Maluku Travel Guide
“The Island of Spices” is not merely an epithet for the Moluccas. As the producer of the best spices, especially cloves and nutmeg, the name of the famous Maluku to the corners of the world since centeries ago. In fact, in the Middle Ages, cloves of Maluku became the most popular commodity and expensive in the entire peninsula of Europe. Natural wealth has attracted interest in the Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, and the traders from Arabia, China, and India to taste the produce of Maluku. A book entitled Summa Oriental works of nationals of a Portuguese physician, Tome Pirez, reveal the existence of Ambon, Ternate, and Banda who was nicknamed “The Island Spices”. Meanwhile, the Dutch called the area the three “The Three Golden From The East”.
The dominance of the Dutch and Portuguese for hundreds of years in the Moluccas had embedded the values in the culture of the people of Maluku. The diversity of cultures, traditions, and language acculturation Maluku derived from the indigenous culture and the culture of the Portuguese and Dutch. The diversity of cultures and languages are also supported by the Maluku region consisting of thousands of islands. In addition, the relics of foreign nations is also a legacy of a long history of Ambon Manise Land. The search for historical traces in Ambon, takes you to adventure far back to the past.
Not only the charm of historical relics, the largest archipelago in Indonesia is also radiates the enchanting natural and cultural landscapes and offers an unforgettable experience for those who stopped at this Pattimura Land. With nearly 90% of its territory consists of the ocean, then it becomes natural maritime tourism mainstay. Feel the softness of white sand in your feet. Enjoy the crystal clear sea water that displays underwater life like a giant aquarium. Browse dive sites which presents the beauty of the best coral reefs and let yourself swept up in romantic sunset on the coast of Ambon. Moluccas exotic marine nature able to hypnotize you and make you endlessly amazed.
All sense of fatigue due to long journey paid off immediately you set foot in Ambon. Sketch of marine nature with volcanoes towering in the background create a natural harmony of Maluku. If nature welcomes you in a silent presence, the people of Maluku will always greet you with joy and full of hospitality.
Places to visit in Maluku
Ambon – Many interesting historical and cultural sites such as fort and many more.
Ora Beach, Karaka Island, Pisang Island and Ai Island – all famous for snorkeling and clean blue underwater
Seram Island – Trekking in Manesela National Park
Morotai Island – North of Halmahera, lots of wrecks and guns from the world war II in the bushes. The coral reefs also beautiful.
Halmahera
Ternate
Things to do in Maluku
Tifa – a type of drum typical of the Moluccas
Watch a dance typical of a very famous Maluku, Cakalele Dance.
Musical instruments typical of the Moluccas, the Ukulele, shows kinship with ethnic Moluccan nation in the Pacific Islands. Ukulele-like instrument is also found in the Hawaiian culture.
Maluku Population
Ambonese hospitality will always greet each of you who visit this city. With warm and polite, they are always ready to assist you with no strings attached so you ca feel immediate intimacy. Ambonese attitude makes you always felt a longing to return to the land of the Moluccas. This also makes the yacht sailor from various countries are called to enliven Sail Banda 2010. Not only friendly, upholds the Ambonese cultural values and traditions. Therefore, in the midst of frenetic music industry today, has always sounded melodious voices singing Moluccas folk songs.
According to the origin of their descendants, the majority tribe in the Moluccas is Melania Pacific race that has a kinship with people in some islands of the Pacific Ocean. Generally, they are dark skinned, curly hair, big and strong bones skeleton, as well as having an athletic body stature. These characteristics are greatly influenced by environmental conditions and with is sailing and swimming as main community activities. Meanwhile, the occupation of foreign nations in Maluku since thousands of years ago created the mixing of cultures and races with the Portuguese, Dutch, Arabic and Indian.
Maluku Culinary
After enjoying the beautiful beaches and exotic traces the history of the Moluccas, it is time the culinary adventures in the Moluccas. Papeda, Patatas, and Kasbi must be included in the list of “must taste” list. As sago producing area, Ambonese were cultivating their ground into food like Papeda, a meal with a very distinctive chewy texture like glue. It tastes fresh and so delicious when served with chili sauce and yellow colo-colo. It is rally tempting our appetite.
No less delicious, patatas (potato) and kasbi (cassava) are eaten with gudangan or ointment. Add a side dish of fish sauce and fish eyes yellow moon, feels more solid on the tongue. Aside from being a producer of sago, Maluku is also rich in sea produce. Menu of Smoked Cakalang (Tuna) is one kind of food popular in Ambon. Served with colo-colo sauce, these fish provide a unique sensation on the tongue. If you want to bring distinctive flavors to relatives at home Maluku, Ambon also offers a variety of typical snacks, like, Bagea cakes, shaved cakes, toast walnuts, makron, sago tuni, halua walnuts, candied nutmeg, and durian dodol.
