If you’re Bandung citizen or at last have stayed in Bandung for several years, you must have known the uniqueness Bandung contour. When you take a 360 degree view from tall building like PAU-ITB or Masjid Agung, you will always see higher place surrounding. Bandung’s contour is like a huge concavity surrounded by lined-up tall mountains. It has been proven by geologists that Bandung in pre-historic age was a giant lake. On its bank lived many community of primordial men. We can now only see their proof of existence by their fossils, paintings or daily-tools. One of the spots lies near Padalarang, in Pawon Cave. Archeologists have found 20.250 bones and 4.050 stone chips from estimated 10 thousand years ago [1]. They also found several skulls on the deeper layer. A great treasure as Bandung is known as an a-historic place for primordial age studies. In Bandung folklore Sangkuriang, people believed that the cave was Dayang Sumbi’s kitchen since Pawon means Kitchen in Sundanese.
I didnt know any of that information before we went there. Actually none of us did, hhe. We went only because a complicated-reason-that-I-wont-say-here. Sorry, sensitive things for some of the participants, hhe. It is located at Desa Gunung Masigit, Kecamatan Cipatat, Padalarang, Kabupaten Bandung, or 25 km western of Bandung City. Usually it takes only 30 minutes to get there, but thanks to traffic jam we take 2 hours non-stop, yeah. Enough time to hurt your back to butt. From the main road, we took a “challenging” narrow path for 1 km before we saw a huge dark hole on a cliff. And eureka! That was the destination! The wind breeze feels warm and smooth. The sun shines in orange, bring a warm sensation. A nice place to relax after more than 1,5 month dealing with my final assignment, gyahaha.
a welcome cliff and the chimney
Honestly we were lack of preparations. The cave is quiet dark and slippery. But we were not lack of ideas. We could use light from handphone, and just take off our slippery sandals, nice. The caves are not too deep, but the interior will open up your eyes. There was a great giant chimney-like tunnel laid vertically. If you are there at dawn, you will see a bat swarm spinning in the chimney. Too bad I couldnt take the pic because it was too dark. Better you see it yourself, hhe. There is no exact path to explore the caves. Just take a path, and guess where you will come out. Sometimes you found a “window” where you can see great scenery, sometimes you come out on the higher or lower floor, but sometimes there is a dead-end too. It is like a fun natural labyrinth. Just assure you dont get lost, because the phone signal kinda weak inside.
Like the most Asian people, we greatly appreciate memories. So guess what we did! Taking pictures! Haha. There also lay wide scenery of green rice field with the sound of ‘kolecer’, a Sundanese windmill built to repel birds. Ah great views. See our masterpieces below :p
a "galav" little boy in green ricefield
ignore the silly green or purple bag, just enjoy the beautiful scenery :p
We plan to go home after told by keeper. It has been dark outside. After ashar and maghrib salat, we went home. But the story hasnt ended yet. The sky was totally DARK. The path has NO lighting. And it started RAINING. Plus we brought NO raincoat. Oh good, with hopeless face, we went through the rain and then took a rest at nearby tavern and had some meal with fully wet clothes. Unfortunately (or fortunately), two of our friends have gone ahead. The plan worked (ups). No no, swear it was totally an unplanned incident, hehe. The journey continued at Nungky’s house (actually her parent’s, hhe), took a lot of chat and meal (again). Then thanks for the great journey, farewell :]
Unexpectedly when I browse info about this cave, it has a long term plan to raise Citatah tourism by West Java government [2]. Wow. They plan to make it as an international site for tourism. The potency of scenery and historical journey will be the main attraction. It is also planned to be a one-stop outdoor events location. A wise plan as Indonesia is rich of tourism objects.
Here I mention some advices for you who want to enjoy Pawon Cave:
- You should prepare, but not too much. Money, drinks, lights, and boots are enough. You may add others if you wanna enjoy more, like camera and mat plus the meals :9
- Invite your friends who could speak Sundanese. He will help you socialize naturally with people since each Sundanese have a strong relationship. You will cut out most budget if you’re lucky, hhe
- Be careful watch out your way and make sure you dont get separated with your friends. The phone signal usually weak inside.
- Don’t come after 5.00 pm. Dont even try! Because it will be….. closed :p
Citatah, Padalarang. October, 6th 2011 2.35 AM. ♫ I Have a Lover – Lee Eun Mi
References
[1] http://dieny.wordpress.com/2007/02/24/menyingkap-kehidupan-masa-lalu-di-gua-pawon/ [2] http://oase.kompas.com/read/2010/04/22/02151663/Goa.Pawon.Jadi.Warisan.Dunia
