Choose Your Activity
Choose Where You Sleep
- Katharina
- Ombak Putih
Indonesia Cultural Discovery
Choose where you sleep
- Katharina
- Ombak Putih
East of Bali there is a world of exotic cultures and breathtaking natural beauty. This area is as enchanting as it is remote. On board the Ombak Putih you will sail by smoldering volcanoes that arise from the sea and you can go ashore on uninhabited islands. You will visit quaint historic harbours, superb tropical beaches, pristine coral reefs and go to places where time has literally been standing still, such as the last remaining domain of the prehistoric Komodo dragon…
In the Indonesian language “Ombak Putih” means “White Wave” and her gracious beauty makes her instantly recognizable. She is a familiar sight from Bali to Papua and from Sulawesi to Savu. Having logged close to a hundred thousand miles over the past ten years, her captain and crew know more about the remote islands of Indonesia than most and there are very few bays in this part of the world where she has not yet anchored…
Whenever possible the Ombak Putih will raise her sails - more than six hundred square metres of them - but there often are long periods of very light winds so the engine is also used to safeguard the schedule.
An attentive but discrete crew takes care of everything. Most of the sailing is done at night and while you sleep, the captain is on the bridge to take you to yet another splendid anchorage or another lovely harbour. Every new day you will wake up to another surprise.
The Ombak Putih's chefs were trained by a well known Bali restaurateur and all meals are prepared with the freshest and best ingredients available: vegetables, fruits and poultry from the highlands of Flores, fish freshly caught by local fishermen and bread specially baked by a master French baker in Bali. All cruises are on a full board basis. Bottled water, coffee and tea are free of charge and available on self service basis 24 hours per day.
There is a well-stocked bar on board from which you may order a selection of alcohol and wines at reasonable prices. At the end of the cruise you only need to pay for beer, wines and spirits consumed during the cruise.
On every leisure expedition there is an experienced European cruise director on board. These are seasoned professionals who live most of their time in Indonesia, speak the local language and are very knowledgeable about the areas the Ombak Putih visits. Their task is to organise the shore excursions and they are on board to assist you and to answer any questions.
Daily radio/satellite telephone contact with the head office in Bali guarantees that both the guests and the crew are kept up to date with current events and everyone can be reached in case of emergencies.
Notes
7D Bali-Komodo-Flores
Day 1:
Embarkation in Serangan (Turtle Island), east Bali. Meet at 09:00 am at the wooden jetty in front of the Dolphinarium. After boarding and settling in on board, the Ombak Putih will depart sailing up along the east coast of Bali. After lunch, disembark on the bay of Ambo (Teluk Ambo). Here, you will visit the Water Palace of Amlapura and will admire the rice terraces of a rarely visited region of Bali (northeast). At night, the ship will cross the famous “Wallace Line”. The Lombok Strait between Bali and Lombok marks an important ecological boundary, first described by Sir Alfred Russel Wallace, the famous 19th century Welsh naturalist. Wallace noticed that islands west of this demarcation are home to Asiatic animal and plant species, whereas the islands located on the east side display a greater similarity to species found in Australia.
Day 2:
Docked in Labuhan Lombok, east Lombok, after breakfast, board a local coach for a tour into the interior of east Lombok, untouched by the crowds frequenting the west part of the island (Senggigi, Gili’s), where you can visit a pottery village, attend a local dance performance and enjoy a real Sasak (indigenous people of Lombok). Lunch on the way. After re-embarkation, the boat will move to the small island of Kondo, where you will have a visit a coral conservation project and have a refreshing swim and snorkel inspecting the local reef.
Day 3:
Today, set foot on the island of Satonda with its stunning crater lake and beautiful coral gardens along the coast line. Located just a couple of miles off the north-west coast of Sumbawa, Satonda is what remained of an extinct volcano of which the caldera was filled with water when nearby Mount Tambora erupted in 1815. This was the biggest volcanic eruption in the collective memory of mankind, much larger than Krakatoa. With an estimated volume of 160 cubic kilometers of rocks and ash ejected from the volcano the following year became known as the “year without a summer” because of the effect on North American and European weather. A highlight of today’s visit to Satonda is the sight of thousands of flying foxes that commute at dusk from the island to feed on the mainland, returning before first light the next day. Immediately after sunset, Ombak Putih leaves for an overnight passage on a course due east.
Day 4:
Arrival in the morning at Wera on the east coast of the island of Sumbawa. Wera is a Buginese settlement famous for its boatbuilding. Here we will see all kinds of craft in various stages of construction, much the way the Katharina was built in 1998. Take a stroll through the village and enjoy a chat with the friendly local people. If weather would prohibit a safe landing, the boat will sail to Sangean island, an active volcano towering 1800 meters above the surrounding waters. Here, you can meet the people of the tiny settlement on the island and make a short hike testing the steepness of the volcano. In the afternoon, proceed to the island of Banta, the first within the boundaries of the Komodo National Park, uninhabited and perfect for some excellent swimming and snorkelling.
Day 5
:
Wake up with the boat at anchor off Komodo Island, one of 80 odd islands of Komodo National Park. Go ashore at the ranger station in Loh Liang for an early morning trek through the Park searching for the Komodo Lizards. In the setting of a dry and rugged landscape, you will meet the enormous creatures that come closest to anything you ever fancied of prehistory. After re-embarking, sail to a beach, called ‘red-beach’ because of the particles of red coral mingled with the sand. Here, you can swim and snorkel over one of the ‘richest’ reefs in Eastern Indonesia. Enjoy the incredible variety of coral and fish on display underneath.
Day 6:
Today, make a visit to the ranger station of Loh Buaya on Rinca Island. This island is well-known for its diverse wildlife. Apart from Komodo dragons, you may spot monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer. From the top of the hills, the scenery is spectacular. In the evening the crew will prepare an evening beach barbecue. Late at night, the boat will sail to the bay of Labuhanbajo.
Day 7:
After a last early morning swim, say goodbye to the crew and leave the boat. Time permitting we will visit the market or attend a demonstration of the whip dance in the village of Melo a 30-minute drive from the centre of Labuhanbajo.
Includes: full board, AC cabins with private h/c shower and toilet, tea and coffee, towels, excursions, use of snorkeling gear and sea canoes, transfer from the boat to airport in Labuhanbajo at the end of the trip, European cruise director and gifts.
Excludes: Local airfares, beverages, Komodo National Park entrance fee, crew gratuities, laundry, transfer from airport/hotel to the ship in Serangan at the start of the trip
Itineraries subject to change without notice due to sea and weather conditions, availability of safe anchorage, government regulations and other factors beyond the crew's control.
Notes
** Komodo National Park Fee of US$15 per adult and US$7.50 for children under 16 years old for visits of up to 3 days will be payable on board7D Flores-Komodo-Bali
Day 1
:
Upon arrival in Labuhanbajo, make a visit to the village of Melo to attend a performance of the traditional ‘whip-dance’, a test of daring and skill for which the men of the Western portion of Flores are famous. Two men, protected by rattan shields, accompanied by an orchestra of local instruments, hit each other fiercely with a rattan whip. Lightning quick moves defend each from the objective…to inflict a wound on the back of the other. The winner is loudly applauded and cheered. Upon return we embark the Ombak Putih. After a few hours of sailing, there will be a stop at the small island of Kelor to swim and snorkel and visit the adjacent island of Kukusan where you’ll meet a settlement of the Bajau people. These ‘sea gypsies’ live in houses on stilts over the water. Originally from Sulawesi and formerly fully nomadic, living on their boats, nowadays the Bajau often occupy more permanent settlements.
