Photo Story: Banda Besar Island, Banda Naira

I'm not really into history. Yes it does fascinating but I'm more a visual person, more into what I can see at the moment even though the story behind something is always give more excitements.

But you can't talk about Banda Islands without speaking about its history, you can't visit Banda Naira without realising how history shaped the city, how buildings and streets around it really connects with the history, and also how the people now as a result of historical moments that occurs in Banda Islands.

Nutmeg plantation in Banda Besar

Nutmeg, photo by Karel Gallas

People in Banda Besar

All started from a nutmeg, the spice that shaped the history of Banda Islands and some places in Indonesia. Banda Besar filled with the nutmeg plantation, source of what even more precious than gold 400 years ago.

Gunung Api, the volcano mountain

But Banda have more than nutmeg, the beautiful Gunung Api (Volcano Mountain) seen from in front of Hollandia Fortress in Banda Besar, the largest island in Banda Islands. It's ironic that the fortress, which is a place where you can see the beautiful view of the strait and the volcano mountain, is also destroyed by the volcanic eruption during year 1743.

Now Hollandia Fortress is only one wall in front of the grand view to the volcano mountain, the rest is ruined. But one thing for sure, Banda Besar is still as beautiful as it might be hundred years ago.

@marischkaprue -for her, photo always tell a story

NOTES:

• Banda Naira terletak di Maluku, untuk menuju ke Banda Naira anda dapat mengambil penerbangan ke Ambon (harga tiket Jakarta-Ambon PP sekitar Rp. 2 hingga  Rp. 2,5 juta), dari Ambon dapat dilanjutkan dengan penerbangan ke Banda Naira dengan pesawat twin otter Aviastar berkapasitas 17 orang (harga tiket Ambon - Banda Naira Rp. 280.000,- one way) namun untuk mendapatkan tiket cukup sulit karena jumlah seat yang terbatas. Pesawat Aviastar dengan rute Ambon - Banda Naira hanya beroperasi seminggu 3x yaitu di hari Senin, Kamis dan Minggu.
• Banda Naira is located at Maluku. You must take flight to Ambon (round-trip ticket price Jakarta-Ambon about  Rp 2 until Rp 2,5 millions), then continue taking flight to Banda Naira by twin otter plane Aviastar with 17 seat capacity (ticket price Ambon – Banda Naira is Rp 280.000,- one way). But it’s quite difficult to get ticket because of limited seat. Route Ambon – Banda Naira from Aviastar Airplane only available three times a week (Monday, Thursday, Sunday).  
• Budget untuk trip di Banda Naira 5D/4N sekitar Rp. 4 juta (termasuk tiket pesawat Ambon - Banda Naira), jika berangkat dari Jakarta maka total budget Rp. 6,5 juta per orang, dengan catatan trip bersama (group). Untuk trip serupa hubungi Tukang Jalan di +6281 806898303/ 081315890191 atau email di tuk4ng.jalan@gmail.com
• Budget for Banda Naira 5D/4N trip is about Rp 4 millions (included plane ticket Ambon – Banda Naira). If you depart from Jakarta, the total budget becomes Rp 6,5 millions per 1 person, but please note: only if you join in a group. Further info about this trip, contact Tukang Jalan at +6281 806898303 / 081315890191 or email at tuk4ng.jalan@gmail.com  
• Budget di atas belum termasuk diving. Untuk diving di Banda Naira, ratenya adalah Rp. 400.000,- per dive, lebih baik pergi minimal 2 orang karena jika sendiri akan mahal di extra cost untuk bbm kapal. I dive with Banda Sea Hobbits (dahulu bernama Naira Dive), untuk booking hubungi Sasha di +62821 251 22202 
• Diving cost is excluded from the transport details above. The rate for diving at Banda Naira is Rp 400.000,- per dive, better go with min 2 person to save the extra cost for boat. I dive with Banda Sea Hobbits, for booking please contact Sasha +62821 251 22202