Pangandaran Beach

Pangandaran Beach

Small mainland peninsula with a national park with beaches and stunning scenery to rival the beaches of Bali on the south coast of Java. Pangandaran is one of Java's best-kept secrets as far as international tourists are concerned, but has been extremely popular with locals for along, long time. A small fishing town, it possesses one of Java's finest beaches and Pangandaran Nature Reserve teems with wild buffalo, barking deer and monkeys. The people are very friendly, this combined with the idealize surroundings make this a great place to spend a few days relaxing island-style. Pangandaran is halfway between Bandung and Yogya, about 5 hours by bus from Bandung and 8 hours from Jakarta.

This is the second beach resort area on the Indian Ocean after Pelabuhan Ratu. The site is 223 from Bandung and 400km from Jakarta. The trip by car or bus is recommendable because the road conditions are good. However, if we prefer to take the train, get into Bandung-Yogyakarta Express train and get off at the Banjar railroad station about 4 hours later. From here it will be another 50 km by bus to Pangandaran. The beach is called Penanjung, where most of the cottages and hotels are located, however, of modest ratings. Nothing luxurious should be expected. Pangandaran is especially of interest to nature lovers, as there is a wildlife reserve in the vicinity where wild birds and other indigenous animals live about freely to be enjoyed by visitors. In Pangandaran visitors will like fine white beaches, blue ocean and fine seafood. Twelve kilometers before arriving at Pangandaran visitors will see a huge rock on the beach, which is called Karang Nini.

Another place of special interest for nature lovers is a forest Conservation Park, close to the camping ground, which has basic facilities suitable for the younger set. Somewhat further out, west of Pangandaran, driving 23 km on the way to Parigi, lays Batu Hiu, meaning Shark's Rock, a coastal rock that has the shark shape.

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BANDUNG

BANDUNG

Bandung is the capital of West Java in Indonesia. Bandung is 180 kilometers southeast from Jakarta. Although it has a population of over two million the pace of city life is slower than Jakarta's. Today Bandung has a population of 2 million people, Bandung area an estimated 4 million. Bandung is situated on a plateau 768 meters above sea level with a cool climate throughout the year. Bandung is the most European city of Java. The raining season starts in Bandung a little bit earlier, then the rest of Indonesia. Normally the raining season in Indonesia is from October till May, the peak of the raining season is in January. The dry season is from June until August, temperature is then 25-30 degrees Celsius during the day. In the morning, the sun is almost shining every day, but in the afternoon many times it gets cloudy, for sunbathing we have to wake up early from 6.30 the sun is already there. In the evening when the sun is down the temperature has drops. The average temperature in Bandung is 22 degrees Celsius; the weather is pleasant all year round.

There are short drives up to the mountain resorts of Lembang and the Bosscha Observatory, and higher to the volcanic crater of Tangkuban Perahu, the only crater in Java accessible all the way by car as far as its rim. It is an awe-inspiring sight of emanating sulfur fumes. Descent into all the volcano's 12 craters is only possible with the aid of an experienced guide, because of the presence of suffocating gases at certain spots.
Just a 15 minutes drive from Tangkuban Perahu is a hot springs resort. Here we can swim in warm mineral water pools, good for healing skin problems. The resort provides visitors with a bar, restaurants, tennis courts and cottage style hotels overlooking a beautiful mountain-scope.

In Bandung, try to see the "Wayang Golek" wooden puppet show and hear the "Angklung" bamboo orchestra, as well as the classical Sundanese gamelan and dances. Several institutes of higher education are located here, including the country's prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology.

HISTORY
In 1488, the area now named Bandung was the capital of the Kingdom of Pajajaran. During colonial times, the government of the Dutch East Indies built a supply road connecting Batavia (now Jakarta), Bogor, Cianjur, Bandung, Sumedang and Cirebon. This event was very important for the growth of Bandung. In the 1930s the Dutch East Indies government planned for Bandung to become the capital of the Dutch East Indies due to its location, however World War II disrupted these plans.

It is not known exactly when Bandung city was built. However, contrary to the beliefs of some the city was not originally built by the orders of Daendels, the Dutch East Indies Governor General, but by the orders of 'Bupati' R.A. Wiranatakusumah II. The Dutch colonial powers built wide tree-lined boulevards, villas, gardens, and fountains, earning Bandung the nickname of "Parijs van Java", the Paris of Java, in the early 20th century. Many of these structures survive to today, and can be seen along the road leading to the Dago area north of the city.

