INTRODUCTION
The municipal city of Ambon is the capital of Maluku, one of the eastern provinces of Indonesia. This lovely city is located on an island of the same name in the central part of this archipelagic province. The island is formed by two peninsula’s : the Leihitu and the Leitimur peninsula’s, connected by a tiny itsmuth. The North-Western coast of Leihitu is part of the district of Central Maluku, but the south coast and the whole of Leihitu peninsula is the municipality of Ambon City.
Ambon has been well known throughtout the world since centuries ago due to its role as the center of spice commerce. Since then Ambon has become one of the most excotic destinations of the globe.
AMBON CITY IN BRIEF
Ambon has long known as one of the city with a group of islands which provide typical characteristics for most of its territory consists of mountains, hills, coastal, and marine. This characteristic provides a lot of natural potential opportunities that can be used as a tourist attraction, especially marine tourism, including tourism potential under the sea, because the area with a large sea area would save a million natural wealth.
In addition to having the characteristics of marine tourism appeared as typical of the city of Ambon island, also has historical and cultural values are quite high. Being physical and cultural heritage that until recently could be seen among the buildings of worship, places of burial, the houses the king, the forms of sculpture associated with trust and heroism, struggle monuments, forts.
These potentials should be a concern in order to restore the image of Ambon, known as "Ambon Manise".
Natural Tourist Attraction In Ambon City
Tourist attraction owned by the city of Ambon nearly largely dominated by coastal tourism, this has not escaped the physical condition of the city of Ambon is mostly surrounded by waters and bays, such as the Banda Sea, Ambon Bay, Gulf and the Gulf In Baguala. With the potential and the bay waters as well as in Tunjang with the natural conditions which offer natural beauty, of course, the city of Ambon has great potential for development in the tourism sector. Following is a summary profile of several locations that have tourism potential (natural and artificial), which presumably could serve as the object of Ambon City Tour and the future of our times.
As the center of the exotic Maluku archipelago Ambon provides a variety of tourism attractions. Among others are historical sites, busy daily market life, traditional art and craft, ancient rituals and ceremonials, not to mention the cultural dances combined with hospitality, will welcome you to this lovely city of ‘Ambon Manise’.
It’s most inviting natural resources are natural objects : the glistering white sandy beaches, marvelous marine coral gardens for snorkeling and deep sea scuba diving in the crystal clear waters around the island.
Historical Tourism
1. Dolan Memorial
The simple but impressing monument is erected to commemorate a brave Australian soldier who died when covering his comrade’s retreat during Japanese invasion to the island. He succeded shooting down a great number of Japanesse soldiers. Unfortunately the Japanese discovered a way to attack him from behind and killed him.
The Japanese forbade the locals to burry his body, but that evening an Ambonese took courage to take away his body and buried it under a ‘gandaria-fruit-tree” right on the spot wher the monument now stands.
The bronze plague and a replica of the RSL badge were a gift of the Gull Force Association to Colonel Latumahina, the governor of Maluku at that time. The piece of land where the monument was erected was a gift by the people of the village of Kudamati.
2. Trikora Monument
Tikora monument was erected in the year 1962 in order to commemorate the success of Indonesia in the struggle of free Papua (Nieuw Guinea) from Dutch colonialism.
3. Fort Victoria
Portuguese conquistador’s build a wooden fort in 1575 in order to secure their position on the island. Completed in 1588 it was baptized “Nuestra Senhora da Anunciada”. Their Christian allies came and settled around the fort, in those times named “Citadel Amboina”. The Dutch captured it in 1605 and renamed the fort “Fort Nieuw Victoria”. The community around the fort grew bigger and so through the centuries the city emerged into what we now recognize as Ambon Municipal City.
