Colors of Indonesia...Paragliding in Majalengka

I have been thinking  of doing paragliding since few years ago, even before I moved to Jakarta. There is a place called Jugra, located about 1 hour from my hometown in Malaysia, but I never made it there. Few times before, it also crossed my mind to do it in Puncak, 2 hours drive from Jakarta city, but again there always so many reasons causing me to left the thoughts just as thoughts. But recently, I  feel that I need some adrenaline rush to just let go. To de stress...

So, on one fine Saturday morning, I decided to join few friends that I have never met before and headed for Majalengka, a town in West Java. Majalengka is about 3 hour drive from Jakarta city center. The new highway is good and convenient,  it made the journey a smooth one, compared to 6 hour journey it took before the highway was built. We left Jakarta at 6.30am and by 9.45am we reached Gunung Panten paragliding point at Desa Sidamukti, about 7 kilometers from the main road of Majalengka town.


It feels great when I was up there...truly peaceful



Majalengka location

Paddy fields besides the main road, a pleasant view for the eyes

Gunung Ciremai can be seen clearly once we enter Majalengka from the highway exit.
Can you spot the huge cat hugging the mountain?
One day I would love to climb this one!

The entrance to the paragliding point. Entrance fee is Rp5000 for each person

The paragliding point located on the hill top at Desa Sidamukti. Eventhough it is called Gunung Panten, it is more like a hill top, not too high. It has magnificent view of the surrounding paddy fields and also the majestic Gunung Ciremai. Even though it is on the highland, the weather was very warm by the time we reached there. There are food stalls selling Mie Ayam (chicken noodle), hot and cold drinks, and also the refreshing fresh coconut juice. They are also selling snacks, fried banana and few other local snacks. There is only one toilet facility available, and we have to pay Rp2000 for the use.

The morning cycle of flying has ended at 8.30am and there was no strong wind. At around 11am,  suddenly the paragliders that have been waiting,  started to carry their paragliding equipment to the middle of the take off point. The quiet morning turned into busy moments, when one by one the paragliders spread their  bright colorful paragliding canopies on the green field. Not long after that we heard the swoosh sounds of the parachute like canopies open up in the air , when the paragliders taking off one by one. Wonderful sights. Some took off  smoothly, even gracefully but not a few have to repeat few times when the wind change direction suddenly or the canopy failed to open up fully.

At around 3pm, we were asked to get ready for our first flight. We took turn, one by one. My take off was not successful on the first time as the canopy did not fully open when we almost reach the edge of taking off point. On the second take off, we did it smoothly and I was lucky that the wind changed direction and brought us to a longer route before we landed at the landing point.

That was a great experience hanging up there, soaring with the grace of the wind. And the whole view of surrounding area was just so magnificent, the paddy fields looked so much beautiful from above. The peaceful quietness erased all the nervousness I experienced due to the failed first take off.  

The paragliding point...look at the beautiful paddy fields and Mount Ciremai view

Checking the parachute canopy  before gliding  & soaring

Gracefully taking off

With my newly found adventurous buddies

Before our flight

anticipating....

Watching the take off

Admiring the grace

other available activity...hang gliding

With our instructur, Pak Aries (+6281809360505 / +81224037531)



We added some more fun by enjoying the king of fruit before we left Majalengka

I would recommend that once in a lifetime one should do  paragliding, then decide whether you like it or not. It's your choice...but just give it a try first. Do it at a beautiful place like Majalengka, it so much worth it.

Next I would love to soar above the super green, tea plantations in Puncak, Jakarta.