Tangkuban Prahu

This mountain is always associated with famous legend of Sangkuriang. In fact based on the geology research (Dongeng Geologi), there is a link between the legend and its geology event. But first, I would like to share our story during trekking in this beautiful craters area, just 20km North from Bandung.

    Late trekking is still pleasant for us who started the trekking in the noon (12pm). We started from ‘Pintu Angin’ in Cimahi or known as main entrance for Burangrang Mountain within kopassus military area. If you start from Bandung, just take a cab to Parongpong then traversing Advent University, it is only 70k which is friendly cost for us. In the military pos, the guy many times told us; to take the right path, not to go to Situ Lembang as it is within military area, and so on. I must tell you that the pinus forest in restricted area is so clean, very neat and tidy. Small waterfall that we crossed was enough to soaked our shoes in the beginning of trekking. We took the foot path which is different than the one in our GPS (downloaded from www.gunungbagging.com) just to see how it is as it has several paths. Lovely when we were in the tea plantation. In this point, for seconds I crave to live in Bandung, true! The path was nice, there was no serious over grown bushes or what so ever, it was light trekking and fun. We often call ourselves as “shortcut religion” believer and this trekking site just exactly the right place for us. It required 5 hours for us to get Tangkuban Prahu crater with stops for cooking lunch, chat, stretching, or just to sit enjoying the air.

    Because we arrived a bit late than we planned, we decided to overnight in T. Prahu crater and continue to T. Prahu summit the next morning. Maybe you all know that there are some warungs surrounds the crater but of course at this time, 5.30pm no more warung still open. we decided to stay in hidden place in one of the warung as we know camping around the crater is prohibited. Unlucky, i have to go down to find an open warung to buy some bottles of water and it was not really a good situation. I have to lie to the security guys about my arrival and hide Gilles in warung on top. It is too suspicious for bule running around this area as every 6pm the security will sterilize this area from tourists, no need to tell why camping around active crater is prohibited, some young fellows died in Kawah Ratu. Mt. Salak while they were sleeping. Sulphur itself is NOT dangerous. Sulfur in gaseous state does not exist, because it reacts with oxygen in air. The compounds of Sulphur ARE dangerous. Specially Sulfur Dioxide. This would be toxic and dangerously irritating, because SO2 reacts with moisture to produce sulfurous acid, H2SO. In small quantity, it is going to give you a choking feeling and you will not be able to bear it. In excess, it can lead to permanent respiratory problems, death due to choking, or even death because of cardiovascular problem. Okay, stop talking about toxic, it is too scary, as scary as we decided to camp close to the rim of the crater. Our decision, was a bit risky but we have no choice. To overnight in Lembang was too far and too hassle to return in the morning. So, what can i do? Argue with security guard was the best way, i think. After 5 minutes arguing (i admit that was the easiest argument i ever had) he allowed me to camp in one of the warung in top, but first, my tent suppose to be really hidden so no one can see, because as we know once someone report this, he will be fired. Second, i should back to Bandung early morning, so people will not notice. I said yes, just to make his life easier and mine as well. The beauty of arguing with an Indonesian man, if you are an Indonesian woman sometimes is indescribable.

    Well, after paying double price for a big bottle of water, bonus gorengan as many as i want, i hiked up to our warung where we will build our tent. Gilles was already waiting tensely (at least that is what i read from his face)  and suddenly smiling when he looked at my smile (or my gorengan), he knew i trick the guy! We waited until slightly dark to build our tent, we were so careful not being too noisy as we still see some people, presumed the rangers running around the their base camp. We established our tent in a very comfort site, we have shelter and no need to worry if it rains or windy, nevertheless the smell of sulfur is really irritating and it continued until morning. We were awake several times during midnight to morning, especially  when the smell is very strong. We covered our faces with our sleeping bags every time it comes. We were very alert and try to wake up each other. Sometimes for 5 minutes i only inhale the CO which came from my breathing. I think, my nervous came from first, sulfur smell and second, afraid if the ranger will find us. God... it was very long night! When the sun rises, for some reasons i feel no more worry about this sulfur smell problem because we will have breakfast, pack up, and towards to the summit soon, it is also remove my worry if the ranger find us. It was 6.30 when we started our trekking to the summit. All were fine, some people we meet in the car park area, not really pay the attention to us, we have prepared one big (bull shit) story though. The morning activity in very touristy area was so nice to be captured. One or two small food stalls have been ready with a pile of gorengan thingy, i imagine how many times in a day the lady has to re-fry the pile just to keep it warm.. hmm

    Our footpath stopped at what they named “Cikahuripan” water. They believe this is the magic water that kept Dayang Sumbi (the main character in Tangkuban Prahu legend who played the role as mother as well as targeted woman) young for years. Surprised by the existence of the cave nearby, i tried to find out what was in the cave. It is so far from the natural cave, it was obviously built by concrete. I suspect the cave was made to do kind of ritual for spirit which is so common in some places in Indonesia. We were confused as the foot path stopped. Gilles checked to Northeast as it displayed in our GPS. He found the foot path right away and dragged me. It was over grown, bushy, and narrow foot path. In the middle of it, the footpath disturbed by the landslide’s material. But after was not too difficult to recognize which path we should take. There was a small stop with excellent view of Ratu and Upas Crater. It makes you think as other normal people would do; take photos!!

    As Tangkuban Prahu’s summit is flat and wide area, we don’t think to go too far to the end of its highest elevation area. We stopped at elevation 1900m. We found nice and small hut, covered by leaves. We stopped and had a cup of tea and a bit of crackers. Later on, we tried to take different path to go down then continue our next destination to Domas Crater. The footpath is easy because it is well maintained. We finish our lovely trek in the car park Domas Crater or Domas Gate, then jump into taxi to Cihampelas. It is still cheap and convenient by taxi, believe me. Before the colt driver offer us 40k by person from Domas gate to Lembang bus terminal, whereas we paid 70k for our taxi (Domas gate to Cihampelas). We arrived in Jakarta just right in the time before the traffic started. Living in Bandung is such a second option of good life and good week end guarantee