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confusemuse Jakarta - A travel report by Bebe
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Jakarta,  Indonesia - flag Indonesia
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confusemuse's travel reports

An Escape at Jakarta's Doorstep: Pulau Macan

  9 votes
Pulau Macan (Tiger Island) is one of the islands in Jakarta's Pulau Seribu (Thousand Island) region. Approx.1 hr 40 min away from the Ancol marina, the island offers a refuge from the sometimes overwhelming dynamics of the country's capital. report of the month contest
Jul 2012


The island's jetty with the solar panels
The island's jetty with the solar panels
It's an eco-resort that gives you that 'stranded-on-an-island' feel. Pulau Macan is pretty small and can only house a max. of 35 over-night guests. Only 4 of the rooms actually has a wall (and not very thick one at that). Bathrooms are shared between every 2 rooms. Some of the other cabins has direct access to the water (a small 'dock') and if you prefer to sleep under the stars, you can stay in tents rather than in the 'conventional' rooms. The electricity is solar-powered; enough to sustain the island for about 20 hours (after that they switched to a generator). Which is why they encouraged you to lit candles up at night. Even the walkway between the cabins/huts/tents are candlelit. No television is in sight. And you'd probably be quite (pleasantly) surprise to notice how quiet & peaceful the island is at any time of day - even with a full guest roster.

Favourite spots:
View fr the jetty with view of Pulau Macan Gundul
View fr the jetty with view of Pulau Macan Gundul
This is a tricky one. But my personal favorite would be the jetty and the floating 'raft' a few meters away from the jetty. The jetty offers great view of the Pulau Macan Gundul - a very, very small deserted island with white sandy beach owned by the resort; as well as the surrounding islands of Putri, Sepa , etc. Early in the morning, you can actually walk across the sea to Pulau Macan Gundul. But the resort have a wooden row boat & 'kayaks' you also can use. From the jetty & raft you also has endless view of turquoise-turn-blue ocean. On a clear day, the reef 'gardens' that the resort protect & maintained can be visible from the jetty. If you're done lazying around, simply put your snorkels on, jump in and get acquainted with the fishes & marvel at the reefs that host them.

What's really great:
One of the common lounge adjoining the long-dining table area
One of the common lounge adjoining the long-dining table area
I love the quiet, rested, lazy feel of the whole resort. Though only an hour or so away from Jakarta, the island do feel worlds away.The climate is also lovely (I went at end of June '12) - with enough sun to give you that sexy tan, but breezy enough to lull you to sleep at any of the vacant hammocks. I also like that the lounges & dining area are set up as common areas you share w/ the other guests. Dining at one long table for all 30 something of yous, buffet style, self-service meals. Strangers will start talking to each other and who knows, you may make a new friend or two.

Sights:
Tongkeng Island, seen from its dock
Tongkeng Island, seen from its dock
The resort will take you island hop & went snorkeling in a bit of the 'open ocean' between the islands - which is great. I'd suggest wearing a dive-shirt or cover up with a t-shirt while snorkeling because Pulau Seribu is famous for its jelly fish residents. They'll sting a little bit, and you may get a bit itchy, in principle, they're pretty harmless. Also, wear feet protection every time you go in the water because the islands there are notorious for their sea-urchins population. When I was there, we island hop to Tongkeng island - a private but somewhat 'abandoned' island, with a beautiful white sand beach and water so clear that the corals are visible from the docks. I'd suggest going on this trip as it is definitely a good way to spend the afternoon.

Accommodations:
The cabin I stayed in, the sturdiest one avail. on the island.
The cabin I stayed in, the sturdiest one avail. on the island.
For a complete list of accommodations, go to their website (which pretty much explains everything, by the way): http://pulaumacan.com/home.htm . The accommodation price package is inclusive of transfer from and to Ancol marina, meals, snorkeling trip & use of all equipments (except diving equipment), island hopping trip. So although not inexpensive, it is pretty good value.


If like me you just plain hate bugs, I'd suggest the cabins with walls. But if the sight of a gecko in the night doesn't faze you, then take a bit of a chance and stay in the more island-y cabins/huts.

Nightlife:
Jewel-colored nature at sunset. Worth taking time to enjoy.
Jewel-colored nature at sunset. Worth taking time to enjoy.
Nightlife is basically getting a few drinks at the resorts small bar and hanging out at the lounges, taking in a book, joining in a conversation. That is if you haven't worn yourself from the day's activities. Do take time to enjoy the sunset, or take a walk around the island a little bit once the sun is down.

Published on Friday July 20th, 2012


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Tue, Jul 12 2016 - 04:21 AM rating by adisidh

Intersting Post.

Mon, Nov 26 2012 - 02:43 PM rating by krisek

Great report with plenty of interesting detail of place that is little known. Many thanks for sharing.

Wed, Aug 22 2012 - 07:11 PM rating by rangutan

Excellent, well presented and it is always exiting to read reports of places we have never heard of. Good tip for the REAL traveller.

Fri, Aug 17 2012 - 02:37 PM rating by eirekay

I love the "stranded on a isalnd" feel! Nicely done!

Thu, Aug 16 2012 - 01:39 PM rating by bootlegga

Stunning photos!

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