Far from the madding crowds in a guest house<\/p>\n
Text and photos by Mulkan Salmona<\/p>\n
BOGOR, West Java (JP): Entering the HB Garden Guest House area
\nin Cihedeung Udik village, Ciampea, Bogor, you will be stunned by
\nits beautiful, quiet and pleasing ambience. Harmonious
\nlandscaping, lustrous grass fields, a swimming pool with a
\nmineral water source and three houses in Sundanese style, occupy
\nthe 4,000-square-meter plot of land.<\/p>\n
Owners Willy and Hester Basoeki found this area about 10 years
\nago when they were visiting friends who lived nearby. Since then
\nthey have gradually arranged the environment, while preserving
\nexisting plants and planting others, to enhance the natural
\nharmony of the area.<\/p>\n
\"In the beginning, the place was used as a rest place for the
\nfamily, but gradually we started to think that it could serve as
\na tourist site. Especially since we saw that the village had a
\nlot of unexploited tourism potential and the community was very
\nfriendly,\" said Hester, a former tourist guide and fencing
\nathlete. The guest house was named after her.<\/p>\n
There is indeed a lot of potential for tourism in this area.
\nNot far from the guest house there are a number of old sites,
\nincluding the Ciaruteun ancient inscription, an archeological
\ngarden, a megalith site and relics of the Tarumanegara kingdom.<\/p>\n
Located at the foot of Mount Salak, the area offers beautiful
\nnatural views and a number of waterfalls. The community continues
\nto use traditional systems of agriculture. There is also a unique
\ncommunity which lives in a bamboo forest. In the bamboo forest
\nvillage there are only 41 houses, and no more houses are allowed.
\nIf a community member wishes to build a new house, he must do it
\noutside of the bamboo forest. The people of this community make
\nbamboo handicrafts, wayang golek (wooden puppets), mendong mats
\nand other items.<\/p>\n
\"For a long time, we have approached the communities in the
\nareas around the village to help them learn things, to show
\ncreativity in art or other work, in order to attract more
\ntourists to the village. We have also informed them about simple
\ncommunication when they interact with foreign tourists, e.g. when
\nthe tourists pass a coconut plantation it is enough for the owner
\nto say 'coconut', or if they invite the guests to visit them in
\ntheir house for a cup of tea, they simply say, 'Tea at my home'.<\/p>\n
\"Basically we teach them a simple language that is easy to
\nremember,\" said Willy Basoeki.<\/p>\n
With the support of the regional government, the Basoekis have
\nundertaken to introduce a tourism package called Kampoeng Wisata
\nCinangneng, or Cinangneng Tourist Kampong, which was launched two
\nweeks ago. The name is derived from the location of the area,
\nnear Cinangneng River.<\/p>\n
Cinangneng village is located not far from the center of Bogor
\ncity. From Jakarta by car, it takes about 90 minutes to reach.
\nEvery month hundreds of tourists, both domestic and foreign, come
\nto this village.<\/p>\n
\"We are now trying to approach the community about offering a
\nhome-stay program. As an example, we built two rooms owned by the
\ncommunity in Kondang village, located opposite Cinangneng
\nvillage,\" Willy said.<\/p>\n
The rooms he spoke of are three by five meters each, and are
\nowned respectively by Pak Otih and Mang Ade. The facilities and
\nprices of the rooms are the same as at HB Garden Guest House.<\/p>\n
\"If this runs well and lots of villagers are interested in
\noffering their homes for home stays, we can be more active in
\nselling tourism packages to the village. With lots of tourists
\nvisiting and staying in the village, we would not have to worry
\nbecause of the many home-stay facilities,\" said Willy.<\/p>\n
The cost of a room at the guest house is Rp 125,000 per night.<\/p>\n
For a reservation, call Garden Hotel at (021) 765-7217 or
\n(0251) 621-895.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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