Australian Cemetery
Ambon, the City of Music.
Ambon city has alot to offer the visiting tourist.
Every year Ambon celebrates music with a festival. There are many street art pieces such as statues and pavement tiles, and even a giant guitar. All evidence of a city that loves music. I read that all the people of Ambon are taught to sing and that 90% of the population can sing at a professional level. Music is definitely in the heart of all the villages we have visited. Ambon was awarded the Unesco City of Music in 2019.
these pavement tiles are throughout the city streets
We made several trips into the city to wander the streets and take in the atmosphere and sights. And food. The busy streets are the same in every Asian city we've been in. To cross the road you just start walking, don't stop and don't look back. Before you know it, you've reached the other side without mishap. Phew!
The streets of the city can be treacherous themselves, with our lovely mate Carol falling through a timber drainage cover and badly spraining her ankle. Being as she's so little, it's lucky we didn't lose her down the drainage system completely. She received top quality care at the military hospital and lives to limp again.
pick a bike, any bike
Prawns in Rica Sauce, my new favourite dish
In the heart of the city there is a statue of a true Ambonese warrior, Thomas Matulessy or simply Pattimura, who rallied the local people to fight the Dutch back in 1817. He led an armed rebellion that captured the Dutch fort. Unfortunately he was betrayed, handed over to the Dutch and was hung publicly for his efforts.
There is also a statue of the only known female warrior who also rebelled against the Dutch. Martha Christina Tiahahu, a brave young girl from a warrior family of the Pattimura people, fought beside her father to expel the Dutch. She died a hero to the people in 1818 at just 18 years of age after being captured by the Dutch.
warriors Martha and Pattimura
world peace gong
We paid a visit to the World Peace Gong that was erected to Ambon city in 2009 to remind the people of the need for peace. The flags of the countries of the world and the religions of the world are represented around the Gong.
The Ambon War Cemetery was of particular interest. Also known as the Australian Cemetery, it has over 2000 graves of Australian, British, and other westerner soldiers who gave their lives during WWII in an effort to protect the region from the Japanese invaders. Some died fighting whilst others died in POW camps. There is also a memorial shelter there that commemorates the 350 Australian soldiers who have no known grave. This cemetery is a most tranquil, serene and beautifully maintained memorial for our soldiers. It made me feel such pride in both us as a supporting nation and the Ambonese people in holding our soldiers in such high esteem.
There is a massive, very impressive cable stayed bridge known as the Merah Putih bridge that spans the natural harbour to join both peninsulas of Ambon island. It was completed in 2019 and allows a more direct route to the education sector of Ambon. There are several higher education facilities there, including the Pattimura University. On our wanderings through the city we came across this awesome mural of the bridge.
Merah Putih Bridge mural
War Cemetery
War Cemetery
War Cemetery
The Sailing to Indonesia Rally recieved alot of media coverage, as we were the first rally since 2018 to visit the area. Many news articles were written and I found myself in the lead photo of one of these articles, along with the head of the tourism department. I might become famous yet.
All of the rally participants were invited to the Mayor's residence for an official welcome and a dinner. His very opulent residence sits high up on a hill overlooking Ambon city and harbour. We were treated to an extravagant evening of entertainment and food. And bintang beers. The Mayor's wife and son were keen for a sail on one of the yachts. Peter from SV Chanto managed to get himself talked into hosting them the next day, along with their entourage. By all accounts, they had a fabulous time on board.
Front page photo for online news
Opulent dining room at the Mayor's residence
One afternoon we had a visit from 30 primary school children organised by Rick and Sunae from SV Incentive. We had a little question and answer session then offered them dinghy rides around the harbour. They were a little shy to start with but the excitement of racing around in dinghies sorted that out. Well, the other dinghies raced around. Our dinghy prefers... shall I say, a more leisurely pace.
Thank you Ambon, you showed us a fantastic 5 days.
Until next time, Watusi Woman - Hobnobbing Sailor, out.
[//]:# (!pinmapple -3.703718 lat 128.163592 long Ambon d3scr)
Absolutely love this, especially when I started reading the Indonesian languages, the words are so similar but pronounce differently than Malay is absolutely mind blowing. Totally reminds me of this video
So when I sail to Malaysia and speak Indonesian with an aussie accent no-one will understand me 😅
Well, it's exactly the same situation as British, Aussie, US and Kiwi. Most of the common expression are same and sharing similar vocabulary. Therefore, you will just have to remember the few important ones and you're very welcome to flex your Bahasa around these region. You'll probably get special treatment, may be free meal, a lot of wifie 😁
Wow.. it's pretty amazing to see the city of Ambon.. and the war cemetery. There is also such a cemetery up the mountains near mount Kinabalu that is dedicated to the Australian soldiers who were here in World War 2 who never returned. Sadly.
Ambon is one of the most extraordinary places and of course I myself as an Indonesian citizen have never visited there but reading history of course there are many things that we can get there because of course in the war and also the previous Dutch Colonial colonialism very many people who exiled there.
Yes, I agree, Ambon has a very interesting history with many periods of war and civil unrest. It is great to see the World Peace Gong in place as a reminder to live in peace always.
Australia is also a very beautiful place. I hope I could be a tourist there in the future. It is good to know that Ambon is the City of Music. I always love music as it adds color to my soul.
Australia has so much to offer tourists. If you get the opportunity to go I have no doubt that you will love it.
World peace gong is actually built with a deep meaning. There are many interesting things to see and learn in this city such as the instrument statue. No wonder why people call this city as “Ambon City of Music”.
Yes, I agree, there is a wonderful meaning behind the world peace gong and why it was erected in Ambon. A music festival is held in May every year here. I would love to visit the city again one year to see the festival.
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I really like the last picture you shared of a sunset glow.
Thanku. Gotta love a sunset photo 🤩
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