Bengkulu Things to Do

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Set on a hill overlooking the Indian Ocean fort Marlborough is an interesting place to visit. Dating from 1714 and approached through massive walls, it is an impressive and well-maintained piece of history, reputedly the strongest fort constructed by the British in the east after George Fort in Madras (city in southeastern India). The old British gravestones at the entrance make poignant reading. Inside, a small museum houses a few interesting old engravings, old pictures, and copies of official correspondence from the time of British rule in Bengkulu (1714-1824). Inside the fort, there is also a subway connected to the outside and you can also see where the Dutch incarcerated Soekarno during his internal exile of 1939–1942.

It is open daily from 8am-6pm, admission Rp. 2,500/person

A Brief Story of the Fort

The basic fortification was under construction for four years and was established by East Indian Company (EIC) under Governor General Joseph Callet rule, it was completed in its first form in 1718. Joseph Collet named his new fort `Marlborough` in honors of John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, who was being haled as a National hero after winning a number of strategic battles in Europe against the French. The fort was the second strongest fort built by British in the east after Fort George in Madras, India.

Bengkulu was briefly shaken out of its torpor during the Governor of Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1818-1824. Fort Marlborough was the seat of the British power and influence in western parts of the Indonesia until 1824, when under the terms of the Treaty of London, England handed over the territory to the Dutch in exchange for others, ending 139 years of British power in Bengkulu.

The actual handover took place early in 1825 as in exchange for Singapore. The Dutch continued to occupy Fort Marlborough until the Second World War and after the fall of Sumatra it was then occupied the Japanese army. The following of the Japanese in 1945 the fort was again briefly occupied by the Dutch. After independent August 17, 1945 the Indonesian army and police force unit used the fort until it was abandoned in the late 1970`s. The fort remains in its present state following a sympathetic restoration programmed which was carried out in the late 1980`s.

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Bengkulu has a number of traditions which still continue in Bengkulu people life, one of the cultural assets is the Tabot/Tabut (an Arabic word which means the coffin), and it is an interesting attraction to enrich your experiences particularly to observe one of Indonesian's unique tradition and culture.

Tabot or now is called Tabut festival, the highlight of the Bengkulu people cultural calendar is the colorful and interesting festival, staged at Merdeka square nearby Fort Marborough - Bengkulu city. The festival highlights music, traditional and new creation dancing contest, Bengkulu folk song contest, bazaar, telong-telong contest, effigies, and many more at Bengkulu square. At the end of the festival the effigies are carried through the streets with much merriment and traditional music, and are finally tossed to the grave of Sheik Burhanuddin.

Tabut festival is held annually from 1st to 10th of the month of Muharram (Islamic Calendar). Because the date is fixed by the Islamic lunar calendar, it moves forward 10 days each year. This year Tabut festival will be held from November 5th to November 15th 2013.

The festival which takes place at Bengkulu square to honor and recall the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandchildren, Hassan and Hussein, at the tragic battle of Kerbala-Iraq, against Yazid people.

Tabut ceremony originated from the Iraqi Shiite, brought to Bengkulu by workers (from Madras – India) who were constructing the fort Marlborough for the British East India Company. The first Tabut ceremony in Bengkulu was carried out by Sheik Burhanuddin (also known as Imam Senggolo) in 1685. Sheik Burhanuddin married the woman of Bengkulu, after he passed away the Tabut ceremony was then inherited to their children, including amongst others those who assimilated with the indigenous Bengkulu inhabitants. This ceremony has been going on for quite a long time, about 3 centuries. Because of the long period, this ceremony is considered as a traditional ceremony of the Malay tribe of Bengkulu.

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It is a tiny island, that’s why the island is called Tikus which means mouse. The island has a good potential to develop marine tourism. This alluring island is surrounded by coral reefs that teem with various forms of marine life, soft and hard corals, and fish of all colors and sizes. Unpolluted and really clear water is reasonable for astounding diving and snorkeling around pristine coral reefs. For surfing you should walk far out across the reef will be necessary. The island can be seen from the beaches of Bengkulu.

There is no inn on the island, except some small houses for the light house guards. If you want to stay you can camp free of charge on the island, but you need to ask permission first from the guard of light house and fill in a visitor book. There is no any food stall on the island, so you must also bring your own food, water and gears.

