Bandung is the ideal destination to relax and enjoy the great outdoors, but beyond Bandung lies even more amazing discoveries!
Probably the most famous is the White Crater of Ciwidey, or Kawah Putih, about 35 kilometres from Bandung. This beautiful lake lies in a crater 2430 metres above sea level, so it can get quite cold – a change from the humidity of Jakarta, and is visited by about 10,000 people per day. Originally a sulphur mine, the acid has bleached the surrounding sand and rocks white, and turned the water bluish-green, almost white, depending on the amount of sulphur present at the moment.
Even though this is a lake in a volcanic crater, the volcano itself has shown no sign of activity since the 1600s. Getting to the lake is a journey in itself. Heavily forested, visitors generally leave their vehicles at the car park provided and take the shuttle bus service offered.
Animals and birds such as eagles, owl, monkeys, mouse deer and forest pigs can be spotted. panthers, leopards and pythons have also been identified. Since Kawah Putih was developed into a tourist attraction, the government has made several facilities available. The place is signposted well, and plenty of parking and public bathrooms are on site. Farmers take advantage of this inflow of people to sell strawberries that are vastly grown in the area, along with steamed corn and pumpkin seeds. Even though the journey to get to the lake takes about 3 hours from Bandung, it is well worth it.
North of Bandung lies Tangkuban Perahu, a volcano that has been not-so-dormant even recently. The government issued warnings and banned tourists from going there as sensors around the volcano “picked up an increase in volcanic activity and buildup of gases.”
Despite its eruptive history, Tangkuban Perahu has been a popular attraction for tourists. In fact, its history just adds to the excitement. It gets its name from a legendary folklore and is translated as “upturned boat”, as per its distinctive features. Visitors hike or ride up to enjoy sitting at the crater’s edge and watch the hot water springs and boiling mud up close, and even cook an egg up there!
Tangkuban Perahu offers a beautiful view and can be explored for about two hours. It is the only volcano where you can drive up to the very edge. Take care when going into the crater though – it is best to hire a trusted guide. Being up there is being a part of something that shaped history. The eruption of the volcano led to the fertility of the surrounding lands, and the lava that flowed moved boulders that created cliffs, allowing waterfalls to flow into the lake that covers the plain of Bandung today. It is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the cool air up there after a day’s activities.
A fabulous place to bask in the greenery is Taman Hutan Raya, or TaHuRa for short. One of the parks in Dago Pakar and named after Indonesia’s 10th Prime Minister, it also has a museum showcasing Ir. H. Djuanda’s memorabilia along with artifacts. Built to preserve Indonesia’s flora and fauna, the park covers a massive 590 hectares of land and can take hours to explore. There is much to see and appreciate in this stretch of green, including two waterfalls – Curug Lalay and Curug Omas. The place also hosts a number of tunnels, a playground, and a cliff with a magnificent view.
For more information on Indonesia please visit http://www.indonesia.travel
