Excursion Spices of banda besar island tour at Bandanaira

Visit the picturesque Banda Islands, a volcanic group of ten small volcanic islands in the Banda Sea.

Disembark the ship by Zodiac and proceed to Lonthoir Village on Banda Besar to meet with your local guides. Enjoy a warm welcome by an armada of local tribe warrior troops aboard their Kora Kora boats (long canoes), rowing thunderously as they head toward the ship and lead it to the anchorage point.

After a brief introduction, take a walk to a nutmeg plantation to see local people cultivating and harvesting nutmeg. Participate in a spices workshop surrounded by the pungent, inspiring atmosphere in the middle of nutmeg plantations.

The Bandas are the world's only source of nutmeg and mace. In the 15th century, spices were at the epicenter of the world economy, much like oil is today. Highly valued for flavoring and preserving food as well as masking the taste of meat gone bad, spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and especially black pepper were extremely valuable. The search and demand for exotic spices was the driving impetus for world trade and ignited an explosive period exploration that permanently alter the world, transformed geography and influenced modern science as it is today.

Next visit Holandia Fort with a brief stop at old well, Parigi Pusaka, which is considered holy by the local people. Holandia Fort was built in 1624 by Javanese sailors and prisoners who were taken to the island at the behest of the Dutch governor-general Jan Pietersz Coen. It is located on a hill and has a gorgeous view overlooking the sea, Gunung Api and Banda Naira.

Proceed to Rumah Adat, a cultural house, to enjoy a folkloric performance before making the return trip to the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Banda Islands, Banda Besar, Lonthior Village, nutmeg plantation tour and spice workshop, Holandia Fort, Parigi Pusaka well, Rumah Adat cultural presentation