After paying an entrance ticket of IDR 19,000 and a car park fee of IDR. 10,000, I started heading upstream of Citumang River without hiring the services of personal life guard. I would independently go down the river. Of course, it would feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Renting a life jacket was certainly the best alternative to keep myself safe when exploring the river alone. Life jacket was also the best anticipation for newcomer who of course didn’t really understand the variations in river depth.
At upstream of the river, I approached a young man who seemed to be in charge of caring for life jacket rental. I handed over IDR 20,000 to rent a life jacket and then got ready to go down into river.
Just on the edge, I was already amazed by the clarity of its water. The river body was still very green with large plants, the spread of giant river stones at several points along river flow gave an impression that Citumang River was like a river of the past. Meanwhile, in upstream of the river, there was a cave which echoed the gurgling flow of water flow which calmed the situation.
The clarity of its water made this river reflected beautiful gradations of moss green and sky blue. A gradation painted by nature to perfection. Combined with the cool air and quiet situation, it made my heart felt peaceful. Only natural sounds could be heard at the location. Make anyone forget for a moment the hustle and bustle of a big city.
On the other side, a children’s pool appeared to be built to facilitate family tourism. And it appeared in several places written prohibitions on using soap to preventing river pollution.
Not waiting for long, I started to go down. Along Citumang River which its bottom was paved with mossy stones. The cold water made my body fresh. Daring myself to swam in a deep part, I finally reached cave mouth. The dark situation in the cave made me only dare to enter it not far from its mouth. A little worried about the unexpected in there, considering that I was alone in the river.
A thirty minutes later, other visitors started arriving and river situation was a little busier. To avoid excessive crowds, I immediately did body rafting down the river downstream. It flew with river current which cut through giant boulders along the river.
At a distance of 300 meters from starting point, I began to stop exploration. Chose to step aside and got ready to ending my adventure in Citumang River.
If I wanted to go downstream, I would actually be rewarded with a view of a waterfall which looked like a furnace. The furnace form was often called Tumang by local people. Therefore this river was named as Citumang River.
It was nine o’clock in the morning. I began to hurry to clean myself and get ready to leave Citumang River. I was ready to go to next destination in Pangandaran, namely Batu Hiu Beach.