West Java

Puncak Pass
The most direct route between Jakarta and Bandung is a three-hour trip via the Puncak Pass, but this cool and spectacularly scenic area also doubles up as a popular weekend resort for Jakartans, making it worthy of a longer linger. The ascent to the highlands begins in earnest at the city of Bogor, a 45-minute drive south of Jakarta on the toll road. The Dutch named the city "Buitzenborg", meaning free of cares, and it is a particularly famous for its world-class Botanical Gardens, which can be found just behind the stunning 19th century presidential palace where deer still graze on expansive lawns. The road leading to the puncak, or summit, from here is crammed with stalls and a plethora of restaurants, while a good supply of hotels, private spas and bungalows are scattered throughout the hillside. At Cisarua, a road leads to the vast Taman Safari wildlife park in which animals from all over the world roam freely. Tea plantations blanket the upper reaches of the pass, where one can drink in the gorgeous panoramic views as well as a hot cup of the brew.

Pelabuhan Ratu and Sukabumi
Those searching for a big surf, great seafood and beachfront rooms need look no further than Pelabuhan Ratu, a picturesque fishing-village-turned-holiday-resort on the SW coast. It's an easy 3-4 hour drive from either Jakarta or Bandung, through picturesque scenery and mountain villages. Here the coastline all the way to Cisolok is ruggedly beautiful, as thickly forested hills roll down to a broad and inviting black-sand beach, 15 km long. But beware of the strong currents, not to mention the legend of Queen of the South Sea, Ratu Kidul, who is said to have a fondness for preying upon swimmers wearing green, her favourite color. There is a burgeoning resort strip with a full range from four-star accomodation to bungalows at moderate rates. Deep-sea fishing here is said to be some of the most exiting on the South Coast.

Cooler activities can be found higher in the valley on the way back to the city, near the Sundanese hill town of Sukabumi and the national park of Mts. Gede and Pangrango. The company resort and recreation area of Selabintana lie on the slopes between the two impressive volcanoes, a good jumping off point for mountain treks offerings views, hot springs, waterfalls and wildlife.

The West Coast Route
The beaches of Anyer and Carita play host to resorts, marinas and watersports for Jakarta's overworked. The journey starts via a fast toll road, which brings the coastal playground within a 2-3 hour drive from the capital. A turn off the toll road north from Serpong leads to Banten, now a shadow of the once great Dutch maritime port that held sway over most SE Asian shipping trade in the 16th century. It's now a small fishing village worth a poke around its old fort and mosques. At Cilegon, the road forks up to Merak and to the ferry crossing from Java to Bakahuni on Sumatra, or down south past the giant Krakatu steel plant to the holiday resorts.

Along this coastline from Anyer to Carita, dozens of resorts and bungalows cater to all budgets and dish up activities ranging from jet skiing to parasailing, fishing to golf. Further down the coast, the town of Labuan is the jumping off point to Ujung Kulon National Park, truly one of West Java's greatest treasures where nature lovers can sense the days when Java was the most beautiful and lush in tyhe world. It's home to many rare species of flora and fauna, including the rare white rhinoceros. Package tours can now be arranged at new eco-tourism lodges, allowing you to make the most of a stay here.

Bogor
Bogor's centrepiece is the tranquil Kebun Raya (Botanical Gardens). The gardens are located in the centre of Bogor and was founded by Stamford Raffles in 1817 during the British period. There is a huge collection of tropical plants, and bizarre trees. You will find a monument to Raffle's wife, Olivia, near the main entrance.

The Presidential Palace (Istana Bogor) was built by the Dutch and much favoured by Soekarno, stands besides the gardens and deer graze on its lawns. The palace is not normally open to the public but tours can be arranged through the tourist office.

Zoological Musuem - located near the gardens has an interesting collection of whale skeleton, a stuffed Javan rhino to name just a few of the exhibits.