Destinations in Indonesia

Since early in the last millennium, the small islands of Ternate and Tidore in the Moluccas were the only source for cloves in the world. Indian, Arab, Chinese and Javanese merchants used to call on these islands to carry home this precious cargo which sold at exorbitant prices in Europe and the Orient. Cloves, together with nutmeg and mace from the Banda islands were used to flavor and preserve food, as medicines and even as aphrodisiacs.

But after the Crusades, the trade route to the Far East was blocked for the Europeans, so the Portuguese, Spaniards, British and the Dutch were determined to discover for themselves the fabled Spice islands.

Vasco da Gama was the first to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa to reach India. Then, from India, the Portuguese finally found the route to the Moluccas in 1521, and arrived in the spice islands of Ternate and Tidore and the Banda islands, then the only source for nutmeg and mace. To get there, the Portuguese seafarers traveled 14,000 kilometers - nearly 9,000 miles – crossing uncharted seas, and overcoming storms, high swells and tropical monsoons.

At the time, there was already a thriving sultanate (kingdom) on Ternate. But with the arrival of the Spaniards, the Dutch and the British, the fight began among the European powers for the monopoly of the spice trade, which was finally wrested by the Dutch.

Towards the end of the 16th century, Dutch governor general Jan Pieterszoon Coen replanted cloves to Ambon where the Dutch were in control, then brutally wiped out all the clove plants on Ternate and Tidore, These actions, known as the hongi expeditions, instantly doused the domination of the sultanates of Ternate and Tidore and decimated the main income of the islands’ population. From that time onwards, Ternate and Tidore became forgotten pages in history.

Ternate and Tidore are two almost identical small islands, west of the large island of Halmahera, almost facing one another, each shaped by a volcano emerging from the deep Maluku Sea.  While if Ternate is dominated by Mount Gamalama, in Tidore rises Mount Kiemtabu.

Today, the town of Ternate is the capital city of the province of North Maluku, home to two thirds of the islands population, who are predominantly Muslim.  Here, you can visit historical relics and observe local cultural traditions. The city is a modern hub and a base for the commercial activities of the island. It has business centers, historical attractions, transportation links, and tourism services. The city is also in the midst of development to reform the building and structural damage sustained during the 1999 conflict between Muslims and Christians. In contrast Tidore is dotted with small villages around the island.

The business district of Ternate is an interesting place to take a walk and see the tasteful food sellers which adorn the streets. The walkway is so long it has five names; Jl Sultan Khairun, Jl Merdeka, Jl Mononutu, Jl Hasan Esa and eventually Jl Raya Bastiong. There are also plans to develop a mega mall.

The volcanic landscape of Ternate has given the island its fertile soil and beaches with black glittering sands. Today, all around the island are colorful boats in various sizes lying in the shallow turquoise water, shielded by swaying coconut trees.

For culinary and history lovers, the island is a flavorsome and historical delight that will satisfy any craving for knowledge or desire to enjoy appetizing cooking. Entertainment from the friendly locals is also something to experience.  

Basic accommodation and losmen are available on Ternate island. These include:
 
Losmen Pelangi
Jl. Jati Selatan No. 338
Phone: +62 921 22180, 23445

Losmen Kita
Jl. Stadion
Phone: +62 921 21920

Hotel Harmonic
Jl. Kamboja
Phone: +62 921 23861

Losmen Barokah
Jl. Tolukko
Phone: +62 921 23103

Ternate City Hotel
Jl. Nuku Muhajirin
Phone: +62 921 22555, 22777, Fax.+62 921 22630

