Pangandaran Off The Beaten Path

Although Pangandaran got a well-known beach-resort the "Backwater Trip" from Kalipucan to Cilacap could be outrageous, too. When there is some time, head for the Nusa Kambangan island, a prisoner island similar to what Alcatraz used to be.

The island is under control by the Department of Justice and Human Rights. There is some tourism and you could meet the truly locals, living in such an easy-going way ... sailing in their open long-boats.

According to Karang Nini the girls should visit the Green Canyon and the Green Lake. This spring used to be visited by Kanjeng Ratu Kidul and all of Her beautifull young women. Their spirits are still roaming around the greenish water, whose water, according to local belief keeps woman looking young forever and cure or prevent impotency if used often for bathing. Start to wash your face 3 times ... (and wait for the rejuvenation)

When it did not work out that satisfied, well, try "Pemandian Alam", Citumang, a natural springwater not that far from Pangandaran.. You could visit here a similar spot, which is more sacred, more legendary ... and more truthful ...

There is another mystery beyond words. The "Kawasan Pantai Karang Nini" is a small resort not far from Pangandaran, and about 10 pondok (little holiday-houses) can be rent for a holiday. Every pondok numbers 4 rooms, of which 3 comfortable sleeping rooms to accomodate a family, or some friends. However the fourth is a single room, dedicated to a beautifull young woman. Not scared, or fearfully, somebody can spend the night here with the possibility that the miraculously beautifull young woman (Sang Nini, the colour of red is dedicated to her) will appear within a dream ...

If so,... this heavenly beauty will grant your wishes. But ... be careful !!! The whole area along the South shore of Java belongs to the Spirit-queen Ratu Kidul (who loves the colour of green, complement with red!), and She will send Her patih (civil servant), named Ratu Peri (Queen Of Situation/State of Affairs). She is even more beautifull, however lethal and a femme fatal. It will be very difficult to describe the Sang Nini next to Ratu Peri.

All these tellings cast up the attraction of this special-one-person sleeping room and from far and wide especially young men flow to this small resort, hoping for a meeting with the beautifull young lady ... and locals like to tell about youngsters who do no want to return to their kampung/village ... fallen in love with the spirit-lady!

Let me tell you about this Batu Hiu:

Just beyond Tasikmilaya, South of Ciamis, you'll find Pantai Karang Nini (Beach of Old Woman-Rock). The locals tell about Nenek/Nini (Old Woman), who always waited at the beach for her husband Kakek/Aki (Old Man), a local fisherman. One day he didn't return, and other fisherman told the woman his prahu/boat had been attacked by a huge shark ... She would not believe that, and every morning and evening she still went to the beach to see if her husband had returned. She intensely would become one with her love, and seeked for the magical Ratu Kidul, Queen of the Southern Ocean.

It is told, the locals could watch the woman, praying next to a balekambang (a floating piece of rock, the reincarnated Kakek), who in course of time changed into a petrified rock, now named Karang Nini. This magical telling got completed by 2 other petrified rocks. The Batu Layar, a petrified rock with the form of a sail (at the East beach of Pangandaran)... and the Batu Hiu, the petrified rock at Ciliang, derived from the shark-shape boulder ...

The triangle point out to one direction ... that one of the South, in Javanese Kidul, and in Indonesian Selatan ... the one who combines all of these legends,... yes, the honoured Ratu Kidul !!!

Near the Desa Ciliang Kecamatan Parigi, about 14 km from Pangandaran heading South, is Batu Hiu. It's easy to reach, and you will experience mystic forces at work!

Batu Hiu, meaning Shark's Rock, which is a coastal rock having the shape of a shark. A picturesque rocky area, where a dramatic sea cliff drops right down into an ocean of huge violent waves right on the edge of the Java Trench.

Closeby a recreation park is found where you can have an endless open ocean view and enjoy nature at its best. An absolute must ...

If you walk away from the conservancy area ,
just outside the tourist area the rice fields
start. We were just making a little walk
on the left side of the peninsula and
turned right between two houses we
ended up in the fields.

I don't think the locals see much peolple here ,
they were happily surprised and were pointing
the way out. lol.

It is very quit and peaceful here.
You can see the water between the earthen
edges were you can walk on...
Palmtrees give some shadow. Here and
there a bike and somebody working.
(early in the morning that is). NICE!

this is another river that flows out of a cave inside a forest. no matter if it's dry or wet season, the water is forever green and crystal clear.
this is one of the best kep secrets in Pangandaran. it's never mentioned in travel guides. I've found this place by accident. it's only around 6 km from Pangandaran main road and just 15 minutes walk down the forest.

this is what happened during rainy season. no more green canyon would turn into brown canyon. The river is still very clean despite the color, but you can't swim down the canyon as the current is strong during rainy season.
you should plan your trip in dry season. best time to go is from July to September.