Day 2:
Visit the ranger station of Loh Buaya on Rinca Island for a first possible encounter with the famous Komodo dragons. This dry and rugged island is well-known for its diverse wildlife. Apart from dragons, we may spot monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer. From the top of the hills, the scenery is spectacular. In the afternoon, go to one of the beaches nearby for some excellent snorkelling.
Day 3:
Wake up with the boat at anchor off Komodo Island, one of eighty odd islands of Komodo National Park. Go ashore at the ranger station in Loh Liang for an early morning ranger guided trek through the Park searching for the Komodo Lizards. In the setting of a dry and rugged landscape, you will meet these intimidating creatures that are obviously misplaced in today’s world. After re-embarking, the boat will sail to a beach, called ‘red-beach’ because of the particles of red coral mingled with the sand. Here you can swim and snorkel over one of the ‘richest’ reefs in Eastern Indonesia. You will be stunned by the incredible variety of coral and fish on display underneath. Later in the afternoon, make a stop at Gili Lawa Darat. The brave make it to the top of this island that offers one of the best views of the Komodo archipelago.
Day 4:
In the morning, enjoy breakfast off the beach of Gili Banta, uninhabited and perfect for some excellent swimming and snorkelling. After that, proceed to the east coast of Sumbawa to visit the village of Wera. Wera is a Buginese settlement famous for its boatbuilding. Here you will see various types and sizes of traditional styled craft in various stages of construction. Many of the centuries old construction techniques are retained today and are examples of the way the boats (especially the one you are onboard of) were built in recent years. Stroll through the village and enjoy your time with the friendly local people. Night sailing headed west.
Day 5:
Set foot on land at the little known island of Satonda with its stunning crater lake and beautiful coral gardens. Located just a couple of miles off the north-west coast of Sumbawa, Satonda is what remained of an extinct volcano of which the caldera was filled with water when nearby Mount Tambora erupted in 1815. It was the biggest volcanic eruption in the collective memory of mankind, much larger than Krakatoa. With an estimated volume of 160 cubic kilometres of rocks and ash ejected from the volcano the following year became known as the “year without a summer” because of the effect on North American and European weather. A highlight of today’s visit to Satonda is the sight of many thousands of flying foxes that commute at dusk from the island to feed on the mainland, returning before first light the next day. From Satonda, sail to the island of Moyo. Here you will land on the West coast of the island and take a short jungle walk to a local waterfall. Plunge in the pool at the bottom and sense the chill of the sweet fresh water. Night sailing to east Lombok.
Day 6:
Docked in Labuhan Lombok, east Lombok, after breakfast, board a local coach for a tour into the interior of east Lombok. This relatively rural and traditional region is largely untouched by the busy tourist areas frequenting the West part of the island (Senggigi Beach, Gili Islands). Here, you can visit a pottery village, attend a local dance performance and enjoy a real Sasak (indigenous people of Lombok) lunch on the way. After re-embarkation, the boat will move to the small island of Kondo, where you will visit a coral conservation project and have a refreshing swim and snorkel inspection of the local reef. Long night sail to the southwest coast of Lombok Island.
Day 7:
The last day on aboard begins with a relaxing morning on a desert beach at Gili Nanggu (just off the coast of southwest Lombok), your last opportunity for snorkelling and enjoying the warm equatorial waters. Midday will mark your departure sail back to Bali with lunch and time to pack enroute. In Serangan east Bali, disembark and say goodbye to the crew.
Includes: full board, AC cabins (twin/double sharing) with private h/c shower and toilet, tea and coffee, towels, excursions, use of snorkeling gear and sea canoes, transfer from airport to the boat in Labuhanbajo at the start of the trip, European cruise director and gifts.
Excludes: Local airfares, beverages, Komodo National Park entrance fee, crew gratuities, laundry, transfer from the boat to airport/hotel in Seranga/Bali.
Itineraries are subject to change without notice due to sea and weather conditions, availability of safe anchorage, government regulations and other factors beyond the company's control.
Notes
** Komodo National Park Fee of US$15 per adult and US$7.50 for children under 16 years old for visits of up to 3 days will be payable on boardKomodo National Park
Komodo - National Park Cruise 2009 - 2010
Day 1
Embarkation in Labuhanbajo (LBJ), West Flores. After a few hours of sailing we reach our first destination, the uninhabited island of Gili Lawa Laut. Here we spend the first afternoon beachcombing and snorkeling and a quiet night at anchor under the stars.
Day 2
After a refreshing morning dip in the sea, we hoist anchor around nine o’ clock and, after a short sail, make the first stop of the day at the small island of Mesa to visit a settlement of the Baju, the ‘Sea Gypsies’ who are indigenous to the area of the Lintas Strait and live in houses on wooden stilts that are often underwater during the high tide. In the afternoon we move to another deserted beach on nearby Mauan Island in the heart of the National Park. At the end of the afternoon we move to our night anchorage in Komodo Bay.
Day 3
Go ashore at the Rangers station in Loh Liang for a trek on the island that gave its name to the Park. We make the trek in the company of some experienced rangers so we can watch the dragons in their natural habitat. We have lunch while crossing over to nearby Padar Island to another spectacular beach location for more exceptional snorkeling. At the end of the day we move to a protected bay to spend the night at anchor.
Day 4
Visit the rangers station of Loh Buaya on Rinca Island for a second encounter with the fierce dragons, besides which we are likely to encounter much more wildlife. After a short sail along the Northern Coast we also pay a visit to Rinca village. Finally we move to Kelor Island where in the evening our crew will prepare a romantic beach barbecue under the stars.
Day 5
Sail back to Flores and after a morning excursion to witness a spectacular ancient whip fight dance by the local Manggarai people we take you to the Labuan Baju airport for your return flight to Bali.
Includes:
Full board, AC cabins with private h/c shower and toilet, tea and coffee, towels, excursions, use of snorkeling gear and sea canoes, transfer to/from airport in Labuhanbajo, European cruise director .
Excludes:
Airfares, beverages, Komodo National Park entrance fee, crew gratuities, laundry, transfers in Bali.
Itineraries are subject to change without notice due to sea and weather conditions, availability of safe anchorage, government regulations and other factors beyond the operator's control.
Prices
- 2011: Euro 995 per person sharing a double or twin cabin
- 2012: Euro 1095 per person sharing a double or twin cabin
- Children between 2 and 12 benefit from a 25% discount
Notes
** Komodo National Park Fee of US$15 per adult and US$7.50 for children under 16 years old for visits of up to 3 days will be payable on boardWest Papua
New Guinea Coastal Cruise from Timika and Asmat Country to Sorong
Day 1 : touchdown early in the morning at the airport of Timika and immediately transfer to the harbour which is located at the mouth of the local river. Embark the Ombak Putih and departure direction Agats.
Day 2 : the vessel will arrive off Agats, the capital of the Asmat region and will remain there for two days in order to explore the Asmat heartland which is located in a huge expanse of 
swamps and mangroves along the southern coast of Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya). Moving about on local longboats, visit various villages. All Asmat villages are located on river banks and until about 50 years ago this land was completely unexplored and home to fierce warriors. You will see the traditional longhouses (called "jeu") and the exquisite woodcarvings that have made the Asmat people world famous. Learn how they tap the wild sago to satisfy their daily needs. Experience ritual welcome ceremonies and other traditional rituals pertinent to the Asmat tribe. At one stage the Ombak Putih will be surrounded by dozens of war-canoes and the air will be filled with shrieks and shouts expressing a heartfelt 
welcome to the honoured guests coming from overseas.
