Going to Bogor Botanic Garden

[Justin]

I leave for Indonesia in less than a week, and should be in Bogor in 10 days or so. I know the botanic garden is world class, and that it's unlikely I'll be able to see everything in a day. With that in mind, are there parts that I should make sure to see, and any particular specimen plants I should ensure I find?

[realarch]

Just take lots of photos Justin! Bogor is on my bucket list.

Safe travels.

[Al in Kona]

Hope you have a great trip and enjoy all the palms at Bogor. I've read from several sources that Bogor isn't in the same condition now that it was many years ago. As I remember, they were saying that it wasn't being taken care of like before and that there were few new palms planted. Has anyone else heard of how it is now? I know that at one time many years ago it was considered a world class Botanical Garden. Today, it seems most all the talk goes to Nong Nooch in Thailand as one of the world's best palm gardens. Anyway let us know your impression.

[ariscott]

Bogor is OLD garden..... some massive specimen that you might not see elsewhere. While Nong Nooch is privately owned, Bogor is owned and operated by government, which unfortunately has different priorities when it comes to running a country or a botanical garden. If only it has half the budget that Singapore botanical garden has, this can be easiest one of the best one out there.... Perfect weather and perfect rainfall all year around...

I go there at least every 2 years.... and even though it is not 'perfect', I like the ambience. Since Justin seems to enjoy trees too, I think he will enjoy this one.... Some very weird and wonderful stuff as far as trees goes. If you want to see my photos in the last 2 years, I can give you a link. What are you going to look at? You can certainly spend a few days there and still not see everything. There are lots of hidden gems too, that is not so easy to find.

Regards, Ari

[Justin]

Ari, I'd really appreciate a link to your photos if you don't mind.

As far as motivation for going, there's nothing specific that I have in mind - I've just heard about the garden over the years. I wish I had more time, but I'm squeezing it in between going to Krakatoa and Yogyakarta, then off to other places for the rest of the adventure, so I have only a full day.

[paulgila]

justin go to the travel section here on PT &search bogor & you will find my pix of the garden from 2011.

we got dropped off at the gate & just walked in but you can drive thru the garden,according to ari.

we found 2 palm-heavy areas. to find the 1st one you go in thru the main gate & follow the road straight back & pass the lake(it should be on your right)then by

the big official looking bldg is a grassy area with LOTS of interesting palms. to find the other palmy areas you would go right when you enter thru the front gate & kinda go down hill a bit past the cycad area(i ran past it ) . are you staying in bogor?

hope that helps & have a great trip!

[ariscott]

bummer... forgot my password for picassa... I will get it to you....

[Miccles]

Justin - get there as early in the day as you can. A lot of walking involved - it's pretty huge. All the paths are in reasonable condition. As Ari and others have alluded to, it is suffering a little from a lack of upkeep, but is still simply magnificent. It certainly has the "jurassic look" in places.

If you are travelling back to Jakarta from Bogor, be prepared for hellish traffic. Bogor is less than 60km from Jakarta, but it took me over 4 hrs to get back one time. I hope you have better fortunes in this regard !

It's a great place and you will certainly enjoy it. They even have a Mexican garden section, with cacti etc !

Regards

Michael.

[Vasin T.]

Hi Justin,

Avoid going there on Sat & Sun. If you go there on normal working days, you can drive thru all around its 75 ha, appreciate magnificent big trees with more than 100 years of garden establishment and then stop your car, walk around at 2 palm areas or any interesting spot. I think one day is enough.

Don't forget to spend last one hour at the "Seed Bank Building" (200 m. From main gate, left-hand side) where you can buy palm seeds at a very reasonable price, but check the seed freshness by your own.

Selamat Datang to Indonesia.

Vasin T.

South Kalimantan

[ariscott]

Vasin,

You have to call first before going to seed bank.... I tried that the last time I was there without you and Mas Hari and there was nothing to buy. So, call ahead and tell them what kind of seeds you are after

Regards, Ari

[Justin]

Seed bank - very interesting.

I'm just hopeful I don't get rained on. The weather forecasts for most of the places we're going don't look all that good.

[iwan]

Seed bank, didn't know about that. Will have to investigate next trip. I had some peddlers try to sell me seed and show me stuff while exploring the garden (persistent guys). Hard to get rid of them even being fluent in Bahasa Indonesia.

My standard warning is to not wear open toed shoes/sandals (especially in what I call the Calamus jungle). The mosquitoes are pretty pesky in that area also.

If you can sneak over to Bali, Kebun Raya Eka Karya is worth a visit (bring a jacket). I actually like it better than Bogor, but Bogor is a must visit.

Great food in Yogya! Ask a the hotel or a local to direct you to the best spot for Gudeg.

[ariscott]

ssshhh.... Robert.... you are making me homesick....