.D. that is located in Kampong Wawane. Referring to a historical note written on an inscription, the mosque was built by Perdana Jamillu and Alahulu, a rich merchant.

In 1614 A.D., there was an idea to move the mosque‘s location to Kampong Tehalla, six kilometres east of Kampong Wawane. The relocation was headed by Imam Rajalli, an Islamic cleric, along with his followers grouped in Kelompok Dua Belas Tukang, literally means the “12-labourers group.” 50 years later (1664 A.D.), the mosque miraculously moved to Atetu; in fact, there is no one knows who moved it. Such a phenomenon, according to the local people, is known as “turun” that can be loosely translated into “move by itself.”

The word “wapauwe” is derived from two local words; “wapa,” (under) and “uwe” (mango tree). The mosque, in the former, was built under a mango tree at a village in Maluku Province. In addition, the entire part of the mosque were made of sago woods that were glued each others without using any nail.

B. Distinctive Features

The Old Wapauwe Mosque is still kept well due to these days. Most of its parts are still in pristine since its first establishment. Now the mosque is functioned not only as the worship place the Muslim people, but also as the museum gallery. The mosque keeps well some historical properties like hundred-years bedug, ancient handwritten Koran, an Arabic calligraphy on an ancient metal, and a wooden pound, which is equal to 2,5 kg used to weight the people‘s zakat.[i] 

There is an ancient bedug, a kind of Indonesian percussion made of cow skin to sign the beginning of a prayer in Indonesia‘s Islam. When the Islamic prayers are to be practised, the bedug is beaten to call all Muslims to accomplish Islamic prayers together in the mosque. This is a means of keeping the Islamic kinship amongst the Muslims in Wapauwe Village, Maluku Province.

C. Location

The Old Wapauwe Mosque stands in elegance at Kaitetu Village, Hila Sub-district, Maluku Province, Indonesia. The mosque is located nearby Amsterdam Fortress.

D. Access

Kaitetu Village, or commonly known as Atetu Village, can be reached by car for approximately an hour from the city of Ambon. You can take any public transport from the bus station in the heart of Ambon City, leading to Hila Sub-district. After arriving at the sub-district of Hila, you might succeed the journey to the mosque by taking angkot as well as ojek transports leading to Kaitetu Village.

E. Ticket Price

Entering the Old Wapauwe Mosque is free, but you are suggested to give some money at any amount for charitable purposes. All the charity from the public is to be used for the mosque maintenance.

F. Accommodation and other Facilities

Though the mosque is still bearing a number of historical mysteries about the development of Islam in the eastern Indonesia, but there are few accommodations that can be found. If you are going to undertake a research there, you would be better to ask the local inhabitants for staying at their homes.

Source:www.wisatamelayu.com

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Maluku Tourism:The Museum of Siwalima

A. Brief Information

The Museum of Siwalima was built on Taman Makmur Hill in 1973 A.D. The museum consists of two buildings, where each of them serves different functions. The Siwalima I building is a maritime museum, wherein a number of maritime properties are kept well inside. At this building, you can find three whale skeletons stranded on the beach; one of them is measured about 23 meters long. More than that, the Siwalima I is the source of information relating the marine life of Maluku and surrounding islands.

Another building inside the complex of the museum is the Siwalima II building. The Siwalima II is an ethnography museum, where the number of ethnographic information about Maluku can be found here. The Siwalima II keeps a lot of information as well as properties such as Maluku`s traditional dresses, weapons, musical instruments, ancient coins, earthenware appliances, and Japanase-era porcelains. As well, there is an artificial cave inside that might help visitors catch the imagination of the socio-cultural life of the Maluku people.

B. Distinctive Features

As mentioned above, the Siwalima I is a place where a number of maritime properties typically Maluku are kept well; while the Siwalima II keeps a lot of both information and properties relating to the ethnography of the Maluku society.

One of the purposes of the museum is to provide researchers with a bulk of resources for completing their researches. The museum is a warehouse of information relating to the province of Maluku, both on its marine and land lives. Maluku is waiting for researchers to undertake any research so that all the information inside can be disclosed for a better future.

More than that, there is a special service for you who want to enjoy the traditional music and dance performances of Maluku Province. Likewise, there is a weaving workshop for you who want to know about the making process of woven cloth typically Maluku Province.