Day 3 : Continue to explore the Asmat region. Then, in the course of the evening the Ombak Putih will lift anchor and set sail heading for the Triton bay located over 200 nautical miles to the west.
Day 4 : sail the entire day along the swampy coast of West Papua. If winds are favourable, The Ombak Putih's crew will hoist the sails so that you can share the experience of Sir Alfred Wallace who described Phinisi vessels as "more comfortable than the modern day steamers" during his Odysseys through the "Malay Archipelago" (1854-1862). When conditions allow, one or more swim stops will be made.
Day 5 : The Ombak Putih will arrive in Triton bay, certainly one of the most beautiful and undisturbed places of Asia. The scenery is magnificent: tall cliffs, limestone outcrops separated by narrow channels, secluded beaches, turquoise waters.....the perfect pirates' den. You will use tenders to explore the area. If time permits, you may also visit the village of Lobo at the foot of a 3000 feet cliff. Quiet evening in a protected cove and BBQ on the beach.
Day 6 : on the way to the small town of Kaimana, make a stop at Namatote village to search for cliff paintings and other pictorial signs left by ancient inhabitants high on the cliff galleries. In Kaimana, spend a few hours in the centre of town to get the feel of 'urban' Papua. West of Kaimana the boat will sail mile after mile along a coastline of uninhabited, towering mountains covered with thick jungle. Here, in complete wilderness, a roaring river cascades down the jungle-clad mountains and crashes right on the white-sand beach. Plenty of lobsters inhabit the rocky waters around Kiti Kiti.
Day 7 : arrive at Karas island in the bay of Sebakor. Visit local villages or laze around on one of the secluded beaches. Then proceed to the district centre of Fakfak where you may disembark to explore the city. It is one of the few places on the entire coast where the crew has the opportunity to take on fresh supplies.
Day 8 : is a spare day. As the journey leads you through remote areas that lack the infrastructure to provide ships with supplies, bunkering facilities for fuel or any other important supporting services, you need to be open to the unexpected. Delays of various sorts may occur and we know from experience that we must keep our time schedule flexible so we can absorb any potential setbacks.
Day 9 : on the way from Fakfak to the island of Misool, make a stop at one or two of the so-called "Valsche Pisang" islands, and definitely will not skip the desert island of Daram where pristine white beaches populated by myriads of hermit crabs present the perfect site for an unforgettable BBQ. Great snorkelling!
Day 10 : Arrive at the north coast of Misool Island, which is dotted with numerous uninhabited islets and fringed by white-sand beaches and coral reefs; spend the morning snorkelling and exploring these islands. After one or two stops, the Ombak Putih will sail onward to the east-coast of Misool. Few areas in Indonesia can lay claim to such unsurpassed natural beauty as the eastern end of the Misool archipelago; its landscape is typical of 'karst dissolution' so the chain of islands were cut into hundreds of coves and lagoons, high cliffs and limestone overhangs, narrow channels and inlets, caves and jagged rocks as well as countless shaded beaches.... another perfect pirates' den. The reefs are mostly untouched with many underwater caves waiting to be explored. If you feel like doing some rock-climbing, you will enjoy incredible scenery and will have a fair chance of spotting exotic birds, including large hornbills.
Days 11 & 12 : explore more of the world-famous 'Raja Ampat' (four kings) archipelago, located west and north of West Papua's "Bird's Head peninsular. Look for the elusive Wilson's Bird of paradise, take a bath in waterfalls and follow tracks into the jungle. The last night the Ombak Putih will spend at anchor off the island of Mansuar, close to the mainland. Here you can enjoy some final white-sand beaches, clear waters, iridescent reefs, always with the backdrop of thick forests.
Day 13 : after breakfast, say farewell to the crew of the Ombak Putih and disembark on Jeffman Island in front of Sorong, and transfer to the airport of the city for the return flight to Bali.
Important Notices
- As this is a real expedition, leading to places far beyond western civilisation, additional supplies of food and fresh water are not easily obtained. Although the vessel has water making facilities we do wish to let the participants know they should be prepared for economical and responsible individual consumption of fresh water.
- Participants are informed that itinerary and program of our sea voyages occasionally may be modified due to factors beyond our control: unfavourable weather conditions, delay in processing harbour clearances, modified schedules of domestic flights. The cruise director and captain of the Ombak Putih will adjust the program accordingly to the best interest of all.
Please also note that the domestic flights are not included in the fare mentioned. However Symbiosis will be happy to arrange these for you.
| Price USD | 2010 | 2011 |
| person sharing a double or twin cabin | 3,600 | 3,960 |
| per cabin in single occupancy | 5,940 | 6,534 |
| children between 2 and 12 years | 25% discount | |
Maumere - Ternate
In the Wake of Wallace I: Maumere – Ternate
This special cruise itinerary honors one of the first prominent scientists who dared to raise concerns over the environmental impact of human activity……..
150 years ago….
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was a British naturalist and explorer. He is best known for independently proposing a theory of evolution due to natural selection that prompted Charles Darwin to publish his own theory.
From 1854 to 1862, age 31 to 39, Wallace travelled through what is nowadays Malaysia and Indonesia in order to study its nature. His observations of the marked zoological differences across a narrow strait in the archipelago led to his proposing the zoo-geographical boundary now known as the Wallace line. While he was exploring the archipelago, he refined his thoughts about evolution and had his famous insight on natural selection. In 1858 he sent an article outlining his theory to Darwin; it was published, along with a description of Darwin's own theory, in the same year.
Accounts of his studies and adventures were eventually published in 1869 as “The Malay Archipelago” Its full title was The Malay Archipelago: The land of the orang-utan, and the bird of paradise. A narrative of travel, with sketches of man and nature.
This Ombak Putih sailing adventure takes you to many of the exact locations that Wallace describes in his landmark publication and of course we have several copies of Wallace’ s book in the ship’s library.( It was reprinted by PERIPLUS in 2000.)
On day one you will board at Maumere Harbour on Flores. Shortly after your arrival from the airport the vessel will cast off and we take you on an overnight crossing to the Island of Lembata. You will witness your first sunset and have your first dinner at sea.
On day two, with the first rays of the sun we will drop anchor in Waienga Bay. After breakfast we will go ashore near the village of Jontona on the Southeastern flank of the Ile Ape volcano. We drive or walk up to the old traditional village. The Northwestern peninsula is the cultural heartland of Lembata Island and the scenery is exceptionally beautiful. The villages in this area are famous for their fine ‘ikat’ cloths and we will be able to witness how these remarkable textiles are made, following tedious, age-old techniques of spinning, dying and weaving. Weather permitting we will trek further up the Ile Ape Mountain where we find several traditional ‘adat’ houses. In the afternoon, once we hike back down to the coast and we are back aboard, Ombak Putih will sail out of the bay and the skipper will look for a convenient anchorage on the Lembata north Coast where we can go for a swim and enjoy the sunset. Around midnight we raise the anchor again to go on a short overnight crossing to one of the most remarkable sights in Eastern Indonesia.
On day three you will wake up with the ship at anchor off the Island of Kumba, a smouldering volcano in the middle of the Flores Sea. If the conditions allow us to do so we will go ashore on one of the pebble beaches and usually we can even go snorkelling ‘under the volcano’. The ship will leave again in the course of the morning and we hope for gentle trade winds to help us move swiftly on the 120 mile passage across the Flores Sea.
