Ciwidey, your cup of tea
When weekend comes, it is a perfect time to go back to the nature by visiting Ciwidey. Known as a region of the largest tea producer in Bandung, Ciwidey offers a breathtaking view of scattered beautiful tea gardens, staggering mountains, and wide areas of pine forests. Located in Southern Bandung, it only takes two hours’ ride from Bandung city. The cool breezy weather along with beautiful landscape will relax your mind and soul, so that you are ready to start the new day. While you are planning to visit Ciwidey, here are some cool places that you have to go.
Ranca Upas
Ranca Upas is a large camping site situated 1700 meters above sea level. It is a conservation center for some endangered species of flora such as Jamuju, Huru, Kihujan, and many more. The landscape in here are still very natural, with surroundings of tall pine trees and fresh green field of grass. Around the area of camping site, there are a lot of activities that you can do. First, you can go to the deer sanctuary where you are able to feed those cute little deers while enjoying the mountain view as the background. Second, not far away from the sanctuary, there are also a lake for you to go canoeing.
Bringing warm clothes when going to Ranca Upas is necessary. The weather in Ranca Upas is relatively cold, with average temperature of 15 – 20 degrees celcius at afternoon, and it can be lower than 0 degrees at night. Spend your time to wake earlier at Ranca Upas since the sunrise view in here is amazing. The combination between misty fogs and rays of sunshine which goes through beneath the trees are worthy for taking the shot.
Situ Pattengang
Find your inner peace by relishing the exotic view of Situ Pattengang. The word “Situ “which means lake and “Pattengang”, which means searching of each other, resemblances a historical folklore that lies as the origin where Situ Pattengang was formed. It is said that the lake is a reward given by Ki Santang to his lover, Dewi Rengganis who have been separated from him for a long time. After reuniting, Dewi Rengganis asked Ki Santang to make her a lake and a boat so they can sail together. Located in the middle of the lake, there is a large stone called as Batu Cinta (love stone). The locals believe when a couple rowing their boat to this stone, their love will last forever.
When you are on your way to Situ Pattengang, don’t miss to take a look of beautiful tea fields at each side of the road. It is like seeing a painting come alive, where the arranged stack of terracing tea fields and clear blue sky can be found everywhere as long as it is visible. If you are looking a romantic getaway in camping style, then Situ Patenggang is a must-place to visit.
Kawah Putih
Kawah Putih is a striking crater lake and popular tourist attraction in Bandung. With white sulfur lakes, surrounded forested mountains, and numerous number of placed shrubs, the view in Kawah Putih is surely out of this world. Hire a street photographer that can be found anywhere in here, and you will get outstanding photogenic photos that are worth to share for. The location of Kawah Putih itself is very close to Situ Pattengang and Ranca Upas, since it only takes five minutes to go there by car. Since it is a volcanic crater lake, the smell of sulfur is quite strong and therefore always put your mask on to prevent any breathe problems.
/// Written by Jenica, Indonesia