C. Location

The Museum of Siwalima is located about three kilometres southeast of Ambon City, the capital of Maluku Province.

D. Access

You can take any available public transport leading to either Taman Makmur or Capeo to reach the Museum of Siwalima.

E. Ticket Price

The entrance ticket to the museum costs IDR 3.000

F. Accommodation and other Facilities

It is little bit hard to find any accommodation around the museum. However, you can find accommodation as well as economic class hotels in the heart of Ambon City.

Source:www.wisatamelayu.com

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Maluku Tourism: Amsterdam Fortress of Ambon City

A. Brief Information

Following the establishment of Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie (VOC) by the Dutch colonial government in the 17th century, Amsterdam Fortress was built in the city of Ambon, Maluku Province, as the branch of VOC in the eastern Indonesia. The fortress stands nearby the Hila Old Church, and is the second Dutch fortress (another Dutch fortress is known as Kasteel van Verre) in the Land of Maluku. In addition, the fortress was once revamped in 1993 A.D.

It is said that George Everhard Rumphius, a German historian and natural scientist, had ever been settling down in the fortress during 1660 to 1670 A.D. During his occupation in Ambon, Rumphius wrote many books about the diversity of flora and fauna in Ambon.

B. Distinctive Features

Amsterdam Fortress is one of the Dutch colonials` remnants in Ambon that bears so many undiscovered mysteries. The fortress and the other one are waiting to be researched by a number of researchers around the globe so that all the historical notes within the fortress can be disclosed for a better future.

More than that, Amsterdam Fortress faces directly to the turquoise sea nearby. Feel free to enjoy the unforgettable experience of historical travelling to Ambon, visiting Amsterdam Fortress and Kasteel van Verres.

C. Location

Amsterdam Fortress is located in the sub-district of Hila, Ambon City, Maluku Province, Indonesia.

D. Access

To reach the location from the heart of Ambon city, you can take any public transportation as well as private vehicles in approximately one hour.

E. Ticket Price

Free.

F. Accommodation and other Facilities

Due the day this article was written, there is no any hotel as well as accommodation available. However, if you want to spend more than a day here, you can stay at the local inhabitants` homes. The Maluku people are known as the smiling-people, thus you don`t need to be afraid of them.

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Maluku Tourism: Marine Enchantment in Banda Sea

A. Brief Information

Banda Sea is a waters area directly bordering to Buru Island, Ambon Island, Ceram, Alu Island, Tanimbar Island, Barat Data Island, and Timor Island. Such geographic landscape then causes the sea possesses various fishes and magnificent marine scenery. Many people visit the location for diving, angling, and observing directly the groups of dolphins and whales swimming happily on Banda Sea. March, April, May, September, October, and November are the most favourite months for people who want to feel the sensation of fishing tuna and skipjack fishes while enjoying the sensation of being splashed by the soft breeze wind around the waters.

B. Distinctive Features

More than 350 marine species are available within the waters area. Thousand species of fish are available as well that is one of the attractions of the location. That is why, most people coming to the location bring mission, mostly, to fish. There are still numerous mysteries that are kept uncovered so far. Therefore, this location is the right place for you who are undertaking research about marine life in Indonesian Archipelago.

C. Location

Banda Sea directly borders to some islands which are, Buru Island, Ambon Island, Ceram, Alu Island, Tanimbar Island, Barat Data Island, and Timor Island. Administratively, Banda Sea is included into the territorial area of Central Maluku District, Central Maluku Province.

D. Access

You can reach Banda Sea by taking ferry boat for about IDR 80.000 in cost.

E. Ticket Price

Free

F. Accommodation and other Facilities

You can request guide services if you want to know the whole information about the location. You can ask them about the fishing tradition amongst the local fishermen. Some souvenir shops are also available there. For accommodation, you can easily find some hotels around the location.

Source:www.wisatamelayu.com

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Maluku Tourism: Mount Binaiya

A. Brief Information

Mount Binaiya is the highest mount in Maluku Province. The area of the mount ranges from Seram Island to Manusela National Park (189.000 ha). The rainfall average of the mount is 2.000 mm/year during November to April.

