The second-largest island in Maluku, Ceram is virtually untouched because of its wild, rugged interior. Ceram receives a lot of rain throughout the year, and is a birdwatcher’s Paradise. Trekking in the Manusela National Park is about as far offs the beaten track as you can get in Indonesia; the park receives fewer visitors than Baliem Valley in Papua.

The Banda group, about 132 kilometers southeast of Ambon, consist of three larger islands and seven smaller ones, perched on the rim of Indonesia’s deepest sea, the Banda Sea. Near Manuk Island the water reaches a depth of more than 6,500 meters. Gunung Api Islands is an active volcano, the last major eruption occurred only a few years ago.

Just off Halmahera’s northern arm, Morotai was an important airbase during World War II, first for the Allies and later for the Japanese. The ghosts of war still linger in this area, where many wrecks of aircraft and rusting guns lie abandoned in the bushes.

Ternate, an island in northern Maluku, was once the seat of the most important kingdom made rich by the spice trade. The Portuguese, the Spanish and the Dutch vied with each other for influence on this island.

Good beaches with coral reefs just off shore are found around Hunimoa, Latuhalat, and Namalatu beaches on Ambon. Namalatu has the nicest beach and a hike to Latuhalat will take you some excellent secluded coves.

The provincial capital of Maluku, is built on a hillside overlooking the bay. It has a number of interesting historical and cultural sites, among the remnants of forts built the Dutch East Indies Company during the heyday of the spice trade. The ruins of the Portuguese fort at Hila are almost entirely hidden beneath the contorted roots of a giant Banyan tree.