How This Magazine Got Its Name
My dad was born in a small village on Ambon, one of the Moluccan islands. These islands used to be known as the Spice Islands, for their native cloves and nutmeg. Wars have been fought over, and colonial empires built from the profits gained from trading in these spices. But even befor the times of the great discoverers and colonial powers, the spices were traded. With Arabs who are deemed to have given the archipelago its name, calling it Jazirat al-Muluk, or the islands of kings. And even before that, there has been mention of trade with these islands in ancient Indian manuscripts.
Travel is a great way to get to know the world better. To go further than just to scratch the surface. To learn about the places and people you visit. And yourself. By immersing yourself in what a place has to offer, connecting with it, you will find you will learn, and also teach. You will discover and tell stories. You will eat delicious food, or find that somethings really don’t please your palet. You will wander and wonder.
The name Le Giroflier Royal is a reference to all that. The royal clove, after the islands of my paternal ancestors and as a symbol for the centuries of travel and trade that my ancestors were in the midst of. I named this publication in French, because that’s where my maternal ancestors have traveled from. I’m a product of refugees. Of people who traveled the world, looking for a safe haven. By sharing my thoughts inspired by travel, I hope to contribute to constructing a world where people don’t have to travel out of necessity, but can simply explore the world out of sheer curiosity.