In 1972, Manusela National Park was divided into two areas: Wae Mual (17.500 ha) and Wae Nua (20.000 ha). Wae Mual comprises lowland forestry area in the north. Mangrove, resin (Agathis Alba), and meranti tree (Shorea sp) dominate the Wae Mual area. Wae Nua is situated in the center of hilly area. The width of Wae Nua area is 20.000 ha.


B. Distinctive Features

Mount Binaiya is 3.055 meters above the sea level. Having an escapade tour, the mount offers you unforgettable experience ever. In the slope of the mount, you will see meandered rivers which have average width between 6 and 8 meters.


C. Location

Mount Binaiya lies in Central Maluku District, Maluku Province.


D. Access

You may take public transport from Ambon City – the capital of Maluku Province – to Tulehu harbor costing IDR 10.000. From Tulehu, you must continue the trip to Seram Island by speedboat. The cost for taking speedboat crossing Malacca strait is IDR 60.000. From Wahai harbor (Seram Island), you may further the trip to Kanikeh Village for approximately six hours.


E. Ticket Price

Free


F. Accommodation and other Facilities

There is no accommodation and supporting facilities around Mount Binaiya since its location in the hinterland of Maluku Province. However, you may spend more days there in the local inhabitants’ houses.


Source:www.wisatamelayu

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Maluku Tourism: Some Hotel Address

The main gateway into Maluku is through the provincial capital of Ambon, which is served by regular flights to most parts of the archipelago. Air and sea transportation connect the islands themselves together very well. The province has 79 seaports and 25 airports, but only about 4 km of roads. However, good roads on many of the islands provide easy access to the more remote places of interest.

AMBON

Abdulalie Hotel  Sultan Babullah Street IV Ambon  Phone: (0911) 352057 Amans Hotel Mutiara Street 53-A Ambon  Phone: (0911) 312470 Amboina Hotel Kapt Ulupaha Street 5-A Ambon Phone: (0911) 355515 Ambon Manise Hotel Pantai Mardika Street 53-A Ambon Phone: (0911) 353888 Beta Hotel Wim Raewaruw Street 114 Ambon Phone: (0911) 353463 Grand Soya Hotel Cendrawasih Street 20 Ambon Phone: (0911) 343698 Julian Hotel Sultan Hasanuddin Street Ambon Phone: (0911) 343011

Lelisa Beach Hotel Namalatu Latuhalat, Ambon Phone: (0911) 362107 Mutiara Hotel Pattimura Street, Ambon Phone: (0911) 353075 Manise Hotel W.R. Supratman Street, Ambon Phone: (0911) 341445 Nisma Hotel Sultan Baabulah Street, Ambon Phone: (0911) 343021 Wijaya Hotel I Said Perintah Street, Ambon Phone: (0911) 351976 Hero Hotel Wim Reawaru Street 7-B Ambon Phone: (0911) 355973 Jamilah Hotel Soa Bali Sk Street 33/32 Ambon Phone: (0911) 353054 Josiba Hotel Tulukabessy Street 27 Ambon Phone: (0911) 355653

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Maluku Tourism: Some Restaurant Address

AMBON
Pondok Asri Jl. Benteng Kapaha No.4 Ambon Phone: (0911) 42216 H a l i m Jl. Sutan Hairun No.14 Ambon Phone: (0911) 52177 Fax : (0911) 43046 Sakura  Jl. Slt. Hairun Ambon Phone: (0911) 42236 Ambonia Bakery Diponegoro Street, Ambon California Fried Chicken Raya Pattimura Street, Ambon AM Restaurants Raya Amahusu Street, Ambon Phone: (0911) 351867	Top-Ten Jl. Pusat Perdagangan Mardika Blok D I/10 Ambon Phone: (0911) 42457 Tip Top Jl. Slt. Hairun Phone: (0911) 42105 Tifa Club Jl. Wim Reawaru Phone : (0911) 54156 Tirta Kencana Jl. Raya Amahusu Phone: (0911) 51867 AM Restaurants Raya Amahusu Street, Ambon Phone: (0911) 351867

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Maluku Tourism: Some Artshop Address

AMBON

Amaone Art Shop  Jl. W.R Supratman Sk. 2/27 Phone: (0911)54068 Delima Jl. A.Y. Patty No.46 Phone: (0911) 42828 Fajar Mas Jl. Sam Ratulangi Phone: (0911)53576 Gajah Mas Jl. A Y. Patty No. 36 Phone: (0911)41068 Mutiara Jl. A.Y. Patty No. 39 Phone: (0911) 52729 Indah Jl A Y. Patty No. 55 Phone: (0911) 42556 Jawa Jl. A.Y. Patty No.43 Phone: (0911)41039 Kole-Kole Gallery Jl. Said Perintah No. 49 Phone: (0911) 53758

