As a new tourist destination in Depok, West Java, Situ (lake) Cilodong used to be crowded with visitors, especially on weekends.

The number of visitors has, however, decreased drastically because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cheers and laughter of children playing on the edge of the lake are rare now.

With an area of ​​about 6.4 hectares, Situ Cilodong has become a popular recreation place for residents of Depok and outside.

The locals take advantage of the low-cost tourist destination, which offers various games, such as water balls, carts, mockup robots, ball pools and water bikes known as “bebek-bebekan”. Tickets for the games cost between Rp 5,000 and Rp 10,000.

Taking advantage of the quiet period, the venue is finding time for upkeep work to make visitors feel at home.

Rubbish that littered the lake is being removed, and a mosque called Hazarul Aswad (Black Mosque) is under construction in one corner of the area.

Anglers are among the small number of loyal visitors that still frequent the site, and they include children, adults, men and women who expect to catch goldfish, mujair (tilapia), catfish, cork and red devil.

"I fish here every day," said Siti Aisah, a bookseller at the lake who puts out her rod while waiting for buyers.

"Instead of gossiping, it's better to fish. I will put it in the aquarium later,” she said, removing the hook from the mouth of a red devil she had just caught.

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