On day four we reach the first islands in the Tukang Besi archipelago, southeast of Sulawesi. This group of islands stretches over about 30 miles and we will stop near the best reefs and beaches. On these islands we will make our first acquaintance with the Bajau people. These 'sea gypsies’ live in houses on stilts over the water. Formerly they were fully nomadic, living on their boats, but nowadays they often occupy more permanent settlements. The Bajau use trident harpoons and bamboo spears to hunt the giant stingray, sometimes employing its poisonous spine as a point for daggers. The government tries to resettle these people in villages ashore but the Bajao resist. They consider themselves as the ‘children of the sea’ and do not feel at home on the land.
On day five we arrive in Bau-Bau, on Buton Island. Bau-Bau was an important harbour on the trade route between Sulawesi and the Moluccas and infamous as an important centre of the slave trade and piracy. In the old days the sultan of Buton was a powerful potentate who ruled over a large area of the surrounding islands. Visiting the palace at Wolio, we can still see some of the former splendour. Two-meter-high stone fortifications still encircle the hilltop kraton, which contains one of the oldest mosques in eastern Indonesia, dating back to the 15th Century.
On day six we enter the narrow Strait between Buton and Muna with the first daylight. Navigating carefully between the islands we reach the main town of Raha on Muna Island around noon. Here we go ashore near the village of Bolo to visit limestone caves with ancient wall paintings.
On day seven we follow the east coast of Sulawesi on the way to Tolo Bay. We make several stops at small islands, to visit fishing villages and look for turtles or precious shells.
On day eight we arrive in Kolonodale, a town nestled deep into the narrow, but enchanting Bay of Tomori, the westernmost indentation of Tolo Bay. Our aim is a visit to the Morowali National Park. On a local boat we cross Tomori and sail up a small river into the virgin rain forest of Morowali where we meet members of the Wana tribe. The Wana comprise about 600 families who follow a traditional prehistoric lifestyle. They still hunt with blowpipes and survive by gathering forest products. Morowali is also known as a unique habitat of unusual beetles, butterflies, babirusa and equally rare maleo birds. In the late afternoon we are back on board to sail out of the Bay again. We will navigate with extreme care remindful of the fact that it was right here off Morowali that in the year 1580, Sir Francis Drake ran aground on a reef.
On day nine we reach the Banggai Islands, an archipelago of two major islands and approximately 100 smaller islets about 20 miles offshore. These are remote islands rarely visited by tourists. The chief town and port of the group is Banggai, which is on the western coast of Banggai Island. We first go round the town in a becak (pedi-cab).The sultanate of Banggai dates back to the 13th century and the palace of the former sultan is still intact. In the afternoon we start crossing over towards Sanana
On day ten we reach the Island of Sulabesi and visit its principal town Sanana, where we find an ancient Portuguese fortress, with its characteristic pinnacles at the four corners of the walls still reasonably intact. Outside the main town we will visit a Bajao village where we wander through a maze of wooden foot-bridges that connect the houses, all built on stilts over the sea The Bajao are a nomadic tribe of ‘sea gypsies’, originally from Sulawesi.
On day eleven we cross the equator and enter the northern hemisphere. Our voyage will continue through narrow straits and past several small islands to Bacan. In Maluku every island is a treasure by itself and this is where in 1858 Wallace discovered the marsupial cuscus, ‘cuscus ornatus’, which belongs to a curious genus peculiar to the Australo-Malayan region. They have small heads, large eyes and a dense covering of woolly fur, which is often pure white. On Bacan Island, parrots and fruit pigeons are also abundant. Endemic to the island is the roller Eurystomus azureus, a sunbird, Nectarinea auriceps and a racquet-tailed kingfisher, Tanysiptera isis. A bonus prize would be the endemic bird of paradise, Wallaces Standard Wing, Semioptera wallacii.
On day twelve we will have a morning visit to the island of Tidore and several other beautiful islands in the same chain if time allows. After lunch we will arrive at the island of Ternate which will be or final port of call.
Today the island of Ternate is still a major administrative center of the Moluccas but the peak of its power and importance was in the fifteenth and sixteenth century when the sultans of Ternate and nearby Tidore ruled an empire that stretched all the way from the eastern part of Sulawesi to Ambon, Seram and parts of Papua. The islands were the world's major producer of cloves and the sultans who controlled the spice trade were celebrated through the East for their power and regal magnificence.
Wallace claims in his autobiography that it was on Ternate that he wrote his initial paper proposing a theory of evolution by means of natural selection. He describes his arrival on the island on page 312 of “The Malay Archipelago” ” On the morning of the 8th of January, 1858, I arrived at Ternate, the fourth of a row of fine conical volcanic islands which skirt the west coast of the large and almost unknown island of Gilolo. The largest and most perfectly conical mountain is Tidore, which is over four thousand feet high—Ternate being very nearly the same height, but with a more rounded and irregular summit. The town of Ternate is concealed from view till we enter between the two islands, when it is discovered stretching along the shore at the very base of the mountain. Its situation is fine, and there are grand views on every side…”
On day thirteen, after a further exploration of the town of ternate you will say goodbye to captain and crew and transferred to the airport where connecting flights await.
Participants should be aware that itinerary and program of our sea voyages occasionally may have to be modified, due to factors beyond our control: unfavourable weather conditions, delay in processing harbour clearances, modified schedules of domestic flights. The cruise director and captain of the Vessel will adjust the program accordingly in the best interest of all. Please note that the domestic flights are not included.
Ternate-Banda-Ambon
In the wake of Wallace II: Ternate - Banda – Ambon
This special cruise itinerary honours one of the first prominent scientists who dared to raise concerns over the environmental impact of human activity……..
150 years ago….
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was a British naturalist and explorer. He is best known for independently proposing a theory of evolution due to natural selection that prompted Charles Darwin to publish his own theory.
From 1854 to 1862, age 31 to 39, Wallace travelled through what is nowadays Malaysia and Indonesia in order to study its nature. His observations of the marked zoological differences across a narrow strait in the archipelago led to his proposing the zoo-geographical boundary now known as the Wallace line. While he was exploring the archipelago, he refined his thoughts about evolution and had his famous insight on natural selection. In 1858 he sent an article outlining his theory to Darwin; it was published, along with a description of Darwin's own theory, in the same year.
Accounts of his studies and adventures were eventually published in 1869 as “The Malay Archipelago” Its full title was The Malay Archipelago: The land of the orang-utan, and the bird of paradise. A narrative of travel, with sketches of man and nature.
This sailing adventure takes you to many of the exact locations that Wallace describes in his landmark publication and of course we have several copies of Wallace’ s book in the ship’s library. (It was reprinted by PERIPLUS in 2000.)
On day one you will arrive on the island of Ternate and be transferred from the airport to the Ombak Putih.
Today the island of Ternate is still a major administrative centre of the Moluccas but the peak of its power and importance was in the fifteenth and sixteenth century when the sultans of Ternate and nearby Tidore ruled an empire that stretched all the way from the eastern part of Sulawesi to Ambon, Seram and parts of Papua. The islands were the world's major producer of cloves and the sultans who controlled the spice trade were celebrated through the East for their power and regal magnificence.
