Ternate seems so amazing to me.
I have been waiting for this trip since many years. I was lucky to have the
ticket last year. To be honest I mostly visit beautiful places in Indonesia
from my business trip. I was supposed to visit
Ternate by myself, but then one of my friend knew that I am going. He never
been gone to Ternate before, so he wanted to join and we arranged the ticket.
He flew far from Germany to Jakarta and stayed 2 days then we flew to Ternate.
we safely landed at Sultan Babullah Airport in Ternate. Something different
with my previous trip. This time I have books with me. I have those Elementary
and Junior High School books for free from One of the biggest bookstore
company (Gramedia) in Indonesia. I spoke to one of the Supervisor about
my plan to visit North Maluku and want to give something useful for students
and kids on that island. I was thinking to have such a nice trip but not just
enjoying the gorgeous view and nature but also blend with the community.
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| Benteng Tolukko, Ternate |
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| Batu Angus, Ternate |
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| Batu Angus, Ternate |
Running out of time due to bad
traffic in Jakarta, I was still waiting for those books arrived at my place
while talking to my friend, Heiko. He had been to Indonesia for several
times. Even he got the chance to visit my Mom's hometown in Southeast Aceh.
This is the third times we travel together. We eventually had the books
and ready to go to the airport. We were so excited and looking forward to see
North Maluku.
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| Benteng Tolukko, Ternate |
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| Benteng Oranje, Ternate |
Our plan was going straight from
Ternate Airport to Gura Ici (Gura Ici is one of over a hundred islands in South
Halmahera. Those Islands in South Halmahera are not yet well-known even among
the local travelers. The crystal sea water has enough clarity to allow you to
see straight to the bottom and is filled with all kind of sea water-life). It’s
not that easy to get to this beautiful island, the boat is not going everyday
but every 2 days. We took taxi from the airport to Bastiong Harbour but
unfortunately there was no boat going to Gura Ici. Taxi from Airport to
Bastiong harbour was 50.000IDR/person. We decided back to town and searching
for hotel. There are Hotels in Ternate, the price starts from
150.000IDR/room/night, me and my friend stayed at Losmen Gamalama we paid
200.000IDR/room/night.
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| Benteng Oranje |
The day after in the morning, we
went to Bastiong Harbour at 7am. We dont want to miss the boat. Please note
that the boat departs at 08.30am. To get to this island, firstly we have to
take wooden boat from Bastiong Harbour to Lelei. Many homestays at Lelei
Island, so we stay here instead of Gura Ici. There is no homestay, villa or
hotel at Gura Ici. It is just a small island and nobody lives there. Just like
its name, Gura means Island and Ici means small. We finally arrived after
5hours on boat. We met a guy, his name is Bunawan. I am pretty sure that he is the the right person to speak with on this Island because the community was just following his instruction
if there are tourists want to stay. He took us to several homestays and ask the owner
whether they are welcoming us or not. Homestay here does not mean tourist stay
in a private house, but share with the local people. They just provide a room for us
and sharing bathroom with the family. 150.000IDR/room/night No restaurant or
warung makan either, we ask the family to cook for us and pay
30.000/plate/person.
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| Kapal Kayu dari Bastiong ke Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Laigoma, Halmahera Selatan - Maluku Utara |
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| Pulau Laigoma, Halmahera Selatan - Maluku Utara |
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| Dermaga, Pulau Laigoma, Halmahera Selatan - Maluku Utara |
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| Dermaga, Pulau Laigoma, Halmahera Selatan - Maluku Utara |
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| Dermaga, Pulau Laigoma, Halmahera Selatan - Maluku Utara |
Island hopping is one of the
best thing to do here. The family where we stayed offer a boat for 300.000/day.
After hopping island we rent a bicycle for 10.000/hour. Walking half an hour is
enough to see all the island. Talking about the weather, it is very HOT here.
Living on this island had so much
fun and yet grateful. Getting to know local people and eat the same thing like
they have. I spoke to one of the teacher and told him about my purpose to donate reading books. He was excited and asked me to come to school to meet the school principal, The next day I went to school and donated the books. After meeting the teachers and students, we went to harbour. Waited few hours and the boat did not come.
