BANDA NEIRA, MALUKU
A Piece of History
The original spice islands is where colonialism in Indonesia began. Old buildings harking back to that period are scattered around the town of Banda Neira, from the old rundown forts, to the Dutch official's residence and the exile home of M.Hatta, one of Indonesia's independence proclamators. One of the nearby islands was bartered for Manhattan in New York, USA. A rare place of history blessed with natural beauty.
November 19, 2013
The sea was just turning blue when the Pelni ship Tidar that I was traveling on with photographer Ayu Ambong docked at Neira Harbor, on Monday, October 14. The water was clear, calm and shimmering. Banda volcano across from the pier was also reflected. At this same pier, on February 1, 1936, Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir got off the ship Fommel Haut which had brought them from their harsh internment in Boven Digul, Papua. They remained in exil
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