Banda Island

Banda History The intrigue of the Banda Archipelago lies not just below the surface. The sense of history found in Banda is exhilarating, it is in the heart of the islands and the adventurous few who bravely embark on a rare expedition to the region will be rewarded with a trip of a lifetime. It was not always the case that explorers arrived in these waters with peace on their minds. Countless relics lay scattered across the islands, serving as reminders of the days when Banda was once a valuable commodity, one whose fruits were worth fighting to rule. Periods of Portuguese, Dutch and British control left their mark on Banda, the main example of such instantly recognised as Fort Belgica, commanding the hill over looking the town. Cannons lay scattered about the idyllic streets and a Dutch Palace, traditional jail and the island museum, filled with artefacts discovered over the centuries, wait for exploration.  A walk amongst the local markets, brimming with spices and the day’s fresh catch, allows visitors to experience the local community existence, largely unchanged for centuries. The Original Spice Islands Spices, more specifically Nutmeg, Mace and Cloves were the assets which elevated the Banda islands to the most valuable real estate in the world. Spice traders from across the globe set out in search of the original Spice Islands, in the hope of returning home with a cargo of the exotic riches. Nutmeg and Mace were valuable due to their well known preservative and medicinal qualities. With the bubonic plague rife in Europe, any supposed cure had incredible demand; and indeed nutmeg was thought to be a cure for the Black Death. The secondary spice of nutmeg production, the vibrant red mace, was also believed to hold medicinal powers secretly sought by gentlemen folk of the time. In the rare event that merchants made the journey successfully, the rewards were significant and the traders grew rich beyond their dreams. The resulting colonial residences and palaces that were erected in Banda are still standing, waiting to be explored. By diving Banda with Spice Island Divers, there is always enough time to explore the topside culture and historical delights of the region.