Nice Touring Cilegon – Kuningan Via Ciater

CIATER SPA RESORT


Ciater Spa Resort is laid in Ciater - Subang - West Java. It is provided for everyone who wants enjoy staying submerged in the natural hot spring water pool.


On last week, 13 - 17 August 2008, we were going to attend my brother in law marriage in Kuningan, West Java. Usually, if we went to Kuningan, we took “Cikamurang” route. However, last week, I insisted my wife to go to Kuningan via Lembang, Subang - West Java. According to my wife’s friend, if you through this way, you’ll find lots of beautiful sceneries, although you must carefully drive in the curves road. My wife didn’t want to go to this way, since she was afraid that we would be lost somewhere in the place that we don’t familiar. However, I convinced her, that we have our GPS with us. So, after had some arguments, we decided to go to Kuningan, with our first destination is Ciater Spa Resort, Subang – West Java, may be we will try to Ciater Spa Resort, that the place only I know from the website. Yes! It’s time to try the GPS! I had installed the Garmin maps on my nokia E65 and bought GPS receiver “Navibe”. The GPS receiver is quit cheap enough, I think, only Rp. 600.000 (about USD 60).ay to go to Lembang. However, due to we want to enjoy the beautiful scenery, we exit in the Sadang toll gate and continue drive to Subang. In Subang city, turned right to go to Subang – Ciater road. Exit the Subang city, the road is very good, clean and smooth, although it is curves road. No wonder, I think, it is the tourism lane, so the government city will always provide good infrastructure. Soon, we also smell the fresh mountain air surrounding us.


To go to Lembang, the Garmin showed us route via Cipularang toll road, may be it is the short way. Far away, we could see the high mountain standing. May be it is Mount Tangkuban Perahu, but I’m not sure. Along the road to Ciater Spa Resort, there are tea plantations in our left and right side. Hmm, the air is so fresh! We opened the car window, let the wind blew inside our car. It’s so fresh and chill. The view is very magnificent, sometimes, in the green of tea plantation, we watched there are trees with red flower bloom. Beautiful combination! Green tea plantation, the blue of mountain and red flower bloom on the high trees!


Near the tea plantation, there are always some places to rest. These stalls provide some food for the tourist or sightseer who wants to take a rest and take some food while enjoy and feel the fresh air and the green tea plantation. Usually these stalls sell boil noodle, fried noodle, coffee, tea, etc. However, due to we were in rush, we didn’t stop awhile although we really wanted. Next time, I said. We must hurry to Ciater Spa Resort.

Then after about 5 hours driving from Cilegon, we arrived at our first destination, Ciater Spa Resort on the left side, surrounding by the green hill of tea plantation and slope of Mount Tangkuban Perahu.

Well, the enter gate to Ciater Spa Resort is not describe the luxury of this resort. We hesitated to go inside, but then we decided to enter the gate. The road inside is rough and slope down, and then we met the second gate entrance where we must pay for the ticket. It is quite expensive entrance ticket, Rp. 14.000/person (USD 1.4/person) and for the car Rp. 11.000 (USD 1.1) since we had to buy ticket also if we want to use the hot spring water pool, Ciater Spa Resort. The road to the resort now is quite good with the nuance village inside and chill wind. Inside Ciater Spa Resort, we can feel that it is absolutely managed well. Flower bloom everywhere, colorful; luxury wood house; and sometimes, we met horse riding renter in passing on the resort.


The entrance ticket to the natural hot spring spa water pool, Ciater Spa Resort is Rp. 25.000/person (USD 2.5/person), children Rp. 15.000/child (USD 1.5/child). The price of the ticket is different when weekend. We bought 2 tickets for me and my daughters – Azka and Aqeela. Actually we should bought 1 ticket for adult and 2 ticket for children since my wife didn’t swim she didn’t necessary to buy ticket. However, the ticket officer said, they made it 2 tickets for adult.


After getting the tickets, we continue to the hot spring water pool. Inside we noticed that there are four pools in Ciater Spa Resort hot spring water pool. It could be seen the water steam came up from the hot water in the pool. Due to, the weather was cloudy, the steam was clearly seen. The Japanese tourist we met there kindly told us that the 2 pools near the entrance are not too hot, so the children can enjoy submerged.


