Weekend Getaways From Jakarta

Jakarta, located as it is on the west coast of Java, is an excellent base for forays into the nearby towns and areas- it’s perfectly situated and well connected too. Some of the interesting places within easy reach of the capital include:

Bogor was named `Buitenzorg’ ("Without Worries") by the Dutch, and lies 50 km from Jakarta- 50 km in which you leave behind the bustle and noise of the capital, and reach a place with a beauty and an elegance all its own. Bogor is probably best known for the fantastic Botanical gardens, spread out over 87 hectares, which are among the best in Indonesia. The gardens have thousands of trees and plants; among the most interesting are the Rafflesia (the largest-and smelliest- flower in the world), the original rubber tree which was brought to Indonesia from Brazil, and an impressive collection of orchids. If you’ve gone all the way to Bogor, then you mustn’t go back without seeing the Presidential Palace, next to the gardens. The residence of the Governor General (prior to Indonesia’s independence), it’s an impressive building dating back to 1745. The present structure was restored in 1832 and has lovely grounds- lush green lawns, towering trees and deer.

Three hours’ drive from Jakarta lies Carita Beach, idyllic and lovely, especially for anyone who likes the idea of lazing on a sunny beach and spending the day either swimming or walking along beneath coconut palms. It’s very much a resort, and there’s no dearth of places to stay- there are hotels, beach huts and cottages enough, and as far as food is concerned, what with the seafood and the fruits, you shouldn’t feel hungry. One of the most interesting sights visible from Carita is that of Mount Krakatoa, the volcano that erupted so devastatingly in 1883 that ash poured down halfway across the world, in New York City. The volcano itself disappeared in the process, but small islands appeared instead, one of which, known as `Anak Krakatoa’ (Krakatoa’s Child) is an extremely active volcano. If you’re really in the mood for adventure, you could hire a boat and visit this island.

Southeast of Jakarta and 75 km from the capital city lies the Taman Safari Indonesia, a safari park with animals from literally all over the world. There are lots of unlikely combinations, of course- bears, white tigers, rhinos and giraffes- but, on the whole, it’s an interesting place to visit, especially if you’ve got children along with you- they’re bound to enjoy it. Other than the animals, the park’s got lots of other recreational facilities, including an artificial lake, a waterfall and a swimming pool; a playground for the children; a circus, restaurants and amusement games of various kinds. It’s a popular destination not just for foreign tourists, but also for locals.

Pelabuhan Ratu Beach is situated about three hours’ drive from Jakarta, and is one of the loveliest beach resorts close to the capital. It’s a stunningly beautiful combination of forest-clad hills, clean white beaches and blue seas- great for treks and walks, swimming and sunbathing. Many of the inhabitants of the local village (at least those who do not cater to the crowds of tourists) are fisher folk, and you’ll see it reflected in the food around- lots of very good seafood is available here. Pelabuhan Ratu doesn’t have very much to offer in the way of shopping or entertainment (it’s a small place, after all), but it’s a good place to relax, and there is a good range of accommodation available, from 4 star to cottages, so you can choose where you want to stay, if you want to spend the night here.

There are other places accessible from Jakarta, such as Bandung (the capital of West Java, and in close proximity to the volcano of Tangkuban Perahu and its hot springs). However, Bandung requires at least a day or two by itself, so be prepared to spend the night outside Jakarta if you want to visit the place. It’s easily acessible by bus or train, or you can hire a car and get there on your own.