Saparua Charming

Saparua, Nostalgia Tour European Touristsexecutive summary by darmansjah
Duurstede fort, the Dutch built in 1676 by Arnold de Vlaming van Hoorn Duuds, in Saparua, Central Maluku district, Maluku, on Thursday (6 / 1). The fort is so one tourist attraction in Saparua.

A Ponco Anggoro

Ten years of conflict in the Moluccas, the tourism sector in Saparua, Central Maluku district, Maluku, bergeliat back. Small island covering an area of ​​247 square kilometers of it not only offers the charm of nature, but also traces the historical arrival of Europeans in the archipelago.

Saparua, which is about 50 miles from Ambon, the capital of Maluku, can be reached by speedboat for an hour from Port Tulehu, Central Maluku, on the island of Ambon.

The island has a population of 36,698 souls along with two other nearby islands incorporated in the Lease Islands group, namely Haruku and Nusa Laut, Moluccas tour had been a prima donna, before the riots of 1999.

Chairman of the Travel Agent Association of Maluku, Tony Tomasoa, told me, before 1999, the tourist destination to the island of Banda Saparua compete with other tourist-icon in the spice islands of Maluku. Two locations is always a reference point for tourists who vacation in the Moluccas.

Saparua, surrounded by the Banda Sea, offering beautiful beaches through. Ranging from white sandy beaches, such as the beach next to Fort Duurstede and Kulur, up to a beach full of rocks, namely Tanjung Ouw.

Beautiful Cape Ouw even immortalized through song titled "Cape Ouw" made famous singer Bob Tutupoly. In this place welcomes visitors shade.

Travelers usually spend time in Cape Ouw relaxing with the beauty of a long reef or swim in crystal clear sea. Stretched out beneath the palm trees when the breeze feels good to hit.

Not far from Cape Ouw, tourists can see the skill Oya Pelupessy (72) the clay into sempeh or pottery. "Tourists love to see making sempeh. Not a few of those trying to make their own, "said Oya. Guestbook he has shown many tourists from the Netherlands, Britain, and Switzerland who visit there.

Not limited to the surface, underwater Saparua also has a dazzling charm. According to the management Mahu Mahu Village Lodge in the Village, Paul Tomasoa, there are at least six dives are popular tourist spot. For example, in Tawaka, about Molana Island, and around Nusa Sea. "Coral reefs rise. In addition, various types of fish can be found there. Often the fish like the storied marching in formation, "he said.

Heritage

Saparua also full of historical relics. Duurstede fort, the Dutch fort built in 1676, is one of them. Fort in the hills as high as 20 feet is still standing strong. Kapitan Pattimura whose real name is Thomas Matulessy expel the Dutch occupiers of this castle date of May 16, 1817.

From the top of the fort, visitors can see almost the entire island of Nusa Saparua to Sea Island in the east Saparua. No wonder, when the fort was "hunted" to foreign tourists.

In a house once occupied Pattimura, the State Haria, visitors can see relics of the padrone. In buildings that are still inhabited this Matulessy family, framed woven pants, woven sashes, and headbands, all in red, who had worn Pattimura while struggling against the Dutch. A number of the document talks about the struggle Pattimura. According to the family, all of it obtained from the Netherlands.

Camat Saparua, Ferry Siahaya, say, five years of the last visit to Saparua relatively improved. "The average foreign tourist visits in Saparua about 20 people every month. In December, the number could increase to an 50-person, "he said.

The majority of foreign tourists came from the Netherlands, especially those that still have a kinship with the people in Saparua. "There are also derived from England, France, Switzerland and the United States," said Ferry."Families from the Netherlands came mostly in December. Christmas becomes a moment to gather with family overseas, including those in the Netherlands, "said King Affairs Itawaka, LF Wattimena.

However, in December 2010 and new Itawaka Affairs held a Christmas celebration in the world. At that time, there are 30 Dutch citizens who came. According Wattimena, one gandong bond or glue one kandunganlah that their relationship, despite the distance apart, and citizenship status.

The trend is the increasing number of tourists could be because more easily accessible from Ambon Saparua. "The operation of a fast ship with a capacity of about 200 passengers encourage tourists to come to Saparua. Ships operating since last year it twice a day from Ambon, "Ferry said.

In addition, there are also direct flights from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Ambon, via Jakarta, Garuda Indonesia operated since mid last year.

Mid last year also, the government also did a fairly vigorous promotion related Duurstede Festival in Fort Duurstede and Sail Banda in Maluku. This would be one of the levers of an increasing number of tourists to the small island.

No need to wonder if the new inn is now popping up in there. Two of the five hotels that had ceased operations due to the riots, is now also operational. "The plan, there will be two more hotels in the near future," said Ferry.

Paul Tomasoa optimistic, forward Saparua tourism will recover, as before the riots of 1999. However, he warned, stretching tourism which is now felt it should be followed by improvement of human resources and additional support facilities for tourists.

"Without improvement, conducted a vigorous campaign could be a boomerang, because there are conditions in Saparua is not the same as those promoted," said Paul again.

Robbie Pickering (30), a British tourist who was traveling in Saparua, said something similar. "Places like Saparua much sought-after European tourists at this time. Therefore, there is winter, while in Saparua air is hotter and can see the sun every day. But, with the lack of facilities, tourists can find another place that better facilities, "he said.