Nature of East Priangan

Last month I went to one of tourist destinations in Tasikmalaya, It called Curug Dengdeng (Waterfall) and Karang Tawulan beach. It located in southern of Tasikmalaya City. Actually, Karang Tawulan is already part of Pangandaran Region.

The journey start at 8 in the morning, my friends are ready before 8 at meeting point. Mostly, we rides motorcycle, but I choose to take a car because my equipment is being left in Bandung.

We ride for almost 2 hours before we arrive at Cikatomas, rest awhile in gas station, Curug Dengdeng is only 4 km from the gas station. When I look to the fall, I disappointed. Well, the fall is not waterfall, the water is not there. Unfortunately wet season was not yet coming. So this is it. Curug Dengdeng.

Anyway, we still try to get some freshness from the water under the fall. The water is clear, clean, and fresh. Be careful if you want to swim, several parts is deeper than 3 meters. Enough with the falls, we continue the journey to the beach, Karang Tawulan beach, approximately one hour journey from the fall.

In Karang Tawulan beach, there is a lot of spots to be explored. I choose to walk around and find this place. It is rocky cliff where I can enjoy sunset.

As I wait for sunset, there are severals fisherman who go to this wavy water of the sea to look for lobster. No wonder lobster is expensive commodity.

At last, sunset. I love sunset, the color of the sky, the stress relieve feeling, the sound of sea water hit the rock. It is fact that to get here, beaches at southern West Java, is difficult, hard to find reliable public transportation and accomodation, but as long as you have your own vehicle and travel mates of course, nature of east priangan will gives you unforgettable moments.

Have a nice holiday.

Galunggung, Roof of Tasikmalaya

Galunggung mountain is an active volcano in West Java. It stands approximately 20 km from Tasikmalaya city. Peak of Galunggung is 2168 meters above sea level. Last eruption was in 1982. Nowadays, Galunggung is a most visited place in Tasik. Ticket price is IDR 6500 per person and IDR 2000 for car entry.

Galunggung can be reached by car and motorcycle, but not by the bus, the terrain is bad, it is worse in wet season. Before climb to the peak, vehicles must be parked at parking lot.

From now on, the journey begin.

It is 620 stairs separated this sign and the peak of Galunggung. Prepare the water, mental, and your legs. But, the view is spectacular while we climb the stairs.

The picture is taken from second "rest area", there are 3 "rest area" on the way to the peak. After 30 minutes of climbing, the crater of Galunggung show its face.

The domination of green color give the tourist a relax feeling, peace, and freshness. The peak is like can touch the cloud. This view is match with the 620 stairs that have to be climbed. After climbing, of course will feel hungry, the choice is always meatballs in Tasik. One set menu of meatballs with noodles cost us IDR 15000. This is the picture of Galunggung meatballs.

Warm soup of the meatballs, hot tea, and little snack is the most suitable. More over, when go back from the peak, light rain is accompanying. If the weather is clear, it is good to visit the hot spring near the entry gate of Galunggung. They said it is hot spring that surround by trees.

Galunggung mountain and its surrounding can be good for weekend gateway. Refreshing from routines, little sport (climb the stairs), and of course take the picture for collection :p

"Take nothing but pictures"

See ya,

Rifandi

Aufwiedersehen Jakarta, Wilkommen Tasik

Jakarta, the city with so many attractions. One of tourist destination for shopping, you can find (almost) everything in Jakarta. Huge shopping center is everywhere, Grand Indonesia in center region, Mall Kelapa Gading in north region, Pondok Indah Mall, Citos, and Blok M in south region, and don't forget apartment-mall Taman Anggrek and Central Park in west of Jakarta.

In the contrary, the traffic in Jakarta in so bad. Lately, Jakarta is named the city of the worst traffic in the world! Yes, in the world. The absence of the reliable mass public transportation maybe is the one of the reason. Many people doesn't want to use the public transportation and choose to drive their own cars. Jakarta also famous with the annual flood that happens around January-February, even the city landmark such as Bundaran HI is also affected. This is the picture of Bundaran HI in normal condition.

Jakarta is the most densely populated city in Indonesia, almost 18000 peoples per square kilometers. Compare it with Makassar, the biggest city in eastern Indonesia is only 6000 peoples per square kilometers. You will agree if see this picture. This is view from one of ten stories building in center region.

Now, Tasikmalaya. I've been there only twice, business purpose. So, there is not enough time to explore the city. Tasik is a transit place, for resting if you go to eastern part of Java by land transportation. The city is famous with its meatballs, rangginang snack, Galunggung mountain, and near Pangandaran beach.

So, after one and a half year, aufwiedersehen Jakarta, wilkommen Tasik.

See ya.

Rifandi