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Raja Ampat, the island regency in West Papua Province is home to a fascinating marine ecosystem
A Land Of Dragons
Amongst the hidden treasures which will take your breath away is Komodo Dragon Island, situated in Flores, Indonesia. It is a small island that has the power to captivate your soul with its pristine and exotic surroundings. No one ever comes here to party as the only ones who will party with you are the famous residents, the Komodo Dragons at the Komodo National Park.
Tourists can visit this intriguing place by taking a ferry from Labuan Bajo, though you are advised to steer clear of these lizards and not provoke them as the ones here are known to be the most ferocious creatures in the world. Discovered over a century ago, these ‘dragons’ have actually existed for millions of years. While their bite is no doubt excruciating, it is their potent mix of bacteria (about 50 different types) that is deadly, leading to blood poisoning in their prey.
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One of the residents of Komodo National Park
Rocky Beau
Situated in a secluded corner in Bandung, the Weeping Rocks of Curug Batu Templek will take you by surprise as the rare geological phenomenon will make you gasp at its natural beauty. Located near quarries, the Curug Batu Templek is formed by tectonic movements and is found on a small part of the Earth’s plate. This results in the toffee-coloured streams ‘magically’ gushing out from the cracks on to the rocks. Unlike many places, the curag is best visited during the rainy season as the water flow is high and forms a pretty, light brown shade – a perfect hue to compliment the darker shades of those rocks.
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A rush of clear water streams down the ancient rocks at this hidden waterfall
A Glimpse Of Heaven
For the lovers of nature who still can’t get enough of the Weeping Rocks, you can always head to Indonesia’s Green Canyon, also known as Cukang Taneuh, Pangandaran. Upon arriving at the main entrance, a row of wooden boats better known as ‘Ketinting’, will be lined up by the river. These boats will take you on a ride which lets you lay eyes on thick bushes and green trees of the Pangandaran forests along the banks.
Known to the locals as a ‘piece of heaven on earth’, this picturesque attraction will steal your heart away. Feeling adventurous? You can choose to jump from a 4-meter-tall stone called ‘batu payung’ by the locals. If you don’t feel like getting yourself wet, you can always take ample pictures while exploring the place a little bit more.
Royal Reign
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, congested traffic and hectic lifestyles, another hidden gem with a perfect surrounding and wonders to keep you in awe is Raja Ampat, the island regency in West Papua Province. Legend has it that its name was derived due to a woman being found with seven eggs, where four hatched and soon after became the kings of the four main islands while the other three became a woman, a ghost and a stone.
Being a home to a fascinating marine ecosystem, this little island is a place to admire a variety of sea creatures while obtaining the ultimate sea-life experience. Besides its fascinating natural attractions, tourists can choose to experience unique traditions and observe the daily life of natives.
Tranquil Abode
Another place to fully experience the Indonesian culture and lifestyle is definitely at Batu Karas. Located at West Java, this idyllic fishing village is one of the quietest and calmest places to relax and unwind. Despite experiencing routine-like days as long as you stay here, a sense of serenity will fill your soul from the simplicity this little village and its people brings you.
A usual day at this village consists of waking up before sunrise and enjoying chocolate-banana pancakes with lemon juice at a stall nearby. Afternoons include nap time on the hammock and waking up to the sound of waves, followed by a satisfying end to the night with a few cans of local beer with barbequed fishes.
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Known to the locals as a piece of heaven on earth, this picturesque attraction will steal your heart away
Living On The Edge
Indonesia feeds every type of soul out there, even the adrenaline junkies. Take a hike up Tebing Citatah, Padalarang and find out if you’re as courageous as you claim to be. Once you’re up there, the view would dispel all tiredness. Consisting of about 25 climbing routes with different difficulty levels, many tourists make their mark here and conquer their fears.
Thrill-seeking beginners usually begin their adventure at an intermediate level, Citatah 48 limestone cliff (around 40 to 50m in height). Complete this and you will be rewarded with the sight of the ‘Belati’ knife monument. The intensity and danger level of Citatah 90 and Citatah 125 has been reserved for expert climbers as it is not for everyone.
There’s never a time when you will run out of hidden treasures to see and visit in Indonesia. At the end of the day, it boils down to how well you discover and explore the unknown areas to find various wonders that will take your breath away.