Today, it’s huge wall structure on the east and north wings are still existing, even though most of them are hidden behind houses of the locals. Moreover, the fort is in under the command of the local army, so one need a special permit from the Tourism Office in order to pay a visit into the fort. Plaque’s and monogram’s written in ancient Dutch languages are still to be found at the sea-gate. 4. Siwalima Museum
Maluku’s cultural heritage is well preserved in this provincial museum. It’s main collections consists of a variety of ethnographic religious, Chinese porcelain and others. This museum houses three exhibition galleries; the ethnographic gallery, marine museum and traditional dress and costume of Maluku. It’s masterpieces are the beautifully carved “upulera” (the sun god) and “upuinai” (goddess of the earth). A man-made prehistoric cave attached to the main exhibition hall is extraordinary. Remnants of World War II are also of your observe. The Marine Museum exhibits the skeletons of a 23 meters long huge blue whale, ancient boat construction and various types of local sea transportation, including shell and corals. The museum is well worth a visit and many of the captions to the exhibits are in English. The museum’s terrace looks out over the unforgettable panorama of the ambon Bay.
5. The Devil’s Urn, Sacred Stones and “the Spirit of Nenek Luhu”
One of the most pleasant’s trip in Ambon is visiting the mountain village of Soya di Atas, perches around 400 meters above sea level upon the flank of Gunung Sirimau 950 meters high. The houses of soya are neat and the vegetation lush surrounded by fresh mountain air fumed by the fragrance of clove, nutmeg and various tropical fruits. But there is something strange about Soya di Atas, where reality is mixed with legend and unexplained phenomena.
During colonial times the daughter of the raja of Soya di Atas fell in love with a Dutch officer. Her father disapproved and the girl drowned herself out of grief. Her spirit, the “Nenek Luhu” (grandmother Luhu), it is said, has never found peace and occasionally returns to the village to kidnap men, to replace the babies she never had. The victim disappears for a few days, then is discovered, sometimes dead. If not dead he is in shock, dazed or in trance. The cure for the victim is to be given a drink of water by the Raja of Soya. Then all is well, except the victim can never recall what happened.
The baileo or the village meeting place includes ancient megaliths and stone seats for descendants of the clan-founders. Ritual meeting were held here among others in order to worship “upulanite” the god of the heavens.
And if you climb higher to the top of mount Sirimau you’ll find a stone throne surrounded by croton bushes. It sis believed that the croton plant contains a certain magical power which can protect you against evil spirits. The shrine holds a sacred urn, the “devils urn” that never empties of wter even during the driest monsoons. The water cures illness, brings wealth and prosperity and even encourage the affections of the person you love.
6. The Australian Monument
In the village of Laha one can find an Australian Monument erected by the Australian Government in order to commemorate the battle fought by Australian and Allied forces against the invasion of Japanese troops during the Second World War. At the plaque is written “Erected to the memory of members of Australian and Allied forces who died at Ambon on Jan-Feb 1942”
7. The Japanese Monument
In the village of Tawiri there is a Japanesse monument erected by the Japanesse troops who died on this spot. The Japanese had built a hospital during their occupation here. In the year 1994 former members of the Japanese army planted a banyan tree at this spot and annually they pay a visit to this place together with their family members and friends.
Therefore this place is commonly known as Monument Beringin Putih (The white banyan tree monument). The keeper of this place is Mr. Nico Shibata, a Japanese descendant.
NATURAL TOURISM
1. Pintu Kota (The Gate of The City)
Literally Pintu kota means “the gate of the city”. It is a natual tourism object on the south coast of ambon Island between the village Airlow and Seri. Pintu kota is a whole through it “the gate”, where a part of it is covered by sea water during high tide. This place offers good snorkeling and scuba diving. Crowded on holidays and Sundays people can enjoy the Banda Sea scenery from the top
2. Santai Beach
Santai beach is a resort in Airlouw village, with white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, cottages, shelters , a small salt water swimming pool for children and a restaurant. Santi beach is suitable for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling. To get to this spot, take the latuhalat minibus and get off at Puskesmas (public health center) in Latuhalat. The beach is 200 meter walk to Airlouw village. As there are no public transportation which will take you directly to the beach.
