Visiting Cibeureum Lake in Bekasi.

It was just about 2 years ago when I found out information that Bekasi, the city where I have been living for more than 20 years, has a beautiful lake. The lake is called Cibeureum, a local name that means red water although the water of the lake is not red, only the earth around the lake is red.

The letters eu in the word Cibeureum follows Sundanese word which is pronounced like when we say Fur in English.

Cibeureum lake or locally named Situ Cibeureum, is located at Lembang Jaya village, the district of South Tambun, in Bekasi municipality. The lake covers an area of around 30 hectares. Thanks to the existence of the lake that people at Lembang Jaya take a lot of benefits. They mostly get the benefits from economic activities like opening restaurants and food stalls, selling bicycle accessories and apparels, including renting rest room (read: toilet)...lol.

Cibeureum is not as popular as Toba lake in North Sumatra indeed but the lake has become one of the most interesting places in Bekasi to visit. Hundred of people visit this lake on weekends and on other public holidays. Just come here on Saturday and Sunday and you'll see hundred of people doing cycling, photographing, enjoying local culinaries which are mainly fish-based dishes caught from the lake, let alone local people catching fish in the lake with their nets or riding tire tubes as their boat to sail the lake.

Like other natural land marks in many places in my country, Cibeureum lake also has a story related to it. The lake is

Cyclists living in nearby areas have become dominating views at Cibeureum lake during the week ends. They find the lake area an ideal place for biking, enchanting beauty of the lake they enjoy when circling the lake banks can be considered as a bonus as well. So, strong body and soul can be achieved all at once at Cibeureum. The presence of those cyclists also turns the local economy around; they'll be tired, thirsty and hungry after biking and what they need is a place they can hang out to quench them. The bamboo restaurants and food stalls along the lake sides are the places they'll drop by, enjoy some drinks and foods while taking a rest to regain strength they need to go home. Those bamboo restaurants are located under shady trees overlooking the lake which also enable them to get fresh air besides offering open view to the lake, an enjoyment they can get nowhere else.

Those who have interest in photography are encouraged to visit Cibeureum lake too. There are various interesting photography subjects ranging from landscape of the lake and its surrounding areas, animals, plants/flowers, as well as human interests. Animals like dragonflies, lizards, chameleons, wasps, butterflies and other kinds of insects have their habitats there. While for human interests, fishermen spreading their fishing nets when they do daily activities catching fish or their unique way using tire tubes to be used as small boats in catching fish can be extraordinary attractions to capture.

Fishermen are not the only attractions indeed. Cyclists who come from surrounding areas gather at Cibeureum too and their presence certainly creates special views for photographers, not to mention Interactions between local people and visitors are also something to be photographed.

Bekasi will become the host for coming international sport events. People who visit the lake coincidentally with rare sport events held in the country like PON (Pekan Olah Raga Nasional or National Sport Week) or this coming 2018 Asian Games will be served with water sports in the lake. Water ski athletes routinely use the lake for practice before the tournaments, their actions will be another interesting things to watch at Cibeureum lake.

Lembang Jaya village where Cibeureum lake is located is situated at the outskirt area of Bekasi city. The lake is very accessible due to some streets and road that lead to the location. Taking toll road, I think, is the most preferable. We only need to enter Cipularang toll road and take Grand Wisata gate to exit. Right after getting out of the toll gate we'll take the main street in Grand Wisata housing complex for about 2km away which brings us to Lembang Jaya village. The lake water with bamboo stalls along its bank is the first view we can spot as we come closer to the village.

Besides visiting this lake for picnic, there are other activities people can do here to satisfy their their interests. They can among others go cycling, fishing, motor cross riding, aeromodeling, jogging, photography, kiting, etc. With its readily aquatic attractions, Cibeureum has also potentials to be developed into water sport arena like banana boating, parasailing, sailing, water cycling etc. Developing some areas around the lake as camping grounds is also another possibility but sadly the local government seems has no plans yet to realize those ideas.

To make it a brief conclusion, visiting Lake Cibeureum is very interesting and is recommended. It is a enjoyable place for solo travelers, those who go with friends, or as a family picnic with several fun activities are possible to be done.

Simply get ready with your hobby gears and healthy eyes since you need them to enjoy Cibeureum to get your body and soul refreshed.