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Bandung
The capital is situated on a plateau 768 metres above sea level
with a cool climate throughout the year. Although it has a population
of over two million the pace of city life is slower than Jakarta's.Several
institutes of higher education are located here, including the country's
prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology.
There ore short drives up to the mountain resorts of Lembang and
the Bosscho Observatory, and higher to the volcanic crater of Tangkuban
Perahu, the only crater in Java accessible all the way by car as
for as its rim. It is an aweinspiring sight of emanating sulphur
fumes. Descent into all the volcano's 12 craters is only possible
with the aid of an experienced guide, because of the presence of
suffocating gases at certain spots.
Just a 15 minute drive from Tangkuban Perahu is the Crater hot springs
resort. Here you can swim in warm mineral water pools, good for
healing skin problems.
The resort provides visitors with a bar, restaurants, tennis courts
and cottage style hotels overlooking a beautiful mountain scape.
In Banding, try to see the "Wayang Golek" wooden puppet
show and hear the "Angklung" bamboo orchestra, as well
as the classical Sundanese gamelan and dances.
Mang Udjo Angklung Workshop
One of the unique characteristics of this place is that traditional
art performances are staged with a natural background of mountains,
rice fields and plantations. Bamboo handicraft and musical instruments
are made and sold here. Mang Udjo's "Angklungs" ore well
known because of his fine workmanship and exact tuning of these
bamboo musical instruments. His workshop is located in the village
of Padasuka, around 7 km from Bandung.
Patenggang lake
One of the leading resorts is located in less than an hour by road
to the south of the city. The eastern side of the lake is a cool
forest having an average temperature of 10 degrees C and is often
hazy the whole day. The north side is bordered by a lush tea estate,
reaching far out to the west and south.
Juanda Forest Park
This is a 590-hectare (2,475-acre) forest for research and recreation
with native plant species as well as from other parts of the world.
The Japanese occupation forces left a number of caves and tunnels
which they dug out of these cliffs during World War 11 for the devence
of the area. This highland forest park is minutes away from Bandung.
Maribaya
Since long known for its hot water springs, Maribaya lies north
of Bandung which can be reached within 30 minutes. The trip itself
is worthwhile making, as you will pass through a picturesque road
dotted with flowery hills and lovely villas all the way. The mountain
air is cool and the sulphur-laden water just comfortably hot for
swimming as well as for just soaking in. Part of the scenery is
a 25 m high waterfall set against a steep mountain cliff.
Jatiluhur Dam
Situated just about halfway between Jakarta and Bandung, this dam
was originally built with Fench technical assistance back in the
Fifties, mainly for the purpose of generating electrical power for
the region. Since then the dam developed into a multi-purpose designated
area as it now serves irrigation to the surrounding arable land
and fishery as well. Somewhat later, tourism saw a potential area
for development as it now provides convenient facilities such as
swimming pools, tennis courts, a camping ground, speedboats for
water skiing and cottages. The water surface is enormously vast,
the scenery tropical, the air crisp and cool.
Bogor
Previously known as "Buitenzorg" (Sans soucis or Without
worries) during the Dutch colonial era, Bogor actually lies closer
to Jakarta 150 km) than it does to Bandung ( 120 km). Appropriately
named by the Dutch as a town "without worries", they chose
Bogor to be the site for constructing the first palace of the Dutch
Governor General way back in 1745. Later restored in 1832, the palace
still stands solid and elegant today with its stretched out gardens
where deer roam freely on the green grass under majesticly tall
old trees.
However, Bogor is famous because of its Botanical Garden which borders
the Palace Grounds, covering an area of 87 hectares with thousands
of species of plant life from all over the world, including towering
age old trees and the rarest kinds of orchids. See the original
"Havea Brazilliensis" rubber tree formerly imported from
Barzil, and world's largest flower, the Rafflesia a foul smelling
and stemless as well as leafless plant. When visiting this Garden,
arrange for a permit to visit the neighbouring Presidential Palace
which belonged to the Dutch Governor General before Indonesia's
independence. Doing this may be a day-long visit by leaving Jakarta
in the morning and spend the night in the Puncak mountainous region
on your way to Bandung the next day. Here again, the whole car trip
will be memorable as scenic tropical beauty all around is really
astonishing. You will also pass by another smaller Presidential
Palace at Cipanas, the setting of which is in a colourful and flowery
vast garden around this woodenbut stylihs palace.