Not so many people in the pool in the time of our visit. May be because it was still workday. There were only 1 Japanese tourist who were so kind to us, and in the back pool, there were 3 western tourists had a chit chat while put their leg into the hot water. However, then came up a couple tourist, I don’t know for sure where they came from, I thought from Greece because they didn’t speak English. Wow, it seems that most people come here are international tourists, we probably in the wrong pool? We couldn’t take a swim and submerged any longer since the rain was start to coming. The weather became more chiller than ever. So, although my children, Azka and Aqeela still want to play in the water pool, we must finish since the rain became harder.


While waiting the rain stop, we took dhuhur prayer in the mushola that provided near the hot spring water pool. Then after took some lunch, we continued to go around the Ciater Spa Resort area. Oh, in fact, that in the east of this area, there are also hot water pool and a large area playground and small lake which is usually used for outbound activity, e.g. playing fox, etc. In the playground there are many facilities for children to play, like swing, water bike, sliding, etc. I think children will be happy in this place. If you want to ride a horse, there are some people offering riding horse. The cost is not too expensive, you can ride a horse with only Rp. 20.000/horse. The hot water pool itself was still in reparation, so it was closed when we arrived there. Near the playground, there is a camping ground and also Kunang – Kunang café. But the café was closed, again may be because it was not weekday. It is very beautiful area, next time I want to go to Ciater Spa Resort again.

Surosowan Palace

(PART – 3)

SUROSOWAN PALACE – THE SULTAN’S RESIDENCE

2.5 km from Tasik Ardi artificial lake, we entered the Old Banten city area. Across the bridge over the canal (oh, this is the canal that used to be sailed by small boats age century ago, I thought). Just passed by the bridge, crossing the crowded of people and public transportation, on our left side there was the ruin of Surosowan fortress! Inside of the fortress, here there was the palace been standing! Wow, so, this is the only left of the famous Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa’s palace!? It was the about 3 acres area which surrounded by fortress at about 2 meters in height.

With the hot sunshine, I and my wife walked around the ruin of surosowan palace inside the fortress. Thanks God, my wife didn’t forget to bring an umbrella. It was very hot day.

This palace is built in several steps between years 1522 until 1570. The palace is largely ruined, however the beautiful of the palace still could be imagined when we see the remained buildings inside of the fortress. They are the rounded gate of royal palace, royal pool “Roro Denok”, which was built for the princess bathing, completed with the Bale Kambang (it is like gazebo, placed in the garden pond, usually used for take a rest) in the middle of the pool, 3 royal stairs made a half circle from terracotta and Pancuran Mas (Golden faucet/fountain) in the back which water from Tasikardi came into the palace beside the plumbing system around the palace.

In its time the palace was surrounded by watery canals that connected to the Java Sea. The canals could be sailed by the small ships. There was also a hydraulic gate that used to be the place for controlling the things or person that came and out the city gate. It could be imagined how beautiful the palace was.

Firstly, Surosowan palace was built by sultan Maulana Hasanudin (the first sultan of Banten) in 1552 – 1570. Then, sultan Maulana Yusuf (the second sultan of Banten), built the gate surrounding the palace. The palace gate was made from red brick stone and corals. Surround the gate was dig to make a ditch and also built princess royal pool inside the palace. In the time that sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (the fourth sultan of Banten) ruled the kingdom, he hired Dutch architect Hendrik Lucaszoon Cardeel to strengthen the gate by additional of Bastions at each corner of the gate.

When you came to Surosowan palace, don’t imagine that you will find a complete building like Borobudur temple or other historical building in Indonesia. All palaces or fortress you can find here are just ruins. The Surosowan palace and Kaibon palace has been destroyed several times under the Dutch administration. It was crushed the first time in 1680 by Dutch colonial, when sultan Ageng Tirtayasa fought against his betrayer son (sultan Haji) and the Dutch administration. The next, Surosowan palace and Kaibon palace must have experiences to be crushed again in the time of sultan Syafiuddin (the last sultan of Banten) ruled the kingdom.