After Indonesian independence, Bandung was named as the provincial capital of West Java. Bandung was the site of the Bandung Conference which met April 18-April 24, 1955 with the aim of promoting economic and cultural cooperation among the African and Asian countries, and to counter the threat of colonialism or neocolonialism by the United States, the Soviet Union, or other imperialistic nations.

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PELABUHAN RATU BEACH

PELABUHAN RATU BEACH

Pelabuhan Ratu is a lovely holiday resort, visited by holidaymakers from Jakarta and Bandung. The site is only three-hour drive from either city through cool mountain villages with picturesque sceneries. Pelabuhan Ratu - Cisolok is a 15 km stretch of breathtaking beauty with hills, mountains and very wide sandy beaches everywhere around, set against the deep blue Indian Ocean. Right next to stretches of white beaches, visitors will find thick tropical forests on rolling hills. Taking walks uphill enables the visitor to look down on the horseshoe shape of the bay's coastline, whereas at night hundreds of fishermen's boat-lamps are seemingly competing with the star-studded sky above, which is both enchanting and romantic. There is one four-star hotel, Samudera Beach, about 6 km from Pelabuhan Ratu, but several other smaller hotel and cottages are available at moderate rates.

At this virgin stage, this area represents unspoiled beauty in a typically tropical setting with hospitable inhabitants. Because of its proximity to Jakarta, more tourists visit this area from the capital than those from Bandung. Moreover, the highways to and from Pelabuhan Ratu have recently been greatly improved to assure the visitor of a smooth ride to enjoy the sceneries that pass even well. Good for taste, swimming, sun bathing and surfing.

The picturesque fishery village, more than 50 kilometers southwest of Sukabumi, is home to the mysterious goddess of the South Sea, Nyai Roro Kidul. The legend tells that the sea in Karanghawu would have taken her, 14 kilometers to the west. Pelabuhan Ratu ('seaport of the queen') is located in a wide bay, which has had the name 'Wijnkoopsbaai'. During the weekends this village is overloaded with visitors from Jakarta. It's not advised to take a bath in the domain of the goddess, and especially not in green clothes. Green is the favorite color of Nyai Roro Kidul and wearing it is an invitation for her to take that person to the depths of the ocean.

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WEST JAVA

WEST JAVA

Of the 17,000 islands that make up the archipelago of the Republic of Indonesia, Java has historically been considered the heartland. Where Java has led-culturally, economically and politically down through the centuries, other regions have followed. On Java, still the most densely populated island of Indonesia, there are five Provinces. West Java is the largest, with the greatest population, and, some would claim, with the most pride.

West Java Province is located at part of western Java Island. The enchanting of Sunda land stretches from Sunda Strait in the west to the borders of Central Java in the east. The locals' people know West Java Province as the Land of Sunda. The region is primarily mountainous, with rich green valleys hugging lofty volcanic peaks, many of which surround the capital of West Java province. The history of West Java is a story of trade, spices, and the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms. In the late 1500's the region was ruled from mighty Cirebon, which still survives as a sultanate today, although a shadow of its former glory. West Java was of the first contact points in Indonesia for Indian traders and their cultural influences, and it was here that the Dutch and British first set foot in the archipelago.

This province has its own unique culture and language, both called Sundanese that is also used to call its people. The ancient kingdoms of Tarumanegara, Pajajaran, Banten and Cirebon would make interesting studies for the student of archaeology. Cirebon is located on the border between West and Central Java, having a mixed culture originating from the ancient Cirebon and Banten kingdoms, resulting in similar customs and dialects of the two people, although Banten is located at the extreme western part of the province.

West Java province its self, is formed based on the Constitution number 11/1950 on the establishment of West Java. With the issuance of Constitution number 23/2000 on Banten Province, West Java Governor Assisting Territory I Banten was inaugurated as Banten Province with its territories comprising Serang Regency, Pandeglang Regency, Lebak Regency, Tangerang Regency and Mayoralty, and Cilegon Mayoralty. After the change, at present West Java consists of 18 regencies, nine mayoralties, 584 districts, 5,201 villages and 609 sub districts.
The capital city of West Java province is Bandung city. Bandung is situated 180 km southeast of Jakarta. The city gamed fame in 1955 as the venue for the first Afro-Asian Conference, which brought together the leaders of 29 Asian, and African nations with the aim to promote economic and cultural relations and take a common stand against colonialism.