Wallace claims in his autobiography that it was on Ternate that he wrote his initial paper proposing a theory of evolution by means of natural selection. He describes his arrival on the island on page 312 of “The Malay Archipelago” ” On the morning of the 8th of January, 1858, I arrived at Ternate, the fourth of a row of fine conical volcanic islands which skirt the west coast of the large and almost unknown island of Gilolo. The largest and most perfectly conical mountain is Tidore, which is over four thousand feet high—Ternate being very nearly the same height, but with a more rounded and irregular summit. The town of Ternate is concealed from view till we enter between the two islands, when it is discovered stretching along the shore at the very base of the mountain. Its situation is fine, and there are grand views on every side…” After exploring the town during the remainder of the afternoon we spend the night at anchor.
On day two we leave Ternate and after sailing past Tidore and several other beautiful islands in the same chain, we proceed to Kayoa Island, which Wallace reached in October 1858. In the virgin forests he found colourful beetles, "so abundant that they rose up in swarms." We will look for the endemic racquet-tailed Kingfisher of Kayoa.
On day three we cross the equator and enter the southern hemisphere. Our voyage will continue through narrow straits and past several small islands to Bacan. In Maluku every island is a treasure by itself and this is where in 1858 Wallace discovered the marsupial cuscus, ‘cuscus ornatus’, which belongs to a curious genus peculiar to the Australo-Malayan region. They have small heads, large eyes and a dense covering of woolly fur, which is often pure white. On Bacan Island, parrots and fruit pigeons are also abundant. Endemic to the island is the roller Eurystomus azureus, a sunbird, Nectarinea auriceps and a racquet-tailed kingfisher, Tanysiptera isis. A bonus prize would be the endemic bird of paradise, Wallace's Standard Wing, Semioptera wallacii.
On day four as the day breaks we lift the anchor and we will be sailing all through the day and the following night for the 150 mile passage to Sanana.
On day five we reach the Island of Sulabesi and visit its principal town Sanana, where we find an ancient Portuguese fortress, with its characteristic pinnacles at the four corners of the walls still reasonably intact. Outside the main town we will visit a Bajao village where we wander through a maze of wooden foot-bridges that connect the houses, all built on stilts over the sea The Bajao are a nomadic tribe of ‘sea gypsies’, originally from Sulawesi.
On day six we will be visiting Buru. This island is harsh and mountainous. Like all the islands of Maluku, Buru has its own collection of endemic birds, such as pittas, sunbirds and kingfishers. In general it must be noted that Maluku is indeed a major hub of global bird diversity with 94 bird species found nowhere else on earth - more birds than for any other similar area. In addition Buru is home to the peculiar Babirusa - an animal that looks part pig, part deer. It is found only in Sulawesi and Buru and its ancestry is lost in the mists of time.
On day seven in the early morning the captain will move the ship to nearby Kelang Island where we will go ashore for a trek through small villages, vegetable gardens and tropical rainforest all the way to the top of the island; we will have a good chance to encounter wildlife and the view over the surrounding islands and toward Ceram and Buru is breathtaking. The coral reefs on the north coast of the island are exceptionally beautiful. During the night the captain will take the vessel on a southerly course again and we will round Cape Hatamata, the extreme southeasterly point of Ceram.
On day eight we will first explore the Bight of Hitu on the North Coast of Ambon Island which was a favourite anchorage of the early navigators. Then we go beach-combing and snorkelling around the islands in Piru Bay. We will also take the tenders to explore the coastline and villages of Ceram itself. In the late afternoon we pass through the Horuke Strait and start our 110 mile passage to the Banda archipelago.
The days that follow are dedicated to the Banda archipelago, considered by some to be “the most beautiful islands on earth". Tiny specks in the vast Banda Sea, the three main islands enclose a harbour with water so transparent that living corals and even minute objects are plainly seen on the volcanic sand at depths of tens of meters. The reefs surrounding the island are healthy and lush with fish and colourful invertebrates, so Banda is one of the world's finest spots for scuba diving and snorkelling.
On day nine we will reach the first of the Banda Islands, Run. An amazing historical footnote is the fact that in 1667, under the Treaty of Breda, this small island was ceded by the English to the Dutch in exchange for Manhattan. After rounding Run we will reach the Island of Ai. Here we go ashore on a beautiful beach to meet with the villagers. A short walk brings us to Fort Revenge, a reference to the wars that were waged here between the colonial powers in the 17th century. Behind the fort, we find the first nutmeg plantations. Afterwards you will have the opportunity to go snorkelling over one of the most beautiful coral reefs of Eastern Indonesia, off the coastline of Ai. In the course of the afternoon we set sail for close-by Bandaneira. With the Ombak Putih moored on the waterfront, we can get our first look at the small colonial town. At the end of the day we will dine and spend a quiet evening in the lagoon.
On day ten the day is available for strolling through the old town of Bandaneira to get a feel for its incredible history. Until today the population is an interesting mix of Malay, Arab, Dutch and Melanesian We can view the restored planters’ mansions, fortifications and churches, and perhaps take a look at the local museum. We will find that Fort Belgica was an early blueprint of the Pentagon. We will also have an opportunity to visit the markets and find the special nutmeg fruit jellies and syrups which are specialties of the region.
On day eleven we invite the fit and ambitious to come along for an early morning ascent of the Gunung Api volcano. While this is a challenging climb up a narrow track to an elevation of about 600 meters, the reward to reach the top of the “Fire Mountain” is more than worth it: a stunning and unforgettable view over the Banda sea, the surrounding islands and the crater itself. The Banda islands are in fact the remainder of a large volcano that sank into the sea and the curved edge of the largest island clearly traces out the rim of its massive sunken caldera. Around noon we cross over to visit Lonthor, the largest island in the chain.
On Lonthor we visit Fort Hollandia, the Groot Walingen estate and a nutmeg plantation. Wallace: …”Few cultivated plants are more beautiful than nutmeg trees. They are handsomely shaped and glossy-leaved, growing to the height of twenty or thirty feet, and bearing small yellowish flowers. The fruit is the size and colour of a peach, but rather oval. It is of a tough, fleshy consistence, but when ripe splits open and shows the dark-brown nut within, covered with the crimson mace, and is then a most beautiful object. Within the thin hard shell of the nut is the seed, which is the nutmeg of commerce. The nuts are eaten by the large pigeons of Banda, which digest the mace but cast up the nut, with its seed uninjured.”
In the late afternoon we hoist the anchor for the 115 nautical mile crossing to Ambon. On our way out the ‘Sonnegat” (sun’s gap) between Bandaneira and Gunung Api we hope to be escorted by one or two so-called ‘Kora-Kora’, long sea canoes, rowed by over a dozen muscled men and used in ancient times to attack the invading colonists
On day twelve Ombak Putih will sail into the Harbour of Ambon and we will spend the day exploring the capital of the Province of Maluku. Ambon is a bustling city. There are many things to see and great markets from which to buy local crafts and produce. Perhaps we will search the markets for breadfruit. Wallace spent three periods in Ambon, between December 1857 and April 1861. His advice:” During the time I resided in this place Amboyna I enjoyed a luxury I have never met with, either before or since—the true breadfruit. It is baked entire in the hot embers and the inside scooped out with a spoon. I compared it to Yorkshire pudding….” In the evening we have a farewell dinner on the good vessel that took us a thousand miles through history.
On day thirteen we say goodbye to captain and crew before the cars will come that take us to the airport for the flight to Denpasar or Jakarta.
Participants should be aware that itinerary and program of our sea voyages occasionally may have to be modified, due to factors beyond our control: unfavourable weather conditions, delay in processing harbour clearances, modified schedules of domestic flights. The cruise director and captain of the Vessel will adjust the program accordingly in the best interest of all. Please note that the domestic flights are not included.