Mulia Jl. A.Y. Patty No.66 Phone: (0911)52022 Nourmant Art Gallery Jl. Kemakmuran, Ambon Phone: (0911)42418 Sulawesi Jl A.Y. Patty 53 Phone: (0911)52929 Srikandi Jl. Pala Depan Dermaga Slamet Riyadi, Ambon Phone: (0911) 41724 Mujur Jll. AY. Paty Sk. 5/115 Phone: (0911) 42103 Lima Jl. Dr. Sam Ratulangi Sk 6/52-53 Phone: (0911)52513 Labora Jl. A.Y. Patty Phone: (0911) 42302

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Maluku Tourism: Seram Island

Seram, the largest and among the least known islands in Maluku, hovers over Ambon, Saparua and lots of sea. Many of Ambon's tradition are said to have originated from Seram, including the division into two sets of customs, patasiwa and patalima, as well as pela alliances between two villages often located far apart. Seram is also replete with magic, for the Amboneses anyway, with many anecdotes of men who can fly, kill at a distance and change their shape at will. While the western part of the island has lost its mystery, thanks to thriving lumber industry, the remote eastern mountains is where the magic is now concentrated.

• MASOHI 
  Masohi the capital of the central Maluku district is on Seram's south-central beach. The plains around the town have received a population boost, with migrant from overcrowded Saparua and some of the isolated islands to the south, as well as resettled mountain dwellers from Seram itself. One group of mountain people, the Naulu with their familiar red headbands live fairly close to Masohi.

• MOUNT API
  Mount Api, active Volcano Island directly opposite Banda Neira last erupted in the late 1980s but fortunately almost all the lava and ash fell on the side away from the town. The view from the summit is spectacular. To climb, go with a guide and get start early to beat the heat of the day. Count on 20 - 30,000 for a guide, including the canoe ride to and from Banda Neira. A guide isn't really necessary since once you land on the dock on the East Side of Mount Api, there's only one way up and it's pretty obvious. If you're alone and safety conscious, you may wish to take a guide since the trail is quite treacherous.

• TUAL
  Tual is the capital of Southeast Maluku district and the transportation for an extensive network of roads and sea-lanes. A half an hour drive away is Dullah village, where Belaway Museum boasts a splendid ceremonial conoe, complete with carved decorations. From Tual, canoes depart daily to the mysterious island of Kei Besar. Occasionally, the boats from Tual also head for Dobo, the largest town of the Aru archipelago. This spread of some 25 islands, all mangrove swamp and low-lying palm forest, is the home of unusual butterflies and flocks of birds-of-paradise.

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Maluku Tourism: Banda Island

The Banda group, about 160 kilometers southeast of Ambon, consists of three larger islands and seven smaller ones, perched on the rim of Indonesia's deepest sea, the Banda Sea. Near Manuk Island, the water reaches more than 6,500 meters depth. Of the three biggest islands Banda, Banda-Neira and Mount Api, the first two are covered with nutmeg trees and other vegetation. The third however, is entirely bare and highly volcanic. The last eruption of Mt. Api occurred only a few years ago. The seas around Banda are the sites of the famous Maluku sea gardens with their bright corals and colorful fish darting through the crystal-clear waters. Facilities for sightseeing, snorkeling and skin-diving are available, as well as clean, comfortable cottages.

Banda saw some of the bloodiest episodes of Maluku's past history during the 17th century. In 1609, the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) dispatched Verhoeff to the islands to obtain the contested spice trade monopoly at any cost. Confronted by a superior power, people Banda were forced to allow the company to establish a fort, but in that same year Verhoeff was killed together with 45 of his men. The Company retaliated, but peace was not restored. In 1619, V.O.C. Governor-General Jan Pieterszoon Coen arrived at the head of a penal expedition and exterminated the entire population of Banda. The land was divided into lots, called "perken”, and given to former company employees, the "perkiniers", who were obliged to grow nutmeg and sell them at predetermined prices to the company. Slaves did the actual work in the fields. The old "perkenier houses", or what is left of them, and old churches still retain a peculiar colonial character to the port town of Bandaneira today. Two old forts Belgica and Nassau are inside the town limits. Others are found elsewhere on the islands. See also the former Dutch Governor's mansion, the History Museum in Neira, and the huge nutmeg plantation nearby.