Out from the enter gate of the fortress, in the north about 50 meters (It supposed to be city square in the past) we could found the flat stone which called “Watu Gilang Sriman Sriwacana”. This stone was belong to Padjadjaran Kingdom (on of the great kingdom in west java). When Banten attacked Padjadjaran Kingdom in the 1579, this stone was moved to Banten city by Maulana Yusuf as his father’s order (Maulana Hasanuddin). Watu Gilang Sriman Sriwacana was symbol and place for inauguration of the new sultan of Banten. It was said that Maulana Hasanuddin has ordered Maulana Yusuf not to move the “Watu Gilang Sriman Sriwacana” which was placed in the middle of the city, even a bit. Move it a bit was the sign of the kingdom collapse.

We could also find the almost the same stone nearest, in the east of the great mosque. This stone was called “Watu Singayaksa” where along time ago was used to announce the sultan’s order or sultan’s regulation.

To gain more information about Banten Kingdom in the past, in front of the Surosowan palace, there is a museum. Enter this museum, you only have to pay Rp. 1000 (0.9 USD). You can find diorama of Banten kingdom in the 15th century, near the entrance door. There are also displayed old coins that used to for trading. Some pictures and diorama are also displayed describing the situation Banten in the past, e.g. situation of market, situation at Tasikardi Park when used to welcome the guest, diorama of traditional football game (the ball is made fromrattan), etc. In this museum, porcelains that collected during the excavation the ruin Surosowan palace also displayed. Most of the porcelains had broken into pieces although some of them still in better condition.

Actually it is sadden, to see the condition of the old Banten city, one of the old archaeology sites in Indonesia. It is poorly managed. It is not because of the government doesn’t have goodwill, but the property status of the archaeology site itself still remain some problem. You can see and read, not far from the museum, there is a sign of “This land is belonging to Kampong Kebalen society”.

BANTEN GREAT MOSQUE, SUROSOWAN PALACE, KAIBON PALACE, SPEELWIJK FORTRESS – THE TRUTH EVIDENCES OF BANTEN SULTANATE VICTORY (2)

(PART – 2)
TASIK ARDI – THE NOBLEMAN RECREATION GARDEN & THE SOPHISTICATED WATER PLUMBING SYSTEM

In the Islamic kingdom period, there are 3 main characteristic of the government city. They are Palace, Mosque and Garden. The Garden of the Banten kingdom is believed to be Tasikardi. It is about 2.5 km from Surosowan Palace.

Driving from Cilegon for about 7 kilometers, we turn left in Kramatwatu intersection. Our first destination was the Tasikardi. It is an artificial lake that was built at period of Sultan Maulana Yusuf (the 2^nd sultan of Banten) and then Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (1651-1682) built the clean water distribution pipeline for the resident’s need. It is also said that the bottom of this lake (reservoir) covered by red floor tile. In language terminology, “Tasik” means lake while “Ardi” means artificial. In its time, the lake with artificial land completed with garden was provided as recreation place for the family member of sultan.

Arrived at Tasikardi, it could be seen from the roadway on the right, it is big reservoir with green big trees surrounding on it. Getting closer to that lake, our eyes caught up on water bikes that swam across along the lake. Unfortunately, the water of Tasikardi is brown dark color, dirty and the surrounding is poorly maintained. It is really hard to imagine that long time ago, in the sultanate period, this artificial lake was beautiful, along with its park so it was used for recreation place of palace members. In the middle of the lake there is squares area which is an artificial land/garden about 5 acres, where the sultan and family used to visit for recreation. The ruins of building, park and bathroom still can be seen here.

Tasikardi Park was used to welcome guest from Netherlands in the period of Sultan Muhammad Syifa Zainal Asyikin. One of the guest was Cornellis de Bruin, which was in this reception he had been shown the tayuban dance performance. This situation was captured in the painting that displayed in the Banten Museum now day.

Not only used as the recreation place, the water of Tasikardi was being used for irrigation and fresh water supply to Surosowan palace. No wonder that along the road from intersection of Kramatwatu, we could see rice fields in our right and left side, just like green and gold-yellow thick carpets. When most of rice field in Cilegon and Serang nearly dried due to long-dry-season, near Tasikardi you’ll find the opposite condition.