Halmahera-Raja Ampat
In the wake of Wallace III Ternate – Halmahera – Raja Ampat - Sorong
This special cruise itinerary honours one of the first prominent scientists who dared to raise concerns over the environmental impact of human activity……..
150 years ago….
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913) was a British naturalist and explorer. He is best known for independently proposing a theory of evolution due to natural selection that prompted Charles Darwin to publish his own theory.
From 1854 to 1862, age 31 to 39, Wallace travelled through what is nowadays Malaysia and Indonesia in order to study its nature. His observations of the marked zoological differences across a narrow strait in the archipelago led to his proposing the zoo-geographical boundary now known as the Wallace line. While he was exploring the archipelago, he refined his thoughts about evolution and had his famous insight on natural selection. In 1858 he sent an article outlining his theory to Darwin; it was published, along with a description of Darwin's own theory, in the same year.
Accounts of his studies and adventures were eventually published in 1869 as “The Malay Archipelago” Its full title was The Malay Archipelago: The land of the orang-utan, and the bird of paradise. A narrative of travel, with sketches of man and nature.
This sailing adventure takes you to many of the exact locations that Wallace describes in his landmark publication and of course we have several copies of Wallace’ s book in the ship’s library.( It was reprinted by PERIPLUS in 2000.)
On day one when you arrive at Sultan Babullah Airport in Ternate, cars are waiting to take you to the harbour. After you have settled in on Ombak Putih and freshened up, we go ashore to take in the sights of this old city that for several centuries was the centreof the spice trade and where the imprint of the Dutch and the Portuguese can still be seen. We see the colonial warehouses at the harbour-site and meet the varied races of the island: Malay, Chinese, Mediterranean, Melanesian, Arab and Indian, settled down one by one since the beginning of the last millennium.
On day two in the morning the crew will cast off the mooring lines/ raise the anchor and with the first light of dawn we will cross over towards the neighbouring island of Halmahera.
Halmahera (formerly also known as Jilolo or Gilolo) is the largest of the Maluku Islands. It is sparsely-populated and about half of its inhabitants are Muslim and about half are Christian. Throughout history the fortunes of Halmahara have long been closely tied to those of the much smaller islands of Ternate and Tidore.
After a few hours of sailing we reach our first destination on Halmahera, which is the Bay of Jailolo, the site of an independent sultanate in the era before the Dutch East India Company colonised the entire archipelago. We go ashore in the village of Jailolo and visit the old ‘Controleur’s Huis’ and a local community house with a display of historical treasures. The village of Jailolo is on the slope of a stunning volcanic complex of the same name with plenty of geothermal activity. It has lava flows on the eastern flank, a small caldera at the west and southwest of the mountain and hot springs along the northwest coast of the caldera. An independent small volcano with a perfect cone, Kailupa forms the southern flank of the peninsula. Around noon we sail out of the bay again and during the rest of the day, the following night and most of the day that follows we sail along the Western coast of Halmahera. We see it is a wild and mountainous island, still largely covered with forests. We do pass some narrow beaches with small villages on the coastline but often sea conditions make landing difficult. In the early evening we pass the Bay of Loloda, another independent kingdom with a long history stretching from the 13th to the 19th century. While we are tempted to stop for the night, a study of the chart shows that the Bay is extremely shallow, so safety at anchorage prevails and we move on.
On day three we reach the Northern Loloda Islands. In the 13th Century when the sultans of Ternate and Tidore ruled the general area all the way to Papua these were know as “The Gate to the North”. The Sailing Directions of the British Admiralty, covering the harbours, coasts, and waters of the world, state: …”Vessels call at these islands for ebony. They have no definite anchorages, but anchor in the most convenient place for picking up their cargo…”. We find an anchorage in a small bay at the village of Kampung Dama on the South side of Pulau Doi. . First we use our tender to explore a small inlet and look for the fabled waterfall that, according to local legend, spills rejuvenating water. Afterwards we go snorkelling on the reef that fringes the Western shore of the bay. We spend the night at anchor.
On day four as the sun rises, the crew raises the anchor and we round the northernmost cape of Halmahera on the way to Morotai Island. In the course of the morning we first drop anchor at Dodola Island. Dodola is surrounded by extensive white sand beaches which actually connect the neighbouring islands of Dodola Besar and Dodola Kecil. The beautiful nature and the clear waters make it a great spot for swimming and snorkelling or simply relaxing. We will also search for Air Kaca, the so-called ‘mirror’ pond in the jungle of which the local people will tell us the true meaning.
Afterwards we move to Daruba harbour on Morotai itself. During World War II, Halmahera was the site of a Japanese military base at Kao Bay and Morotai is famous for the role it played at the end of the Pacific War. On September 15 1944 Allied forces landed on Morotai occupied by the Japanese to create a bridgehead for attacking the Philippines. When we go ashore we may find remnants reminiscent of this era, but the contrast the current scenery presents could not be any greater; rustling palm-leaves, powdery white sandy beaches and a rippling turquoise sea.
On day five we sail back to the ‘mainland’ and first we make a stop at Tobelo, the capital of the regency of North Halmahera. It has a population of approximately 15,000. The town is predominantly Christian and a Protestant Church has existed in Tobelo since 1924. Then we depart toward Kau Bay in between the northern and northeastern ‘leg’ of Halmahera. In the afternoon we will reach Waisile Bay which is on the E side of Kau, immediately inside the entrance. We drop anchor at the small port of Subaim on the south coast.
On day six we go ashore at the break of day to make a trek into the Aketajawe-Lolobota National Park, a truly exceptional wildlife sanctuary. The vegetation of this national park consists mostly of lowland and mountain rainforest and its forest vegetation is characterized by an extremely high level of biodiversity. It is considered by Birdlife International to be vital for the survival of at least 23 endemic bird species. We will be guided by members of the indigenous Tugutil tribe, whose knowledge of the local environment is unsurpassed. We do hope to see the ‘golden cat’ (only found on Halmahera,) but in particular we hope to spot Wallace’s Standard Wing Bird of Paradise and the Giant Pitta, described by Wallace as ‘one of the most beautiful birds of the East’. With the sun setting we will sail out of the bay again northward. During the evening we veer off toward the NE, following the coast until we turn south again at Cape Lelai.
on day seven we will step ashore one last time on Halmahera near the village of Watam just South of Cape Wayamli. We are now in Buli Bay, an area full of coconut plantations. The villages on this Bay are among the most isolated communities in Indonesia because they have access by sea only and there very few roads. In the afternoon we go searching for good snorkelling spots nearby. As the sun sets we start an overnight passage crossing from Halmahera to the Raja Ampat archipelago.
The Raja Ampat archipelago consists of some 600 Islands and islets that straddle the equator in the area off the “Bird’s Head”, the extreme north-western tip of the province of Papua. The name Raja Ampat literally means ‘the Four Kings’ and the name dates back to the time that the islands were ruled from the North Moluccan sultanates of Ternate and Tidore. (In those days each of the four larger islands in the group, Waigeo, Salawati, Batanta and Misool used to have an independent ‘raja’). Most of the islands have rugged and steep coastlines and are covered with virgin rain forest. The larger islands are lightly populated, but most others are uninhabited by humans.
On day eight when you come on deck you will feel that you have arrived in an extraterrestrial world. What looks like an armada of flying saucers around you is in reality a great number of tiny islets that over time have been eroded by the relentless motion of the tides. We have arrived in the Wayag islands and in the morning we go hiking to an amazing spot ashore from where we have great view over the area. In the afternoon we will explore the beaches around the bay, go snorkelling and in the evening we will have a superb seafood beach barbecue. Then we spend the night at anchor.
