the globe says
Indonesia
Fly to Ambon via Jakarta, then the fortnightly ferry or small plane to the original Spice Islands.
A guesthouse in Bandaneira among Dutch colonial mansions slowly returning to the jungle.
The islands nutmeg built and empires killed for — the Dutch once traded Manhattan to keep them. Pristine reefs, a smoking volcano, and history so heavy you can smell it.
Climb Gunung Api at dawn, then snorkel the lava flow reef where coral grew back faster than science thought possible.
October to April
Terima kasih — thank you, in Indonesian.
Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Milton — how these ten islands changed world history.
Run island — the one the Dutch traded Manhattan for. Stand on it and laugh.
Transport to the Bandas is infrequent and weather-dependent — this trip needs slack on both ends.