Ambon, Moluccas (Indonesia)
According to Toppharmacyschools, the city of Kota Ambon is located on the island of Ambon and is the capital of the Moluccas. The landscape on the island is predominantly mountainous, and the coast is replete with small bays.
The island was the epicenter of the 1999-2002 riots and was closed to tourists, but is now relatively calm. Ambon is the main transport hub of the Moluccas, but tourists still need permission to visit Ambon, which can sometimes be obtained at the airport upon arrival.
The northern peninsula of the island, called Leihutu, is Muslim, while the smaller southern one (Leitimur) is Christian. The capital of the island, Kota Ambon, is also divided into Christian and Muslim parts, the border between which is guarded by the military. When moving around the island, you need to remember that, basically, all transport goes between religious zones – i.e. from Muslim to Muslim, or from Christian to Christian, but not between zones. There are few hotels in the city itself and on the island.
The city of Kota Ambon, founded by the Dutch in 1517, was a quiet colonial town, but during the Second World War it was destroyed. Now it is an ordinary city in which there are no attractions.
On the southern coast of the Leytimur peninsula in the villages of Namalatu and Latuhalat there are several dive centers and beaches. But the most popular white sand beach of Natsepa is located on the Muslim part of the island, 15 km from Kota Ambon. On weekends, there are several eateries here, and the rest of the time you can live in bungalows of several hotels located right there.
A kilometer off the east coast of the island is the islet of Pombo, which has a popular large coral reef.
Near the city of Hila (Hila) in the eastern part of the Leihutu peninsula are the ruins of the Amsterdam Fort (Benteng Amsterdam).
Balikpapan, East Kalimantan (Indonesia)
Balikpapan is a major port on the east coast of Kalimantan. The city is the center of the main oil-producing region of Indonesia, where the oil refining and timber industries are developed.
For tourists, Balikpapan is remarkable in that it is the starting point for traveling along the main river of the island – Mahakam. Such a cruise is the best way to get to know the island and see the flora and fauna of the wild jungle.
Batam, Batam island (Indonesia)
Batam is an island in the Strait of Malacca, not far from Singapore. It is one of the largest islands in the Riau archipelago and the fastest growing tourist center in Indonesia. More recently, it was just one of the islands of Indonesia with fishing villages and untouched nature. But in 1989, the island was declared a free trade zone, resulting in a modern airport, business and tourist centers, and construction is still ongoing, just a few years later. Hang Nadim Airport can serve large passenger aircraft, from here you can get to Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandun, Medan, Pekanbaru, Jambi, Padanga, Palembanga, Thinking, Johor Bahru, Natuna, Pankalpinana.
The local population is represented mainly by Malays, but there are also many other ethnic groups from all over Indonesia who have moved here in the hope of a better life. The predominant religion is Islam.
Now there are several resorts with both modern 5-star hotels and expensive golf clubs, as well as with inexpensive housing. The most expensive hotels are located in the northern part of the island in the resort of Nongsa and in Nagoya. Many tourists use Batam as a transit point, which can be reached by ferry from Singapore in just 45 minutes, and then go to other islands of Indonesia. Most tourists enter the island through the port of Sekupang. Ferries from Singapore run constantly, from morning to evening. Ferries to the Karimun and Sumatra islands also depart from here. In the city it is easy to catch a taxi or use public transport to anywhere on the island. Not far from Sekupang, on the west coast of Batam, there is a resort area Waterfront popular with the residents of Singapore. It has a wide range of water activities on the beach and nightclubs.
The capital of Batam is the city of Nagoya.. The city does not differ in terms of architecture, there is nothing to see here, but there are many shops, vibrant nightlife, cafes and restaurants, discos and karaoke bars. It is also the financial and commercial center of the island. There are a lot of banks in Nagoya, you can easily find a currency exchange office or an ATM. Singapore dollars circulate on par with Indonesian rupees. Not far from Nagoya is the port of Batu Ampar, from where ferries leave for Singapore (less often than from Sekupang) and Malaysia.
The main resort of Batam is the Nongsa peninsula in the northwest, it is an hour’s drive from Sekupang. Rest in this resort, mainly residents of Singapore, hotels there are only expensive ones, there are golf clubs.
There are no resorts in the southern part of the island. In the vicinity of the village of Kabil, the construction of the huge port “Port of Asia” continues, which, after construction is completed, will be able to receive very large ships. From Telaga Pungur, which is 30 km from Nagoya, boats leave for Bintan Island and other islands south of Batam.
Batam is a duty free zone and you can buy cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, perfumes and chocolates in Nagoya or at the ferry stop. Also here you can find local handicrafts of the entire Indonesian archipelago.
Baubau, Buton Island (Indonesia)
Baubau is the capital of the island of Buton, which is located off the southeastern tip of the island of Sulawesi. The city is a transit point on the way to Sulawesi or the Moluccas.
In the 16th century, Baubau was the capital of the Wolio Sultanate, which ruled the island of Buton and several smaller nearby islands. From the Sultan’s citadel, well-preserved walls remain, which offer a magnificent view of the city and the bay. At 500 meters from the southern entrance to the citadel, a cultural center is located in the restored palace, where a local festival is held in September. On the coast of the island, 10-11 km from Bubau, there are also several beaches.