On day nine we go on a southeasterly course towards the largest of the Raja Islands, Waigeo. In the sailing directions we read: “Large schools of porpoises are sometimes seen in this passage and may be mistaken for dry rocks when motionless”… Waigeo lies NW of the W end of Papua and consists almost entirely of hills and mountains which rise steeply from the sea. The island is 110 km long; from east to west and 48 km wide from north to south. The highest elevations are on the N side of the island. We steer for Buffalo Horn (0°05'S.130°45'E.), a 958 meter high mountain peak about midway along the N. coast reported to be a good landmark. When we reach Latitude zero we go on a course due East and follow the equator until we reach Fofak Bay.
On day ten we will reach the island of gam before day break we start a one half hour trek to the location where when dawn arrives and the jungle awakes we hope to witness the red bird of paradise. A viewing station is positioned in an area known to be frequented by this unique bird. Various morning bird calls attract your attention and many other species are sighted while walking the paths. Weather may be the obstacle though, as rain seems to negatively affect the bird’s movements.
On day eleven we proceed from Gam to the island of Wai. Here we will enjoy our last environment of white-sand beaches, clear waters and astonishing reefs against the backdrop of thick forests. We spend the night at anchor.
On day twelve after a short crossing to Sorong, we say goodbye to captain and crew of the Vessel and after our transfer to the airport, we board our plane back to Bali or Jakarta.
Participants should be aware that itinerary and program of our sea voyages occasionally may have to be modified, due to factors beyond our control: unfavourable weather conditions, delay in processing harbour clearances, modified schedules of domestic flights. The cruise director and captain of the Vessel will adjust the program accordingly in the best interest of all. Please note that the domestic flights are not included.
Ambon-Banda-Ternate
Moluccan Spice Discovery: Ambon – Banda - Ternate
The Moluccas or the Spice Islands have been a magic destination for over ten centuries. The first seafarers from faraway countries to explore the region, as early as the 8th century, were Chinese, later followed by the Arabs in the 1200s. In fact, the name Maluku is thought to have been derived from the Arab trader's term for the region, Jazirat al-Muluk ‘'the island of the kings” and an ancient Arab text places the islands rather precisely “fifteen days sailing east of Jaba”.
What the Arab traders brought back to their home ports, were exotic spices: cloves, mace and nutmeg. These were sold to Venetian merchants and became known in Europe as “the nuts from Muscat”. Because of the high value of these spices in Europe and the large profits they generated, many adventurers followed in the wake of the Chinese and the Arabs… first Portuguese and later Dutch and British. On this thirteen day voyage from Ambon to Ternate retraces ‘the marine spice route’ to the fabled sultanate of Ternate.
This itinerary will be enhanced by stories and lectures from the Australian author Ian Burnet who wrote the book spice Islands in 2011. Ian has spent more than 20 years, living, working and travelling in the Indonesian Archipelago in his professional career as a geologist/geophysicist. Fascinated by the history of the archipelago, he thought the story of the tiny islands of Ternate and Tidore and their effect on world history had to be told.
On Day 1 when you arrive at the Ambon airport cars will be waiting to take you to the Ombak Putih at her mooring in the harbour. After you have settled in on the vessel and freshened up, we spend the rest of the day exploring this bustling capital city of the Moluccas. Ambon was built on a hillside overlooking the bay and there are many interesting sites of historical and cultural interest. Among them are the remnants of several old forts built by the Dutch East Indies Company during the heydays of the spice trade. To get a good feel of the local atmosphere, one can crisscross the downtown area in one of the numerous becaks (pedicabs). There are also great markets from which to buy local crafts and produce. In the early afternoon we will make the crossing to the Banda archipelago.
On Day 2, we will first reach the first of the Banda Islands, Run. An amazing historical footnote is the fact that in 1667, under the Treaty of Breda, this small island was ceded by the English to the Dutch in exchange for Manhattan. After rounding Run we will reach the Island of Ai. Here we go ashore on a beautiful beach to meet with the villagers. A short walk brings us to Fort Revenge which was built by the English. Behind the fort we find the first nutmeg plantations. During lunch the vessel will move to the main Island of Bandaneira. With the Ombak Putih tied up to a palm tree on the waterfront, we will spend the afternoon strolling through the old town and get a feel for its incredible history viewing the restored planters’ mansions, fortifications and churches. We will find that Fort Belgica was an early blueprint of the Pentagon. Until today the population is an interesting mix of Malay, Arab, Dutch and Melanesian. At the end of the day we will spend a quiet evening in the lagoon.
On Day 3, we invite the fit and ambitious to first come along for an early morning ascent of the Gunung Api volcano. While this is a challenging climb up a narrow track to an elevation of about 600 meters the reward to reach the top of the “Fire Mountain” is more than worth it: a stunning and unforgettable view over the Banda Sea, the surrounding islands and the crater itself. In the course of the morning we cross over to visit Lonthor, the largest island in the chain. On our way out the ‘Sonnegat’ (sun’s gap) between Bandanaira and Gunung Api we hope to be escorted by one or two so-called ‘Kora-Kora’, long sea canoes, rowed by over a dozen muscled men and used in ancient times to attack the invading colonists. In the afternoon the Ombak Putih goes on a Westerly course back towards the island of Ambon.
On Day 4, we arrive in the vicinity of Ambon and pass through the Haruku Strait; explore the Bight of Hitu on the North Coast of Ambon Island, which was a favorite anchorage of the early navigators; and go beach-combing and snorkeling around the islands of Piru Bay (Kasa Island Natural Reserve). Once we round the southwest point of Ceram, we venture north for the Island of Kelang.
On Day 5 at Kelang Island we will go ashore for a trek through small villages, vegetable gardens and tropical rainforest all the way to the top of the island; we will have a good chance to encounter wildlife and the view over the surrounding islands and toward Ceram and Buru is breathtaking. The coral reefs on the north coast of the island are exceptionally beautiful and we look for a spot to relax and enjoy the beach and water in the afternoon.
On Day 6, magnificent scenery awaits us on Boano island: towering cliffs and a ‘karst’ landscape that is fringed by white-sand beaches. We will use our tenders to explore this beautiful coastline and stop in some of the fishing villages. In the late afternoon the ship takes a northerly course for an overnight passage across the Ceram Sea.
On Day 7, we spend the morning exploring jungle-clad Obi, one of the least populated islands in the archipelago. We’ll drop anchor in a secluded bay and go trekking to an inland lake, a two hour walk through mangroves and rainforest. During lunch we will move to Obilatu; we visit a remote settlement on the north coast or relax on one of the small islets offshore. In the evening we select a good spot for a BBQ on the beach.
On Day 8, during the night the captain will move the ship Doworalamo Island where we will spend the morning, snorkeling and beach-combing. During lunch we will move to the East Coast of Bacan near Sayoang or Babang from where we will drive across the island to visit the main town of Labuha and the old crumbling Fort Barnewald, originally built by the Portuguese .
On Day 9, we go ashore for an early morning trek from the village of Geti on the north coast of Bacan. We enter the rain-forest to try to spot some of the endemic species of parrots, cockatoos, lorikeets and perhaps even the elusive cuscus or a rare black macaque. The afternoon we will spend with exploring the strait between Bacan and Halmahera. It will not be difficult to find some great spots for snorkeling or diving.
