Timor-Banda-Ambon (12D11N)

Timor - Banda - Ambon

The first seafarers from faraway countries to explore the Molucca 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...

 

Day 1	We will fly from Bali to the city of Kupang, West Timor. Here we go on a sightseeing tour of the city with the remains of the Old Dutch Fort “Konkordia” and the oldest church in Kupang from 1873. Kupang has a population of 120,000 and as well as university and an interesting ‘Museum of Nusa Tenggara Timor’ with an excellent Dong Son drum. Later we also briefly venture into the hinterland to learn more about the local customs, traditions, architecture and culture of the Timorese. The island of Timor is split into West Timor as part of the Indonesian Province of Nusa Tenggara Timor and the independent state of East Timor. West Timor is slightly bigger than the eastern part (16.500 sq km) and has a higher population with 1,25 million. The Portuguese established their first settlements in the mid-1600’s and mixed with the local population, creating a large ‘Mestizos’ community, locally known as the ‘Topasses’. Because of the strong Portuguese and later Dutch influences on Timor, most islanders are Christian. Some 18 languages are spoken on the island, several of which are non-Austronesian. After the city tour we will embark the katharina and set sail for the Island of Lembata.
Day 2	We arrive on the South coast of Lembata to visit the traditional whale hunting village of Lamalera. Here local fishermen still practice whaling with small open boats. Traditional whaling is still allowed under the International Whaling Convention, and the local economy entirely depends on it as a traditional food source. On the beach we will see the whalers preparing their small sailing craft. In the afternoon Katharina will proceed towards the Alor archipelago.
Day 3	You will go ashore on the island of Alor. We anchor in front of the town of Kalabahi and through the rugged landscape we will cross to the village of Takpala to get some insight in the specific character of the island and witness some traditional dances in the ’mesbah’, the ritual center of the village. Here we will see the moko drums, for centuries part of the dowries in this part of the world. Ikat cloth from Alor is famous for its intricate patterns. In the evening we proceed further to the east and during the night we cross the imaginary ‘border line’ between the Lesser Sunda Islands and the Moluccas.
Day 4	We will reach the West coast of Water Island around noon. The biggest island of southeast Maluku, it is one of the least populated, with an interior thick with jungle said to still be populated by untouched jungle dwellers. We anchor off the small islet of Reong and go ashore on the main island for a walk to the hot 10.
Day 5	We will first go snorkeling off the deserted beach of Moapora, a small island near Pulau Romang. In the afternoon we will meet the inhabitants of the main island and then make a two hour trek from east to West through the orange and coconut groves. The tidiness of the main village and the neat small houses will come as a surprise. Most likely we will be invited for a cup of sweet tea.
Day 6	You wake up in the small bay on the East Coast of Damar Island. We go ashore at the village of Beber. The dwellings in the village are simple huts made from leafs of the sago palm. Staple food of the locals is sweet potatoes, bananas and fish. We make a two hour trek around the volcano to the beach on the North coast. If the conditions are favorable, during the afternoon we will anchor off the small uninhabited island of Pulau Terbang Utara where our tender will take us into its lagoon.
Day 7	We will sail past three different volcanic islands: Teun, Serua and Nila. These islands are literally some of the most remote ones in the archipelago. Here cloves used to be grown by the local people but since the eruptions in the seventies most of the population migrated to other islands in the Moluccas. If time allows we will make a short stop at Serua and go ashore at the village of Jerili.
Day 8	Katharina reaches the small island of Manuk which is uninhabited by humans but truly a bird and marine sanctuary. Frigate birds, gannets and other marine birds have their nests in the trees. In case the tide allows it, we will make a landing. If not, we watch bird life from the ship. In the late afternoon we proceed towards the Spice Islands.
Day 9	You arrive in the Banda Archipelago, famous for its natural beauty and its cultural heritage from the time the Spice Islands were the target of the European colonizers. We will anchor stern-to and tie the ship’s bow to a palm-tree on the waterfront at Bandanaira, the only (small) town of Banda. We will stroll through the city, visit old fortresses and admire the planters’ houses from the old days. We have dinner on board spending a quiet evening in the lagoon.
Day 10	We will visit a few of the other islands of the archipelago, such as Ai, Revenge and Hatta and will see what remains of the ancient plantations, churches and cemeteries. We will breathe the atmosphere of the time that the Banda youth were sent to the most expensive boarding schools of Europe and dream about the splendid, but short-lived glory during a remarkable episode in world history.
Day 11	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 Run Island. An amazing historical footnote is the fact that in 1667, under the Treaty of Breda, this small island was ceded by the English to the Dutch in exchange for Manhattan. In the late afternoon we hoist the anchor for the 115 nautical mile crossing to Ambon.
Day 12	We arrive at the harbor on the island of Ambon. After breakfast we say farewell to the crew and the Katharina and we board a coach for our transfer to Ambon airport for the flight via Makassar to Denpasar. Participants should be aware that itinerary and program of our sea voyages occasionally may have to be modified, due to factors beyond our control: unfavorable weather conditions, delay in processing harbor clearances, modified schedules of domestic flights. The cruise director and captain of the Katharina will adjust the program accordingly in the best interest of all. Please note that the domestic flights are not included.

Participants should be aware that itinerary and program of our sea voyages occasionally may have to be modified, due to factors beyond our control : unfavorable weather conditions, delay in processing harbour clearances, modified schedules of domestic flights. We will adjust the program accordingly in the best interest of all.


Please note that the domestic flights are not included in the price.

PRICE PER PERSON :

The price is subject to change. Please  contact us for more information.