InaRatriyana.com

Several days ago, I went to Bengkulu during my work assignment. I spent only 2 days there but Bengkulu already gave me a good memory of city. Calm and relaxing, that’s the first time I felt about this city. Since I was still on my plane from Jakarta to Bengkulu, I’ve already feel the sincerity of Bengkulu’s people. Two men beside me were originally from Bengkulu, instead of their appearance were quite strong and ‘quite’ scarry for me but surprisingly, their behaviour were very impress me. They talked to me as like as I was their long relation or maybe daughter I thought. Their warmness bring a good feeling when I step my foot at Bengkulu’s land.

Only takes 1 hour flight from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, I tounchdown Rahmawati Airport at Bengkulu. The airport was small and small, my friend said the airport building is like Padang Restaurant which is so small and the architecture alike traditional house from Padang. Don’t be surprised if you found out only one, yes ONE, restaurant at the airport. And the owner open and close her restaurant up to herself depend on her family or neighbourhood activity.

From airport to the beach, it took about 45 minutes only. But don’t worry because you wouldn’t meet any traffic jam all over the road. The road was very empty and, thanks God, has a good condition. You would see tree all along your way to the beach. There were so many hotels along the beach so you would find any dificulties to spend the night. The rate is various, basically the rate is not that cheap, the range is about 400-800 thousand rupiahs for standard room. But, for your information, you also could find a day rent room or a month rent room at some motels. They offered a quite good facility and also flexibility about your lenght of stay. Than stay at hotel with expensive rate, you could rent a day or two days room rent. You only had to pay 100 thousand rupiahs for a day and 1,5 million rupiahs for a month!

The most impressive thing is the beach and you could find it only in front of your hotel room. The first thing I saw is a beach, a very beautiful long and white sand all along the beach, full with green pines all along the coast. It’s so beautiful. The tree dancing with the wind and also the wave. I amazed about how this beautiful beach hypnotized me! The sand is very soft on my foot, several people sat down near three beach at afternoon and bring also their children. Bicycle rent were found anywhere so you can practically cycling along the beach. And don’t forget to see the sunrise which is so amazingly beautiful. The name of that beach is Panjang Beach. Panjang in Bahasa Indonesia means long, so it’s no wrong if I said long beach which is same with Panjang Beach.

Gosh, every time I saw beach and sea, my heart just fell like blow away. This amazing creature of God makes me feel ashamed of myself but also bring new hope for future. God is good. God can make everything just OK only with a word.

The thing which is funny at Panjang Beach at Bengkulu is, they have relax road, only 3 metres but full of stoce for relaxion. Funny isn’t it? Many people try to walk on it and most of them will feel pain in their feet but it’s also good for blood pressure. Combination of beauty and pain perfectly happened at Panjang Beach.

Don’t forget to come also at Benteng Rotterdam just near the beach, and ancient Dutch building. You can also taste Durian Tembaga, special from Bengkulu. It’s shape more little than another durian I’ve ever saw. You know durian right? It’s a fruit with thick and sharp skin, they smell very good and strong and taste like heaven. Yes, heaven! Some people hate of durian’s smell but nor for me.

So, guys. This small city bring some experience for us to go. Not a big place of vacation like Bunaken or somewhere, but you’ll find peace in different way. In the way you find God and how the people affect your life. Travelling is happiness, everywhere to go is good if you can find something that you can bring it back to your life after. There’s no useless travelling for me, all of them full of meaning! Happy travelling all…