The water from Tasikardi also was the main supply of fresh water for the palace resident. Before entered to the palace, the water has been refined through three steps. The water flow via terracotta/clay pipeline to the first refiner which was called as Pengidelan Abang (Red Refiner), than the water from Pengidelan Abang transferred to Pengidelan Putih (White Refiner), and last the water being refined in Pengidelan Emas (Golden Refiner) before it was transferred to Surosowan palace by terracotta pipeline system. Don’t imagine that the color of the refiner is the same as each name. The name just indicates that the red one was dirtier than the white one, and in the golden one, the water was the cleanest. These pengidelan were the white-four sides building which have a cubic measure of length + 20 meters, width + 7 meters, and height + 3 meters. The principal of this refinery are precipitation and filtering.

The three buildings of refiners could be found between Tasik Ardi and Surosowan palace. You can find the first one near Tasikardi, about 500 meters, just in the right side of the road. The pengidelan were laid down in parallel, connected to the royal pool and golden fountain. The architect of this sophisticated plumbing system at the time was Hendrik Lucaszoon Cardeel, the one who also involved in the development of Surosowan palace and the great mosque.

To enter this area, you have only to pay Rp. 2000/person (about 0.25 USD/person). Inside, you can find some rest area made from bamboo. You can also take a walk to go around the lake/reservoir, enjoy the dense of leaves on your right and left side.

On the day of our visit here, there wasn’t many people seen here, or maybe it was still early in the morning. Usually, this area always crowded by young people, especially in the Saturday night. People come here for dating, fishing, family gathering, etc. This are also full in the Lebaran day (Islamic day, after fasting month), most people gather here since the ticket is cheap enough.

Continue – Surosowan Palace, the sultan’s residence

BANTEN GREAT MOSQUE, SUROSOWAN PALACE, KAIBON PALACE, SPEELWIJK FORTRESS – THE TRUTH EVIDENCES OF BANTEN SULTANATE VICTORY

(PART – 1)
BANTEN SULTANATE

Talking of the glorious of Islamic period in Indonesian history is tasteless without mentioning Banten kingdom which reached the glorious moment at the time of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa ruled the kingdom. Here is my journey to the old Banten which called as Bantam in the European perspective long century ago.

In the 12^th until 16^th century, Banten has already known as a big, famous harbor as connection among the islands in Indonesia and also across the country region. Banten harbor was lively and busy with traders or merchants that came from various countries, especially from Gujarat (India), Malay, Chinese, Portuguese, England, and Dutch.

Banten already has important roles in its time. Its strategic function due to Banten was laid in the international’s voyage and trading. Banten is located in the Sunda strait coastal, made up Banten as a crossing gate of Sumatra and Java islands. Banten was also known as the exporter of black pepper during the 15^th century.

The arrangement of the Banten city was also interesting. The 2^nd sultan of Banten, Maulana Yusuf, placed the citizen in order based on ability and region. The foreign village was placed outside the city gate, for example “Pakojan” village in the west of Karangantu trade market was occupied by traders from mid east, “Pecinan” village was occupied by Chinese traders, “Kepandean” village was occupied by blacksmith, “Kamasan” village was the center of gold manufacturing, etc. There were also villages based on social strata, e.g. “Kademangan” for Demangs (village headman in Java); “Kesantrian” for knights, Senapati (Commander in Chief), and royal soldiers; etc.

The sultan ran his kingdom from his royal palace, known as Surosowan palace. The sultan also made his ritual religion service in Great Mosque that placed not far from the palace. However, today, the only left just the ruins, except the great mosque which until today is one of the main destinations of Indonesian people for “ziarah” (visiting sacred place). The other left behind are the great mosque, artificial lake (reservoir) “tasik Ardi”, ruins of Kaibon palace, ruins of Speelwijk fortress, and other are house of worships.

The first sultan of Banten was Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin. He is the son of “Sunan (title for the holy man who first brought Islam to Java) Gunung Jati”. Maulana Hasanuddin was succeeded by his son, Maulana Yusuf. Just after Maulana Yusuf died, there was power struggle between Jepara prince and Maulana Muhammad (son of Maulana Yusuf). Maulana Muhammad won the struggle by the support of religious leaders.

