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Caption: A walk through history Banda Neira
Caption: Arrived in Banda Neira in the afternoon using early fast boat from Tulehu Harbour Ambon. After 5 hours, as soon as I stepped out from the Banda Neira harbour, I was directly being picked up by Allan (Vita Guesthouse). No longer than 5 minutes walking, I arrived at Vita. The place was just spot on with all positive recommendations on the internet. It was quiet, clean and it has a big backyard beautifully facing the water and Banda Api volcano
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Caption: From the backyard of Vita Guesthouse
Banda Neira
Caption: There are some parts of Banda Neira where you can find guesthouses, which is more popular than hotels. My advice is to take guesthouse near the traditional market by the water, so you can get on and off the boat after hopping islands easier, no hassle and walk far with your stuffs and also you can find cafes and warung easily at night. Trust me, with packed activities, tummy refill is important.
Picture of Banda Neira
Caption: At Belgica Fort with these fun girls
Banda Neira
Caption: On the first day I arrived, I only had about 2 hours before dark and it said that the Banda Neira city always sleep early. Didn't want to waste any time, I took a long walk through some historical sites : The Old Church and Belgica Fort. There, I luckily met and join a group of female travellers and shared some itineraries and cute pictures with them.
Picture of Banda Neira
Caption: Banda breakfast : Toast bread or pancake with nutmeg jam
Banda Neira
Caption: Banda Breakfast : Nutmeg Jam, Nutmeg Coffee or Nutmeg Tea. Nutmeg has been an important part of Banda life. Although it is small, but it was a big main reason, a dark history started centuries ago.
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Caption: Amazing underwater scene around
Hatta Island
Banda Neira
Caption: Second and third day itinerary.
Snorkeling trip around Sjahrir Island (was Pisang Island) for a half day and spent the rest of it in Hatta Island (was Rozengain Island).
Picture of Banda Neira
Banda Neira
Caption: If you are a person who loves to swim in shallow underwater with colorful corals and plenty of fishes, so Hatta Island is that one place you can not miss in Banda. It has a long wall where you can see bigger fishes like sharks, barracuda and napoleon. This island also happened to be an exile island for Mr. Hatta, Indonesian hero, in colonialism era.
Picture of Banda Neira
Picture of Banda Neira
Caption: Plenty of colorful fishes, small and big, just in front of my wooden room of Neira Dive
Banda Neira
Caption: My advice will be : stay in Hatta at least for one night or more.
I did.
I stayed at Neira Dive. Mr. Caesar the owner, only built two humble wooden rooms, just in front of the water. I loved it. I love the food, the people, the cats, the hammock and the sun.
Picture of Banda Neira
Picture of Banda Neira
Caption: Neira Dive wooden room with a lazy hammock I couldn't leave all day
Banda Neira
Caption: At night, Mr. Supri (Mr. Caesar assistant), will bring you fresh fishes to grill on the beach, right under starry sky. You might wonder when was the last time you see those many stars.
I don't think it was on their service list, but some guests said they do it quite often. Such the best people.
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Caption: Sunset at Hatta Island
Banda Neira
Caption: Fourth day itinerary was to conquer the Banda Api volcano and to visit the old and mystical Banda Besar, Lonthoir Village (Andan Orsia).
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Caption: Catching my breath
Banda Neira
Caption: My advice to those who want to climb the Banda Api Volcano is to get a local guide, start early like at 4 or 5 in the morning, prepare a good hiking shoes, bring head covers to protect your face and bring water with two bottles at minimum only for you.
The main challenge will be a difficult rocky and slippery path and the heat.
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Caption: On top of Banda Api
Banda Neira
Caption: Andan Orsia
Lonthoir Village
A beautiful village in Banda Besar Island, the biggest island in Banda Islands. I managed to visit some sites : Old Well (Parigi Pusaka), Bleeding Stone (Batu Berdarah), Nutmeg Fields, Cannary Fields and home processing and the beautiful Hollandia Fort.
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Caption: View from Hollandia Fort, Banda Besar
Banda Neira
Caption: Fifth day itinerary : I was back to visit the water of Ay Island, Nailaka Island and Rhun Island.
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Caption: Rhun Island, the history of this island captivated my mind. The British traded it to the Dutch for Manhattan Island, Nieau Amsterdam (now New York).
And what a big difference it is now between those two islands. Rhun Island is like gone and forgotten, while Manhattan has becoming like one of world's center of money and power.
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Caption: Nailaka Island
Banda Neira
Caption: After my tan lines became more solid, I guess it was about time to tone down a bit and back to Banda Neira to walk again and visit historical sites I haven't visit in the first day.
I visited : Banda Neira Museum, Hatta Home Exile, Captain Cole House, VOC Governor General Office and Makatita House.
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Caption: Where Mr. Hatta taught local children in his exile years
Banda Neira
Caption: On my last night in Banda Neira, I had a chance to have a fine dining dinner in Cilu Bintang Estate. A well recommended resto with a thick colonial ambience, food of asian and western all-you-can-eat dinner with a very affordable price.
Too bad I did not take any decent picture. But for you to find, the restaurant is just next to Nassau Fort, in front of Belgica Fort.
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Caption: See you again
Banda Neira
Banda Neira
Caption: Full video of this trip :
https://youtu.be/ZAFsZ3tm3Pc
Contact Person in Banda Neira :
Allan / Umar (Vita Guest House) :
+62 (0)910 21332
Caesar (Neira Dive) :
+62 813 44902298
Enal (Banda Api Guide) :
+62 822 48336003
Iqbal (Banda Besar Guide) :
+62 852 13285641
