TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The breezy wind slipped through canopies of pine trees releasing a noisy sound in the forest that nested 1,500 meters above the sea level. People who visit the area of Bongkor ecotourism, Bandung, West Java are often take pictures with the rows of pine trees as a background.

“The scenery makes our photos in the forest look cool,” said Sandra, a university student.

Travelers will enjoy walking along the soft carpet of fallen leaves that look golden brownish. But they have to be careful with the steps since the leaves can be slippery. The air is fresh down to 19 Celcius degree. At night, the air get much cooler.

Sandra and her friend Armin came to the forest with a group of friends to take photos and enjoy the natural beauty. Visitors only charged Rp5,000 per person for the entrance fee.

“The air is clean and cool,” said Sandra.

From the forest, visitors can enjoy the view of Bandung basin that is surrounded by valleys and mountains. On the east, there is ranges of Mount Manglayang, Mount Geulis, and Mount Mandalawangi stretching as far as the eyes can see. The ecotourism spot is only 8 kilometers away from Bandung downtown or about 30 minutes drive. The road to the forest is uphill and on top of the hill there is Daweung stall. Daweung stall often becomes the gathering point for tourists before continuing journey up to the pine trees.

The coffee farming that is nested between the pine trees is another view that people can see on the forest. There are also hundred-year-old amber trees. The forest is suitable to go on a hike together with family and friends.

PRIMA MULIA | ENI S