The Moluccas or Maluku -- known to history as the fabled Spice Island of East -- are a thousand sun-drenched isles strung like pearls across the tropical seas of eastern Indonesia. For centuries, they supplied the world with rare cloves, nutmeg and mace -- attracting explorers from around the globe. This first comprehensive guide to the region unlocks the fascinating history and incredible beauty of these islands, making possible and unforgettable odyssey to a seldom visited part of the archipelago