Introducing Moluccas
the World’s Forgotten Galapagos
moluccas-1,027 islands scattered across 151,000 sq km of ocean-is the world’s forgotten Galapagos. It was on the famaous “spice island” of Ternate and Moluccas that Alfred Russel Wallace, simultaneously with Darwin, formulated the theory of evolution by natural selection, while recovering from fever in 1856. the main attraction for birdwatchers, however, is the region’s 90 uniqe bird species. They are distributed into five distinct groups (endemic Bird Areas): the halmahera group holds 24 species; the Sula Islands-8; Buru-10; Seram-21; and the island groups of the Banda Sea (Tanimbar and Kai) a further 16, so to see them all you will need time and a penchant for adventure, jungle trekking and sea travel.
A journey in search of these specialities is definitely recommended: not only will you see some of the world’s most unusual and least known birds-species such as the remarkable Wallace’s Standardwing and invisible Rail on Halmahera, the georgeous Salmon-crested Cockatoo and Purple napped-Lory on Seram, and the beach-nesting Moluccan Scrubfowl-but you are also sure to be captivated by a society oriented around the sea.
Previously known as the moluccas or spice islands, Ternate and Tidore-specks on the map next to Halmahera, Ambon-dwarfed by the bulk of Seram, and the tiny Banda islands, have played a role in European history totally disproportionate to their size. The reason was spice: clove, the bud of an insignificant forest tree native to the Halmahera group, nutmeg and mace, the seed (and its waxy covering) of a rather splendid tree native to the islands of central moluccas. In past centuries, cloves and nutmeg were literally worth their weight in gold, not only to make badly preserved meat palatable but also as vital ingredients in medicines and magic potions.
Reminders of moluccas trading past are everywhere. Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch forts are dotted throughout the islands. Some, like the old Dutch fortified trading house at hitu on Ambon, have been lovingly restored; others-for example, Fort Oranje on Ternate-have been plastered in concrete, and scores more are just crumbling into the sea. Rusting wrecks in Kao Bay, Halmahera, a few amphibious landing craft on Morotai, and the Australian are cemetery at Tantui on Ambon are evidence of another cruel and bloody period in Moluccas history-the Japanese occupation from 1939-1945.
Today, this province divided two regions. There are South Moluccas province and North Moluccas Province. Issues about conflict in Ambon have reduced much. Now this province can be visited by tourism. Safety and stability is commitment government duty to assure citizen for their live.
Source: Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore