TEMPO.CO, Bengkulu - Lebong Tandai village in North Bengkulu Regency is still known as the “Little Batavia” today. The glorious day of the village as a gold mine is now a history, but many visitors are still attracted with the Dutch colonization remains in the village.

In Lebong Tandai, pits and tunnels are common views. In the local language, “lebong tandai” literally means village of pits. The cliff wall surrounding the village has tunnels where gold miners used to work during the Dutch colonization era.

At the center of the village, a number of “Little Batavia” leftovers, such as tennis courts and Dutch Hospital, are still well-maintained. A swimming pool, called Stan Hills Swimming Pool, is located a little bit far from the village. We had to cross a river on a suspension bridge built by the Dutch colonialist.

The pool is nothing like swimming pool commonly found in big cities. The pool is actually a dammed river, which people believe that it has a magical power for those who want to find life partners.

Lebong Tandai is divided by 20-meter-width Lusang River. The current is quite swift with clear water and large rocks. The river could be a great spot for rafting.

Local people consume white fishes or ikan semah inhabiting the river. The fish is quite unique, as its scales are edible. Local people are prohibited to use explosives or poison to catch the fish, since most of them believe an urban legend saying that the methods could cause the river to flood.

Lebong Tandai’s signature souvenirs are silver handicrafts, such as rings, bracelets and necklaces. Visitors are welcomed to order custom jewelries by showing pictures of objects they want to make. We can watch the making process directly, starting from the silver mining to the forging.

Lebong provides no inns, and visitors have two choices if they want to spend the night at the village: setting up a tent or staying at the village chief’s residence.

Enjoying Semah fish dishes is a must in Lebong Tandai. The scales are usually cooked since the texture is similar to cartilage. In Arga Makmur district, a kilogram of the fish is available for Rp 85,000 (US$6.5). Although it is quite expensive, the fish is one of best-selling products. A food stall at Lebong Tandai charges a piece of the fish with rice and vegetable with Rp 26,000 (US$2).

PHESI ESTER JULIKAWATI