Well the advisory does paint a rather grim picture of this beautiful country but in fairness it's hard to contradict any of the advice it contains.
As regards Maluku I think the Indonesian government itself discourages travel there by foreigners. I saw a documentary on the BBC the other day of some bloke who was travelling around the world via the Equator and he was banned from entering that area.
What is interesting however to put the "dangerous" nature of Indonesia in perspective is the following quote;
"The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Indonesia in 2007 were for: assisting victims of crime (there were 64 cases of replacing lost and stolen passports); hospitalisations (15 cases); and dealing with arrests (11 cases, mostly for drug possession)."
The biggest problems for British travellers to Indonesia in 2007 were 64 lost or stolen passports, er, so in other words Indonesia really isn't dangerous at all then.
Sir Charles Humphrey,CMG? I'm not a native but I think a CMG (Companion of the Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George)is not entitled to be called Sir, not yet. Anyway, he is not Humphrey but Humfrey. Nice chap he seems.
Slightly more interesting than the initials some dip may or may not have, the book Nathanials Nutmeg is a great read and explains how the English gave up a tiny spice island and received Manhattan in return,...
It was then known as New Amsterdam.
J
Sir Charles and Lady Enid Humfrey are names straight out of a Somerset Maugham novel on the dying days of the British Empire and, although I never met them (but did receive various invites), they seemed to be popular among the power-that-be.
But then, so was Richard Godzney, the predecessor as ambassador. I met him a few times and felt that he was more at ease with the 'people'. Going to the roundabout outside the embassy at HI in order to chat with demonstrating students, was well-appreciated and shortly before he departed (for Nigeria it turned out) he was awarded a national award for his command of Indonesian.
I will also never forget the meeting we wardens had with him the day after the Bali bombs in 2002. Those were very difficult times when the embassy was operating under siege-like conditions and it struck me that RG demonstrated great courage, not only in dealing with the 'priorities' of the British interests (and personnel) here, but appreciating that considerable numbers of us would not feature in any anticipated evacuation.
But that was then, and at least 'Sir' Charles recognises that visiting Maluku isn't such a big deal anymore.
BTW Miko. I think travelling by PELNI ferry would probably be the backdoor route to the islands. Alternatively, fly from Manado.
I've skimmed thorough the article. Has the FCO travel advice been posted since 1623?
The brilliantly researched Nathaniel's Nutmeg spends chapters on the the Amboina massacre and the despicable behaviour of the Dutch Republic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Amb...mboyna_massacre
Miko is indeed correct. Indonesia seems a fairly safe place now compared to the days of torture, waterboarding and beheadings shockingly described in detail by Giles Milton
Maluku is easily accessible now, I visited the islands several times since 2002, including Ternate, Tidore, Halmahera, Ambon, Saparua, Seram, Banda, Kei... No need going through "back door" at all. My favourite part of Indonesia!
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