Trip to Pangandaran (part 1): Running away from metropolis

            By the end of November 2011, my friends and I decided to run a trip. So we made a plan, a backpacker trip. We wanted to go to Pangandaran, the nearest place to run away from cities. We are college friends. We have been friends since 2006, first year of our study. At the beginning, I admit, we were not as close as we rarely meet like now. But I think that being separated, or let say we don’t meet everyday anymore, kinda make us closer like I miss everyone of them so bad.

            So… on Friday night, after work I was heading back to my house, grabbed my backpack and headed straight to Kampung Rambutan Terminal. My friends already there, waited in platform outer cities departure. We were seven from 18 people who has signed up. But number couldn’t discourage us. The show must go on!

In front of the entrance Cukang Taneuh (Green Canyon)

Green Canyon and Batu Karas

            At 09.00 pm we took a bus directing to Pangandaran. Just cashed 60.000 IDR and we could sit on the backseat area, nice Air-Con and seats cozy enough. It took around 9 hours to get there. So we just entertained ourselves; chattering, listening to music, laughing, making fun, snacking and a little bit sleeping. I slept awake in the bus. Until 05.30 am the bus speeding down on the winding road. Out the windows, I could see the contour of trees. The east sky began to blush in orange and edge of the horizon I could see vague sea. No longer anymore, promptly at 06.00 am we have arrived.

            My friend, Bule, knows a local there named Jajang. He was our travel guide during our stay. So… He has been waited us at the bus pool and pick us up with Angkot which we have been rented for our transportation there. Then we got our damn asses on and ride to our holiday bungalow: Jajang’s House. It is in Citumang village. It’s not a big house, two rooms, tiny living room, traditional kitchen with wood stove, no-door-bathroom. But for me, it is more than enough to stay one night there. We rented his house for 250.000 cash.

            At 07.00 am we went for breakfast at one of villager food stall. Eating there is pretty cheap. I only cashed 7.000 IDR for a plate of rice with Pepes Tahu, Scrambled Egg and a glass of warm sweet tea. So fine! After breakfast we went to the very first destination, Cukang Taneuh Green Canyon.

Tiket masuk Cukang Taneuh, termasuk perahu dan life vest.

            It took only 30 minutes to get there. Cukang Taneuh is a river along the canyon which on the sides plants are grown. The color of its water is also green. That’s why people known that place as Green Canyon. The entrance ticket is actually cheap, 12.500 IDR cashed. But of course we need renting a boat to take a tour along the river, from the boat dock to Green Canyon. The boat costs us 62.500 IDR include the guide. One boat can only carrying maximal 6 passengers. So we split up into two groups which each boat can carry 3 or 4 of us. Then we step in and ready for our adventure. As I said, all the way I enjoyed the green river, took as many photos as I could, in many poses. On the river side we could see green trees and plants. So refreshing my eyes! But this greenly couldn’t be enjoyed if the rain came last night because the river would turn into brown, mud water. So lucky us!

Among the canyons, Green Canyon

            The boats stopped while the river ends up. We were below, between the giant canyons and in their shadow. Sun shine couldn’t reach all surface below so there was a little bit cold even It was 09.00 am. Wearing a life vest is a must! The guards will not allow us to jump in the water without life vest on. The stream was very hard and float over the big rocks also the river is surely deep. We went as one team and how could they pick me as the team leader that obligate me to go first. But I thank you for that.

Taking picture before ride on a boat at the quay

            We had to struggle the stream to get to the upstream. Then we could do body rafting from there. Let our supple body floated with the flows. It was so damn cool and extraordinary! I would do that once again even my foot scratched by the sharp stones. But we ended up to the boats.

            Next destination is Batu Karas Beach. We took about 30 minutes to get there. At first, we expected there will be crowded because of weekend. But we were so lucky. The beach is not too crowded. There’s a lot of space but truly hot. The beach is very clean. No white sand like Ujung Genteng, but the view is pretty. Road and beach are separated by long fence. There are booths renting surf boards, banana boats, and other services. Behind the fence, across the road, there are bars, restaurants, café’s, and stalls.

            Actually, behind Batu Karas beach there is Batu Nunggul beach where we can see a fascinating view of south sea and Hindia Ocean. That beach is better known as Hidden Paradise. People said it is a virgin beach, not many people have reached there. at the night we could see sea turtles coming from the sea to bury eggs. Our tour guide said it is adorable beach but we have no enough time to go there. The path is hard to track, through a jungle, and 2 hours walking for one way. Maybe next time we could go there.

View at Batu Karas, West Java

            The fine weather soon would be too hot, drowned my mood to get wet in salty water.  Moreover, the sand was getting hot, like burning my foot. So Tia, Ay and I went to the stall area.  This wet activity made me hungry. So we at Bakso and Noodles, wiped our thirst with Coconut water. So simply recharge me. My friends have done with their tanning, they clean up and we’re ready to go.

(Photos collected from Galih Arum Cempaka, Putri Ayu Ningtyas, Ria setiawati, Happy Indah Nurlita)