Banten kingdom reached the glorious period in the time of Abdul Fathi Abdul Fatah which is famous as Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. In his time, Banten harbor became the international trade center. Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa is also known because his struggle to fight the Dutch Colonial. Due to his struggle, the surosowan palace was destroyed during VOC attack lead by governor general Daendles in 1808. The Banten sultanate was completely ended by the British administration under the lead of Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1813 when Sultan Syafiuddin (the last Banten dynasty) was forced to abdicate.

Feel as one of the citizen of Serang – Banten and tried to image the ancient of Banten civilization, this week August 3, 2008, me, my wife and kids went to the old Banten region where the ruins of the kingdom still exist.

Continue – Tasikardi, the nobleman recreation garden & the sophisticated water plumbing system.

UJUNG KULON ADVENTURE - PEUCANG ISLAND, CIDAON, TANJUNG LAYAR

Have you ever been traveled to Ujung Kulon, Banten, Indonesia?

I was there, and it was the ever memorable and unforgettable trip to the south-western tip of Java Island.

There are many amazing place to go when you arrived in Ujung Kulon, such as Cidaon where you can watch the wild ox having an eat, Cigenter river where you can go along the river watching the rainforest nuance and animal by paddle the canoe, Tanjung layer where you can find the lighthouse – the scenery from the top of it, is very amazing. Going to Ujung Kulon is not completed if doesn’t pass by Ujung Kulon National Park. As all people already know that the park is one of the world heritage sites, since here lives one-horned rhinoceros species (Rhinocerus Sondanicus) which is nearly extinctive. This park is a refuge for dwindling animals and plants. Besides the rhinoceros, there are around 700 varieties of plants including 57 rare species. Here, also lives: lutung (Presbytis cristata) – kind of monkey which have long tail, the wild ox of Java (Bos javanicus), tiger (Panthera tigris), surili – kind of monkey (Presbity aygula), 270 species of bird.

The other place recommended is Peucang Island, don’t questioned, it is like a heaven! You can stay a night at this small beautiful island during your trip to all places mentioned above.

I went to Peucang Island by group, the group was about 10 people include me. At the time, 4 years ago, the travel only cost Rp. 250,000/person or about USD 35/person including meals, barrack for sleeping, and other administration matter. It was very cheap travel to Ujung Kulon, since many people have to pay more expensive than this. Well, this is maybe like backpacker, with limited accommodation. So, don’t hope to get luxury traveling, take it whatever there is.

We leaved for Cilegon in the morning, and arrived at Sumur – Labuan at noon (Peucang Island can be reached by many ways. However, the common way is only two ways. First, taking a boat form SUMUR – Labuan - Anyer. Sumur is a small fisherman village.You can take a boat here to deliver to Peucang Island which the cost is about Rp. 1.5 Million or about USD 156 per boat. The capacity of the boat itself is about 15 – 20 persons, made from wood which has been modified. The other way is through TAMAN JAYA village. This village is the nearest to the Ujung Kulon National Park. You can also take a boat to Peucang Island).

We had still able to take dhuhur prayer in the mushola (little mosque) near the Sumur beach. We continued the journey by boat and it only took around 3.5 hours arrived at Peucang Island. The travel along the sea was also amazing. Feel the sea water spark in our skin, the wind blow along the sea caught up our face. Strong sea wave happened when we passed by the “Selamat Datang” bay because it directly face the ocean, however after we through that bay, the wave is not as strong as it is. The wave became friendlier, as we entered the Peucang Island border. Peucang Island located between Panaitan Island and the tip of Ujung Kulon peninsula. The water around was so calm and quiet. Soon, we reached the small harbor of Peucang Island. As we getting closer, we could watch the white sand became more and more large. It’s amazing! The white sand beach was glowing, reflected the sunshine. Blue coastal marine was very clear as you could see the fish back and forth inside of it.

PEUCANG ISLAND – THE PARADISE

The motorboat started to dock in the jetty. Here we are, in Peucang Island. Wow! Unbelievable, we could stand our feet here!

