Tourism of Indonesia
Ready to Go to Ambon The Legendary Spice Source
Planning to go on a tour or travelling, we definitely want a smooth trip, comfortable accommodation, cheap hotels, good food, cheap plane tickets, close to everywhere, and can rent a motorbike or car.
Attraction
In Ambon The Legendary Spice Source, there is natural beauty and unique culture of the local community. There are many uniqueness, starting from the village (desa), sub-district (kecamatan), district (kabupaten) and provincial levels.
In Indonesia, each province has different and interesting characteristics. Each province has a different and unique culture and lifestyle.
Ambon is the capital and the biggest city of the Indonesian province of Maluku. This city is also known as “Ambon Manise,” which means “beautiful” or “pretty”. This city covers a land area of 298.61 km2
These small islands in the eastern deep seas of the Indonesian archipelago were for centuries the sole producers of the fragrant nutmeg and mace in the world. At the time these spices fetched their weight in gold in Medieval Europe.
The tiny islands of Ternate and Tidore, further north of Ambon were producers of cloves. Ternate is where the Majestic Mount Gamalama and the astonishing Lake Tolire are located.
Indian and Arab traders would sell cloves in Europe for exorbitant prices, but kept the location of their source a tightly held secret. These are the Moluccas or Maluku the original Spice Islands, that are now divided into the two provinces of Maluku and North Maluku.
It is from these islands that the Dutch East India Company first gained their stranglehold on the spice trade in the archipelago, gradually colonizing the Indonesian islands over three centuries, until it came to be called the Dutch East Indies, the present-day Republic of Indonesia.
As the glory days spices passed, the significance of the Moluccas waned. But it is here where the history of European explorations and colonization began.
The beauty of that era still remains. Today, the town of Ambon is the capital of Maluku, occupying a small flat area by the beautiful Ambon Bay that is backed by lush green mountains and facing deep crystal clear waters that are alive with colorful coral gardens and untold species of marine creatures.
The government is taking good care of the preservation of nature and maintaining the condition of the forest.
The environment is also well maintained.
Activity
Visiting Ambon The Legendary Spice Source, we will witness routine community activities in unique traditional cultures. And there are special dishes and food as part of culinary tours that are delicious and yummy.
Ambon island gives plenty of experiences for adventurous travelers. From exploring the charming Kota Ambon the main town of the island, to walking up mountains through lush tropical vegetation, there are many undiscovered gems ready for visitors to experience.
As one of the earliest places in Indonesia to be occupied by colonial powers, Ambon has a rich and ancient history. Many of the Ambonese today have mixed European and Ambonese heritage.
Visit here and discover centuries-old fortresses and the literature of local kingdoms which traces the story of the people, from periods of prosperity to escalating and controlled trades, harsh colonialism, a grueling struggle, and finally, to independence.
The island also played an important role in World War II when Ambon was used as a headquarters for the Japanese military. Remnants from the war still remain, both in museums and the open air.
Some war artifacts remain silently underwater. Today, these remnants are among the most valued historical sites in Ambon.
Ambon is multicultural and home to various ethnicity including the native Alifuru tribes, the migrating Javanese, Sumatrans, Minahasans, the Butons, the Arabs who came in the 9th century, the Europeans, and the Chinese who first came in the 7th century to share in the commerce of this prosperous spice island.
Between 1999-2002 the island was the scene of Christian-Muslim violence however since 2004 the island has maintained a period of ongoing peace.
We also can visit to Nieuw Victoria Fort or Benteng Victoria. This ancient fort was built in 1575 by a man Portuguese, Sanchos Vanconcelos.
As local people began settling around the fort the city began to grow into what we now know as Kota Ambon. The Dutch took over the fort in 1602. Today, you can still see the enormous walls facing Ambon bay.
Also in 1575, a mosque was constructed in Batu Merah Village, literally meaning the Red Stone Village. The mosque is known as An Nur Batu Merah Mosque.
It was built by the Hatala family and continues to serve the community and is famous for producing the country’s best ulamas (Muslim scholars).
In Tawiri Village, close to Pattimura Airport is an Australian monument to Dolan, a soldier during World War II. Dolan shot down a number of advancing Japanese soldiers on his own and died covering his comrades who were retreating to Ambon island.
The Martha Christina Tiahahu statue is a tribute to an anti colonial resistance hero who fought against the Dutch alongside her father in the early 19th century.