The road from Jakarta to Bandung passes through a beautiful panorama of mountains, paddy fields and small holiday resorts. An expressway connects the crowded capital city with Bogor and the mountain areas, and onward to Bandung. It has a number of sea resorts on its western and southern coasts, which have modern hotels and are popular during the weekends. The Sundanese people are soft-spoken. The women of the Bandung region are known for their beauty. A lighthearted people who have a love for bright colors, their mournful "kecapi" music is memory of beautiful legends.

Geographically
Geographically, West Java Province is situated between 5 50'-7 50' South parallels and 104 48'-104 48 East meridians.
West Java Province is bordered of:
North side: Java Sea and Jakarta
West side: Banten Province and Hindia Ocean
South side: Hindia Ocean
East side: Central Java Province.
This strategic geographical condition is an advantage for West Java particularly in communication and transportation. Northern region is plain area, while southern part is a hilly area with beaches, and the middle region is mountainous area. But after the establishment of Banten Province, the size of West Java becomes 35,746.26 kilometer square.

Topography
West Java has a characteristic as part of a volcanic belt, which spans from Sumatra Island to the northern part of Sulawesi Island. Its land can be divided into a region with steep mountains with altitude of more than 1,500 meter above the sea level in the South, moderate hill with elevation of 100 to 1,500 meters, and plain region in the north with elevation between 0 and 10 meters and river region.

Climate
West Java has tropical climate with temperature reaching 9 degrees Celsius at the Peak of Mount Pangrango and 34 degrees Celsius in north beach. The average rainfall is at 2,000 millimeters per year, but in the mountainous areas the rainfall could reach 3,000 to 5,000 millimeters per year.

Population
Based on the national census in 1999, West Java population after the separation of Banten stood at 34,555,622 people. In 2000, based on another census, the population grew to 35,500,611 people with population density of 1,022 inhabitants per square kilometer. The population growth between 1990 and 2000 reached 2.17 %. In 2003, the population has increased to 38,059,540 people with population density of 1,064 inhabitants per square kilometer.

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West Java

The enchanting land of Sunda stretches from the Sunda Strait in the West to the borders of Central Java in the east. The region is primarily mountainous, with rich green valleys hugging lofty volcanic peaks, many of which surround the capital of the province, Bandung. The history of West Java is a story of trade, spices, and the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms. In the late 1500’s the region was ruled from mighty Cirebon, which still survives as a sultanate today, although a shadow of its former glory. West Java was one of the first contact points in Indonesia for Indian traders and their cultural influences and it was here that the Dutch and British first set foot in the archipelago.

West Java Provincial Tourist Office Jl. R.E. Martadinata No.209, Bandung 40114
Phone. (022) 7271385, 7273209
Fax. (022) 7271385 Website: http://www.westjava-indonesia.com

Domestic airlines serve to Bandung everyday. Buses from Central Java and Jakarta arrived in Leuwi Panjang. Several trains operate from Jakarta and Yogya to Bandung.

• Wayang Golek (Wooden Puppets Show) is performed every Saturday night from 1.00 pm to 5 am at Auditorium Jalan Diponegoro 61, Bandung.
• Kemilau Nusantara Festival is an annual event performed culture and crafts exhibition from all provinces in Indonesia.
• Paper Kites Festival, Pangandaran Beach West Java. Participants of the kite flying contest come from the surrounding regions as well as from foreign countries. Beautiful kites of all sizes and shapes are flown in a contest that coincides with festivities held on October 2008.
• During the harvest period in West Java. Folk Music and traditional dances are performed during the festival.

Tourism EventsGetting thereTourist Office

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Pangandaran

PANGANDARAN

Kawasan Taman Wisata Alam (TWA) Pangandaran merupakan hutan sekunder tua yang berumur antara 50 – 60 tahun mendominasi kawasan TWA Pangandaran. Selebihnya adalah sisa-sisa hutan primer yang tidak luas dan terpencar letaknya, serta sedikit hutan pantai.
Pohon-pohon di hutan sekunder tua di dalam kawasan TWA Pangandaran memiliki ketinggian rata-rata antara 25 – 35 m, dengan jenis-jenis yang dominan diantaranya Laban (Vitex pubescens). Ki segel (Dillenia excelsa) dan marong (Cratoxylon formosum), juga terdapat beberapa jenis pohon peninggalan hutan primer seperti Pohpohan (Buchania arborescens), Kondang (Ficus variegata), dan Benda (Disoxyllum caulostachyllum). Pohon-pohon tersebut umumnya ditandai oleh tumbuhnya jenis tumbuhan liana dan epifit.

