Bogor Botanical Garden

 When we get bored of the everyday rural environment at Pondok Cabe, we tend to go exploring. 

Today, together with the Darmasiswa students 2011 of Sahid Institute of Tourism decided to go to Bogor’s Botanical Garden, also known as “Kebun Raya Bogor” by an Indonesian transportation, “Angkot” (Angkutan Kota) then continued with a public bus which takes us straight to Bogor which is 60 km south of Jakarta.

It was a long journey sweaty journey, but it was all worth it once we’ve arrived. Here, we found many Elementary students dressed in white and red uniform. The entrance fee was about Rp. 14,000,-/person (local) and Rp. 25,000,-/person (tourists).

Bogor Botanical Garden is one of the oldest of its kind in Asia, this botanical garden was conceived at the order of Sir Stamford Raffles and officially opened in 1817. The enchanting garden exhibits an impressive 17,000 plant species – including rare orchids and the giant rafflesia- from Indonesia and abroad. There are 400 types of exceptional palms along lawns and avenues. The Garden is a refuge for more than 50 different varieties of birds and for groups of bats roosting high in the trees. 

The entire grounds cover a vast 87 hectares. A monument stands in loving memory of Raffle’s wife Olivia, who died in Bogor but was buried in Batavia, Old Jakarta. A café provides vegetarian meals along with international and local fare.

 The Gardens are open daily for visitors. There are paved walkways for visitors to stroll at leisure to admire the variety of old, gnarled trees, walk under the canopy of their foliage and listen to the river rushing over large boulders. The gardens are in the city centre and adjoin the Istana Bogor (Presidential Palace).

Visiting this Garden was definitely a right choice of place to refresh our eyes and minds. We bought ourselves some of my homemade chocolate balls and some other snacks and relaxed on the green grass. I really enjoyed the panorama because it’s so beautiful and relaxing. It's also a great location for taking pictures!