WAY KAMBAS….Taken from the name of river which flows inside National Park’s area itself. This 125 thousand hectare National Park is home of a conservation program for some rare animals such as elephants, rhinos and Sumatran tigers.
However when I asked to an officer at Elephant Training Center (PLG)Way Kambas, Sumatran Tiger and Rhino Conservation Center haven’t been opened yet for public.
A few hours before my arrival at Way Kambas National Park (TNWK)….
That day is my second day in Lampung exploration. A night before, I was busy looking for information about the safety of using a motorbike towards Way Kambas by asking four of my friend who originally from Lampung. And Finally, three of them assured me that everything would be fine while one of them is more doubtful if I rode motorbike to Way Kambas because I wasn’t originally Lampung resident….Fear was the point….as if my brain has been contaminated by media who often preach about it….About Lampung and motorbike robbers.
Finally, it was simple….because of their opinion was three compared to one, So I decided to go to Way Kambas on next day using a rented motorbike.
Journey started,
Departing from Redoorz @ Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro in Teluk Betung area, Bandar Lampung exactly on 7:25 a.m. Riding along several streets in Bandar Lampung for 35 minutes finally I actually left the city through its last gate:
I began to ride my motorbike through street which became a route of many intercity buses and logistic trucks. This fast lane required me to pull on my motorbike throttle, so that it won’t be horn constantly from behind.
In 40th minute, I arrived at local people crowd. I searched around some address boards, I finally just knew that it was Natar market.
Continuing my journey, in 55th minute, I arrived in front of Radin Inten International Airport.
I was stunned for a moment and sat on m otorbike which turning off, I briefly watched activities around airport. I deliberately took time, because I had never used this airport at all. Unfortunately my arrival in Sumatra’s southernmost province used land routes combined with Merak-Bakauheni sea lane.
My trip along Lintas Barat Sumatra Road raced with small bus.
Actually I could get in this bus to Metro then change again with another bus to Way Jepara (the closest area from Way Kambas which is accessable by public transportation). From Way Jepara it can continue with a taxibike to Way Kambas.
Or I could also use DAMRI Bus, which according to latest info which I got, only departing once every day from Rajabasa Terminal in Bandar Lampung on 8 am and stop precisely in Elephant Training Center, Way Kambas.
But I prefer to use a rented motorbike for USD 11,10 per day because after returning from Way Kambas, I could freely explore Metro City. Besides it, I could cccurately detect all paths which will be passed by me towards Way Kambas.
65th minute, I arrived in a big T-junction which both of its branches towards Metro.
I prefer to use alternative path to right. According to google maps, this route is faster and will not jammed.
It’s right.…didn’t jammed…. swear
After passing through a stretch of rubber plantation, I always followed curves of road and canal in its right side.
I was glad when can through that quiet road. Finally I arrived in welcome gate of Metro City
Find again a hustle, I decided to fill my fuel tank before I was trapped in loneliness again.
115 minutes.…good bye hustle….
Being stucked in a long traffic jam, I was curious, what was wrong? Trying to push forward with my rented “Honda Beat” (a merk of Honda motorbike), I broke through outer of asphalt, finally I found the answer….A large passenger bus was running out of fuel in middle of road, trying to be pushed by many passengers with observation by traffic police.
120th minute. Welcome Pekalongan Market!.…surely there are many Javanese descent here… because “Pekalongan” is a districts name in Java Island.
130th minute, I was faced again with two choices of street.
Smooth asphalt on this road will continue until Sukadana road.…but yeah, It was very quiet.
On 150th minutes, I arrived at this intersection:
The end of these road are actually same:
Turn right to Way Jepara and you will explore Lintas Timur Sumatera Road.
Or You can also go straight, to Way Jepara too.…but You will pass through township and will find Lintas Timur Sumatera Road also.
Surely I chose to turn right, so I could see Sukadana residents activities.
Not long after, you will pass this landmark:
This Sukadana city monument presents a figure of freedom fighter from Sukadana Districts. His name is Colonel Arifin.
From this monument, go straight until you meet a intersection near Sukadana Sub District office, then immediately turn left.
In 170th minute, I entered Lintas Timur Sumatera Road after passing this landmark:
I can say that asphalt of Lintas Timur Sumatera road in East Lampung is very smooth.
I entered into Way Jepara District. And I arrived in a market which I was waiting for….yes, I wanted to see how are Tridatu market activities. A market that is well known in internet because it’s often referred to by travelers when heading to Way Kambas.
I didn’t will turn left from this market to go to Way Kambas. I prefered to choose straight to adding my reference and share it to you.
Yes.…I prefered to go to Gunung Terang Market (unfortunately I forgot to capture a photo for you) which is 5 minutes driving by motorbike from Tridatu Market and then I turned left.
Getting closer to Way Kambas’s Elephant Training Center, I entered Labuhan Ratu VI village
This rest area is widely used by tourists who will be heading or even over from Way Kambas’s Elephant Training Center.
Because this rest area is precisely in T-junction on edge of Way Kambas National Park, then I followed a direction board by turn right.
Along a way of Way Kambas National Park, I occasionally found cars of tourist stopping to just feed a herd of wild monkeys which often cross the street.
Finally I arrived.…on 205 th MINUTE, I arrived at gate of Elephant Training Center, Way Kambas National Park.
Was my trip savely?….I can conclude, it is very safe and there isn’t crime atmosphere when go there. Just a suggestion from my friends who are originally Lampung resident.…Don’t go back to home beyond on 6pm.
Even I leaving Way Kambas National Park on exactly 2 pm.
So have you ever seen a wild elephant?
Or see elephants bathing?…#ups it’s porn
Or see elephants playing football? … or playing holahops?
That’s why, Let’s travel to Way Kambas.