Ancol eco park experience

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ANCOL ECO PARK

FROM CYCLE RUNWAY, TO AEROBIC STAGE, BE AUTIFUL PONDS AND GREENERIES. ANCOL ECO PARK HAS A LOT OF THINGS TO OFFER. JACK MULIADI SHARES HIS NE W PL ACE OF ESCAPE FROM THE CIT Y OF CONCRE TE JUNGLE.

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TA L A G A S A M P I R E U N

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PONDS

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DERMAGA

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FARM

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T H E PA R K

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ACTIVITIES

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ECO PARK T A L A G A S A M P I R E U N

TALAGA SAMPIREUN Sometimes the best way to experience a new place is to have no expectation.

Don’t google for reviews, don’t ask your friends, just come and explore.

That’s how I arrived at 5:30 AM with my bike at Ancol’s Eco Park.

Talaga Sampireun restaurant is easily stood out among the many attractions in the park. It has a natural architectural feel with floating dining area surrounded by small huts forming a small circle. Talaga Sampireun which means to visit a shallow lake in Sundanese dialect can easily fit in hundreds of guests within its 1.2 hectar area.

Since the restaurant wasn’t open, I couldn’t comment on the food and service. But if you’re looking for a restaurant with fantastic natural ambience, this place is worth trying. bit.ly/gnf-ecopark

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ECO PARK T A L A G A S A M P I R E U N

Come here at least twice for dusk and dawn.

The restaurant is an open space with easy unobstructive access to the lake and dining area, and there’s no staff around in the early morning making it easy to take photographs.

When it hits 6 PM, the artifical lights are turned on offering a completely different experience. Come during weekdays if you prefer less crowd.

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ECO PARK T A L A G A S A M P I R E U N

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ECO PARK T A L A G A S A M P I R E U N

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ECO PARK P O N D S

PONDS I couldn’t help but to stop my bike many times to take the beautiful ponds. The calm water reflects the lush greeneries and trees, easily made beautiful pictures. Just make sure to bring your wide angle lens to capture this well man-made beauties.

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ECO PARK D E R M A G A

Reach for the bridge for a view from higher angle. Bring your wide angle lens to capture the whole surrounding. A decent long telephoto lens is also useful to capture candid photos from the distance.

DERMAGA Dermaga (pier) is the biggest lake in the Eco Park.

From here take a boat ride which offers a different view to experience the park. If you don’t fancy water transport, hanging out the pier and feed the always hungry fish is also a great way to spend the time.

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ECO PARK F A R M

FARM This picture was taken with a 23mm lens.

It was early morning so probably they were thinking I would feed them breakfast. I only had the camera and lens with me, and neither of them would make a good diet.

Water buffalos are surprisingly easy to find in Jakarta. I’ve seen it in high-end housing residences eating grasses, and even running on a public road.

Did you know that water buffalo can run on average 30 miles per hour? Especially in danger. So it’s not really surprising to see a water buffalo farm in the park.

The park’s staffs would feed and bathe them on regular basis. These lucky creatures are more of a pet than a worker since they don’t have to work at all.

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FARM

Oh, what can I say about pigeons....

I have a friend who dedicates her life solely to do anything about pigeons. Take their photos, feed them, play with them, harass them and many more.

But she doesn’t have any for a pet. I wonder if she’s serious about this pigeon business.

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ECO PARK T H E P A R K

TREES Why can’t we have more parks in Jakarta? Other densely populated cities in SEA like Singapore and Bangkok have plenty of parks that are free for public space. Meanwhile Jakartan citizen need to pay hefty amount of money to get access to parks.

We need more trees and parks. Period.

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What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another Mahatma Gandhi

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ECO PARK T H E P A R K

When you are in an area, don’t forget to say hi to the photographers you met. Many are frequent visitors of the place and know the best picture spots.

According to my newly met photographer, in the evening, the sunlight comes unobstructed and offers this beautiful backlight, ideal for couple engagement shots.

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ECO PARK T H E P A R K

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ECO PARK T H E P A R K

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I like to see myself as a bridge builder, that is me building bridges between people, between races, between cultures, between politics, trying to find common ground.

T. D. J a k e s

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ECO PARK T H E P A R K

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ECO PARK A C T I V I T I E S

RUN Eco Park has a running track enough for three people run side by side. However it feels quite cramped especially on the weekend, because the track is designed to be bidirectional.

Keep an eye on small bumps and slopes on the track. Always remember to do proper warm up to avoid injuries, especially on an uneven track.

For a quick refreshment, vending machines are available on the designated food spots and sport area. If possible, wear a pant with pockets to carry small change.

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ECO PARK A C T I V I T I E S

CYCLING The cycling track is one directional and barely fits two bikes. Don’t expect to break your top speed on the park as the track isn’t built for that. Instead the track has quite a steep slopes and hills to keep you entertain and alert.

I prefer to bring my own bike to the track. Bike is available for rent at Rp 30.000,- / hour Little tip is to be constantly alert of what’s ahead and bells from the back. Many families come with small children are spending their weekend with cycling. Many of the children just started to learn cycling, so be patience and understanding when they cycle slowly on the middle lane.

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ECO PARK A C T I V I T I E S

SOCIETY Unlike weekdays, there are many activities happening on weekend in the public area. If you fancy listening to loud music while copying a guy with tight yellow pant, than aerobic is for you.

If you prefer something slow involving a lot of stretching muscles in inconvenient joints than you could do yoga.

Or if you’re someone that would love to do nothing than simply standing and breath than you could do meditation.

Sport is simply a matter of choice, isn’t it?

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ECO PARK A C T I V I T I E S

Hey boys, can I take a picture of you guys with your dog?

Nod Nod What do you do when you see a dog with shoes?

Thanks boys!

Shoot the dog of course!

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ECO PARK A C T I V I T I E S

All I can say on these two old men is that it’s never too late to start exercising. I mean just look at how buff the old men on the right!

I hope my pictures would inspire you to get healthy and start exercising! Get that shoes and start running......ok maybe next week...

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ECO PARK A C T I V I T I E S

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