Tangkuban Perahu

Reached at Tangkuban Perahu...




1 June 2009 - Our destination was the famous tourist spot, located 28km north of Bandung, Tangkuban Perahu. We started early, left the hostel about 7:30 a.m. and took our breakfast half way to Tangkuban Perahu. Actually we were looking for light breakfast as we were still full after a heavy and delicious dinner at Restaurant Kampung Daun. Unfortunately, there was no light breakfast served. Only rice available...left us with not much choice but to have our brunch...

Along the way, it was packed with nice view...the hills were covered with tea plantations which the farmers creatively arranged the crops turned into unique designs rolling the hills.
Unfortunately, quite hard to see the beautiful patterns that the farmers created with their tea crops from this photo ....

We passed through the guard house and paid our entrance fees. Those who travelled by bus had to take the jeep up the hill but ones with own transport could drive to the spot. There were actually a few craters to be visited but we proceeded to the famous one, the Queen Crater (Kawah Ratu).

We reached Tangkuban Perahu at 10.00 a.m. The air was cold and breezy. The moment we stepped down from the car, we were welcomed with peddlers carrying all sorts of souvenirs. It was very annoying as they tried to block our ways to make their ends meet. One of the pedlars did not give up on us and kept on tailing us like an obedient slave...unofficially became the tourist guide ... kept stuffing us with the info related to Tangkuban Perahu including the famous folklore or legend of SangKuriang.

The panoramic view was splendid but the kids complained about the pungent sulfer smell. Also, we had to be extra cautious of the slippery loose sand covered all the place.







Notice the splendid panaromic view, the hill looked like a turned over ship...Also, note the lava and poisonous gas gushed out from the crater..

Walked to the view tower...





Viewed the panaroma from the tower...

We were able to view the surrounding areas from the tower. The peddlers were prohibited around this area. We were relieved as were freed temporarily from their hassled ...

We strolled along the street filled up souvenir shops. Since it was not a public holiday, the placed not really crowded and only a few shops were opened. I found that the souvenirs were not really attractive and quite costly... the items were easily found elsewhere...could be shops that carry special items were closed...

The peddlers street...

Some of the items displayed at the souvenir shops...

Another shot of the volcano after the peddlers street...






The areas were covered only with these plants...

The unofficial guide informed us that the plant known as bodhi ( hopefully, I got it right) could only be found here. According to him, those who consumed the leaves would remain young ...sort of anti-aging process...

Just thought for the day, Dayang Sumbi ( SangKuriang's mother) might have stayed young forever because of the plants...

Note : Those who visited Crater Domas(Kawah Domas) could experience the eggs get boil within 10 minutes. We did not have a chance this time, may be during another trip...