SAILING INDONESIA: BANDA NEIRA SPICE ISLAND

Banda Neira was the main spice trading outpost of the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century in nowadays Indonesia. From Banda Neira they monopolized the spice trade for two centuries at a time when Nutmeg, Clove and Cinammon where more valuable than gold. This was while the Venetians, Portuguese, Spanish, English and Dutch had been fighting for the control of the spice trade for centuries. Nowadays, Banda Neira town preserves both its Portuguese and Dutch heritage to a remarkable degree, with many traditional colonial buildings as well as 12 well forts that give it a time travel flavor. The spice production and trade continues in its fertile volcanic lands and a mix of Indonesian culture and European influence is imprinted in this remarkable community still very much isolated and unpolluted by modern tourism and commerce. Only a few sailboats visit Banda Neira per year, and very few tourists. Everybody that visits Banda Neira falls in love with this lovely Island, including us, the Shaima Crew!