It is quite difficult to engage with nature if you live in a metropolitan area like Jakarta. Most Jakartans will go to Puncak, Bogor, or Bandung when they long for natural surrounding, just to run away from the capital’s concrete jungle for a while. It took me by surprise when I bumped into a post in Instagram about this beautiful turquoise blue lake. At first I thought it was at Bukit Jaddih, Madura, or maybe at Danau Kaolin, Belitung (both are destinations I want to go to but I haven’t got the chance yet), but nope! I opened the Google Map and this lake was located just a little west from Jakarta, even closer from my home in Serpong. It is located in Cisoka area, Tangerang, Banten.
On a fine Sunday afternoon, I decided to visit this blue lake. Using the mighty Google Maps, it took me around an hour drive to get to this lake.
It is easier if you use car, cause you can take the toll road. Just take the Tangerang-Merak Toll Road, and take Balaraja Barat exit. From there, just follow the Google Map like I did! Hahaha. I also read from some blogs that you can also take the KRL to Tigaraksa, but I haven’t tried it so I can’t tell you more about it.
The ticket fee was Rp 10.000,- for a car, and additional for parking fee.
Beware of the scams though, just pay tickets to the people who give you entrance tickets. I got scammed and paid extra Rp 10.000,- on the way to the entrance gate cause I had no idea which one is the official and which isn’t (the lake is maintained by locals, fyi). Then I almost got scammed again on the way back from the lake , a man forced me to pay another Rp 10.000. I refused and he got mad, duh. Too lazy to deal with it, I paid him Rp 5.000,-. It was honestly quite a turn off, and I really hope that won’t happen again in the future. I do not mind paying fees, I know they need money to maintain the place, but please provide us visitors at least an official ticket so we know the money will go to the right hand.
The scam did disappoint me but the photos I got from Danau Biru nowhere near disappointing though. No wonder there was a couple doing pre-wedding photoshoot here.
For a short journey from home, inexpensive ticket fee, I say this one is worth visiting. I hope the locals will continue managing this place to an even better site.
My tips:
- It is a beautiful lake but the area is quite small, so you do need extra effort and skill to take a gorgeous blue-esque picture for Instagram! Especially if you go there on weekends, and there are a lot other visitors. :p
- The place is still maintained by locals, beware of the scams. Only pay to the people who provide you official ticket.
Bukit Jaddih juga sama aja kak. Dikelola oleh lokal, n banyak punglinya. Kita gak mau bayar dicecer terus. Mau masuk ke kolam jg jd males jadinya.
Duh, padahal aku udah lama pengen ke Bukit Jaddih 🙁 Semoga segera dikelola resmi oleh pemerintah ya. Males banget kalau pungli gitu, duitnya masuk entah ke kantong siapa