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| Lapangan Santoso - Kepahiang |
Kepahiang, a cool relaxed district, with its capital of the same name under Hidayattullah Sjahid administration. It covers an area of 665 sq km (257 sq mi) and has a population of 125,011 people, about 183 people per sq km, and 97% of Kepahiang people are Moslems (population census 2010). Time zone: Western Indonesia Time (UTC+7). Bukit Barisan mountain range is Kepahiang’s backbone which runs most of the length of Kepahiang territory. Most people of Kepahiang who live in the shadow of Bukit Barisan mountain range are farmers and traders. There are some fine examples of traditional Rejang Kepahiang architecture in the villages around Kepahiang. Most of the houses are more than 50 years old, most are in good condition.
Kepahiang has an ocean of green topography that dominates every extensive view, and fills the land of Rejang Kepahiang with marvelous flora and fauna. Rafflesia arnoldii, the largest flower on the planet, and Amorphophallus titanium (locally known as Kibut) the tallest flower on the planet, can be found in some parts of nature conservation in Kepahiang district. Thick rain forests host many kinds of birds and monkeys that swing in the tree tops. It is great to walk around the fertile rice paddies in the green countryside around Kepahiang. Don’t miss lake Suro, Kabawetan tea plantation and hill resort which offer panoramic views and scenic walks. Many of tourist attractions in Kepahiang are off the beaten track, but while they will take some extra time to get to, they are well worth searching out.
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| Kepahiang also offers awesome jungle treks |
Please come prepared! In Kepahiang, the rainy season usually falls between October and April. Rain tends to come in sudden tropical downpours, but it can also rain nonstop for a whole day (peaking from January to February).
Kepahiang can be reached by numerous connections to/from Bengkulu (Rp. 25,000), Curup, Lubuk Linggau and Palembang.
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| Becak |
The common Indonesian means of transport such as angkot (public city transport), ojek (motorcycle riders who take passengers), and becak (pedicab) are available in many places in Kepahiang. Most angkots serve a standard route, picking up and dropping off people anywhere along the route, angkot fare starts from Rp. 4,000 per person (applied April 2016). You can find ojeks at the Kepahiang market or around the crossroads. An ojek can take you around the town, or can take you where no other public transport exists. The base rate for an ojek is Rp. 4,000 per person for a short distance. Becaks (pedicab) serve a short distance only and they can be found at around the back streets, becak fare is Rp. 3,000 – Rp.6,000.
Beware local transport rip off. One of the most common ways of getting ripped off involves taking local transportation. To avoid getting ripped off by angkot drivers or ojek guys, it is wise to ask someone such as your hotel employee or the locals, about the normal fare before you get on any local transport, otherwise see how much the other passengers pay and offer the exact fare.
- Luggage and bags: Locks for your luggage to protect your important item & travel documents from theft. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: In most part of Sumatra, the wet season falls from October to April, the wettest months are January and February that can make travel more difficult. The weather is still hot and more humid in the coastal areas, but at higher elevations tend to be cooler. On January to February rains can come in sudden tropical downpours, and or it can also rain nonstop for a whole day. Bring plenty of socks to wear while wearing shoes, folding umbrella, a light waterproof rain jacket (heavy plastic raincoat might be too warm for the humid tropics), long pants and/or jeans, shorts, T-shirts, flip flops.
- Toiletries and Medical Supplies: First Aid Kit, anti Malarial tablets, analgesic pills, Antihistamine pills for any allergic reactions, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper for the eventual emergency, and anti-bacterial gel for use afterwards.
- Photo Equipment: Bring extra batteries and SD cards, in case you go someplace where you can’t buy replacement stocks. Zip locks bags for use in protecting your camera equipment, travel documents, etc. It’s good to bring a transformer or adapter if your devices don’t play nice with the local electricity.
- Camping/Outdoor Gear: Flashlight, mosquito repellent, pack at least two bottles of water per day.
Related posts:
More photos from Kepahiang:
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| Lake Suro at sunset |
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| Seeing Rafflesia arnoldii |
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| Fresh fruit stalls in Tebat Monok - Kepahiang |
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| Amorphophallus titanium (locally known as Kibut) the tallest flower on the planet |
Photos by: Adriansyah Putera, Shirley Adriansyah