Hutan pantai hanya terdapat di bagian timur dan barat kawasan. Ditumbuhi pohon formasi Barringtonia, seperti Butun (Barringtonia aseatica), Ketapang (Terminalia catappa), Nyamplung (Callophyllum inophyllum) dan Waru Laut (Hibiscus tiliaceus).

Dengan berbagai ragam floranya, kawasan taman wisata alam Pangandaran merupakan habitat yang cocok bagi kehidupan satwa-satwa liar. Jenis satwa liar yang dapat dijumpai pada kawasan ini antara lain : Tando ( Monyet ekor panjang (Macaca fascicularis), lutung
(Presbytis cristata), kalong (Pteropus campyrus), Banteng (Bos sondaicus), Rusa (Cervus timorensis), kancil (Tragulus javanica), dan landak (Hystrix javanica).

Sedangkan jenis-jenis burung yang dapat dijumpai antara lain burung Canghegar (gallus varius), Tlungtumpuk (Magalaema javensis), Cipeuw (Aegitina tiphia), Larwo (Copsychus malaharicus) dan jogjog (Pycnonotus plumosus).

Jenis Amphibi yang dapat ditemui diantaranya adalah Katak pohon (Rhacopnorus leucomistak), Katak buduk (Bufo melanostictus), dan Bancet (Rana limnocharis). Sedangkan jenis Reptilia yang dapat ditemui diantaranya adalah Biawak (Dracopolon sp), tokek (Gecko gecko) dan beberapa jenis ular, antara lain Ular pucuk (Dryopsis prasinus).

Potensi Wisata

Selain obyek wisata berupa hutan alam maupun tanaman, daya tarik yang lain adalah pantai pasir putih, goa alam dan peninggalan sejarah serta Batu Kalde. Berikut uraian dari masing-masing obyek wisata alam tersebut.

a. GUA KERAMAT ATAU GUA PARAT
Menurut cerita gua ini dahulunya merupakan untuk bertapa dan bersemedi oleh beberapa Pangeran dari Mesir yaitu Pengeran Kesepuluh (Syech Ahmad), Pangeran Kanoman (Syech Muhammad), Pangeran Maja Agung dan Pangeran Raja Sumenda
Pangeran Maja Agung mempunyai istri empat yang salah satu istrinya bernama Dewi Cimilar Putri Jin, mempunyai seorang Putri bernama Dewi Ranggasmara.

Pangeran Pangeran Batara Sumenda adalah kakak dari Pangeran Maja Agung. Pada suatu hari Pangeran Maja Agung memanggil kedua putranya Pangeran Ahmad dan Pangeran Muhammad untuk memberikan tugas untuk mengislamkan daerah Ciamis Selatan.

Pangeran Maja Agung percaya bahwa kedua anaknya dapat menjalankan tugasnya karena mereka mempunyai kesaktian dari sepuluh jimat yang disebut Konco Kaliman.
Adik tirinya yang bernama Dewi Ranggasmara pernah meracuni kedua kakaknya karena menginginkan jimat, akan tetapi perbuatannya segera diketahui. Sebagai pembalasannya kakaknya hendak memperkosa adiknya tetapi hal itu tidak sempat dilakukan karena sempat diketahui oleh penakawannya.
Pada hari yang telah ditentukan Pangeran Ahmad dan Muhammad pergi untuk menjalankan tugasnya akan tetapi Pangeran Maja Agung tidak mendapat berita tentang putranya. Kemudian mengutus kakaknya Pangeran Raja Sumenda untuk mencarinya.
Pangeran Raja Sumenda pergi sendirian dari Mesir, beliau mendengar suara yang memberitahukan bahwa kedua keponakannya ada dalam sebuah gua.
Setelah ketemu kemudian melapor kepada Raja Maja Agung, tidak lama kemudian beliau menyusul dan bersama-sama bersemedi di gua ini yang sekarang diberi nama Gua Keramat.
Didalam gua ini terdapat dua kuburan yang bukan sebenarnya, hanya sebagai tanda saja bahwa ditempat inilah syech Ahmad dan Muhamad menghilang (tilem).

