Janes is a native of Ambon, Maluku who for the past 23 years
has led tours for Maluku Divers for many types of travelers,
researchers, and explorers throughout eastern Indonesia. Among
his clients have been geologists, anthropologists, herpetologists,
and documentary filmmakers. He specializes in travel around
Ambon and is always keen to lead trekkers into the jungles
of neighboring Seram Island.
What are some of the most vivid memories you have of growing
up in Ambon?
Children in Ambon have a simple, but active life. We used
to play games from sticks and rocks and shells from the beach.
Christmas is always a big celebration. I remember there was
always music in the house all year long.
Have you noticed people in Maluku moving on with their lives
after all the troubles several years ago?
I see Muslims and Christians mixing freely in the streets
now. Nobody wants that horrible experience ever to be repeated
and everybody seems to be making a big effort to coexist again
and work together for a brighter future. We held a special
event that is very old called the Pela ceremony. This ceremony
is used in special circumstances to heal old wounds between
different villages and tribes.
What do you think local people could do to improve the image
of Maluku?
I would be so happy to see a competition for the cleanest
village around Ambon island. I have spent time with many Westerners
traveling in Maluku and I always hear the same thing, “Maluku
is so beautiful, but why are there plastic garbage everywhere?”
I would like to see this changed. This is a problem all over
Indonesia not just Maluku.
-.)*(
I have heard that Ambonese music sounds very much like Hawaiian
music. Is this true?
-.)*(
Yes, that’s right, Hawaiian music sounds similar to
Ambonese music. We play similar instruments - the drum (tifa),
the conch shell (tiup kulibia), ukulele (juk), and “maluku
gamelan” (totobuang). I have heard Hawaiian slack key
guitar and it is wonderful. Maybe Maluku was the original
home of the Hawaiian culture because all Maluku people know
that we have been living here in these islands for a long
time.
The diving in Maluku is world renown. Is it true that the
Governor of Ambon is a scuba diver himself?
Yes, the Governor is a diver. He is seriously considering
opening a “Diver Education School” that will train
people from all over Maluku in how to become professionals
in the industry. At the moment there are already locals from
the islands of Tanimbar, Seram, Saparua, and Banda who are
working at Maluku Divers. This is good because it trains local
people and keeps the money generated from marine tourism in
Maluku.
What makes the diving around Ambon utterly unique in both
Indonesia and the world?
The diving in Ambon and the Banda Sea is so rich because of
our proximity to the Wallace Line. We also have a very low
population base in Maluku and there is virtually no industrial
pollution here. All of these factors make the diving fantastic
and by the way did I mention that there are NO CROWDS.
What can divers do “after hours”?
Divers visiting Ambon have a few options besides diving. Laying
on a deserted beach, going on a short “plant medicine”
walk with the locals, or watching how the locals process cloves
and nutmeg are all examples of interesting things to do. There
is an excellent museum not far from the Australian war memorial,
and some other small villages in the hills of Ambon that have
very rich folklore and history. Evenings on the beach is time
for grilled fish, cold beer, and plenty of locals playing
traditional music. It’s a good life!
Besides sea sports and music, what other kinds wildlife experiences
are available?
My good friends Sopi and Buce live on Seram Island just north
of Ambon. I have been using them as local jungle guides for
many years. These two friends used to trap wild birds in the
jungle and sell them on the black market. They have stopped
this practice and now focus on leading adventurous travelers
into the rainforest to see caves, waterfalls, and the most
beautiful parrots in the whole world. Seram is a wonderful
place to visit and is still very wild and has a very interesting
tribal culture still living in the high mountains, a 2-3 day
walk.
When travelers return home, what are usually their most lasting
impressions of Maluku?
The beaches are fantastic, the diving is even better, the
food is very special and always fresh. The history of Maluku
is important, too. I think the most lasting impression, though,
is the time that tourists get to spend with the locals while
they’re here. The relationships are sincere and we want
to share a little bit of our hearts with everyone that chooses
to visit us here in the famous Spice Islands.
For anyone interested in being considered for Siapa, please
contact : <pakbill2003@yahoo.com>
Copyright@2005 Al Hickey
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