Walked down the Peucang Island gate, there were a lot of long-tailed monkeys roam about the lodging house. Actually, in there are kind of lodges, of course with different price. If you still want comfortably as like in the city, you can take luxury hostel “Flora” which facilitated with AC, hot water, refrigerator that cost around USD 50/room/night. Lodge “Fauna” - moderate price – is a wood building consists of 7 rooms, which each capacity of each room is 3 – 5 persons. However, the cheapest is lodging, that we were stay a night, just a building like barrack; we can rent a bed for sleeping. For meal, we bring rice cooker, and other food that already cooked. If you want to try restaurant menu, there is a restaurant also in this Island which provides both Indonesian and International menu.

CIDAON – THE WILD ANIMAL OBSERVATION

In the afternoon after get some rest, we decided to go to Cidaon where we could see wild ox feed in the large grass field. To reach this area, you must accompany by the Jagawana (they are the park ranger who have familiar with this area) as a guide. So, we sailed again to the Cidaon, but it didn’t take to much time. In Cidaon, there is an observation tower where we can watch the wild animal. Unfortunately, we found not of the wild ox, just some peacocks seen in the field. Having some pictures in Cidaon, we back to Peucang Island due to the day turned by night.

Night at Peucang Island is also amazing. However, you must put your jacket on your body. The night wind is so cool. We watched clusters of fishes swim near the jetty. They were so visible under the sea water crowed around the wood bridge. Feel like to fishing!

WHITE SANDY AND BLUE CLEARANCE BEACH OF PEUCANG ISLAND

The next morning, we watched sunrise in the beach, than swimming to feel the cool blue coastal water. The sea water is really clear and blue. We could see all creatures under the water, swim along. Many little fishes, colorful could be seen, beautiful corals, etc. It was the first experience swimming with many fishes around us, didn’t realize that some jellyfish touch our skin make us feel little pain and itchy.

Feel satisfy, we took some breakfast in the lodging, then we continued tracking to Tanjung Layar. Again, we went by boat to Cibom and continued by foot to Tanjung Layar where we could find the old lighthouse. At Cibom, the beach is full of steep corals, so to get the land we should continue with little boat named “sampan”, well be careful here, watch your stuffs not fallen into the sea water. Actually the water level is only about 100cm height when we should change with little boat. Little accident happened, one of my friend lost his balance, he fallen with his camera.

CIBOM AND TANJUNG LAYAR – THE JUNGLE TRACKING AND LIGHTHOUSE

Tracking to Tanjung Layar only took one hour, passing by the tropical forest that fully of big trees that mostly wound around with parasites like liana and epiphyte as the characteristic of this forest. After about one hour walking, we arrived at the lighthouse. The view from here is really amazing. As far as the eyes take a look, it was like a blue sea water carpet with coral landscape and green forest at the edge. What beautiful scenery!

Just after noon, we arrived in Peucang Island again. After have some lunch and dhuhur praying, we were ready to leave Peucang Island. It is hard to leave Ujung Kulon, we still wanted to explore. There were several places we’ve visited yet due to our limited time. We left our heart in this Island. Hope someday we’ll come back here.

HOME SWEET HOME

The weather was very nice as we left for the Island. We were so happy, made fun with joke, singing, etc. But it was dramatically changed when in the middle of our way. The weather was not too good during our sailing back to Sumur. It was probably stormy in Indian Ocean that directly facing to “Selamat Datang” bay. It was hard wave attack our boat. Adrift and buffeted in the sea, and look not too far away from us, a boat nearly sank. The boat helper continued, harder and harder to scoop up the water that entered the boat, just to keep our boat stable. All of us were very frightened, silence, and prayed all along the way. How if we couldn’t passed it? Fortunately, after we passed by the bay, the wave has subsided. What a relief!

Nearly 15.00 pm, we arrived at Sumur. Take Ashar prayer first in the Mushola, then continued driving to Cilegon. It was not as smooth as we predicted. The road from Sumur to Labuan is up and down, and the condition of our hired-car was not good. We even had to stop for while, for cooling down the car engine. We were drop in Labuan to have dinner at “Padang” food stall, then continued driving and arrived at Cilegon at 19.00pm.