3. Lelisa Beach
Lelisa beach is located in the village of Latuhalat on the cape of nusaniwe. Sandwiched between santai beach on it’s right and Namalatu Beach on it’s left. Lelisa beach provide 16 cottages and a restaurant.
Coral formation just off the sandy beach are typical of this shore line. The watter is quite shallow close to the shore and coral reefs are visible at low tide.
Lelisa beach is a popular recreation spot for swimming, diving, snorkeling and sun bathing.
4. Namalatu beach
Lies on the south coast of Ambon Namalatu faces the Banda Sea. It is located in the village of Latuhalat, some 15 km away from Ambon’s downtown. Some part of Namalatu is a white sandy beach and some consists of reefs. The fresh air is combined with crystal clear water which is good for swimming, snorkeling and scuba dive and on the same time it is an ideal place for fishing. It is mostly crowded on weekends by the locals to enjoy a recreation day and the famous Namalatu fruit salad mixed with peanut sauce. This recreation beach offers some facilities as well, among other :- Shelters
- An open air stage for cultural and art performances
- Seafood on prior request
- Fresh coconut, rujak (mixed fruit salad) etc.
5. Tanjung Beach
About 3 km away from Namalatu at the tip of cape Nusaniwe you’ll arrive at a well known picnic location called Tanjung (cape). The whole area is mostly covered by coconut trees, and its beach consist of corals. It is no recommended to swim here for the current is strong. Nevertheless you can enjoy the beaty of the sea, the fresh air and a quite environment.6. Felawatu beach
Felawatu beach is on the village of Airlouw; 15 km south of downtown and can be reached by car. It also lies next to Santai Beach.
Felawatu has an area of 10,000 km and ideal for garden parties. It also have a 10 x 20 m gazebo under the shade of the trees with a nice breeze from Banda Sea.
7. Batu Capeo
Capeo in local language means a hat. It is named Batu Capeo according to folk tale that said that the hat belong to a Ambonesse princess running away …. And the wind blows her hat away. It fell on the coast and turned to a big hat like rock.
Batu capeo is located in Taman Makmur-amahusu and opposite the siwalima Museum. To get to this place, take Amahusu or Taman Makmur minibus and get off at the gate of Siwalima Museum. Batu capeo is… minute walk down the path to the beach.
8. Naku Beach
Naku beach is located in naku village 30-45 minutes drive from downtown Ambon. The beach is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and diving. There’s a 15 m waterfall called the Anihang waterfall.
The most interesting attraction of this secluded beach is the existence of natural cave calles “Liang Kupang”. This cave was the hiding place for the troops during World War II. Human bones were found in this cave.
Naku, Hukurila and the surrounding beaches possess rich collection of coral and marine objects. It is a perfect place for diving and snorkeling.
CULTURAL PERFOMANCE (MUSIC AND DANCES)
It is said that singin is always combined with Ambon. No wonder the most popular Indonesian pop singers are from Ambon. Popular music of Ambon are Hawaiian music, typical Ambonese folkmusic, shell orchestra, flute orchestra, the totobuang (cymbals) and drums.
1. Toto Buang
Toto Buang is a typical Maluku music instrument. It is mostly consist of drums, guitar, violin and flute to accompany dances and songs in central Maluku.
2. Bambu gila
Literally translated as “Crazy Bamboo”, Bambu Gila is a typical Maluku Magical dance/rituals. Magical spirit is put into the bamboo by the Shaman which makes the bamboo moves crazily by itself and thrown 7 (or any other odd number men) who tried unsuccessfully to keep the bamboo still.
3. Dance of the Crazy Bamboo Dance
Inspired by the magical Bambu Gila dance/rituals, this dance portrays the vibrant energy and magical moment of the Bambu Gila attractions.
No comments:
Post a Comment