Exploring Kampung Laut - West Nusakambangan (Part 2)
After enjoying the coolness of the Mangrove Forest Kolak Sekancil, the journey continued to Kampung Laut and Rancababakan Beach. Still by boarding a small boat for approximately 30 minutes, the boat passed the floating bridge. This bridge was designed in 2016 at Majingkrak Pier, Pangandaran, West Java. Then, it was pulled as far as 11 kilometers to Kampung Laut. Had collapsed during the trial period, this bridge was finally inaugurated in 2017.
As the name implies, this floating bridge is made floating on water and becomes the first floating bridge in Indonesia. Why is it floating? Because the land structure is soft even formerly Kampung Laut is a settlement above the sea. Initially, all houses are in the form of stilt houses, over time the surrounding land settles and can be built as a permanent house in general. There are now hardly any more houses built on sea level. Even if there are at least a few parts of the house that are just to the seafront.
The state of the ground like that does not allow the construction of a stake foundation or well like a bridge in general. To replace the conventional foundation, people made a pontoon as a bridge footing. This pontoon is a special hollow concrete in the middle. That's what makes the pontoon able to float and can be a strong bridge footing.
The floating bridge is made along 47 meters and can be passed by pedestrians and motorcycles. The pontoon itself measures 4.8 x 8 meters as much as two pieces. Meanwhile, the height of the bridge is five meters above sea level. The height can still be passed by ships that are still widely used by the people of Kampung Laut as a mode of transportation to or from Cilacap and other villages.
This bridge connects Klaces Village and Ujung Alang Village. For the local people, this bridge is surely very helpful for the mobility of both economic and educational activities. For visitors, this bridge becomes an attraction when going to Kampung Laut. Especially if you want to visit Rancababakan Beach. Stop by the floating bridge for a minute to buy food or drinks that the locals sell. Since there are no sellers at Rancababakan Beach.
The journey continued on the same boat to Rancababakan Beach, the westernmost beach of Nusakambangan Island. From the floating bridge takes about an hour. Passing through the subdistrict gazebo and Kampung Laut health center as the center of the subdistrict.
The boat did not pull over at Rancababakan Beach directly so the journey continued on foot to get to the beach. Arriving at the beach, all five senses are spoiled by the view of the beach with white sand, calm waves, rocks, blue sky, and clear water. Plus, it does not have many visitors as if a private beach for you.
This beach is in the form of a bay, the ocean that juts into the land. This makes the coastline long. When walking down the beach, at the end will meet rivers, swamps, and waterfalls. The more the tip of the rock the less, the more white and cleaner the sand. This comfortable and peaceful atmosphere can be a suitable moment to spend time with friends or family. (Kasih)