You can only reach the island by chartered fishing boat, which will be quite expensive Rp. 350,000 up to Rp. 750,000 (about US$ 35 to US$ 75) depends on the type of the boat and the way you bargain. You can find boats for rent by asking around the fishermen or the local people at some beaches such as Tapak Pederi beach, Zakat beach, Malabro beach, Pasar Pantai beach (Tapak Paderi beach is recommended, it’s easy to get there by city transport from the city center). Fishermen will drop you off on the island, and pick you up in the afternoon (or depends on when you want them to pick you up). Usually the fishing boat crew will naturally expect a tip on the trip to the island, they would be glad to receive a pack of cigarette (Gudang Garam Internasional brand is recommended) as a tip. They will serve you better and more friendly after getting a tip.

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Samudera Ujung beach is strongly recommended for surfing mania. It is the best spot for more experienced surfers in Bengkulu. The beach is less popular than Panjang beach or Tapak Paderi beach, but Samudera Ujung beach offers you very fun surf . The beach is clean enough with its white sand and natural spruces along the beach and it is easy to reach. Only a few local or foreign surfers come to surf here, so you don’t have to wait for a wave patiently or fight against other surfers for waves.

For surfers it will be a frustrating trip taking non-chartered cars. It is easier to get there by paying more for a chartered angkot (city public transport) for Rp 60,000 or around US$ 6(return trip). The driver will drop you off and pick you up later. Keep in mind, "Don't get into the vehicle until you've agreed on a fare you are comfortable paying, and even better pay from your stack of smaller bills so that the driver will not owe you any change when you are done surfing".

No entrance fee, except on Idul Fitri also known as Lebaran and Idul Adha or Lebaran Haji, the visitors are charged by the locals for Rp. 1,000 per one person.

Because the beach is out of the city, there is no inn/hotel or food stall nearby the surf spots. Please bring your own food, drink and gears!

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Bengkulu’s main beach, Pantai Panjang, stretches for approximately 7 km (4.4 miles). It has white sand and good surf. Early morning on a mid to high tide will be the best time for a surf.

In the beach (right in front of Pasir Putih cottage) you can try to ride an Elephant for Rp. 5,000 per one person, but you can try to bargain the ticket for Rp. 10,000 for three people, I’ve tried it and it worked. The elephants to ride are only available on every Sunday, and every national public holiday.

You can find seaside cottages, nice hotels, warung-warung (street stalls) and cafés along the beach. Other recreational facilities are also available such as: swimming pools, fishing ponds, etc.

How to get there?
You can take yellow angkot (city transport) from Jl. Suprapto to the beach center gate for Rp. 2,000/one person. There is no entrance fee, except on Idul Fitri also known as Lebaran and Idul Adha or Lebaran Haji, the visitors are charged by the for Rp. 1,000 per one person.

Warning: The beach has big waves which are kind of good for surfing, but be careful, it’s rarely suitable for swimming; it’s unsafe for swimming too far out because there are strong currents in some spots.

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The provincial museum, Musium Negeri Propinsi Bengkulu is located on Jl. Pembangunan No. 9 – Padang Harapan, is worth a look. The museum features a large display of interesting traditional costumes, housing, implements, and other geological and archeological items. It is open daily from 8 am to 3 pm, and entry costs Rp. 2,500 per person. But this museum is inconveniently located.

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During the political struggles against Dutch colonial rule, Bengkulu was a home-in-domestic-exile for the Indonesian nationalist leader Soekarno (1939 – 1942) who later became the first president of Indonesia. During his stay in Bengkulu, Sukarno, who was an architect, redesigned and renovated an old simple mosque (which established in 18th century) who later known as Mesjid Jamik (Jamik Mosque). The best time to visit the mosque is during Friday afternoon prayers, when the entire building is filled with people. The people who pray at the mosque are easygoing and hospitable to visitors. No entrance fee.

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Bengkulu has a number of British reminders, including the Thomas Parr monument. The monument was established by British goverment as for the remembrance of the death of a British governor in Bengkulu, Thomas Parr. He was beheaded at night by local fighters in 1807.