Saleman Village, Land of Enchantment

Eastern Indonesia is a paradise of the lovers of natural beauty, especially the beauty of marine tourism.  Eastern Indonesia is like a treasure chest, which save a million charm.  Anyone would want to touch its beauty.  ine white sand beaches, clear blue seas, coral reefs, colorful fish dancing, not enough words to describe its beauty.

Maybe you've heard of Raja Ampat Islands, Bunaken National Park, or the Wakatobi National Park. But what about the "Village Saleman'? Have you ever heard before?

Geographically, the village of Saleman located in North Seram District of Central Maluku regency.  And apparently the magnificent  island of Ora, located not far from the village saleman, approximately 15 minutes by speedboat from Saleman.

Saleman, North Seram, Maluku      [source]

Saleman village, surrounded by hills that rise on flat like Raja Ampat Islands. The cliffs are up to 400 meters high and covered by a variety of tropical plants. The sea in front of the village saleman very clear, which is still preserved coral reefs that can be seen clearly from the top surface of the water.

Sea view in front of Saleman, North Seram  [source]

Construction of houses in the village of Saleman was very unique. Wooden houses are established residents above the water. Construction of houses was later adopted by Ora Beach Resort, an exotic specialty on the island of Ora. It must be great fun, have a house with a blue sea as the garden.

Cottage in Ora Island, North Seram, Maluku - Indonesia [source]

Ora Beach, North Seram, Maluku, Indonesia [source]

Besides the beauty of the sea, Saleman also has another unique tourism potential. Such as "Air Belanda" (“Dutch Water” <in English>), the name given by local people to a small river that leads into the Gulf Saleman. In colonial times, Air Belanda was being used as base of the  Dutch defense. In "Air Belanda" visitors also can watch thousands of Lusiala - a type of bird - flying out of the karst cliffs by late afternoon.

Ora Beach [source]

Mad Bamboo (bambu gila) - Moluccans magical game

Mad Bamboo (bambu gila) is a most antique traditional game in Maluku islands. This game is also called by the name of "bulu gila". This traditional game is usually performed by the village youth in certain events.

The need for this game is a piece of bamboo which consists of seven segments, seven people of which each will hold the bamboo in each segment, and a handler who will lead the game.

To start the game then any person holding or hugging each segment of bamboo, handler then burn incense inside a coconut shell and whisper an incantation on every segment of bamboo.  Function of the burn incense and spoken incantation or mantra is to invoke the spirits of the ancestors to give strength to the bamboo.

After the magical powers entered into the bamboo then the handler will command the bamboo to move in accordance with the wishes of the handler.

Although bamboo holder trying with all their strength to resist the force of bamboo, but they do not have enough power to do that and they will be mocked by the bamboo. Mad bamboo game will end with the fall of the holders of bamboo one by one because they can not resist the power of bamboo. Strength of bamboo will be lost when the handler holds the bamboo and taming it.

Click here to see a video of the bambu gila.

Broomstick Fight Tradition in Mamala and Morela

Dozens pairs of bare-chested young men in the spotlight because they are whipping back and chest of each partner with a broom stick. Their left hand holding stick, tens of palm with an average length of about 1.5 meters, while the right hand palm whip a few blades stick to each partner's body.


Young men were divided into two teams, one team is the team that whipping and another team is the team that whipped with the forward and backward movement.They do so by turns.

Blade of the palm stick leaving shreds of red blisters and bloody scratches on their backs and chests. However, no pain grimaced or moaning groan.

Uniqueness of the broomstick attractions is that the boys not looking pain to whip each other, blows, scratches and spotting blood rapidly heal  after treatment. This uniqueness makes ordinary people think that this is a mystical attraction.

This attractions can only be found in two neighboring villages, Mamala and Morella (about 35 kilometers north of the city of Ambon) and can only be found once a year, on the seventh day after Idul Fitri.

Broomstick game tradition was born in the Dutch colonial era, at the mid-seventeenth century. Broomstick fight game at first played by the captain from all over Maluku who tried to defend when attacked Dutch fort Kapapaha.

After the procession at Broomstick, the bodies of the direct participants treated with the sap of a kind of leaf (in Indonesia we say "daun jarak") that usualy planted in some garden of Ambonese. There was no grudge between them. Some visitors did not forget to pick up sticks, which was used during the procession. Some people took it as a keepsake, or it might be used to test the guts of this game with the stick when arriving home.

Click here to view a video of this traditional game.

Large Eels in the Outdoor Swimming Pool of Waiselaka

Swimming in a broad and clear, cool water is a common practice of all people. However, have you ever tried to swim in the pool and accompanied by a large eel? In Swimming Wiselaka you can try it.

At first glance, the pool which located in the Village Waai, the East Coast of Ambon, it looks normal. But what makes it special is in the bottom of the pool behind the rocks there are some large eels that more than 1.5 meters length with body size resembles a nut tree.

Interestingly, these eels are not always out of the nest, only charmer can call the eel was out. Typically, these eels will come out if it is given the bait eggs. There is a myth that is trusted by local people, that tourists who can see when eels are out, then they are part of the lucky ones.

Waai village located less than 28 kilo meters from the city of Ambon. This distance can be reached by motorbike or car. Once there, do not worry about the inn, because the houses around the attractions you can rent to stay there.

Outdoor Swimming Waiselaka supported by the unique nature is still beautiful. Shade of trees make this area was very cool. Just sit by the pool while enjoying the surrounding community activity is often carried by travelers.

It is very good if Waiselaka Outdoor Swimming be one of your holiday destination. Come, invite family and friends to visit the Outdoor Swimming Waiselaka!

Natsepa Beach

Located in the village of Suli at Salahutu District of Central Maluku regency, Natsepa Beach is a well known tourist site by people of the island of Ambon. The beach that located about 18 KM from the center of Ambon city is often selected by city residents who want to enjoy the day off.

The beach is gently sloping, wide and very well known with fine white sand. Prior to enter this tourist area, outside of the beach there are rows of sellers salad and other traditional foods of Ambon.

With a sloping beach and white sand many people come here to relax, swim, snorkel, or rent a canoe to get around the beach.

On this beach also available some shelters that can be used by visitors, while relaxing they can see the sights of Baguala bay from the beach.

On certain days such as religious holidays or national holidays beach managers provide the Moluccas traditional cultural performances such as "Bambu Gila" (crazy bamboo) or other shows.

The very popular snack or traditional food at this beach are a "rujak (salad) Natsepa" and "sagu gula" (sago with sugar).

For the tourist who comes from other regions, near the Natsepa beach there is a pretty good hotel for you to stay. Aston Natsepa Ambon Resort is located less than one kilometers from the beach.

Maluku (Moluccas) - a region of thousand island

Maluku or internationally known as the Moluccas is one of the oldest provinces in Indonesia. The capital is Ambon. In 1999, parts of Maluku province expanded into North Maluku province. Maluku province consists of islands known as the Moluccan Islands. Indonesia's Maluku province also known as the thousand island because the province is estimated to have large and small islands, inhabited or not inhabited as much as a thousand islands.


Since ancient times, Maluku has recognized the appeal of nature other than spices. Consists of many islands Maluku has unique panorama makes in every island and attracted many foreign tourists come to visit and even stay in these islands. In addition to natural attractions, some relics of the colonial period is also a special attraction because it is still well preserved today.


Maluku at first consisted of three districts: North Maluku, Central Maluku and South East Maluku but now North Maluku district have been expanded into the province of North Maluku.


Some attraction types can be found in Maluku such as beauty of nature, marine, cultural, and historical heritage.