Tidore

Tidore is one of the Maluku islands. Tidore is in many ways similar to Ternate; the islands are about equally big, are both volcanoes rising up from the sea, were the once only places where cloves grew, and sultanates on their own. Nevertless, Tidore is less developed and touristy compared to its northwestern "twin", and as such more off the beaten path.

Understand
The Sultanate of Tidore was, like next-door Ternate, an important trade center for spices during the Age of Discovery and as such one of the places the European colonial powers fought over. This was where Magellan's round the world expedition (Magellan was dead by then) traded spices before sailing back to Spain.

Get in
Ferries are the only way for getting in. Probably most visitors come in from Ternate, just a few kilometres away, which has an airport with flights from Jakarta and other Indonesian cities. The speedboat crossing from Ternate takes about 20 minutes. There is also a slower ferry that will take motorbikes.

There are also ferries from Sofifi on Halmahera island.

Get around
Using ojek (motorcycle taxi) is more flexible to go to tourists or public objects.

Buy
Local souvenirs (though they are not manufactured as souvenirs but for use) are baskets and pottery. These are sold on the Soasio market on market days.

Eat
You can find plenty of food stalls, especially around in the harbour of Rum and around the market in Soasio. There are even more options available on market days.

Drink
Kopi dabe is a traditional coffee drink from Tidore. It is coffee with some spices and herbs.

Sleep
There are a few simple guesthouses on the island, in the villages of Soasio and Rum.

Connect
The telephone area code of Ungaran is 0921.

Go next

 * Back to Ternate