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| SDN 1 Pulau Lelei |
According to our schedule, we supposed to stay here for 2 days but
due to engine problem the wooden boat was not working so we had to extend for
another 2 days. Swimming and fishing was the best routine for extra 2 days in
Lelei. We joined Bapak (the owner of our homestay) went fishing. I was really
amazed by his story of yesterday, caught 3 giant fish. Unfortunately when we
went fishing together, he only got 1 tiny fish. The day after we decided laying
on the beach instead of go fishing with him. What a unlucky day it was. Hahaha
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| Dermaga, Pulau Laigoma, Halmahera Selatan - Maluku Utara |
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| Dermaga, Pulau Lelei, Halmahera Selatan |
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| Dermaga Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Gura Ici |
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| Pulau Gura Ici |
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| Pulau Gura Ici |
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| Gura Ici |
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| Pulau Gura Ici |
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| Pulau Lelei, Halmahera Selatan |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
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| Pulau Lelei |
On 21 April 2015 we went to the harbour with big hope, so we can go back to
Ternate. After waiting for almost 3 hours, the boat is coming. Everyone was relieved
especially two of us. We really want to go back not because we did not enjoy
our stay in Lelei, but because we have really tight schedule. I have to go to
Morotai after Ternate and Heiko will visit Balikpapan.
We split up in Ternate, on 22
April 2015 at 7.45am I went to Ferry Harbour but unfortunately I missed 2
Ferry. First one embarked at 6am, second one at 7am and the next Ferry is at
11am. I dont want to wait too long and wasted time. I ask people about the
alternative way to get to Sofifi. They asked me to take speed boat from Kota
Baru Harbour (very close to the Market). I took Ojek from Ferry Harbour to
Speed Boat Harbour for 7.000 IDR. Remember always try to bargain, the Ojek will
not cost you more than 10.000 IDR. Talking about the Ferry Ticket and Speed
Boat not that much different, 26.000 IDR (75mins) for Ferry and 50.000 IDR
(30mins) for speed boat.
Arrived safe and sound at Sofifi Harbour. Lots of people will come to you and
say where are you going? Tobelo? Woww.... they even hold my hands. The said
120.000 IDR to Tobelo but Remember always to Bargain, I got 100.000 IDR and
this is the exact price for the taxi. Spent about 3.5hours driving, I arrived
in Tobelo. The taxi drop me off at the speedboat harbour. The speedboat from
Tobelo to Daruba (Morotai Island) was 103.000IDR/way. The trip took almost 2
hours from Tobelo to Daruba. I met new people on boat and was talking with
them. 2 guys helped me out to find the Hotel. I took Becak (tuktuk) from
Speedboat Harbour to Pacific Inn, the room was good 250.00IDR/room/night. I did
not know anything about Morotai, I asked the owner of this Hotel to help me out
finding Motorcycle (100.000/12hours) this was the cheapest and no option. One
thing solved, still need to find fishing boat to do hopping Islands. Early
morning I went to harbour and talked to a few fishermans. I found one fishing
boat to do hopping Islands, paid 170.000IDR. I stop at Zum Zum Island, then off
to Dodola Islands. Finished with hopping Island, I went back to hotel and took
shower before I rode the motorcycle. I really love the road here, very quiet.
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| Pulau Morotai |
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| Morotai, Maluku Utara |
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| Pulau Zum Zum, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Besar, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Besar, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Besar, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Kecil, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Kecil, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Kecil, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Kecil, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Kecil, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Kecil, Morotai |
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| Pulau Dodola Kecil, Morotai |
I only stayed 2 days in Morotai,
feel so great to be here. I went back to Ternate, Daruba to Tobelo by Speedboat
(105.000), Tobelo to Sofifi by Taxi (100.000IDR), Sofifi to Ternate by
Speedboat (50.000). I had a great time in North Maluku, Indonesia.
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