WEST JAVA

WEST JAVA, THE PROVINCE IN WHICH JAKARTA IS LOCATED, OFFERS MANY INTERESTING DAY OR WEEKEND TRIPS, SOME OF WHICH ARE LISTED UNDER beaches and islands.

BOGOR

With pleasantly cool weather because of its proximity to the mountains, Bogor was the home of many Dutch officials in former times.

HOW TO GET THERE

Two roads lead to Bogor, each taking approximately 1 hour; the commercial route, which is the southward extension of the Jakarta bypass, and a newly improved colonial road which can be reached either from blok A. there is also train service to Bogor, it takes about an hour.

SIGHTS

Presidential Palace : the Palace, not normally open, may be visited by prior arrangement through tour agencies. Or you may make request by letter, including names of all visitors and exact time, the present edifice dates from 1856 a earlier building on the same site was occupied by varios Dutch Governor General and by sir Stamford Raffles of special interest are the statuary in the gardens and a large number of paintings collected by former president Soekarno.

Bogor Botanical Gardens : (Kebun Raya) world famous 275 are spread of lawns and plantings. Don’t miss the fascinating orchid houses or the monument to Olivia Raffles. Main gate open to the public on Sundays and the gate by the seamec building on weekdays. Small admission fee.

Zoological museum : on gardens grounds, open. Sunday. 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.; Friday 8 – 10 a.m. other days 8 a.m.- noon. Small admission charge.

Bibliotheca Bogoriensis : jl. Bogor raya. Scientific library associated with the botanical garden. Visitors welcome Monday- Thursday. Mornings. Interested persons can obtain library privileges by becoming members.

Batu tulis : jl. Batu tulis, stone with Sanskrit writing housed in small building almost opposite the gate to the former home of president Soekarno, Nominal Donation Expected.

PUNCAK

The volcanic slopes of gunung gede and gunung pangrango beyond Bogor are prepared with private weekend cottages, some of which are available for annual rental. Watch newspaper advertisements and inquire among long-time Jakarta residents if you are interested. The puncak pass hotel.

SIGHTS

LAKE TELAGA WARNA : just before the pass, 25 km. beyond the Sukabumi/Samudra turn off. A small, pleasant lake reached by a five minute walk through a tea plantation. Sign on left.

CIBODAS BOTANICAL GARDENS : a cool, high altitude extension of the gardens at Bogor about 10 km. beyond the pass, look for small sign “ Kebun Raya” on left side in Cimacan pointing to turnoff, excellent picnic spot.

GUNUNG GEDE, GUNUNG PANGRANGO SUMMITS : 5 to 7 hour, hike starting from the parking lot at Cibodas can take you to the top of either volcano; Gede has a prettier view, for camping out overnight, a sleeping bag and tent are recommended; for one-day trips, a sweater or light jacket, be prepared for rain.

Guides can be arranged with the Lembaga Biologi Nasional in Bogor, or you can follow these abbreviated directions

Follow trail for parking lot, past turnoff to waterfall Cibeureum, over hot waterfall, to ruined cottage. Ignore left fork 30 meters before ruins. Directly after ruins, trail forks, right fork to summit; left fork to enter crater lip and down into a valley.

CIPANAS : about 5 km beyond the turn off to Cibodas is the site of the Presidential Palace in the mountains. And a very picturesque flower, vegetables, and fruit market.

BANDUNG

Bandung, the capital of West Java, is a charming city about 180 km (4 hour drive) of Jakarta. It offers the visitor a cool climate and a number of interesting side trips.

HOW TO GET THERE

There are two scenic routes to Bandung which differ little in either distance or time required for the trip. One route is through the puncak and the other is by way of lake Jatiluhur, outside of Purwakarta, a longer route through Sukabumi can also be followed. There are also daily express trains in each direction.

SIGHTS

The Cirebon tourist board (Dinas Pariwisata Cirebon) jl. Kalibaru selatan 39, can be very helpful, little English spoken.

Grave of sunan gunung jati : one of the original missionaries who brought islam to Indonesia. Now a mosque, 7 km north of town on the road back to Jakarta.

Candi sunya ragi : interesting structure with secret chambers which Sunan Gunung Jati built as a country house for his Chinese bride. Referred to locally as the “Taman Sari” of the Chinese princess

Kraton kesepuhan : one of four kratons, built in typical Cirebon style. There is a splendid royal carriage in its museum in the center of town, but away from hotels.

