Visiting Banda is interesting for two reasons: excellent diving and its amazing history. Banda islands, part of a volcanic group of islands covered with lush vegetation, have been a destination for traders for more than two thousand years.
Some of the most spectacular drop-off walls we have ever encountered are found amongst these tiny atolls in the heart of the Banda Sea. Plunging straight down for thousands of meters these walls are covered with countless species of soft corals and enormous barrel sponges.
Located 400 miles from Ambon, these islands offer exotic panoramas. Natural and artificial pearl cultivation are found around these island, giving the nickname of the of the Pearl Island. The Aru Island cover very large area, and are important for traditional pearl giving the deer hunting.
Launching Sail Banda 2010
Submitted by admin on Fri, 02/12/2010 - 10:31
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono launched Sail Banda 2010 event that took place at Hotel Borobudur, Wednesday (3/2) night.Sail Banda 2010 launching event was marked by beating drums by the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Fadel Muhammad, and the Governor of Moluccas KA Ralahalu.
There were also the Minister of Transportation Freddy Numberry, the Vice Chairman House of Representatives Leimena Melani, and the members of the DPD RI from the Moluccas, the regents/mayors of Moluccas and the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Office officials and the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries who attend the launching event.
Agung Laksono said, the government was determined to repeat the successful implementation of Sail Bunaken 2009 in Manado, North Sulawesi, by holding a similar event called Sail Banda 2010.
"Sail Banda 2010 was a development of marine and coastal community development and it will be held from July 24 until August 17,2010 with the themeSmall Islands for Our Future," he said.
He explained that Sail Banda 2010 aims to show the outside world about the current condition of the Moluccas, an area peace and security, that is ready to become a gateway to Eastern Indonesia.
"Sail Banda 2010 was able to attract international attention and the business world so that later it can increase the welfare of the people in the remote islands of Moluccas region"said Agung.
Agung Laksono also admitted, Sail Banda 2010 main event will be held on August 3,2010 in Ambon City. "President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will carry out the inspection and receive respect from the entire ship Sail Banda 2010 participants who gathered in the Bay of Ambon" he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Fadel Muhammad, confessed that Sail Banda 2010 activities will be packaged in various forms activities, such as Operation Bhakti Surya Bhaskara Jaya to remote islands with ships, involving ships from the hospital TNI Navy, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, and the United States.
"KRI hospital ship Suharso-990 who was supported by the doctors, medical personnel and extension workers to carry out Operation Bhakti health, infrastructure development, extension, training, and delivery of bhakti community contact materials such as books educational, religious books, solar power systems, telecommunications systems and water purification for residents in remote areas," said Fadel.
United States Navy will also deploy USNS Mercy T-AH 19. A ship with a length of 3 football fields will bring 956 doctors and paramedical personnel.
Fadel Muhammad also revealed, in order to enhance the spirit of love of the country, Sail Banda 2010 will also hold Lintas Nusantara Remaja Bahari from Sabang to Merauke using Banjarmasin KRI-592. "Representative student, youth and scouts from various provinces will join in this boat together activities along the waters of Indonesia and the dated August 17, 2010 will commemorate the HUT RI ke-65 Kisar Island, Southwest Maluku District.
Also, there will be Yacht Race from Darwin, Australia which will be followed by 200-sailboat.
Sail Banda 2010, he said, also will be filled with 7 national and international conferences including the Conference Co-operation Indonesia - Australia in the Field of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the International Coral Reef Conference and Small Islands, the Seventh National Conference of Managing District Coasts and Small Islands, Sago International Seminar, International Symposium of Science and Maritime and Fisheries Technology and Exploration Technology International Seminar on the Sea Bottom.
Fadel Muhammad admitted, he would invite the Prime Minister of Australia to attend the international conference.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Maluku, KA Ralahalu admitted during the main event of Sail Banda 2010 will be held on August 3, 2010 in Ambon City, Ambon. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also will be declared as the granary of Moluccas Province of national fisheriesand tourist destinations.
