BURU ISLAND, MALUKU

Actually it was not our plan to go to this island, we planned to go to Banda island. It was not easy to go to Banda Island, there was some transportations to go but the ferry goes only 2 times in 2 weeks and the schedule was not sure. There was flight as well on Merpati Air, with old air craft made us scared to go and the flight was depend of the passenger, if no passenger they wont go.
Finally, his is my favorite island during trip in Maluku. People are very nice and friendly, everything is very clean, not so many tourist, and it is beautiful !!
We went to this island by Ferry from Ambon (Galala port). The ferry left to Buru (Namlea port) at 20.00 but we had to go in the early morning to buy the tickets or if you come later you would have none ticket. In my opinion there was one bad point because people were not able to queue in the locket. So you have to obtain your ticket ;). The ticket price is Rp 80.000,- for business class. I suggest you to take business class or VIP class, don't take lower because its very bed, you will sit on the floor with so many people.

The business ticket, Ambon to Buru

We left our hotel at 18.00 because Ambon is so crowded and went there by Roy's taxi again because we had many luggages, for Rp 100.000,-. There is some angkots to go to Galala port, only for Rp 5000. The trip took 8 hours from Ambon to Buru island, we had our bed in the ferry,it was full of people and very hot inside so we decided to go to the top of the ferry where we enjoyed fresh air and dinner.

at the top of the ferry

at the top of the ferry 

Transportation on this island is very bad, there are only few bus and angkot that can provide you you transportation. We arrived in Namlea port around 04.00 in the early morning. We went to the city by taxi and as usually we had to make a deal before with the price, and finally we had it for Rp 100.000,.

• First Day ( August 22nd, 2013)

We arrived in our hotel, Grand Sarah hotel. It is nice hotel with the city view. We putted our luggages in the receptionist, because we arrived in early morning and was not able to check in earlier. So, we wanted to go to the city while waiting for check in time and it was no trasportation to go lol. Fortunately one of the staff of this hotel provide us transportation, he rented his motorcycle to us for Rp 100.000,-/day and then he came with us to made small tour in Namlea city. His name is Jefry, he is nice guy and gave us one book about Buru.  

We went to the village, which is at the top in the mountain. We had good view along the way and then we went back to the city. We made a tour at the traditional market and the village just behind the market, then had a breakfast just next the traditional market. 

The view from the village

Baby chickens, with cute colors LOL

The village just behind the traditional market 

Our first breakfast in Namle 

After that we went back to the hotel to had shower and had a nap lol. We continue our tour in the afternoon, we went to Jikumerasa beach. It tooks 30 minutes from the city by motorcycle. It was nice along the way with ocean view and nice people.  We were swimming during the sunset. But it was not very good color on the beach, because we woke up late and missed the sunlight. 

Jikumerasa Beach

Jikumerasa Beach

Jikumrasa Beach

On the way back to the city

On the way back to the city

We went back to city and looking for another accommodation for next day, because we wanted to move with a different environment. Finally we found one home stay which is in the city and very clean, the name of the home stay is Asia Jaya home stay. And we had dinner just at the front of the home stay, it was very good meal : fried rice ala Buru and orange juice. Yummy ^^

That was for our first day, we went back to hotel and sleep ;)

• Second Day ( August 23rd, 2013)

We had special breakfast in front of the hotel with city view, it was so beautiful and Suddenly jefry came to us and apologize that he can’t rent his motorcycle for today.

The city view at the front of the hotel 

Finally we went to petrol station to ask the staff to rent his motorcycle during he works in petrol station and I dont know why jeffry called me and said that he will rent his motorcycle for today lol. So, today we had motorcycle to travel ^^

Then we went to traditional market to buy yellow curry and something to eat. We wanted to go to Kailey fort in the island just next Buru from the small port in Namlea, but it was so expensive for us. If you wanna go there you have to pay Rp 300.000 and Rp 300.000 again to go back by small boat.

Yellow curry at the traditional market 

Small port in Namlea

In the afternoon we moved to other home stay which was we had visited the day before (Asia Jaya Homestay) for Rp 200.000,-/night . It was nice and very clean, and the owner has restaurant as well just in front of it. We had lunch there before started our trip and jefry came to the restaurant with our motorcylce ;)

We went  to Jikumearasa lake, Jikumerasa village and Jikumerasa river. Everything was very clean, I love to be here. People are taking care of the nature and always clean their environment. We were swimming at Jikumerasa beach under the sun and we had small jellyfish attacked lol. I dont know why they came today, the day before was ok and no jellyfish on this beach. This beach has a bathroom to have shower and there was home stay as well but not ready to use because it was still under construction.