Still dare to go Ujung Kulon? Who’s scared?

Here are some TIPS before you go to Ujung Kulon :

1. Don’t forget to eat malaria tablet before and after the trip (I forgot to eat them! May be the malaria’s mosquito recognized that I am from Banten also! It’s just a kidding!)
2. Take much mineral water, food, and don’t forget some medicine. To reduce your budget, you can bring several stuffs and material for cooking
3. Recommended to take your sunglasses, sunblock and hat
4. If you like to dive, don’t forget your diving stuff
5. Flashlight and batteries are must when you are going for tracking or paddling, and don’t forget to use anti mosquito lotion before you enter the forest.
6. Sleeping bag may be necessary when you plan to sleep in the open nature
7. Avoid visiting Ujung Kulon in the rainy season (I went there just at the end of dry season! No wonder). Bad weather usually hits at November until March.
8. Don’t ever try to feed the animals even its look so tame
9. It is advised to use park ranger to guide
10. Don’t throw the rubbish, just collect it and throw it in the trash bin
11. And don’t forget to bring camera, there are a lot of beautiful sceneries to be taken

MEKARSARI AMAZING TOURISM PARK – LIFE JOURNEY

The Largest Tropical Fruits Park

On last annual family gathering, July 6, 2008, PVC – 2 plant members decided to go to Mekarsari which is one of the most famous places to visit by family, especially during the holiday season. It was very terrific vacation I’ve ever had. Why? Not knowing the description of this garden and what are in there (we just know that we can pick some fruits), we left for Cilegon at 07.30 am and arrived at destination at 01.00 pm. That’s long and very tired trip, bad traffic jam, children cried & hot temperature. Oh, thank God I didn’t drive the bus!

As the bus entered the gate (the ticket is very cheap, only Rp. 10,000 or about USD 1!) and parked in the parking area, most of us very confused. That’s very large area, where to go? The leader told us that the given time to walked around only 3 hours, after take ashar prayer, all of us should gathered again in the parking area. Didn’t care about the time, just looked for the meal first, since it was lunch time. We walked along the side which there was flags from around the world displayed at the flagpole.

My wife was very frustrated, since she must carry our restless-little daughters. I though they were very hungry too. So, I decided to go to the nearest food stand. The only nearest is Kentucky Fried Chicken, and it was so long queue. After an hour, we could get some eat.

After got some eat, it’s time for traveling! Wait! It very crowded! Look at the map site, the nearest place is “Family Garden” which near to 4D theater and mosque. Curios what in side, we took ticket for only Rp. 5,000 or USD 0.5/person. In Family Garden, we found the traditional villages nuances. There is an area for planting paddy, plow paddy field, bathing buffalo in the mud pool, vegetables garden, fishing pool, mini zoo, chickens coop, riding a horse, cows, and also there is large grass field completed with gazebos to take a rest.

Honestly, for me, whom grew up in the village, it is not really exciting. However, my daughters love to play around in the Family Garden. They were very excited, rolled over their body in the grass, run over the grass, climbed the tree, and enjoyed lied down in the gazebo.

Having a looked at the two of them, happy, run and chase after each other in a large green grass field, I feel the freedom in their mind. Although, just for a moment and not had a chance to visit all area at Mekarsari, I just already knew what kind of holiday or place that my children will enjoy. I promised I will take them as much as I can to introduce the Indonesian culture.

Oh, by the way, for everyone who want to go to the Mekarsari for not having experience like me, here the all about and tips.

Mekarsari garden is the largest conservation center of tropical fruits biological variety in the world, especially prime fruits collected all over Indonesia. It is also the place for research of agronomy and plant breeding. Mekarsari is built in ex rubber plantation in Cileungsi, Bogor, West Java. The area is around 264Ha, 70-80 meters above the sea level. It can be reached about one hour from Jakarta.

