Ambon Island

Understand

Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku, is built on a hillside overlooking the bay. It has a number of interesting historical and cultural sites, among them the remnants of forts built by the Dutch East Indies Company during the heyday of the spice trade. The ruins of the Portuguese fort at Hila are almost entirely hidden beneath the contorted roots of a giant banyan tree. The ANZAC War Cemetery near Ambon town is the site of services held every year on April 25, to commemorate the Allied soldiers who died in the region during World War II.

History The origin of the name Ambon is also very difficult to trace. According to local residents, the name Ambon comes from the word ombong in Ambonese language which means dew because the mountains on the island of Ambon are always dewy or foggy in the morning. The history of Ambon began with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1512. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to land in Ambon, and it became the new centre for Portuguese activities in Maluku following their expulsion from Ternate. The Portuguese, however, were regularly attacked by native Muslims on the island's northern coast, in particular, Hitu, which had trading and religious links with major port cities on Java's north coast. Then, the Portuguese built a fort in the Ambon area as a place of activity in trade and the spread of religion. As the first Europeans to arrive, the Portuguese mobilized their inhabitants to build a fort called Benteng Kota Laha (Fort Laha). The birthday or anniversary of the city of Ambon has been decided to fall on September 7, 1575, in a seminar in Ambon City. Ambon was the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) from 1610 to 1619 until the founding of Batavia (now Jakarta) by the Dutch. Ambon city was the site of a major Dutch military base that Imperial Japanese forces captured from Allied forces in the World War II Battle of Ambon in 1942. The battle was followed by the summary execution of more than 300 Allied priso

Getting there

By plane 1 Pattimura Airport (AMQ IATA). There are multiple daily flights from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Batik Air. Some flights make a stopover in Surabaya or Makassar. Other destinations with direct flights to and from Ambon include Manado, Ternate, and Sorong.

By ship 2 Pelabuhan Yos Soedarso. Alternatively, there are ships from various parts of Indonesia only serviced by PELNI such as KM. Tidar sail from Makassar and KM. Dorolonda from Jakarta and Surabaya. Schedules and reservation can be checked at PELNI office or by PELNI app.

Getting around

If you want to go to the city from the airport you can use the bus operated by DAMRI, it's located on the right side of the arrival hall and will only cost you Rp50,000 - cheaper than taking a taxi which can cost you approximately Rp150,000/trip. The DAMRI bus stops on 1 Lapangan Merdeka in the heart of the city. The taxi is like a private car, with no taxi sign above the car. It can be found mostly outside the airport. Angkot (public transport minivans, locally called Oto) with fixed routes take people around the island. There are no fixed stops, just wave your hand on the side of the road to stop the vans and get into it. Look at the sign on top of the vans and ask the driver to make sure it's the route you want. Each cost Rp3,000 for a short trip - pay when you get out. Sitting up front is fine if it's empty and you'd rather not squish into the back. To stop where you want to get out, say minggir. Becak (bicycle rickshaws) are good for shorter distances downtown. There are many ojek (passenger motorcycles) around the island. Also, an online ojek called Gojek is available there. Getting around Ambon is easier by renting a bike or a car. Google Maps are all capable of figuring out the tourist or public destination. A map of the city is available on the second floor of the bookstore 1 Toko Buku Dian Pertiwi, near Trikora Monument. The downtown of Ambon City is very pedestrian-friendly. Strolling around 2 Pattimura Park is one of the best way to chill the afternoon. In the evening, a dancing water fountain showed up there.

See

History and museums 1 Ambon War Cemetery, Pandan Kasturi, Sirimau, Ambon City. 09:00-17:00. The cemetery contains Australian soldiers who died during the Japanese invasion of Ambon and Timor in World War II (updated Jul 2022) 2 Fort Amsterdam (Benteng Amsterdam), Kaitetu, Leihitu, Central Maluku Regency. 06:00-18.00. A fort and a blockhouse in Hila town, Leihitu. Before the fort was built, a trade lodge was established here by Francisco Serrão in 1512, a Portuguese explorer and a cousin of Ferdinand Magellan. (updated Jul 2022) 3 Siwalima Museum, Jl. Dr. Malaiholo, Taman Makmur, Nusaniwe, ☏ +62 911 341652. 08:00-16.00. Maritime and traditional object of Ambonese and Moluccas. (updated Nov 2017) 4 Wapauwe Old Mosque (Masjid Tua Wapauwe), Kaitetu, Leihitu, Central Maluku Regency (1 km south of Fort Amsterdam). Established in 1414, it is the oldest mosque in Indonesia. (updated Jul 2022)

Landmarks 5 Christina Martha Tiahahu Monument (Patung Christina Martha Tiahahu), Karang Panjang, Ambon City, ☏ +62 822 481 00799. Located in a hilly area. The best visiting time is in the afternoon because the statue or monument faces sunset and ambon bay. That is an amazing view to take some pictures of. (updated Jul 2022) 6 Merah Putih Bridge. The bridge spans over Ambon Bay, connecting Rumah Tiga (Poka) on the north side, with Hative Kecil/Galala on the south side. This bridge is the longest bridge in the eastern region of Indonesia. (updated Nov 2017)

Beaches 7 Liang Beach (Pantai Liang), Liang, Central Maluku Regency. A white sand beach with trees. Very suitable for family picnics by laying out mats because of the shady atmosphere. There are food stalls sell fresh coconut drink and local instant noodles dish called Sarmento. (updated Jul 2022) 8 Pintu Kota Beach (Pantai Pintu Kota), Nusaniwe, Ambon City. Beach with rocky cave. One of the Icon of Ambon City. (updated Jul 2022)

Nature and wildlife 9 Wisata Kolam Morea Larike (Belut Morea Larike), Larike, West Leihitu, Cen

Do

Snorkeling and diving on various beautiful beaches.

1 Lubang Buaya Morela Beach (Pantai Lubang Buaya Morela), Leihitu, Central Maluku Regency. A diving and snorkeling spot with many fish dan enormous coral reefs. Sometimes you can see the wild dolphins from the beach. (updated Jul 2022) 2 Hukurila Beach (Pantai Hukurila), Hukurila, Ambon City. One of the best dive spot in Ambon. (updated Jul 2022) Bathing in a natural hot spring.

3 Hatuasa Hot Spring (Air Panas Hatuasa Tulehu), Salahutu, Tulehu, Central Maluku Regency. A natural hot spring in the middle sago forest. There are various pools based on the level of heat of the water. Rp10,000. (updated Jul 2022) Showering under waterfalls.

4 Taeno Waterfall (Air Terjun Taeno / Maspait), Rumah Tiga, Ambon Bay district, Ambon City (5 km northwest of Merah Putih Bridge. Just 20-minute ride b