Zoological Museum
Exhibited in this Museum are mainly stuffed animals placed behind
vitrines or glass display cases, arranged as if these animals were
alive in natural surroundings. It is located on Juanda Street in
Bandung.
Batu-Tulis Ciaruteun /Stone Inscription)
An inscribed stone in the Sanskrit language originating in South
India, which is a relic from the Tarumanegara kingdom during the
reign of King Purnawarman in 450 A.D.
located on the bank of the Ciaruteun river in Ciampea village which
can be reached by driving along the 9-kilometers road from Bogor
to Ciampea followed by going on foot for about two kilometers.
Cibodas Botanic Garden
Located in the district of Pacet, 22 kilometers northwest of Cianjur,
the Cibodas Garden Park, honored by its other name "Paradise
on earth" impounds a 80- hectare area founded in 1890 for nature
preservation purposes.
Taman Safari Indonesia
Animals from all continents roam freely in this 35-hectare park,
75 km southeast of Jakarta along the Jakarta-Bandung route.
Among the animals kept here are some comparatively rare species
such as the anoa, rhinos, giraffes, white tigers and European, American
as well as Asian bears. Adjacent to the park are recreational grounds
with swimming pool, tennis courts, an artificial lake, a waterfall
and a children's playground with facilities such as a circus arena,
a house of horrors, a merry-go-round and a small circuit. There
are also restaurants, cafetarias and other facilities.
Lido Water Recreational Centre
It lies 21 km south of Bogor or 81 km from Jakarta. The lake is
conveniently located along the route from Bogor to Sukabumi, surrounded
by scenic panoramas. Water sport facilities, a restaurant and accommodation
are available.
Pangrango
Pangrango is a cool place at the foot of this mountain bearing the
same name, equipped with the longest restaurant and swimming pool.
It has ample mountain views overlooking tropical forests and hills
and is located on the Salabintana Road, at 7 km from Sukabumi.
Situ Gunung
Located in the district of Cisaat, 14 kilometers from Sukabumi Situ
Gunung is a natural lake surrounded by damar trees. It is suitable
for camping.
Pelabuhan Ratu Beach
Formerly just a plain fishing village it has now grown into a lovely
holiday resort, more and more visited by holiday makers from Jakarta
and Bandung, a mere three-hour drive from either city through cool
mountain villages with picturesque scenerie Gradually but surely
this area will catch up with the pace of development as is the case
with Carita on the extreme West coast of Java. Pelabuhan Ratu Cisolok
is a 15 km stretch of breathtaking beauty with hills, mountains
and very wide sandy beaches everywhere around you, set againts the
deep blue Indian Ocean.
Truly rare is the fact that thick tropical forests on rolling hills
are found right next to stretches of white beaches. Taking walks
uphilenables the visitor to look down on the horseshoe shape of
the bay's coastline, whereas at night hundreds of fishermen's boatlamps
are seemingly competing with the star-studded sky above, which is
both enchanting and romantic. There is one four-star hotel, the
Samudera beach, about 6 km from Pelabuhan Ratu, but several other
smaller hotels and cottages are available at moderate rates.
At this virgin stage, this area represents unspoiled beauty in a
typically tropical setting with hospitable inhabitants.
Because of its proximity to Jakarta this area is visited by more
tourists from the capital than those from Bandung. Moreover, the
highways to and from Pelabuhan Ratu have recently been greatly improved
to assure you of a smooth ride to enjoy the sceneries you pass even
better. Don't forget to enjoy the fresh seafood at reasonable prices.
Pulau Manuk
A rocky isle of 500 m2, it is located 127 km south of Rangkasbitung
or 120 km west of scenic Pelabuhan Ratu. The isle functions as a
tide breaker as well, so that the inward beach is safe for a variety
of marine sports which would have been threatened by the menacing
tides of the Indian Ocean.
The isle has a forest conservation park and rubber estate. During
low tide, it is reachable on foot.
The Prince Sumedang Foundation Museum
Located in the Pavillion of the Sumedang Regency building, in which
relics of Sumedang's ancestors such as gamelan, spears, crown and
royal clothes are exhibited.
