7-day cruise to Banda Islands

JAKARTA (JP): A new seven-day cruise to the Banda islands, known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, will operate for the first time to coincide with the island's annual Kora Kora boat race from Nov. 12 to Nov. 19.

Sailing on the Modern Group's Awani Dream, the tour will cast off from Bali's Benoa harbor on Nov. 12 and will call first at Komodo island. On Nov. 15, the ship will arrive in Bandaneira and be greeted by dozens of Kora Kora boats, which will escort the ship to the quay.

"The Kora Kora boats symbolize the heroism of Banda's natives as the boats were used in the defense of Banda against the colonists," State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Hayono Isman says. (ste)