up there, garden café Dedaunan

I was so stuck up with malls and buildings in Jakarta that today I decided to go to Bogor. We arrived a little late due to traffic and lunch time but at least we got a moment in the botanical gardens. Don't laugh at me, but this is my first time to visit Kebun Raya Bogor as a grown up (I don't recall any family vacation to here in my childhood). I went passed it a couple of times in my 3x visits to Bogor before (Bogor is that small that you must've drive pass it) and in my fourth visit this time, I finally went inside, although not to trace all of its corners.

me walking down the road

To quote from wikipedia: 

The Bogor Botanical Gardens is located in Bogor, Indonesia, 60 km south of Jakarta. The gardens are in the city center and adjoin the Istana Bogor (Presidential Palace). The gardens cover more than 80 hectares. The area that was now Bogor Botanical Gardens was part of the samida (man-made forest) that was established at least around the era when Sri Baduga Maharaja (Prabu Siliwangi, 1474-1513) ruled the Sunda Kingdom, as written in the Batu Tulis inscription. 

beautiful greenery and pond

Also from wikipedia:

This forest was created to protect seeds of rare woods. Another similar samida was established near the current border between Bogor and Cianjur, called Ciung Wanara Forest. This forest was neglected after the Sunda Kingdom was defeated by the Banten Sultanate.

red bridge with advanced suspension

One thing that caught my attention was this red hanging bridge with advanced suspensions that similar to Golden Gate of San Fransisco that started the construction in 1933. A source mentioned that the gardens were first built in 1817 by a Dutch chemist named Prof. Caspar Georg Karl Reinwardt, so the red bridge must be built around that time, too. This red color was said to be a reminder of the flood that took lives of some photographers years ago--or as a sign of love, as it is also known as the Bridge of Love.

bridge of love

At the end of the bridge is the cemetery of Her Majesty Queen Galuh Pakuan, wife of Prabu Siliwangi. The myth said any couple who walk across the bridge together would break up but every two persons (just friends) walking here together, could end up in marriage. But the true story about this is not confirmed yet. I personally just admired the technology used to build this bridge. What do you think? Wanna try the magical power of the bridge?


PS. To enter with car, go to Gate 3 in front of Plaza Pangrango, jl. Jalak Harupat. No fee is charged and you can park near the café or travel around the gardens with your car. The gate for walkers is at Gate 4, few hundreds meters before the car gate.