Jikumerasa Beach

Jikumerasa Beach

Jikumerasa Beach

Jikumerasa Beach

Jikumerasa Beach

Jikumerasa Beach

Some people were fishing at Jikumerasa beach

Jikumerasa River

Jikumerasa River

Jikumerasa bridge

Jikumerasa River

Jikumerasa River

We were walking in the village to go to the lake and we met some people who were so friendly and always smiling. It was good day and was so sunny, so we took nice pictures with the sunlight ^^. You can go to another side of Jikumerasa lake with the boat of the local people on the village. 

The village just next Jikumerasa lake

Jikumerasa lake

In the end of our trip today, we went to the other side of Jikumerasa beach to enjoy the sunset. It was beautiful and we were talking with the local people as well, they are always friendly and welcoming. Im falling in love with this island lol

Sunset on the other side of Jikumerasa beach

Sunset on the other side of Jikumerasa beach

Sunset on the other side of Jikumerasa beach

We went back to the city and had a dinner in the same restaurant just in fron of our home stay. I've forgotten to tell you that in the afternoon we met one guy who was able to speak english with us and he asked us to have a drink and enjoy the night at the small port. So after dinner before we went to bed, we were enjoying our night with our new friend ^^

• Third day (August 24th, 2013)

Yeah that was our last day in Buru :( . In the early morning I had to go to the harbour to book ferry tickets to go back to Ambon and we got VIP ticket, for Rp 120.000/person

The VIP ticket, Buru to Ambon

I can tell you that was not easy to get VIP ticket, you have to know someone at the harbour or book it the day before. I went back to the hotel to had breakfast and prepare everything to go back to Ambon, the ferry will leave at 20.00. In our third day, we rented motorcycle from a guy who works at the patrol station, for Rp 120.000/day.

Yeah, our last trip in Buru began and Jefrry came with ous to travel together ^^. We went to traditional market to bought delicious tea from Buru. Then we went to Namniwel lake, which was one hour by motorcycle from our hotel at the city center. Then we went to Waprea Village, there was nice village. It was clean and nice people. We visited the waterfall and the beach. 

Namniwel Lake 

Namniwel Lake 

Waprea Waterfall 

Waprea Waterfall

Waprea Waterfall

Waprea Waterfall

Waprea Beach 

Red Coral at Waprea Beach

Waprea Beach

Waprea Beach

Waprea Beach

Waprea beach was soooo wonderful, it was very clean, no polution, no people, no noise and sun. Very good beach to relax !! So, that was for our third day. We went back to the city, but on the way we were stopping to the small restaurant at the village to had lunch. It was very good restaurant with good orange juice and traditional fried chicken lol. and we were stopping as well at Jikumerasa beach to took a shower, because there was no bathroom or toilet at the Waprea Beach. 

We took our luggages at the hotel and we rent a car for Rp 100.000 to go to the harbour with Jeffry again lol. Jeffry was so kind, he helped us to bring our luggages to the ferry ^^ 

That was for Buru, we went back to Ambon and had dinner at the ferry ;)

Thank you for read my post about my trip in Buru, if you have some questions and want to share something, you can drop me an email at indonesiantraveler93@gmail.com . I will be very happy if you give the comments or share some details of your trip as well. Enjoy your trip and dont forget I can be your tour guide or manage your trip in Indonesia ;)

TAKE CARE OF THE NATURE, KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL AND CLEAN !! ;)

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AMBON, MALUKU

Hello traveler, How are you? Im just back from my trip in Maluku 2 weeks ago with my friend and now I want to share it with you guys. ;) 

We made plan to travel to Maluku together, I helped him to manage all the trip and meeting point was in Surabaya. So, my trip was starting from Semarang (Tawang Station) to Surabaya (Pasar Turi Station) by train (Harina) about 6 hours. And then Juanda Airport Surabaya. It was not easy to go to the airport, and finally I went by taxi, and quite expensive, Rp 150.000. Actually there is a shuttle from train station to the air port but I can tell you that was not easy to catch the shuttle. You have to go first to terminal and then wait til the shuttle will be full. The shuttle goes every 2 hours and costs Rp 30.000,- 

I arrived at airport on  August 17th 2013 at 15.30 and do you know? my flight was on  August 18th at 07.10 on Lion Air LOL. so I was sleeping at airport and fortunately I was not alone, I met my friend at airport for travelling to Maluku together.

was sleeping before the flight LOL

From our window in aircraft

AMBON, MALUKU. 

Finally Arrived in Ambon, Pattimura Airport after 3 hours flight. We were waiting for our luggages for half an hour I guess and we missed the shuttle to go to the city. So bad !!. No choice, so I made a deal with the taxi driver to go to the city, it was Rp 170.000,- and the taxi driver was so friendly and gave us  many informations, his name is Bang Roy. We were enjoying our 1 hour trip to go to Ambon city, it was beautiful and windy. We stayed at Pacific Hotel for 4 days, very good hotel. Clean, towell smells good, good meal, friendly staff and close to everywhere. you can walk to the city center, traditional market, angkot terminal, and only 15 minutes from the harbour. Ambon is nice, good transportation, people are friendly, good foods, but a bit busy and crowded. it was raining everydady when we were there. Dry season is from the end of september until February.

