Collaborative Post
Bogor is a favourite weekend destination for most Indonesians. Located just an hour away from Jakarta and four and half hours from Bandung, Bogor is an important cultural, economic and tourist centre all rolled in one. The City of Rains as it is often called, has apart from the tourist attractions a wealth of culinary offerings for the hordes of food seekers who descend on it at all times of the year. The Dutch considered it to be a town of no worries, and therefore built the first palace for their Governor General,way back in 1745. Bogor is well known for some very famous spots, some of which are highlighted here. Be sure to consider a stay at the Rancamaya Hotel, you can find some fantastic Traveloka hotel deals.
1) Bogor palace
Rebuilt in 1856, the Bogor palace is a real stunner. Located amid an exceptional natural landscape of gardens and a combination of Dutch and Indonesian architecture, the historic value of the current President is well worth a visit.
2) Bogor botanical gardens
A great place to escape from the hectic hustle and bustle of city life, the Bogor botanical gardens are the place to be.The gardens are situated adjacent to the Bogor palace and cover an area of 87 hectares, housing nearly 14,000 kinds of trees and plants. The gardens act as an important research centre for students and have several thousand deer roaming freely on its premises. The very size of the collection, reflects on the effort and research done to maintain the sprawling park.
3) Taman safari
With a collection of animals from all parts of the world, the Taman Safari park in Cisarua is a favourite for all visitors. All the animals are provided a habitat similar to that they would have found in their own country. Visitors are allowed to tour the park in their vehicles, from where they can come in close proximity, and sometimes even within touching distance of some of the animals. The site has a swimming pool,hotel and restaurants. Every Saturday, the park conducts night safaris.
4) Little Venice, Puncak
Stay at the Kota Bunga estate, in the fabulous villas available for rent, and you can row along in the gondolas in the Little Venice of Indonesia. The artificial lake is so designed as to merge with the surrounding buildings and the architecture. You have the option for rowing on your own or opting for the staff to take you around.
5) Gong Pancasan
The little gong factory, as Gong Pancasan is known, is situated a kilometre away from the Bogor trade centre. This is a unique place which manufactures gongs at the same spot for the past two hundred years. The men tirelessly work here,day and night, surviving on donations from the trickle of visitors who come to witness the old tradition, or buy from the small selection of items for sale. The last surviving craftsmen, have been sweating it out in this enormous workshop over pieces of leather and iron for close to six generations now.