Garut
A typical Sundanese town in the highlands, Garut is surrounded by
volcanic mountains and vast tea plantations. Around this area are
a few lovely lakes and hot springs, one of which is at Cipanas where
comfortable accommodations can be found. People visit these sulphur
springs which have medicating effects to purify their skin. Mount
Papandayans crater is probably one of the most spectacular mountain
scenes on Java island.
There is the Cangkuang temple situated by Cangkuang Lake which was
a major discovery of archaeological value as it was the first of
its kind found in West Java, dating back to the 8th century. Situated
17 km from Garut, but 50 km from Bandung.
Tasikmalaya
Sixty kilometres from Garut, Tasikmalaya is known for its patted
mats, painted umbrellas and batiks of particular designs and colours.
Kampung Naga
The uniqueness of Kampung Naga is that in spite of its proximity
to modern society, it has retained its traditional customs over
the centuries. It is a small village in the beautiful mountains
of the Salawu District, some 30 km from Tasikmalaya. Here the most
important traditional ceremony is called the "Upacara Pedaran~
which illustrates its age-old history and culture, held only once
every year.
Cirebon
Travelling northeast from Bandung towards the coast, the seaport
of Cirebon offers a wealth of culture and history. Situated by the
border of West and Central Java, it is a combination of both. There
is an ancient royal cemetery where a holy sultan was buried which
has become a place for pilgrimage at the Astana Gunung Jati.
In the city itself, the ancient palaces (kratons) of the Kasepuhan
and Kanoman now serve as museum which are open to the public, exhibiting
house ornaments, paintings, calligraphy and other art treasure of
the courts. The royal carriages are sumptuous in design, one of
them a gilded coach in the form of a winged elephant. Across the
square from the Kasepuhan Kraton is the "Mesjid Agung~ (Grand
Mosque) which is of a Javanese "Peak" architecture and
made entirely of wood. Cirebon is also known for its distinct batik,
now a flourishing industry which may be seen in the village of Trusmi.
Another specialty this city can offer you is a wide range of seafood,
probably the best in West Java.
Linggarjati
The Linggarjati Tourism Park is located at Linggarjati village in
the Cilimus district. The distance is 14 km from Kuningan or 24
km from Cirebon. The park occupies 1 1 hectares of land, and pro
vices some recreational facilities, such as a swimming pool (Balong
Kagungan) or the kagungan pond, lake and water springs (Cibulakan
and silinggonom), water recreation and a fishing pond. Also available
are resting places, cottages and villas, a tourism forest, a camping
ground, a hall food kiposks/stalls and ample parking facilities.
The Linggarjati Agreement Building is located not far from the Linggarjati
Tourism Park. From 1946 - 1947 a conference was held between Indonesia
and the Netherlands, supervised by British delegates from the Tripartite
committe.
Pangandaran, Karang Nini and Batu Hiu
This is the second beach resort area on the Indian Ocean after Pelabuhan
Ratu. It certainly equals the latter's awe-inspiring natural beauty,
however, it has the disadvantage of being so far off from Bandung
1223 km) and even more so from Jakarta 1400 km). Road conditions
are good, thus making the trip by car or bus recommendable. However,
if you prefer to take the train, get into the Bandung- Yogyakarta
Express train and get off at the Ban jar railroad station about
4 hours later. From here it will be another 50 km by bus to Pangandaran.
The beach is called Penanjung, where most of the cottages and hotels
are located, however, of modest ratings. Nothing luxurious should
be expected. Pangandaran is especially of interest to nature lovers,
as there is a wildlife reserve in the vicinity where wild birds
and other indigenous animals live about freely to be enjoyed by
visitors. Here too, the white beaches are fine, the ocean ever so
blue and the seafood superb. Twelve kilometers before arriving at
Pangandaran you will see a huge rock on the beach which is called
Karang Nini.
A forest Conservation Park is located right here, which is another
place of special interest to nature lovers. Nearby is a camping
ground which has basic facilities suitable for the younger set.
Somewhat further out, west of Pangandaran, driving 23 km on the
way to Parigi, lies Batu Hiu, meaning Shark's Rock, which is a coastal
rock having the shape of a shark.
Close by a recreation park is found where you can have an andless
open ocean view and enjoy nature at its best.
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