Bandas Island
South East of Ambon enlightened by tiny charming island known as the Bandas. The Bandas comprises 10 small islands whose width is 55 square km. Its three main islands are Volcano island, Bandaneira and Big Banda island. The main town and administrative center is Bandaneira located in island of the same name. Their population is around 25,000 people. It filled by forts, charming Dutch villas, and its nutmeg plantation around. This island surrounded by great beaches where you can snorkel around its crystal water. naturally it has extraordinary scuba and skin diving at almost 50 dive sites. Some of the best beaches are Wali beach, Belakang Selamon which located on Big Banda island; Sambayang; around Karaka land; around Syahrir, Run and Hatta island. Since 19th century, Bandaneira became the only source of the spices nutmeg and mace. The best season for all wet activities is between October and March.
Bandaneira offers attractions at most where you can find port and airport. Rumah Budaya or Culture House is an old Dutch villa with interesting collection of old cannons, muskets, helmets, coins, maps, jars and china. Its walls painted by past wars and massacres portray then in another space a display shows the layout of The Bandas. This museum also sell the book Indonesian Banda, some T-shirts and postcards. Unfortunately, it is often closed but you can try walk around on 9 AM on weekdays. There are rooms that were rented behind the museum
Nassau port standing in its original stone foundations that built by Portuguese around 1529. It was not complete and rebuilt in 1608 by Pieterszoon Verhoeven. It was being a warehouse in early 19th century but now times crashed it into ruin. Only tree walls and a gateway remain and an old cannon lies on the ground. The best place to watch Nassau is from Belgica port. Banda also known as its Indonesia heritage through Hatta and Syahrir exile houses. Its located on Hatta street that contains some old type-writers, furniture and clothes. Next to the Rumah Budaya, Syahrir’s Residence got restored nicely. It has some interesting furniture and others memories stuff from that era. The other national hero who exiled to this island was Dr. Tjipto Mangunkusumo. It located on Pantai street but for some reasons nobody can find anything to put in it. Another step of history can find on Dutch Church on Old Church street that comes from 1680. VOC governor’s residence, now called Istana Mini was Jan Pieterszoon Coen residents. Near Rumah Budaya, you can find Captain Cole’s Residence which restored but unfortunately often closed. Every April and October, there was traditional boats competition which called kora-kora. It held around Neira island.
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