On Day 10, once again the ship is underway at sunrise and in the course of the morning we make a stop on Muari Island for snorkeling or a walk ashore to one of the coastal villages. Shortly after noon we cross the equator and enter the northern hemisphere where we reach the Goraici group of islands. Most of these are the picture post card variety: uninhabited with palm fringed white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
On Day 11, early in the morning we will reach the island of Tidore. While having breakfast, sailing around the North- East coast of Tidore you will have a magnificent view of the perfect cone of the extinct Kiematabu volcano that dominates Tidore. When we reach the old town of Soa Siu, local vehicles will bring us high on the slope of the volcano to visit some age-old clove plantations. The afternoon we will spend with snorkeling and exploring around one of the adjacent islands.
On Day 12, we reach the island of Ternate our final destination. This old city has been the center of the spice trade for several centuries, where the imprint of the Dutch and the Portuguese can still be seen. Here we will visit the ‘Kedaton’, the palace of the Sultan of Ternate. We hope to attend court-dances in the ‘pendopo’ (covered atrium). If we are lucky we may enjoy the presence of the Sultan and his family. We will be drinking tea and listen to a short introduction of the dances and the history of Ternate. After that we will go back to the boat to say goodbye to captain and crew and transfer awaits to either a hotel our the airport to fly back to Jakarta or Bali.
Notes
Participants should be aware that itineraries and programmes of sea voyages may occasionally have to be modified due to factors beyond our control: unfavourable weather conditions, delay in processing harbour clearances, modified schedules of domestic flights. The cruise director and captain of the Vessel will adjust the program accordingly in the best interest of all. Please note that the domestic flights are not included.7D Flores-Komodo-Sumba-Flores
Notes
** Komodo National Park Fee of US$15 per adult and US$7.50 for children under 16 years old for visits of up to 3 days will be payable on board12D Maumere-Labuan Bajo
The Katharina
The Katharina is a traditional style Pinisi schooner, completely refurbished to a high standard of comfort in 2006.
The Bugis people of south Sulawesi, once feared as pirates, have always been the most skilful ship builders and sailors of Indonesia. Their vessels, the pinisi, were and still are hand-crafted entirely from timber, and have been used for centuries as cargo-carriers, plying the ancient trade routes between the islands of the Malay Archipelago, carrying anything from lumber to coca-cola crates.
Pinisi are elegant two-masted schooners with mainsails, top-sails and three jibs. Today, while still hand-built by native craftsmen and fully laid out in tropical hardwood with traditional rigging, they usually include an engine in addition to the sails.
The Katharina was conceived and equipped to accommodate small groups of passengers for cruising though the Indonesian archipelago, offering an excellent standard of reliability, safety and comfort.
Reliability
Although Bugis people are famous for the skill in building vessels without the need of any paper or calculations, relying only on their ancestral knowledge, THe Katharina is a product of a joint effort between western naval architects and traditional Bugis skills. Much attention is given to the vessel's maintenance, heeding to an annual docking period and periodical checks to the all major technical installations on board.
Comfort
The spacious air-conditioned, en-suite cabins, the dining/ recreational area and the large deck-space with comfortable deck chairs and sun benches make the Katharina perfectly suitable for extended exploratory or leisure cruises.
On board there are games, sea kayaks, body boards, deck-mattresses, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear and two tenders with outboard motors to make excursions to the islands.
Safety
The Katharina is fully equipped with the latest in navigational equipment: radar, depth sounder, GPS, VHS, all band radios and satellite telephones. For personal safety, she also carries life-jackets, inflatable life-rafts, buoys and for the communication of emergency conditions beacons, flares and IPIRB.
The Cabins
The Katharina boasts 7 cabins:
Lower deck: 2 twin cabins with one upper & one lower single bed and 4 double cabins with one double lower and one upper single bed.
All private bathrooms are laid out in marble, granite and mosaic, while the cabins have newly installed amenities such as a private safety box, a pair of binoculars, intercom for room service and soft lighting.
Upper deck: 1 large (family) cabin with a king size (lower) bed, a single (upper) bed and a children’s bedstead/bench (daytime). Space allows for an extra bed if desired. This cabin is aimed to provide a more spacious cabin for a group of friends, families or honeymooners.
The Ombak Putih
The Ombak Putih is an almost traditional Pinisi sailing schooner, furnished to a high standard, and offering 12 double air-conditioned cabins, each with its own private bathroom.
The ship's main deck is dominated by a 25m tall mainmast and a large deck table where you can have dinner under the stars. On the deck house level on the aft side of the boat, a spacious sun deck (with canopy for some shade) overlooks the sea. Here you can read in a comfortable deck chair or dream away on one of the comfortable day beds.
Accommodation is below decks, where you will find twelve cabins, four with double beds and eight configured as twin-bunks. Unlike typical ship accommodation, your cabin provides ample space to store your stuff and still move about with ease. All cabins are air-conditioned (individually controlled) and have private bathrooms with warm and cold water.
The Ombak Putih is a mix of traditional and modern design. Her hull and rigging are traditional, while the deck house and interior were custom designed to adapt to Western tastes of space, privacy and comfort. While Indonesian traditional sailing vessels are customarily referred to as Bugis Schooners, strictly speaking she is rigged as a Ketch, the foremast being higher than the aft mast.
Specifications and Deck Plans
Construction: Kalimantan, Indonesia, 1996/7
Registry: Indonesia
Length over all : 36 meters (118 feet)
Beam: 10 meters (33 feet)
Draft: 3.5 meters (11.5 feet)
Decks: 1 main deck, 1 sun deck, 1 cabin deck
Motor: Detroit Diesel, 8 cylinder
Sails: 2 masts, 7 sails, total 600 square meters
Max. speed: 10-12 knots under sail
Crew: 16 (Indonesians), 1 European cruise director
Capacity: 12 cabins for 24 passengers
Safety: inflatable life rafts, life buoys, life jackets
Navigation: radar, GPS, depth sounder
Voltage: 220 Volt
Tenders: 2 (with 60 and 25 HP outboards)
Safety and Seaworthiness
The vessel is fitted with all internationally required safety equipment such as SSB and VHF radios, life jackets, life rafts, and satellite telephone. Experienced navigators consider it an axiom that the seaworthiness of a vessel depends on the seaworthiness of the crew. Our ship has a well trained and well seasoned Indonesian crew of sixteen, complemented by a multilingual European Cruise Director. We are proud of the fact that most of the crewmembers that joined us when the vessel was launched are still on board today.
Services Profile
• Spacious twin shared cabin with twin bunk beds or double bed
• Each cabin has a private bathroom with toilet and hot shower
• Washbasin and soap toiletries in your cabin
• Cabins have individually controlled air conditioning
• Towels and beach towels that are regularly changed
• Valuables and travel documents can be stored in the ship's safe
• Dining in spacious air conditioned lounge
• Teak wooden furniture in lounge, cabins and on deck
• Spacious sun and semi-covered decks
• Free tea, coffee and mineral water
• Excellent food and snacks (vegetarian food on request)
• Excellent wine selection, cold beer and other alcoholic drinks for sale
• Fresh water on-deck shower
• Chilled towels and a welcome drink upon arrival
• Outdoor sleeping facilities
• Professional European cruise director
• Main tender with 60 hp. outboard engine takes 24 passengers
• Auxiliary tender with 25 hp. outboard takes 10 passengers
• Unlimited use of our snorkeling equipment and 2 sea canoes
• Organize scuba diving in Komodo National Park (optional)
• Television, VCD and music centre in lounge
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