TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Year-end holidays are the right time to escape your daily routine. Five tourist destinations in eastern Indonesia may interest you. “Because eastern Indonesia boasts fair weather, which different to Jakarta that sees frequent rain showers in the past couple of months,” says a travel blogger Satya Winnie.

Here are 5 recommended tourist spots in eastern Indonesia as mentioned by travel bloggers.

1. Banda Neira

Banda Neira is an island Banda Islands, Central Maluku district. Under the Dutch rule, the island was a nutmeg trade center. You can still find historical buildings on the island, such as Belgica Fortress.

The area consists of several islands, namely Hatta Island, Nailaka Island and Rhon Island. Most of the islands have beautiful beaches with white sand, perfect for snorkeling and diving. Aside from marine tourism, visitors can also enjoy beach sceneries from the height of 650 m by climbing Banda Api volcano.

2. Raja Ampat

The islands in West Papua are known for their underwater beauty. Raja Ampat is among the top 10 best diving site in the world. The only way to reach the islands is by sea transport. As such, the transportation cost is high. If you want to spend your holiday in Raja Ampat, you better travel in a group to share the cost.

3. Ternate

Ternate City is situated at the base of Gamalama volcano on Ternate Island, North Maluku. The main attractions of Ternate are Mitara and Tidore islands that are depicted on an Indonesian banknote. Tourists can enjoy beautiful beach sceneries from mount Gamalama, the greenish Lake Tolire and snorkel in clear waters.

4. Togean

The Togean Islands are located at Tomini Bay, Central Sulawesi. The area is home to a marine national park boasting coral reefs and endangered marine biota, such as pilot whales, giant clams, whitetip reef sharks, manta rays, etc. The area is also a habitat of olive ridley turtle and green sea turtle.

The underwater sceneries are very stunning and are great for snorkeling and diving. There are also mangrove forests near the beach.

5. Kei Islands

Kei Islands are located southeast of Maluku district. The beach on Kei Island has soft, clean white sand. Aside from diving and snorkeling, tourists can dive in Hawang Cave connected to Evu spring. The area is also a habitat of Australian pelicans that are migrating to Maluku from Australia and Papua New Guinea.

You can also learn about prehistoric period by visiting Luvat Cave whose walls are painted with the drawings of humans during the Megalithic period.

Various Sources | SALMA HABIBAH