Ambon, Maluku - Of the 106 foreign yachts taking part in Sail Indonesia, 49 set sail from Darwin`s Cullen Bay in Australia`s Northern Territory for Banda in Maluku on Saturday, July 24, 2010 to participate in Sail Banda.
At 11 am Darwin Time on Saturday, the 49 yachts were flagged off by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono in the presence of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad, Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu, and the Darwin mayor.
Maluku Culture and Tourism Office spokesperson Florence Sahusilawane told Antara here over her cellular phone from Darwin that the yachts were scheduled to reach Banda Neira on July 27, 2010.
"That is why the Sail Indonesia this year is also called Sail Banda 2010 and Maluku has been entrusted to host this international marine event," Sahusilawane said.
All the yachts participating in Sail Indonesia had departed from Darwin and during the following three months they will participate in a series of cultural festivals at different stopovers in Indonesia, namely the islands of Timor, Banda, Ambon, Buton, Lembata, Wakatobi, Flores, Sulawesi, Bali, Java, Borneo, Belitung and finally on to Batam or Bintan just south of Singapore.
In Maluku Province the participants of the event will be able to visit many interesting and amazing places such as Sea Garden, Belgica Fort, House of Bung Hatta, House of Iwa Kusuma Sumantri, Agro Tourism in Banda; Natsepa Beach, Hunimua Beach, Pintu Kota Beach, Manuala Beach, Namalatu Beach, Pasir Putih Beach (Alang), Amsterdam Fort, Old Mosque (Kaitetu), Old Church (Hila), Siwalima Museum in Ambon; historical and megalithic sites and villages in Kisar.
As in past years. the Local Administration at each of these Indonesian islands have planned a number of events which include a ceremonial welcome and dinner as well as cultural and arts displays and also dance performances.
The participants will be able so see some of the more remote parts of Indonesia as they cross the country away from the well-trodden tourist routes. (O001/S026)
Source: http://www.antaranews.com