Losmen Oryza
Jl. Kapitan Pattimura Tanah Masjid
Phone: +62 921 24341

Nauli
Jl. Nuku
Phone: +62 921 21353

Anda Baru
Jl. Kutilang
Phone: +62 921 21262

Crisant
Jl. Ahmad Yani
Phone: +62 921 21288

El Shinta
Jl. Pahlawan Revolusi
Phone: +62 921 22216 – 236

Neraca
Jl. Pahlawan Revolusi
Phone: +62 921 22534

Nirwana
Jl. Pahlawan Revolusi
Phone: +62 921 21787

Ayu Lestari
Jl. Pelabuhan Feri Bastiong
Phone: +62 921 256 10

Indah
Jl. Busoiri
Phone: +62 921 21334

Merdeka
Jl. Merdeka
Phone: +62 921 21120

Nusantara
Jl. Salim Fabanyo
Phone: +62 921 21086

Sejahtera
Jl. Salim Fabanyo
Phone: +62 921 21139

Hotel Puri Azzalia
Jl. Monomutu
Phone: (0921)-21959
Hotel Archie
Jl. Nukila
Phone: (0921)-21197|3110555

The road circling Ternate makes it easily accessible by local transport such as Ojeks (motorbike taxi) or Bemos (minivan public transportation)

Garuda Indonesia now flies to Ternate from Jakarta with transit in Manado.

The Babullah Airport serves the island with various flights, including:
Bela Travel (Jl Bosoiri), Lion Air, Wings Air (Almas Mega Travel; Jl Pattimura), Trigana Air (Archie Travel; Jl Raya Bastiong), Express Air (Jl Stadion), and Merpati (Jl Bosoiri).
If you wish to travel by boat, the North Maluku shipping hub is located at Ternate, and the PELNI liners harbor at Ahmad Yani port.
 
Sangiang goes around the island of Halmahera but the schedule is irregular so check the schedule at the office of Ahmad Yani port regularly. Nggapulu and Sinabung transit at Ternate from and to Sorong, Papua and Bitung, North Sulawesi. Lambelu connects Ternate and Ambon, stops by Namlea (Buru). This sails eastbound only.
Slow boats RM Theodora or Intim Teratai both sail to Manado, North Sulawesi on Saturdays/ Thursdays and to Sanana on Tuesday / Thursday.
Jetties are also available at Bastiong. These connect Ternate and Tidore (Rum) with ferries leaving at 7 am. The ferries also go to Bitung overnight at 10 am on Wednesdays, and 5 pm on Saturdays.
Dufa-dufa jetty connects Ternate with speedboat to Halmahera. Kota Baru jetty connects Ternate with speedboat daily to Sofifi, Halmahera. Mesjid Baru, Jati Mall and Swering also connects Ternate with speedboats to Halmahera and Tidore.

Many warungs offer cheap and good value Indonesian food. Visit the street warungs at Dufa-dufa harbor. They offer tasty delicacies in a uniquely Ternate style.
The more upmarket eateries are located outside the city in Terau and Ngade. These include:
Restoran Floridas
Jl. Raya Ngade / Laguna, Ternate, Maluku Utara
+62 921-3124430

Although it only has an area of 15 square kilometers, Ternate Island has a number of with sights and experiences to explore.  
Hike to the peak of a volcano. For any visitor to Ternate Island, Mount Gamalama is a must see. Tours to the mountain are available and offer a safe way to explore the volcano. A local guide will escort you through the 5 hour trek to the mountains peak, 1271 meters above sea level.
Learn about the life of Ternate royalty with a visitor to the Kedaton or Sultan’s Palace. Built in 1796, this still serves in part as a family home. There is special section of the Kedaton that acts as a museum, where the sister of the Sultan provides visitors with information about Ternate and related places of interest in excellent English. If you have planned ahead and obtained permission from the Sultan, you can see the Sultan’s crown worn only at coronations. Legend has it that the crown presents ‘growing hair’, which needs regular trimming. The people believe that parading the crown around the island prevents disaster, and has prevented Mount Gamalama from erupting in the past.  
The Sultan’s Mosque is also an interesting place to visit. Take the chance to admire the impressive heavy timberwork of the interior.
Other attractions in Ternate include Benteng Oranye which once served as the office of East Indies Company (VOC) and also as the base for the Dutch governor of Ternate.
Walk around the ancient Tolukko Fort. Built in 1512 by the Portuguese this was the first fort built in Ternate. Red Wood Fort is also worth visiting for its splendid scenery.
Visit the stunning Tolire Besar Lake, a spectacular crater lake in the North of the island. Enjoy the view of the dramatic landscape, especially the magnificent lake surrounded by thick forests.