The Dutch Caves (Writing Assignment)

The Dutch Caves

Historical places travel

Dutch caves are one of the real evidence of Indonesian independence struggle from the Dutch. It is located in THR (Taman Hutan Raya) Ir. H. Juanda area at Dago Pakar no. 69 in Bandung. There are some destinations in here, such as Ir. H. Juanda monument and its museum, outbound area, the Dutch cave, Japan cave, and waterfalls such as curug omas. The place gives us shadiness and coolness, because it is located in range of hills. To get the ticket, domestic tourist is charged Rp.8000, 00 and foreign tourist is charged Rp.10.000, 00. But if you take your own motorcycle, you have to add the cost Rp.5.000, 00.

In 1918, Dutch cave was formerly used as water tunnel for the Bengkok electrics power plan. But in 1941, when the situation of the world war it was becoming fierce its function into center of the radio communication soldier Dutch. The cave consists of three corridors. The first corridor was used as water tunnel for the electrics power plan. The second corridor was used as ventilation and torturing Indonesian. The third corridor was used as logistics distribution. There are nine tunnels used as torturing tunnel and prison cell. The cave is really wide and dark. Therefore the guide and flashlight are needed. The guide rent cost is Rp.20.000, 00 and Rp.3000, 00 for a flashlight rent cost. Dutch cave had been renovated twice. In 1964, it was used as weapon storehouse by Indonesian soldier. Secondly in 1984, the second president of Indonesia, Ir. Soeharto legitimized it as tourism location. Then, on 14th of January 1985, the place was named THR (Taman Hutan Raya) Ir. H. Juanda. 

Dutch cave had a mystic story. Anyone who was in the cave is forbidden to say “Lada.” If it was done, he/she would be annoyed by the ghosts who lived there. “Lada” was a Dutch noble’s secret wife’s name. She was called “Nyi Lada.” She will be angry, if there is somebody who called her name. Beside that, we are also forbidden to do something impolite in the cave area. The myth is still believed by local civilization and they give sesajen, some foods, flowers, etc. presented for the ghosts regularly.

Different with the Dutch cave, Japan cave has three corridors and a trap corridor. The cave was wider than the Dutch cave. However, same as the Dutch cave, Japan cave used tufaan rocks that are able use for foot therapy. Beside that, above the caves is the jungle. Actually there were some lamps inside the caves. Because the moisture, the lamps were often short circuit. Therefore today, there is no lamps making the cave is so dark. There are also some cave bats which hang on the cave roof. It made the cave more frightened. Japan cave has never been renovated, so the cave is still natural. At the past time, it was used as the defense cave Japanese soldier. It was built by Indonesian on the Dutch command in 1942 until 1943. In the Romusa times, many Indonesian died because of hunger. They were forced to build the cave during 24 hours and given meal once. Then, the corpses were thrown away to the river. Nowadays, it is known as river Cikapundung.

There are some food stalls around the caves, so do not worry if you were hungry and did not bring some foods. You can enjoy to eat warm roasted corn in the cold weather while watched the nature of rang of hills in Dago Pakar. Beside that, you can enjoy the waterfalls such as curug omas which is located quite far from the Dutch cave. But there is motorcycle driver service called ojeg that can take you to the destination. It is charged Rp.20.000, 00 for a motorcycle. Over all this destinations are so interesting. This is an educative vacation. Just tips for you: to save tour money, it will be better if you bring flashlight yourself and bring it more than two because the caves are so dark.