Bucket List: Indonesia’s Mt. Tangkuban Perahu

I am able to release all my angst and stress these days by recalling wonderful experiences from my past travels. It is really a hectic and tiring day. I mean, I have to get up very early in the morning and ride a cab going to St. Luke’s Library and stay there until closing time. Well, I am not really complaining because I am preparing for something big. And hey, I know MORE today than I did yesterday and I guess that’s all that really matters. So much for this melodramatic moment (I blame the rain dripping through the glass window tonight, hahaha). I want to tell you about my unforgettable experience in Indonesia’s famous natural geological wonder, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu.

 

I will start this blog entry with a very well known legend in Bandung, Indonesia (the province where Mt. Tangkuban Perahu is located). The story tells of Dayang Sumbi, a beautiful woman who lived in West Java. She cast away her own son, Sangkuriang- for disobedience, and in great sadness, she was granted the power of eternal youth by the Gods. After many years in exile, Sangkuriang decided to return to his home, long after the two had forgotten and failed to recognize each other. Sangkuriang fell in love with Dayang Sumbi and of course, he planned to marry her, only for Dayang Sumbi to recognize his birthmark as he was about to go hunting. In order to prevent the marriage from taking place, Dayang Sumbi asked Sangkuriang to build a dam on the River Citarum and to build a large boat to cross the river, both before the sunrise. Sangkuriang summoned mythical ogre-like creature, Ijo- to do his bidding. Dayang sumbi saw that the tasks were almost completed and called on her workers to spread red clothes east of the city, to give the impression of impending sunrise. Sangkuriang was fooled, and upon believing that he had failed, kicked the dam and the finished boat in severe flooding and the creation of the Tangkuban Perahu from the hull of the boat.

 

You see folks; Tangkuban Perahu translates roughly to “upturned boat” in Sundanese language. And we were very lucky to see and climb its crater. It is located in Bandong, a city in Indonesia known for its very cool climate throughout the year. It is an active volcano with three active craters, namely- Kawah Ratu, Kawa Domas and Kawa Upas. There are many hot geysers around the area. Standing at the crater, you will see the volcanic smoke and smell the sulfur materials coming from the volcanic vents. Standing in its crater is a one-of-a-kind and once in a lifetime experience.

Bandung is 2 to 3 hours drive from Jakarta…and the roads going up the crater of Mt. Tangkuban Perahu is steep but I tell you guys, it’s all worth it. Word of advice: when you travel, do not settle for what is conventional and comfortable, instead get lost, trod the road less traveled and push yourself to the limits.  After all, we travel not to escape life but for life to not escape us.