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Maluku Tourism: Some Tourism Objects In Maluku

Lelisa Beach

The beach that across to Namalatu Beach is has coral form till the beach. If see the beach when it has ebb, it will present a beautiful nature scenery that cannot enjoyed in other beach. This beach has become the icon for they who like to Snorkeling, diving, swimming and sunbathing.

Batu Capeo

There is coral stone that has cap form in this tourism object. The interesting point is the beautiful scenery when it is sunrise.

 

 

 

Siwalima Museum

This museum was built in 8 September 1973. The collections in this museum are the historic objects of Maluku. This location is often used to hold a Maluku culture attraction such as, arts, crafting, etc. If the tourists want to get Maluku souvenirs, they can get it, because there are many sellers who sell souvenirs.

Tanjung

The location with 400 meters width has a lot of coconut trees and corals with beautiful scenery in front of the Banda Sea. This Beach has many corals and fast water flow.

 

Santai Beach

This tourism object is located in Latulahat village. The panorama in this beach that has white sand is so beautiful and has been visited by many visitors. Usually, they have swimming, sunbathing or walking arround.

 

Felawatu Beach

Felawatu Beach is located in Airlouw village, or about 15 km from the downtown. The visitors will feel forbear to stay in this beach, because it has beautiful panorama and soft wind. It also has coconut tree that very green and fresh.

Pintu Kota

Pintu Kota is a big coral that looks like a gate and stay at Banda Sea. This tourism object is located in Airlaow village and Seri Village. The uniquely of this is the specific coral form.

Gotong Royong Market in the harbor area is slowly being replaced by sanitized setting of a newly built Merdeka market. Shopping along Patty Street of the market, look for framed montages from shaped pieces of mother of pearl, 'ikat' cloth from Taimbar and miniature ships cleverly made from wire and cloves. At the end of Patty Street, there is the Al Fatah Mosque.

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Maluku Tourism: Some Interesting Places In Ambon

Coral Sea Gardens

Good beaches with coral reefs just off the shore are found around Pombo Island and at Hunimoa Beach on Ambon. A popular recreation beach on the same island is Natsepa.

The Old Mosque Wapauwe
It located in Kaitetu village, Maluku. This is the old mosque that built in 1414. The architecture of the mosque is Malaka. According to the society story, this mosque had built on the hill, but then removed to this region.

Natsepa Beach

This beautiful beach is often visited by Ambon society and very popular in the region. In the town that known with its 'Rujak', is suitable for have sunbathing or swimming.

 

Amsterdam Fortress
This fortress is the second fortress of the Dutch in Ambon City. The first fortress named 'Compaigne Van Verre', which is located in Seith village. A blind writer named George Everhard Rumph ever stay in this fortress. He wrote an article about the botanic live in Ambon.

 

Batu Kuda

Batu Kuda is located in Tulehu village or about 25 km from Ambon city. Located in about 2 hectares, the visitor can enjoy the beautiful nature panorama and clean for pollution. The white sandy of the beach has clean water with its Sea Garden. The visitors who visit this location can swim, diving, or fishing.

Beringin Memorial

In 1994, Japan army had plant a Banyan tree as the sign for memorize their duty in Tawiri village. Since 1994 every June, the ex Japan army always visit this location to held a ceremony with their friends and families.

Mount Sirimau

There is a water jar in this mount that sacred by the society around. It in this water jar, can drink or also to clean the hand or wash the face. It is located in Soya village, Ambon.

Victoria Fortress

Victoria Fortress is the old fortress that becomes the seed of Ambon City. This fortress was built in 1775 by Portuguese and removed to the Dutch. Some of the wall of this building has broken. The location is in A. Y. Petty Street, Ambon.

Pattimura Monument

This monument had built to memorize the National Hero named Thomas Matulessy or known as Pattimura. Pattimura against the colonized with big spirit and succeed authorized the Duurstede Fortress in Saparua Island. The monument has built on the place where he and his follower were got hang on judgment.

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