• First day (August 18th, 2013)

We went to PELNI, this is the office where you can ask the schedules of the boat and ferry to go to some islands around Ambon. Then we went to city center to look around, it is quite nice and clean. There is old mall in the city where you can find many cheap things. We went to hairdresser from the mall by becak (pedicap) for Rp 15.000,-. It was raining when we came out of the hair dresser, then we were waiting in front of the hairdresser to go to the other mall to find something to eat and suddenly the staff  came out to help us to find an angkot to got to the mall with an umbrella. Well, we were happy to arrived in the mall where we found our favorite bread, it was Bread Talk shop . We went back to the hotel and had dinner there, the fried rice we ordered was very good. It was great to see that there was good cookers at the restaurant.

• Second Day (August 19th, 2013)

It was raining in the morning when we woke up. We had breakfast at the hotel, it was very good breakfast : Bread, butter and orange. Fortunately, the weather became sunny again.^^. We went to the harbour (Pelabuhan kecil) by walk, to ask some informations to go to Buru for the next trip and they said that the ferry was going every two days.

The Harbour (Pelabuhan Kecil), with big Ship

We were walking on the other side of the city, and then we visited the biggest mosque of Ambon. 

in the evening we were going to Natsepa beach to enjoy the sunset and find something for the late lunch ^^. How to go there? catch angkot to go to Suli or Hatu from Pasar Mardika (Mardika Traditional Market) and ask to stop in Natsepa beach, costs Rp 5000. After 20 minutes we arrived at Natsepa Beach and bought fried casava for the late lunch only for Rp 8.000,-. We enjoyed our lunch on the beach with fresh air and with a beautiful view. Then we were swimming during the sunset ;)

Pasar Mardika (Mardika Traditional Market)

Natsepa Beach

Natsepa Beach

Natsepa Beach

Natsepa Beach

Natsepa Beach

Natsepa Beach

Natsepa Beach

Natsepa Beach 

There is a bath room to have shower after swimming and you can put the bags while you go swim at the guide beach’s house just next the bathroom for Rp 10.000,-. We went back to the city (Pasar Mardika) by the same angkot and we had dinner at Berkat Ambonia Restaurant, we went by becak to this Restaurant for Rp 15.000,-  You can eat pork in this restaurant, very good menu and big meal lol

During our dinner, we were talking about Buru island with the guy just next our table, he was from Buru island and gave us some informations. He said it is better to go to Buru island from Galala port than the port we had visited in the morning, with better ferry. And fortunately he will go to Buru at the same day as we plan to go. So, see you in ferry ^^ 

• Third day (August 20th, 2013)

We went to some beaches in Ambon which were a bit far from the city. Felawatu beach, Pintu Kota beach and Santai beach. How to go there? We went by angkot to go to Latuhalat from Pasar Mardika and asked to stop in felawatu beach, cost Rp 7000,-/person. The angkot stopped in the main road and we walked to the beach around 1 Km, but if you prefer you can go by “ojek” to the beach for Rp 10.000,- /person. We were walking with some boys who were just back from school and they were so kind,  bring us to go to Felawatu beach. There was some people who were fishing on this beach.  I can tell you that this beach is not very special, and it was not good idea to swim.

Felawatu Beach

We only took a picture and then went to Pintu Kota Beach. We were walking around 2 Km to the beach, actually there was an angkot to go to Pintu Kota beach but you have to wait for hours. Anyway, better to go walk with nice people and a nice view on the way. You can go from Ambon city (“Pasar Mardika”)  to Pintu Kota Beach by an angkot to Air louw and then ask for stopping in Pintu Kota Beach.

On the way to Pintu Kota Beach

We had to pay to visit Pintu Kota Beach, the ticket was Rp 2000,-/person.  It was nice beach with nice view, strong waves and there were stairs to go to the top of the hill to see the ocean. it was Beautiful !! 

Pintu Kota beach

From the top of the hill in Pintu Kota beach

From the top of the hill in Pintu Kota beach

Then we went to the last beach of our trip that day and our favorite beach was Santai beach ^^

We were walking and fortunately there was angkot on the way, so we took it to go to Santai beach lol. It was very beautiful beach with white sand and blue water, nice people, there was a bathroom to have shower and finally the sun appeared for us and we swam and enjoyed the sun. ;)

We had to pay Rp 5000,-/person to go to this beach and if you want to stay, there is a homestay just next the beach for Rp 170.000/night. It is only for room, not include the meal.

