Pelabuhan Ratu Road, West Java - Just Menong

For Bandung residents who are far from the sea, there are two alternatives to feel the pounding of the waves. In addition to Pangandaran, the streets to the Port of Ratu become an exciting activity for families.

Port Queen

Pelabuhan Ratu is actually the name of one sub-district and is the capital of Sukabumi Regency, West Java. From Sukabumi City, Menong's friends can travel for 2 hours by car with a curvilinear distance of 60 km. From the direction of Bandung, Menong's friends can use the bus to travel to Sukabumi City and connect with MGI majoring in Sukabumi Pelabuhan Ratu.

From Jakarta itself, the Port of Ratu was a 3 to 4 hour trip with a car but is now slashed tousing the Jagorawi toll road.

The tourist attractions at Pelabuhan Ratu consist of cultural tourism, nature tourism, artificial tourism, cultivated tourism, and processed fisheries that are polished to invite tourists. The Port of Ratu area has been supported by various international-level facilities for backpackers with a minimalist budget.

the Queen Port Bay

The beaches in the Port of Ratu are actually located in the Gulf of Pelabuhan Ratu, which is located in the area of Ciletuh International Earth Park-Pelabuhan Ratu, one of the National Geoparks in West Java.

Related: Travel List in Bandung, Part 3

The Gulf of Pelabuhan Ratu is the largest bay on the coast of the Indonesian Ocean. Some rivers empty into this bay, such as the Cimandiri River, Cibareno River, and Cikanteh River. Some of the beach attractions that Mengu can visit include Pelabuhan Ratu Beach, Citepus Beach, Cimaja Beach, and Karang Hawu Beach.

As is the case with other beaches in Indonesia, such as Pangandaran and Pelabuhan Ratu, they have several favorite spots to enjoy the beauty of nature, such as sunrise and sunset. Not only that, Menong's friends can hunt fresh fish at the Fish Auction Site at the heart of the Queen's Port. No need to worry about transportation because there is public transportation that is ready to bring Menong's friends to the fish market.

One of the fish I encountered at the market was a small shark (ages ago I just saw a real shark). Do not forget to buy shrimp or squid that can be taken home to friends in Mengong with the help of anti-smell and leak-proof packing.

While others were shopping, I went around enjoying the boisterous atmosphere of the dock while paying attention to the fishing boat parked in the dock.

Pelabuhan Ratu Beach

To enter the beach area, Menong’s friends must pay admission of around Rp.25,000-Rp.30,000 (car) and Rp.10,000 (motor).

We stayed at the Grand Inna Samudera Beach Hotel located on Jl. Raya Cisolok Km 7, Pelabuhan Ratu, which is right on the edge of Pelabuhan Ratu Beach. Pelabuhan Ratu Beach is the most desirable beach for tourists.

Related: Travel List in Bandung Part 2

When traveling to the Port of the Queen, we arrived on weekdays so that not many tourists came and we could enjoy the beach quietly. The sparkling blue sea water combined with a stretch of white sand makes me feel the calmness of the heart in the midst of the waves.

As far as the eye can see, the expansion of sand seems endless, making me unable to capture it through an HP camera. Every once in a while I sit on the sand to play in the water.

Grand Inna Samudera Beach Hotel

Known as a beautiful beach with dazzling appeal, so many inns and hotels are set up. In fact, in 1962, President Soekarno founded the Ocean Beach Hotel, one of the first luxury hotels in Indonesia with the right location overlooking the Indonesian Ocean.

The hotel, which is now renamed Grand Inna Samudera Beach Hotel, is located on Jl. Raya Cisolok Km 7, Pelabuhan Ratu. The construction of this hotel comes from the Japanese war pads fund (withdrawing, yes!). This hotel provides direct access to the Queen's Harbour Beach. In terms of buildings, this hotel looks old-fashioned according to its age.

Related: Travel List In Bandung, Part 1

When we arrived, we were given a welcome drink and an Oshibori welcome towel. This was the first experience for me, who was confused when receiving a warm towel.

Actually, in terms of room size, the hotel is very spacious—39 m² for deluxe rooms and 166 m² for executive suite rooms. Room rate at least Rp. 800,000 (includes breakfast). TV, work desk, cooler, and cupboard. White paint adds to the room looking brighter and wider. I like the balcony with a set of chairs right facing the beach and the Indonesian Ocean, of course.

Similarly, the restaurant located outdoors on the beach adds a romantic atmosphere to relax perfectly. I like it because this natural atmosphere always makes me think of how beautiful God’s creation is.

Myths

It’s just that, for timid people like me, staying at this grand hotel is a problem. Moreover, there is the story of room 308, which is said to be the place of Petulas Nyi Roro Kidul, queen of the south coast.

Although I know it's just a myth, I avoid falling out in the aisle or riding an elevator alone. As we played on the field near the restaurant, one of my friends pointed to room 308 located on the 3rd floor.

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My other friend said that if he later returned to this hotel, one of the things to avoid would be to choose a room near 308 because certain nights, such as Friday nights, will be more often disturbed by the number of guests who visit. In addition, the pungent smell of incense also makes it uncomfortable. It wasn’t a mystical reason that made my friend avoid room 308.

We were also curious and agreed to see room 308. And as it turns out, the contents of this room are not as imagined. Room 308 is relatively narrow because it is crowded with goods. Right in front of the entrance there is a closet containing all-green clothes. Single beds (not as they are usually double beds) stick to the bathroom wall with green bed linen. The painting of Nyi Roro Kidul by Basoeki Abdullah dominates the view.

My eyes are fixed on the table, not how big it is, which contains objects placed by visitors, one of the owners of one of the famous tourist attractions on the island of Java.

That said, 308 rooms are rented at certain rates at special times with many enthusiasts. The prohibition of documentation is obeyed so that there are no photos that we capture. Even so, the memories of walking to the Port of the Queen will not be forgotten.