When her father was executed for supporting the resistance movement Martha continued the fight, but starved herself to death when captured by the Dutch. From this memorial you’ll see some splendid views of the town and Ambon bay.
Discover more about the heritage and history of the region with a visit to the Siwa Lima Museum that has Maluku’s best collection of regional and colonial artifacts on display. The lovely gardens here are an ideal place to sit and take a break between exhibits.
There are many activities in Kota Ambon, such as:
- Rumphius monument at Batu Meja
- Namalatu Beach at Latuhalat
- Natsepa Indah Beach at Natsepa
- Pattimura Statue (a national hero from Ambon), at Lapangan Merdeka
- Tugu Dolan at Kudamati
- Tugu Trikora at Urimesing
- Franciscus Xaverius (St. Francis Xavier) Statue (a catholic missionary) at Batumeja
- Santai Beach at Latuhalat
- Pintu Kota at Airlow
- Gong Perdamaian Dunia (World Peace Gong)
- V.O.C. Bunker at Benteng Atas
Ambon has many white beaches ideal for skin diving and snorkeling. Experienced divers should try diving off Tanjung Setan (Satan’s Cape) at the far southern tip of Seram.
We also can visit to the sacred eels at Waai near Tulehu, 24 km. from Ambon. Here the sacred giant eels emerge from underwater caves when their keeper signals and feeds them with chicken eggs.
The locals believe that when the eels and carp swim away, a disaster will occur. In 1960 an epidemic struck the area but once offerings were given, the eels returned and the epidemic stopped.
In this place there are also regular events or activities held every year, both national and international.
Accessibility
The journey to Ambon The Legendary Spice Source is now very easy. We can enter through various modes of transportation.
The condition of the infrastructure is getting better. Starting from highways, airports, trails, ports, bridges, stairs, even some places can be reached by toll roads.
Access to go to Ambon City:
We can take an airplane from Denpasar, Bali (DPS) or from Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Jakarta (CGK), to the airport in the city of Ambon is the Pattimura Airport (AMQ), serving airlines such as:
- Garuda Indonesia
- Lion Air
- Batavia Air
- Indonesia AirAsia
- Wings Air, and
- Sriwijaya Air.
They fly within the routes from Ambon to Makassar, and then Jakarta, or Ambon to Surabaya, and then Jakarta, and vice versa.
Garuda Indonesia has recently started flying to Ambon, and serves a brand new route from Jakarta to Ternate, North Maluku transiting in Makassar.
To get around in the downtown Ambon try a becak where you will be pushed around in a carriage attached to a bicycle. This local transport may not be quick but it’s definitely unique.
Alternatively bemo’s (local minibus) are also available as well as Ojeks (motorcycle taxi).
To cross Ambon Bay, speedboats are available at the pier where the ferries dock from the other side of the bay.
We can visit by plane, car, ship, bus, motorcycle and bicycle. At some point, we can take the train. We can also walk freely.
Amenity
In Ambon The Legendary Spice Source, as technology getting better. We can easily find locations for mini markets, shops (warung kedai), ATMs, Bank BRI BCA BNI Mandiri, BTPN Bank Nagari BJB, supermarkets, and restaurants. So we will not starve or lack the necessary items.
Suggestion before visiting Ambon City:
Ambon is located very close to the equator so the weather can be very humid. Bring bottled drinking water to avoid dehydration.
If you are sick and need help, you can also visit clinics, drugstore pharmacies (apotek), practice doctors, hospitals, and health centers (puskesmas).
In this place we can also look for places of worship such as mosques, churches, and others.
Accommodation
Finding place to stay in Ambon The Legendary Spice Source is very easy. We can stay at homestays, hotels, inns, hostels and other places.
To get lodging at a cheap and definitely comfortable price, please see below:
Booking.com
Experience and Reviews
There are already many visitors have visited Ambon The Legendary Spice Source, there are many interesting stories that are told. Like feeling satisfied, happy, wanting to come again, sleep well, and almost no one is disappointed or complains to come here.
So, visitors will find out on how to find the best hotels, where is exactly located, why it is amazing, how much is the fare and rate, who are the people, whom to ask, and when is the best time to visit.
We can visit these tourist attractions from Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Redep, Tanjung Selor, Tapak Tuan, Tarakan, Tarutung, Tasikmalaya, Muara Bungo, Muara Enim, Muara Teweh, Muaro Sijunjung, Muntilan, Nabire, Negara, Nganjuk,
That’s all the information we provided, hopefully useful.
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