I believe one of the most unique fact of traveling is the different things that you get to witness and experience. Jakarta has always been a mixed experience for me. And that’s why I am revisiting some of the memories from year 2007 in 2015.
Bogor Botanical Garden, Jakarta, Indonesia
visited in the year 2007
Referred by the natives as Kebun Raya Bogor, the garden was first started in 1817 under the government of Dutch East Indies. Over the years, Bogor Botanical Garden has evolved to become one of the prime research center for agriculture and horticulture. Covering an area of 87 hectares, the garden boasts over 400 species of palm trees, 5,000 trees gathered from around the tropical world, and an orchid house containing 3,000 varieties. Records show that the Bogor Botanical Gardens harbours 3,504 plant species, 1,273 genus in 199 families. In such an abundant spread, my three favourites were easily – The Orchid House, and two of the most original and unique flowers in this world – Rafflesia and Amorphophallus titanum. Unfortunately, I am not able to provide any self attested photos since I have lost all my soft copies and the true evidence lies in the form of hard copies with my grand parents who are unable to locate it. So kindly bear with me.
Grammatophyllum speciosum aka Tiger Orchids is known as the Queen of Orchids, mainly because of the size (approx 10 cm in diameter) and is said to be a native to Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi) and Malaysia. The interesting fact that I still remember is that the plant flowers every 2-4 years, lasting for up to 2 months. What a beauty!!
The infamous Rafflesia is one of the most rare parasitic plants. You can consider yourself as the luckiest person if you actually happen to see the blooming flower in person since the flower usually lasts for a mere 4-5 days. According to the tour guide, the world’s largest flower spends nearly all of its life cycle inside the stem of a woody climbing plant and erupts once in blue moon with a unique smell of rotten flesh. The smell is nauseating to the visitors, but it helps in attracting flies and beetles enabling fertilization.There is no true stem, roots or leaves that can actually relate it to the world of flowers. Growing up to a size of 1 meter, the flower is a native of the West and Central Java.
Amorphophallus titanum (Titan arum) also known as the Corpse flower is the world’s tallest flower, extending up to 3 meters above the ground and restricted to the region of Sumatra. There is a distinct foul odour that permeated the area, though it doesnt seem to distract tourists from standing next to it to take picture.
Bogor is a refreshing change for citizens of Jakarta who seek for a quick weekend getaway. Nothing serves as a room freshener than a garden full of fresh flowers.
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[…] change, I finished my Monday mines special, well on the dot actually. But yea I was punctual!! […]
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Reblogged this on Real life…. and commented:
I’ve had the privilege to visit Jakarta, Indonesia as well as spent a few days in the “mountains.” I’m looking for bloggers to share their travels to some of the places I have visited…I don’t have any photos from visiting this lovely country.
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Lovely! Hope you don’t mind, I’ve reblogged this!
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Of course I don’t mind!!! I can totally relate to your reasons. I am hounding my parents to provide me with any picture!!!
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The rafflesia, what a marvelous flower. I have seen you on “alumni” but this is my first jump over to visit. Hope you will visit me also. I’m doing a follow so I can see you more.
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Thank you so much for taking a peak sneak!!! 🙂 you have a beautiful blog there!!!
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Out of the world shots! Rafflesia looks scary – it belongs in the horror-movies. Who knows there’s already a horror movie that features it.
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Hahahhaha yea!!! Unfortunately I was never able to see either of the last two in bloom.
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That gaping hole in that flower, it looks like a monster waiting to swallow you up. Still can’t get over it.
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Everything unique has a hidden beauty…
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or a hidden evil?
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Double edged sword in a way
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Yes. Too much beauty makes me suspicious.
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Hahahahha!!! Yea… That I agree with
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What a fabulous post. I love pictures and information on Rafflesia was so amazing. I was feeling hungry when article ended. I thought you would share much more since this was such an interesting post. But honestly you have done very well.
The ganpati idols(carvings) outside the door of garden are just out-of-the-world beautiful. I have almost always felt that idols of Hindu gods and goddesses are much more beautiful in foreign countries than in India. I feel even best Krishna idols have been created by those Iskcon devotees who came from foreign countries.
Might go along with what you said in another post: decline of art in India 🙂
I went off-topic as it seemed important.
Thanks for sharing!
Love and light ❤
Anand 🙂
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I am confused… Why will you feel hungry after seeing rafflesia?
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Hmm…that is a nice question 😀
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It has been 8 years since I have visited that place. So other than blatant plagiarism, there isnt much that I could have added in this post. Lot of architecture outside India has resemblance to Indian culture.
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Glad you did this post even after so many years. Yes, blatant plagiarism is bad 🙂
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Yea!!! Monday feature doesn’t exactly involve a detailed narrative like my usually travel escapades. Its just one of the highlights that people should look out for.
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Now I understand even better. Thanks for explanation 🙂
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