When I saw the email from my co-worker that said: "be ready we're going rafting!" I smiled instantly. I've been wanted to try this for so long, and now finally the opportunity came. Feeling excited, first thing in the morning we're going on a car ride for two and a half hours from Jakarta to Citarik River, West Java. The traffic jam (yes, we got stuck in traffic with lots of big trucks that carry all kinds of products fron nearby factory) was bad, but we're still excited and ready to feel the cool river.
So, as soon as we got to arus liar we're checking out the river, and the beautiful scenery around the place. Turns out the starting point is not there, but a few kilometers from arus liar office. So, we got to a back of a pick up car, complette with our gear (helmet, oar(dayung) and live jacket). The pick up car ride was so much fun, we're smiling, laughing, taking a picture, and greeted by local children with their warm smile. Ten minutes later, we got to the starting point, the instructor gave us a quick lesson, and divide us into two groups.
Finally, we got to the boat and start strolling the river. the instructor said this time of the year (it was November 09) is the best time for rafting, because the stream and current is much more fun to explore. Suddently it's raining! and the stream got much more difficult to conquer, luckily we got the instructor with us on each of our boats. An hour later, we arrive at the finish, and the instructor tip our boat over, so we're all have to swim. The water is freezing, but i guess when you have so many adrenalin rush in your blood, u didn't feel the cold at all. A fresh coconut welcomes us, before we get back to the pick up car and head back to arus liar to have lunch.
It's true, rafting really really really fun! something you must do at least once, before you die.