Written by: Sanny Haditry

This is my trip to magnificent and relieving Peucang Island, Ujungkulon National Park

Day #1
8 July 2009

The trip begin at 5.45 A.M. from my home (West Jakarta)
Before this day, I already goggling how to get Tamanjaya (the boat that will take me to pucang island is located in Tamanjaya). Tamanjaya is a small village and also the gate to Ujungkulon National Park. So the route to Peucang is Kalideres Bus station —– Labuan —-Sumur — Tamanjaya
Thanks to the internet and the help of my friends, I can get to Labuan with no difficulties. I just take Murni Bus from Kalideres Station Bus.It only cost Rp 25.000 and the bus lasts (depends on the driver’s mood, gggrrr) from 3 to 5 hours.
I reached Labuan at 10 A.M.
Because of the Election Day, the elf bus from Labuan to Tamanjaya was not operated (you know, the local people really enthusiast to give their vote in this day, so looking money was not so interested anymore in that day)
I got panicked because I must reach Tamanjaya at 02.00 PM.
I called the local leader in Tamanjaya and he is really nice man. He sent someone to picked me up at Labuan and addressed me to his house directly
It was 2.5 hours trip with motorcycle and the road is very challenging the sun shines perfectly (and I got sunburned just from the first day, perfecto)
So I skipped from Labuan to Tamanjaya by motorcycle…and I paid 100.00 (it’s heavenly cheap remembering the road and 2.5 hours ride)
I got to Mr Warca’s house at 2 o’clock, as scheduled (what a great driver, right on time )
I got into the boat and picked up my friends (Mirza, Norbi and Martin). These guys already began the journey at 4 July 2009. They began tracking from Tamanjaya, Karangranjang, Cibunar and Cidaon.
I picked them up in Cidaon ranger station. I got there at 5 pm. The situation was perfect to see buffaloes and peacock. But it is wild national conservatism forest, so we saw them from distant place about xxx km from the animals. Seeing the wild animal right from their habitats…two words…PERFECTLY AMAZED
Then we crossed the island and reached Peucang.
You know, when I went to the house (for sleep) – FYI, I’m renting Flora house that costs Rp 250.000/night…there were a lot of deer and forest pigs…just eating grass and hanging around in the yard
Let me explain what the resting house looks like
From the beach, in the right, a small office for ranger station. Next to it, Flora Lodge.
Across flora house, 2 fauna house (A and B), and beside the fauna house (making corner) is the small building for restaurant. Beside the restaurant is small house for the rangers to sleep
Behind the flora house is some rooms for rangers, bathroom and kitchen
I got some rest, bathing and dinner. I cooked in here, hehehe…no food poisonous had reported to me.
After dinner, Mirza (as tour guide) take us to walk along the beach night life (maybe we can see some snakes). Because the tide was high, we decided to chat in the dock while being accompanying with the big beautiful moon. Imagine this, you sitting in the docs with your friends. The moon beams so bright (full moon) and it was so big. Many stars were in the sky. Another island was in front of you. The wind breezes perfectly (not cold neither nor fast). It was very very beautiful (and romantic) situation.

I got to sleep at 11.30 pm
The lights were out at 00.00 am.
I can’t sleep well and get scary with animal voices (I’m city girl. It usually quite in the night )

Day #2
9 July 2009

Because of the windy weather and the high tide, we decided to go to Karang Copong. It is located just behind the inn. We were tracking into the forest from 9 am. From deepest forest to the beach and up to ….We can see many flora and fauna in here. The deer, pigs, hornbill birds, seagull, peacock forest and some beautiful unique forest vegetation.
It was perfectly beautiful. You can see that GOD arts are perfectly placed to make these beautiful places. Norbert made some good pictures about the wild flora, fauna and the scenery in here. Great photographer
We arrived back to the inn at 01.00 pm. Having lunch and relaxed, just sitting in the beach feeling the wind in the face.
At 03.30 pm we went to snorkeling not far from the inn. Many reefs and fishes were in there…great view though…perfect activities to spend the rest of the day.
We went back to the inn and got showered, washing all the salty water in our skins. Somehow, I got stung by creatures. They all itches a lot like have been bit by mosquitoes but the more you scratch them, the more they multiply…hahhhh…
We spent the night just in the forest station inn, playing cards until night. You know, they are great and friendly person. We spent the night, played a card, having fun and all with strangers and there was no awkward feeling between us. And we had a bet. If someone get lose in the cards, they will be a make up from the coffee ash. And they made me looks like a Hitler, complete with the mustache (I am a woman, fyi)…LOL…it was a fair and square play…no need to shame for the moustache, ha ha ha ha…

Day #3
10 July 2009

Sunshine up …I woke up at 6 am. The wind blew so hard from last night but the tide was so low…so I decided to go walk along the beach alone…till I get one point and the tide was high enough so I went back to the dock. In the beach, I saw many sea creatures like jellyfish that marooned in sand. They are transparent with black dots inside it…just marooned and die due to lack of salt water. There were also birds and they getting their breakfast in the sea. Then I had breakfast. Today plan was going to xxxxx to have a trip in the deep forest, river and swamp. But I was not going coz I didn’t bring any shoes. So I was in the beach with the owner of the boat and his children. He was spreading the net and caught many little fish (like tuna fish). It was fun…the net was spread into the sea…keep it while and pick the net up. A lot of fishes caught. We got out the fish one by one from the net and put them in bucket. When the bucket almost full, the man stopped the fishing. We had wonderful lunch that day. Many slices pineapple jam bread and toasted lil fish…great chef we have, hahahaha. Because the water in river was too high to across, my friends decided it safer for them not to walk to the forest
So we have a 3 hours boat trip back to Tamanjaya…see all the sea-water passing us…man, does the sea always have it way to call us back?
We spent a night at Tamanjaya because it was too late to go to Jakarta that time
We spent all night in Warca’s house. He is a really good rhino carve maker. We can order wood -rhino miniature from him

Day #4
11 July 2009

We went back to Jakarta. First stop from Tamanjaya was Sumur. From there, we took a bus to Labuan. From Labuan,we took a bus back to Kalideres.
Overall, it was a great relieving trip. I experienced many things and learn about people truly kindness..

This writing dedicated and thankfully presented to Koperasi KAGUM, WWF. (Mr) Warca Dinata & Family, (Mr) Mirza Sharz, Norbert Pfeiffer, (Mr.) Martin, (Mr) Rohana, the boat crew, all forest ranger in Peucang Island and many more I didn’t mention. Your help and point of views have enlarged my life.