Home stay on Santai beach

Santai beach

Santai beach

Santai beach

Santai beach

Santai beach

Santai beach

People were helping a fisherman who was just back from fishing

We went back with the same angkot to the city (Pasar Mardika) and we went by becak for Rp 15.000,- to Istana Berkat Restaurant where we had dinner. it was very good meal and seafood. Yummy ^^ and after we went to book store just next the restaurant to buy some post cards to send to our friends. That was for today and we went back to the hotel

• Forth day (August 21st, 2013)

We woke up in the early morning to went to Galala port to buy the tickets to go to Buru island in the evening, you have to buy it in the early morning or if you come later you wouldn't have none tickets lol. Finally we got our tickets to go to Buru island, business class Rp 80.000,-/person. We went back to the hotel to have breakfast and after we went to the post office to send some post cards to our friends and on the way we stopped to the biggest church of Ambon. It was nice church and clean.  After we were walking in the city to have a look for some hotels for us, effectively we had to plan where to stay of our last day in Ambon, on the way we stopped in the bakery for snack time, the name of  this is Sarinda Bakery. They have good cakes and bread, so yummy ^^.
We went to city center and took some picurets before leaving to buru lol. Then we had lunch in Panorama Cafe, this restaurant is at the top of the city, so you will have a nice city scenery from there.

city center of Ambon

city center of Ambon

The view from Panorama cafe

The view from Panorama cafe

That was for our forth day in Ambon, we went back to the hotel to take our luggages and we went to Galala port to go to Buru island by Roy's taxi again for Rp 100.000,-
Don' forget to read my post about BURU ISLAND, see you in the next post ^^

*Useful Information

• There is laundry service after the small bridge just behind the biggest mosque of Ambon, the name of the mosque is "Masjid Raya Al Fatah" we putted our laundry there. Rp 30.000 for 5 Kg cloths for 3 days service. You can ask for one day service with double price 
• I suggest you to use BNI ATM to take some money from ATM in Ambon, we had no problem with those ATM.

Transportation

Transportation on this island is good, you can go everywhere by public transportation. No taxi with taximeter, so you always have to make a deal with the driver about the price. Actually it is not real taxi in Ambon, only car with the driver who always ask you to go to the place where you want.

ANGKOT 

Public transportation with some people inside, in Ambon the "Angkot" stop is at "Pasar Mardika" (Mardika Traditional Market). So you can catch "Angkot" to go to everywhere from Pasar Mardika. 

OJEK 

It's like a taxi but instead of using car, they use motorcycle.

BECAK 

Cycle transportation with the driver at the back. 

Where to stay :

1. Pacific Hotel  

    Jalan Cendrawasih no 8 Ambon. Telephone +6285343244557 

2. Swiss-belhotel Ambon

    Jalan Banteng Kapaha, Ambon. Telephone 0911-322888 

3. Everbright Hotel 

    Jalan Cendrawasih no 20 Ambon. Telephone 0911-343699 

4. Victoria Guest House

     Jalan Slamet Riyadi no 2 Ambon. Telephone 0911-3880000 / 0911-341234

5. CitiHub Hero Hotel 

    Jalan Wem Reawaru 7B Ambon. Telephone 0911-342898

6. The Amboina Hotel 

     Jalan Kapitan Ulupaha No. 5A Ambon. Telephone 0911-341725

7. Mutiara Hotel

    Jalan Pattimura 12, Ambon. Telephone 0911-353075 / 0911-353873 / 0911-353874

8. Colin Beach Hotel

    about Rp 200.000/ night, AC and include breakfast.

    Standing right next to Namalatu Beach in the village of Latuhalat just 30 minutes from city center (0911 – 323125)

9. Pak Agus Homestay

    Just across the road from Namalatu Beach, about Rp 150.000/night with AC

10. Santai Beach Cottages

      In Santai Beach, Rp 170.000/night 

Where to eat :

1. Istana Berkat Restaurant 

    Jalan Diponegoro Ambon. Telephone 0911-355899

    (Indonesian food)

2. Berkat Ambonia Restaurant 

    Jalan Diponegoro Ambon. Telephone 0911-342802

    (Indonesian food and you can eat pork here)

3. Rumah Tahoe Ambon 

    Jalan Kakialy No. 4 Ambon. Telephone 081243457355

    (Indonesian and Italian food. Open from 13.00 - 19.00) 

4. Panorama Cafe 

5. Sarinda Bakery 

    Jalan Sultan Hairun (in front of BCA Bank)

    0911 - 355109

Thank you for read my post about my trip in Ambon, if you have some questions and want to share something, you can drop me an email at indonesiantraveler93@gmail.com . I will be very happy if you give the comments or share some details of your trip as well. Enjoy your trip and dont forget I can be your tour guide or manage your trip in Indonesia ;)

TAKE CARE OF THE NATURE, KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL AND CLEAN !! ;)

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