Tobelo

North Maluku, Indonesia

Fuji S2 digital, Nikon 12-24

Tobelo is reputedly the biggest town in Halmahera. You could be forgiven for mistaking it for just a wide part in the road running up the Kao Bay coast of north Halmahera. The walk from one end of the town to the other takes less than ten minutes.

This is Tobelo's main drag. The banner is welcoming participants in a meeting of a council of Islamic scholars. Why here?

In contrast to intensely Islamicized Ternate, Christian Tobelo seems almost wide open. Beer is available in restaurants and the one hotel (where we stayed), and most women are uncovered.