A little not so far from Jakarta about an hour’s drive is Bogor, also called the city of rain. Previously known as “Buitenzorg” (” a peaceful place away from all hustle and bustle, “Sans soucis” or Without worries). During the Dutch colonial era, Bogor actually lies closer to Jakarta (50 km) than it does to Bandung (120 km). Appropriately named by the Dutch as a town “without worries”, they chose Bogor to be the site for constructing the first palace of the Dutch Governor General way back in 1745. Later restored in 1832, the palace still stands solid and elegant today with its stretched out gardens where deer roam freely on the green grass under majestically tall old trees.
The inhabitants of Bogor work in agriculture, forestry, industry, as civil are Christians, Catholics, Hindus and Buddhists. From a historical point of view, the Bogor Regency still has a close relationship with the history of the Pakuan Padjajaran Kingdom, which was built between the 13th – 15th centuries. This is supported by some historical objects in the form of inscriptions as an old manuscript written by some historians, which were found in the area.
Bogor is famous with its botanical garden. This botanical garden and in the garden there is the palace “Buitenzorg”. On a not so busy days on the road, a visit to Bogor and Taman Safari can be done on the same day. The world-famous Bogor Botanical Garden borders the Palace Grounds, covering an area of 87 hectares with thousands of species of plant life from all over the world. There are over 15,000 species of trees and plants, 400 varieties of palms alone. The orchid houses contain over 3000 orchid varieties. We don’t have to be a horticulturalist to enjoy the gardens, it is a masterpiece of design and a wonderful place to just stroll and enjoy the company of family and friends. See the original “Havea Brazilliensis” rubber tree, formerly imported from Brazil, and world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, a foul smell and stem less as well as leafless plant.
When visiting this Garden, arrange for a permit to visit the neighboring Presidential Palace, which belonged to the Dutch Governor General before Indonesia’s independence. Doing this may be a daylong visit by leaving Jakarta in the morning and spend the night in “Puncak” mountainous region on the way to Bandung the next day. Here again, the whole car trip will be memorable, as the scenic tropical beauty all around is really astonishing. We will also pass by another smaller Presidential Palace at Cipanas, the setting of which is in a colorful and flowery vast garden around this wooden but stylish palace.
Bogor which is nearby Jakarta has two international airports, one is the larger Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, located in Tangerang, now in the neighboring province of Banten. The other is the smaller Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, which is reserved for limited domestic flights.
People who visit Jakarta, usually take time to stop by the neighboring Bogor, famous for it's Botanical Garden and highlands getaway in the Puncak area. Or if you prefer the coastal area, head to Banten and spend a holiday at Anyer and Carita Beach.
Tanjung Priok is the name of Jakarta’s seaport, located in North Jakarta. Then you can continue rent a car with driver guide to go Bogor. In April 2018, Genting Dream Cruises, based in Singapore, has opened special itineraries to visit Indonesia’s capital for this summer to voyage. A delightful choice for the one who wants to splurge aboard a luxurious cruise ship.
The best way to travel around Bogor is by rented car, or package tour nearby from Jakarta or Bekasi. Be prepared though to meet traffic jams, especially when traveling during peak hours and into business districts at Jakarta. It is advisable therefore to choose a hotel or unique lodges near the location where you will have your meeting or business appointments or to the attraction or destination you wish to visit.
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