Malela The Hidden Waterfall

One day in the afternoon, I drove my self from Bandung, my hometown to Jakarta. I don't know what on my mind was. But, I decided to see the legend waterfall just on a snap. Named was Curug, Sundanese word mean waterfall, Malela. Many of my friends talked about this beautiful waterfall. Perhaps, it's a little bit exaggerated but they called this waterfall as a miniature of Niagara waterfall.

First, I drove from Bandung to Padalarang- West Bandung. I thought it was near there but actually it's still far far away from there. I have to passed tea plantation, rice field, rivers, villages then other villages then other villages. I even got lost once. There's no concise direction that will lead you to the location of waterfall. Some people that I've been asked also didn't have any idea about this waterfall. One interesting experience also happen when  I met an old lady from the villages that she couldn't even understand Bahasa Indonesia.


From Padalarang, I continued driving with the direction to Cililin and Gunung Halu. So far the road was fine and smooth surrounded but beautiful scenery. I couldn't stop my self not to take some pictures about the natural views there. I saw a couple of children played kite in the rice field, what amusing moment it was. So, didn't need to think twice, I stopped my car then take a picture...

Children played a kite in a rice field

Then, after Gunung Halu, I followed the path to Rongga Village. The road turn as horrible as it can be, muddy and rocky.  Finally, I arrived at the last point where i should leave my car, the road will definitely kill my car, it can't be worse. I should take the motorbike who drove like motocross actually. Great experience after all.

From the last point of motorbike, I should take a walk through the rice field. I really didn't mind at all to walk since I can enjoy the scenery. What I can see on the way there was beautiful flower and also bugs that played between the flower.

Rice Field

  

Finally, the waterfall was right in front of me, so breath taking. Super nice. I couldn't imagine this beautiful waterfall hiding in the middle of forest. The mountains surrounded like protect and guard it from the outsider. I hope Malela will remain beautiful, magnificent, without any bad influence from the irresponsible greedy human.

See it from near

The Stream