b. GUA PANGGUNG

Menurut cerita yang berdiam di gua ini adalah Embah Jaga Lautan atau dibesutpula Kiai Pancing Benar. Beliau merupakan anak angkat dari Dewi Loro Kidul dan ibunya menugaskan untuk menjaga lautan di daerah Jawa Barat pada khususnya dan menjaga pantai Indonesia pada umumnya oleh karena itu beliau disebut Embah Jaga Lautan

Sebenarnya Embah Jaga Lautan ini berasal dari Mesir yang ditugaskan untuk menyiarkan agama Islam. Beliau mempunyai isteri 7 orang yang setiap malam beliau bergiliran menengok salah satu ketujuh isterinya. Ketujuh isterinya itu selalu bertengkar satu sama lain. Pada satu hari isterinya yang ketujuh tidak sempat ditengok karena beliau pergi memancing. Pancing yang digunakann tidak berbentuk melingkar akan tetapi lurus dan ikan yang didapatnya disebut ikan Topel karena ikan tersebut menempel pada pancingnya. Setelah beliau mempunyai ikan Topel tersebut ketujuh isterinya kemudian rukun bersama, maka oleh karena itu beliau disebut juga Kiai Pancing Benar dan sampai sekarang masih banyak orang yang menangkap ikan tersebut karena masih percaya akan khasiatnya.
Disebut Panggung karena didalam gua ini terdapat tempat seperti panggung yang dipakai untuk sembahyang para wali atau orang-orang yang akan naik haji ke Mekkah.

c. GUA LANANG
Menurut cerita gua ini dulunya merupakan Keraton yang pertama Kerajaan Galuh, sedangkan Keraton yang kedua terdapat di Karang Kamuyaan Ciamis. Raja Galuh ini laki-laki (Lanang) yang sedang berkelana.

d. BATU KALDE ATAU SAPI GUMARANG
Ditempat ini menurut cerita tinggal seorang sakti yang dapat menjelma menjadi seekor sapi yang gagah berani dan sakti.
Sapi Gumarang adalah nakhoda kapal, pada suatu hari Sapi Gumarang ini diutus untuk membeli padi kedaerah Galuh, akan tetapi tidak berhasil sebab Raja Galuh tidak mengijinkan berhubungan persediaan padi untuk daerah itu sendiri belum mencukupi.

Nakhoda kapal sangat marah mendengar hal itu kemudian dia mengutus Sapi Gumarang untuk merusak seluruh Galuh dan sekitarnya. Sapi Gumarang dapat menjalankan tugasnya dengan baik terbukti seluruh padi baik yang berada di lumbung dan disawah terkena hama. Raja Galuh sangat terkejut dengan keadaan ini dan beliau yakinhal ini pasti dilakukan oleh utusan Nakhoda, kemudian beliau menyusun putra angkatnya Sulanjana untuk mencari Sapi Gumarang dan harus mempertanggung jawabkan perbuatannya dan akan membantu Kerajaan Galuh apabila terserang hama.

e. RENGGANIS
Cerita ini berawal dengan adanya sebuah pemandian berupa sungai kepunyaan seorang Raja bernama Raja Mantri. Pada suatu hari Raja Mantri pergi melihat-lihat pemandiannya, kebetulan waktu itu Dewi Rengganis dan para Inangnya sedang mandi.

Dewi Rengganis adalah putri dari kayangan, karena terdorong oleh perasaan hatinya kemudian Raja Matri mengambil pakaian Dewi Rengganis. Alangkah terkejutnya sang Dewi karena pakaiannya sudah tidak ada pada tempatnya, Inangnya disuruh untuk mencarinya akan tetapi tidak berhasil. Karena kesalnya Dewi Rengganis kemudian berkata barang siapa menemukan bajunya maka akan dijadikan saudara bila perempuan dan bila laki-laki akan dijadikan suami.

Semua perkataan Dewi terdengan oleh Raden Mantri kemudian dia keluar dari persembunyiannya. Untuk menepati janji, Dewi Rengganis bersedia menjadi istri Raden Raja Mantri.

Setelah menikah kemudian pemandian ini diserahkan kepada Dewi Rengganis. Sejak itu pemandian itu dinamakan Cirengganis dan sampai sekarang banyak orang yang masih percaya akan khasiat apabila mandi disana.

Fasilitas

Sarana dan prasarana yang telah tersedia di TWA Pangandaran antara lain berupa pintu gerbang, loket karcis, ruang informasi, shelter, jalan setapak, tempat parkir dan pos jaga.

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