Trusmi (batik village) : about 7 km, south of Cirebon, a right turn off the road to Bandung at the village of plered. One of the largest workshops is that of Budi Tresna.

TANGGERANG

Enroute to many of the beach resorts, this small town is the center of the “Panama” hat industry. A Chinese temple built over 200 years ago is of interest, as are the straw items available for purchase from the prison. About 35 km, (one hour) west of Jakarta.

BANTEN

Site of an important 17^th century sultanate, Banten figured largely in the history of Jakarta, since it is located about 150 kms. (2 ½ to 3 hours). West of Jakarta, the trip can easily be made in one day, take a picnic lunch.

SIGHTS

Masjid agung : built in 1559 by the son of Sultan Hasanudin, this mosque contains a small museum. Local folktales abound; a guide will expound in Indonesia or limited English. Visitors may climb the prayer tower.

Spellwijck fortress : built in 1682, the fortress is now in ruins, but is still a pleasant picnic spot. Interesting grave yard across the street.

Istana Surosowan (Royal Palace) ruins in pastoral setting.

Kelenteng Chinese temple : large temple with dozens of deities enthroned; located west of the fortress.

Bird Reserve : island in nearby harbor of Karang Hantu; can be reached by local prahu (boat) migrating birds from India, China, Australia roost here August through May.

ISLANDS AND BEACHES

There are number of lovely beaches on the coasts of West Java which are easy day or overnight trips from Jakarta. Accommodations vary and on Sundays are usually quite crowded.

ANYER

The 3 ½ to 4 hour, drive (150 km) takes you through tangerang, serang, and to cilegon. Watch for signs directing you to the motel from Serang, in Cilegon. The road forks, North to Merak and southeast to Anyer Beach Motel.

CARITA BEACH (between karang bolong and Labuan)

Follow above directions to anyer; continue about 40 km, past Anyer along the coast on road to Labuan. For a more scenic route, drive to Serang, then South. in direction of Pandeglang; West. over the mountains to Batu Kuwung; through Batu Kuwung to Karang Bolong, then South, along the coast to Carita, about 150 km, 3 ½ to 4 hour drive.

Carita Krakatau beach complex of rustic bungalows on quiet beach. Small restaurant and bar offer limited menu.

FLORIDA BEACH (PULAU RIDA)

Florida beach at the N.W. tip of Java, offers several well patronized stretches of white sand beach. Drive through Tanggerang and Serang to Cilegon and to Merak, the drive of about 140 km, takes 3 hour drive.

KARANG BOLONG

This is lovely , rarely-used beach on the Sunda straits, it has nice surf for children, with a long shallow slope, but is deep enough for adult swimming too. (the water is sometimes treacherous in December and January).

Batu kuwung Recreation complex-cabins : the more expensive cabins have hot water from springs, built by the army around a hot spring; includes a swimming pool, play ground, and tennis courts, beaches are a short drive away. Crowded on weekends, also two cabins available on beach at Karang Bolong.

KRAKATAU and UJUNG KULON

Krakatau is a volcanic island in the sunda straits which erufted spectacularly and devastatingly in 1883. Today it is a splendid cinder cone, with a just a hint of returning vegetation.

Ujung kulon, the southwestern – most peninsula of java, is an unspoiled nature reserve where rare flora and fauna, including the rare onehorned rhinoceros and wild cattle (banteng) can be seen. Both sites are accessible only fro the sea. Some travel agencies in Jakarta can set up a tour for a group.To go to either place independently, drive to Labuan and hire motorizing fishing boat to make the trip. Krakatau is a one day round trip; some people prefer to leave before dawn to avoid too much sun. Ujung Kulon is a longer trip and one must be prepared with all supplies to camp out overnight in the park.

SAMUDRA BEACH (PELABUHAN RATU)

An isolated area with a beautiful but treacherous beach. Even though the water has a serene appearance, it is advisable to believe the posted warning signs regarding swimming.

Samudra beach is located at Pelabuhan Ratu, 160 km. (3 ½ to 4 hour drive). Of Jakarta beyond Bogor, you can either follow the usual route (indicated by a large sign) through Cicurug to Pelabuhan Ratu, or you can go the longer route over Puncak Pass and through Cianjur and Sukabumi; the latter part of both routes is a long a rough, winding road.