What are in side the Mekarsari? The area is divided in 5 zones and here they are:

1. CENTRAL PARK, there is waterfall building named Puri Tirto Sari, Camping Ground for camp activity, picnic Park covered by green grass.
2. FAMILY WALK ZONE, in the family walk zone there are: Garden Center located in front area where you can find variety of fruit prime seeds, flower plant, medicine herbal, etc. You can also ask for consultation from the officer all about planting. In family walk zone there is also Paradiso Park where you can enjoy the nature nuance surrounding by green fruit plants, it is best for gathering with your family. In Family Garden you can find the villages nuance, you can make a lot of activity with you kids here, learn how to plant paddy, learn how to plow paddy field, bathing the buffalo, fishing, riding a horse, pick fresh vegetables, etc. Dewi Sri 4D theater located also in family walk zone, you can enjoy the 4D film, Countryside, Wiratama Lake where you can have a sail by boat go around 20 acres lake, Fruits & handicrafts/souvenirs shop where you can buy fruits and souvenirs from your family at home
3. GREEN LAND ZONE, you can find the center of nursery (variety prime seeds), greenhouse melon, the zalacca palm and its fruits, star fruit, etc.
4. WATER ZONE, Lotus Park where you can find lotus covered and bloom in the water park providing beautiful scenery, Water Sport Activity like water bike and water ball, Outbound Area where you can feel your adrenalin raise with vary of outbound activities like flying fox, cargo net, monkey bridge and it is also available for kids, in the water zone also a park for gathering.
5. MEDITERRANEAN AQUATIC ZONE, here you can enjoy Mediterranean Park and can enjoy sleeping in tree house called house of Leo.
6. FESTIVAL POINT, here is the center of bazaar, festival, and sometime there is famous band or actress perform in the stage. During the holiday season, there is also parade of clown or puppets of many characters that kids usually like, e.g. puppet of Dora the explorer, puppet of Barney, puppet of fruits, etc.

You may say it is very large area to visit!

Of course it is. Mekarsari is the largest breeding of tropical plants in the world, remember?

Well, firstly you can take tour by train that provided for seeing around, it is cheap enough. When we pass by the greenhouse melon, it is suggested to stop by for a while. We can pick up directly the melon when harvest season. There are a lot of varieties of melon here, like golden light melon, jade flower melon, glamour melon, golden langkawi melon, etc. After satisfy seeing around with the tour train, we can rest in the waterfall building, this building is very unique, from the top of building water flow as real as waterfall.

Mekarsari Tourism Park has already collected around thousand plants from species variety. Beside the real seed, there is also cross breeding seed which created in the Mekarsari Laboratory, like Nangkadak, Cempeka, and Pedakka. The three of this are cross breeding between jackfruit and Cempedak (it is another kind of jackfruit), the taste is sweet like Cempedak but the shape is like jackfruit. If you interested to buy the seed, they are provided in the Garden Center.

If you are still confused not know where to go, it is suggested to pick a tour package. Mekarsari provided a lot of packages to easier us in enjoying this largest fruits park area in the world. There are a lot of tour packages, picking up the fruit, children fun play, outbound, education tour, planting paddy, camping, plant tissue culture, etc. The package price is varying, around Rp. 50,000 – 100,000 (USD 50 – USD 100).

For your information also, in this park there is giant flower, Amorphophallus Titanum!

TIPS visiting Mekarsari Tourism Park:

1. Call the information center hence before, for getting information of the best time for visiting the park, what fruits are harvest, etc. because not all season the fruits are harvest. You don’t want feel disappointed only to see plant without fruits hanging on the trees, do you?
2. Don’t forget, the park only open for public every Tuesday - Sunday at 09.00 am – 16.00 pm, west zone Indonesian time. Remember, Sunday is closed!
3. Wear t-shirt or the clothes that made from cotton.
4. Don’t forget to bring umbrella or hat, unless you want to walk around with the heat of the sun directly at our head.
5. Finally, don’t try to go Mekarsari at the kids holiday season, it is around end of June until the middle of July, you won’t find anything fruits to pick up, beside it will be a terrible traffic jam. However, you can visit it early in the morning, if you lucky.
6. For you who love adventure, why doesn’t try to stay a night at Leo tree House.

Address : Jl. Raya Cileungsi Jonggol KM. 3, Cileungsi, Bogor.
Telp. : +62-21-823-1811/12/13
Fax : +62-21-823-1475
Email : sales@mekarsari.com
Website : www.mekarsari.com