Travel Destination

Banten

The powerful and ancient kingdoms of Tarumanegara, Pajajaran, Banten and Cirebon have all risen, ruled and fallen in this province and provide fascinating studies for students of archaeology and history. 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 Indonesia at Banten. The Dutch moved their center of operations to Sunda Kelapa (now Jakarta) after fierce competition and rivalry with the British, only to return at a later date.

West Java provides visitors with a great number of fascinating and wonderful things to see and do; venture to the reminders of the explosive and awesome power of Krakatau; explore the undisturbed wildlife reserve of Ujung Kulon on the south- western tip of Java; admire the Pulau Dua Bird Sanctuary off the coast of Banten and visit the isolated communities of the mysterious Baduy in the remote Halimun Mountain Reserve; discover unspoiled beaches at Pangandaran; treasure the royal palaces of Cirebon and the world renowned botanical gardens of Bogor.

West Java effectively surrounds the nation's capital of Jakarta on three sides and enjoyable roads provide good links to most of the province passing through spectacular panoramas of rugged mountains, sparkling paddy fields and intimate holiday resorts. There are a number of resorts on the western and southern coasts which have modern hotels and are popular during the weekends, especially for people living in Jakarta.

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Banten
This is the coastal area where the Dutch first landed to trade. Banten has few relics to show of its past grandeur, however, there are the ruins of powerful moslem kingdoms such as the palaces of Surosowan and Kaibon, the grand mosque of Mesjid Agung Banten 115991 and a Dutch fortress and an old Chinese temple.

Carita Beach
Accessible from Jakarta over a fair road, you can reach it in less than 3 hours, one third of which is over a toll road which is being extended to the extreme western part of Java in Merak. Here again, most visitors arrive from Jakarta as Bandung is more than 6 hours away from Carita by road. At present Carita and surroundings have definitely got more hotels and other accommodation than those found in Pelabuhan Ratu, and is therefore better developed. It is also located on the way to ferry-crossings to SUMATRA from Merak.

Besides white beaches behind hundreds of swaying coconut trees, one panoramic highlight is the visibility of the infamous Krakatoa Volcano from Carita, rising above the horizon in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. You won't have difficulties finding a place to stay here as many cottages, hotels and camping grounds are all available, not to mention the inevitable seafood.

Baduy Cultural Conservation
The Baduy community in Banten is an utterly unique and closed society which can be reached via a 10 km village road from either Cibolegar village or Cibungur village in the Leuwidamar district. The 50 km road from Rangkasbitung is steep. In April and May, the Baduy community is closed to outsiders, as during this time it commemorates certain ceremonies among ceremony, called Seba, is the offering of part of their agricultural products to the Head of the District, Sub-Regent and the Chief Resident. During this ceremony the "Puun of Baduy" sends out a group of representatives of Baduy Dalam people as well as Baduy Luar to act as the community's spokesmen. When conducting this Seba ceremony the Baduy Dalam members refuse to ride any vehicle, instead, the distance of 150 km is travelled on foot as proof of their perseverance. To enter this very special Baduy area, one should obtain written permission from the Rangkasbitung District Office stating the purpose of the visit which may take one whole week to process.

Karang Bolong Beach
The name Karang Bolong means Rock (karang) with a Hole bolong). This may have been some frozen lava, formed during the eruption of Mount Krakatau. The Rock forms a gate facing the sea, making it look very picturesque. There is a small forest which has been converted into a recreation spot. There is river flowing down to the sea where people can have a bath of fresh water after swimming in the salty sea.

Krakatau Volcano
With devastating effects this volcano erupted just over a century ago in 1883, bringing its fine ashes with the wind streams as far away as over New York City, whereas the eruption's tidal waves reached the American West Coast. At that very instant, Krakatoa vanished as if devoured by the sea, causing formidable tidal waves which in turn swept off just about everything alive from the surrounding coastal areas. However, the disappearance of the gigantic Krakatoa also meant the birth of small islands in its place, one of which is called "Anak Krakatau" or Krakatoa's Child which is at present an extremely active young volcano.

From both West Java's West Coast and from Sumatra's Lampung Province, this young and very active volcano is clearly visible. A boattrip to this place may be worth making.

Ujung Kulon
On the southwestern tip of West Java is a wildlife reserve of 51.000 hectares covering the Ujung Kulon peninsula and the nearby islands of Panaitan and Peucang. The reserve is a dense forest and is the home of the last surviving one- horned rhinoceros of which only 50 remain. Ujung Kulon is accessible by boat and the closest departure point is Labuan on the west coast.

An entry permit is needed, issued by the Forestry Service (Perlindungan Hutan dan Pelestarian Alam) at Labuan. The dense forest provides a natural habitat for many species of rhinoceros, wild ox, deer, wild boar, panthers, crocodiles, snakes and birds. Visitors are only allowed to the buffer zone where rustic accommodation is available on Peucang island where towers are erected to be able to observe the animals undisturbed.

Marine life in the surrounding seas is a kaleidoscope of colours. Beautiful sea gardens are found off Peucang and Panaitan islands and the south coast just below Tanjung layar offer spectacular deep diving for scuba enthusiasts, although at present no scuba facilities in Ujung Kulon. On the western tip of the peninsula is a lighthouse built by the Dutch which stands near the site of the ruins of old one.
A stay of at least two days on the reserve is recommended where food provisions should be taken along.

Pelabuhan Ratu Beach
Formerly just a plain fishing village it has now grown into a lovely holiday resort, more and more visited by holiday makers from Jakarta and Bandung, a mere three-hour drive from either city through cool mountain villages with picturesque scenerie Gradually but surely this area will catch up with the pace of development as is the case with Carita on the extreme West coast of Java. Pelabuhan Ratu Cisolok is a 15 km stretch of breathtaking beauty with hills, mountains and very wide sandy beaches everywhere around you, set againts the deep blue Indian Ocean.

Truly rare is the fact that thick tropical forests on rolling hills are found right next to stretches of white beaches. Taking walks uphilenables the visitor to look down on the horseshoe shape of the bay's coastline, whereas at night hundreds of fishermen's boatlamps are seemingly competing with the star-studded sky above, which is both enchanting and romantic. There is one four-star hotel, the Samudera beach, about 6 km from Pelabuhan Ratu, but several other smaller hotels 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 this area is visited by more tourists from the capital than those from Bandung. Moreover, the highways to and from Pelabuhan Ratu have recently been greatly improved to assure you of a smooth ride to enjoy the sceneries you pass even better. Don't forget to enjoy the fresh seafood at reasonable prices.

Dua Island (Pulau Dua)
Dua Island is the name of a small nature preservation inhabited by some 50 kinds of fisheating birds. These birds originated from Africa, Asia and Australia and stay on this island to lay and batch their eggs during April through August each year and fly back home afterwards. It is located in the Banten bay and is accessible by boat from Tanjung Priok sea harbour or from Marina, Ancol.

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