| The Komodo National Park Located some 500 kilometers east of Bali, the Komodo National |
| Travel East of Bali Travel into the eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago |
PT Ombak Putih |
Ambon Spice Islands Tanimbar Kai archipelago
From USD 2,750 per person sharing a double or twin cabin or US$4,538 per cabin in single occupancy 11 days/10 nights Children between 2 and 12 benefit from a 25% discount Please click to go to Departures 2010 or to Departures 2011 to check the exact fare and if you wish, to make an online booking. On this voyage we explore the southern part of the The Maluku archipelago,a large group of in total almost a thousand islands that straddle the equator between Sulawesi to the west, Papua to the east and Timor to the south. Formerly known as the Moluccas or the Spice Islands they have been a magic destination for over ten centuries. The first seafarers from faraway countries to explore the region, as early as the 8th century, were Chinese, later followed by the Arabs in the 1200s. In fact, the name Maluku is thought to have been derived from the Arab trader's term for the region, Jazirat al-Muluk ''the island of the kings" and an ancient Arab text places the islands rather precisely "fifteen days sailing east of Jaba". What the Arab traders brought back to their home ports, were exotic spices: nutmeg, mace and cloves. These were sold to Venetian merchants and became known in Europe as "the nuts from Muscat". Because of the high value of these spices in Europe and the large profits they generated, many adventurers followed in the wake of the Chinese and the Arabs, first Portuguese and later Dutch and British. For two centuries the latter two nations fought naval battles over control of the Banda Islands, principal centre of the nutmeg trade*) These tumultuous events also explain how several islands in the Maluku archipelago came to harbour cosmopolitan societies where spice traders from different backgrounds established settlements and enclaves. It can easily be understood that these outposts far from the mother countries often attracted rather desperate and avaricious characters and it was this special mix that created a fascinating history. What makes our Seatrek sailing adventures through Maluku so interesting is that traces of this colorful past can still be found everywhere .... *) An amazing historical footnote is the fact that in 1667, under the Treaty of Breda, the small island of Run in the Banda archipelago was ceded by the English to the Dutch in exchange for Manhattan..... On Day 2, around noon, you will arrive in the famous Spice Islands. Our first stop in the Banda group will be at Ai Island, one of the locations popular with the early colonialists for growing spices, notably nutmeg. Behind the local village we find Fort Revenge, a reference to the wars that were waged between the colonial powers in the 17th century. Afterwards you have the opportunity to go snorkeling over one of the most beautiful coral reefs of Eastern Indonesia, off the coastline of Ai. In the course of the afternoon we set sail to Bandanaira, the capital of Banda, passing the towering volcano of Gunung Api. With the Ombak Putih tied up to a local palm tree on the waterfront, we go for a stroll around the small colonial town with its restored planters' mansions, fortifications (such as Fort Belgica!) and its churches. The population is an interesting mix of Malay, Arab, Dutch and Melanesian. On Day 3 the fit and ambitious may undertake an early (4.30 am!) hike of the Gunung Api. The vista of the 9 Banda islands strewn over the azure seas, lit by the very first daylight will be an ample reward, a view no one is likely to ever forget! After breakfast we will pay a visit to the last nutmeg plantation that is still in operation. Here we will learn how nutmeg and mace is grown and these spices are processed following time honored techniques. On Day 4 we intend to surprise you. This is in principle a spare day. We know from experience that more often than not, we all want to extend our stay in Banda - to attend one of the frequent ceremonies or to visit Hatta or Run Island. In 1667, under the Treaty of Breda, the latter was ceded by the English to the Dutch in exchange for Manhattan. On our way out the 'Sonnegat" (sun's gap) between Bandanaira and Gunung Api we hope to be escorted by one or two so-called 'Kora-Kora', long sea canoes, rowed by over a dozen muscled men and used in ancient times to attack the invading colonists. During the night the Ombak Putih goes on a Southeasterly course across the Banda Sea. On day 5 we will first make a brief early morning stop at Manuk Island, a rock in the middle of the Banda Sea that is populated by thousands of frigate birds, sterns and gannets. If the tides and the local surf allow us to do so, we briefly will set foot ashore, and be exposed to the feigned attacks of the birds. Afterwards we proceed toward the tiny islands of Serua and Nila. On day 6 and 7 we will stop at Serua and Nila, two of the three so-called TNS islands, southeast Moluccan islands where populations are closely related and the local economies, based on sweet potato, sago palm and fish are very similar. When we land, we are likely to be rather warmly greeted by the islanders as the major tourist attraction of the year...At the end of day 7 we continue through the night on an easterly course towards the Tanimbar Archipelago. On day Day 8 we reach the west coast of Yamdena, the main island of the Tanimbar Group. We will disembark on islands of quiet beauty with untouched forest teeming with birds, wild orchids and 'cuscus'. This will be another day of nature exploration, coastal raids with our tender, and some relaxing time on remote beaches. Turning east along the north coast of the island we will continue our journey heading for the north end of the Tanimbars. On Day 9 we will be going ashore on one or two of the islands of Fordate, Larat or Asat. Village and nature exploration and snorkeling will be the substance of the day. With the assistance of local teachers we will try to organize a performance of local music and dance. Late afternoon departure to the Kai Archipelago. On day 10 you will wake up with the vessel standing off at Kai-Tanimbar, the southernmost island of the Kai archipelago and considered to be the cradle of the regional culture. Here we will explore coastal villages, in search for cultural artifacts such as weaving and pottery and go trekking into the local forest. In the evening we will continue our sailing voyage, on the last stretch to Tual, the capital of Kai. On day 11 after our early breakfast we say farewell to the crew and the Ombak Putih and we board a coach for our transfer to the airport of Tual. From Tual we will fly via Ambon and Makassar back to Bali. Please note that the domestic flights are not included in the above-mentioned price. Inclusive: full board, AC cabins with private h/c shower and toilet, tea and coffee, towels, excursions, use of snorkeling gear and sea canoes, transfer from/to the airports, European cruise director. Exclusive: Local airfares, beverages, crew gratuities, laundry. Itineraries: subject to change without notice due to sea and weather conditions, availability of safe anchorage, government regulations and other factors beyond the company's control. |
