The great botanical gardens at the heart of Bogor have made their mark in the history of the area and in the development of scientific research and knowledge of the remarkable flora of the Indonesian islands and beyond.
They are filled with amazing specimens of nature laid out to create settings that are a pleasure to stroll among.
But it is pleasant too to be able to stop, breathe in the fresh air and view the often beautiful landscapes that are all around here. It was the great English author Samuel Johnson who once suggested that fine landscapes can be improved by a good place to eat "in the foreground".
This author of one of the earliest and most respected dictionaries of English knew a thing or two about defining things and his words about fine landscapes certain ring true when contemplating the great gardens at Bogor. For there we find many fine landscapes but one in particular is enhanced by the presence of a caf*.
A sweep of smooth, short grass creates one of the most open spaces in the great gardens. Here there is a gentle incline in the land that rises from lilypad-covered ponds and other decorative ponds that have fountains gently splashing into them.
At the top of this incline stands Caf* De Daunan, from which fine views and good dining may be had.
In a completely open-plan dining setting, galleries of tables and chairs have been set on various levels that allow diners to enjoy uninterrupted views across the sweep of green grass to the mass of trees beyond that is such a glorious element of these wonderful gardens.
The open plan of the dining area allows for great views but also allows for a freshness to be felt. A gentle breeze can pass through the galleries of tables and thanks to the green setting, the air here is indeed fresh and healthy for lungs perhaps too clogged by the pollution of the capital city.
The food too is fresh, healthy and good. The name of the caf* could be translated as Caf* of Leaves, which is reflected in the way food is served. Rice is served wrapped in banana leaves, various leaves make up fresh salads and if a leaf is not wrapping something or ready to eat, then it is represented by the plates, which are quite attractive representations of a large leaf.
The menu here is diverse, combining as it does Western food with Oriental food and Indonesian favorites. The various fried rice dishes with chicken, beef and shrimp paste, and salted fish of Indonesian cuisine are all there but on this particular visit, one or two less typical dishes were tried.
From the Oriental menu, the Hainan Chicken Rice was particularly good, with the chicken steamed just enough and the rice lightly flavored by the ginger.
Also very good was Nasi Timbel - an assorted spread of steamed rice, chicken, salted fish and vegetable salad - and so main course dishes are both good and satisfying.
But there is also much to enjoy in the desserts here. In the desserts menu, diversity is also in evidence. There are American pancakes that, with their ice cream, maple syrup and a cherry, might be a bit rich for some.
There are also Dutch touches in evidence here with Poffertjes, a relatively plain traditional Dutch cake sprinkled with icing sugar.
However, quite apart from the main dishes and desserts various fresh juices are available here. The freshness of these natural juices mean they are best suited to the setting.
Their variety and names are a pleasure too.
There is a Shirley Apple, which is actually a combination of apple and pineapple. There is a Flower Light, which combines tomato and watermelon, and there is a Flamenggo Sky, which mixes bananas, milk and cinnamon with strawberry ice cream. De Daunan Punch is papaya, banana and orange combined with strawberry ice cream.
Various and exotic names and mixes all add up to a refreshing and quite healthy drink.
Having enjoyed a pleasant meal seated at one of the tables in the galleries of the caf*, what could be more pleasant than to sit sipping on a fruit juice looking out across the sweep of greenery?
The gentle breeze that seems to gather momentum from across the open land in front of the caf* offers light relief from the heat of the day and the timber-framed canopies of the caf* provide welcome shade. Big city living leaves few wide, open spaces for people to enjoy so sitting here and soaking up the scene is pleasant indeed.
Although the meals here are generally light and, on the whole, healthy, it is still good to be able to get up and "walk things off" a little; the steps and pathways that lead down from Caf* De Daunan provide perfect opportunities to do this.
A nearby avenue leads to some excellent Orchid Houses, and not too far further on are the various bridges that traverse the rock-strewn river of Ciliwang.
All around are, then, pathways and avenues that make for pleasing walks after a pleasant meal. Greenery and healthy living seem to coincide at Caf* De Daunan in the great gardens of Bogor.
