Bengkulu's Rafflesia Arnoldii Attracts Foreign Tourists

Bengkulu (Antara Bali) - The biggest flower in the world Rafflesia Arnoldii, which is in bloom in areas of Boven Lais protected forest, Bengkulu Province, has become an attraction for foreign tourists.

"It is amazing. This is the first time I saw the rare flower directly," Leslie, a tourist from Australia, stated after seeing the flower in Boven Lais protected forest, North Bengkulu, Monday.

Leslie revealed that she had only seen the Rafflesia flower in books and pictures on the internet.

"I never imagined that I would be able to see the flower in its natural habitat, and I feel really lucky," she noted.

Leslie, who came along with her partner Amanda, has been travelling to several natural attractions in Bengkulu, including a visit to the habitat of the rare Rafflesia flower, which is in bloom in Bengkulu.

The rare flower's location is strategic as the area was previously known as Palak Siring Kemumu waterfall, which became a flagship tourist attraction of North Bengkulu.

To reach the location, visitors must travel for an hour or an hour and a half by car or motorbike.

A member of the Community of Rare Flower Care in North Bengkulu Budiman Achmadi stated that it was the first visit of foreign tourists to see Rafflesia in North Bengkulu. Achmadi admitted that it increased their eagerness to preserve the endangered endemic flower in Bengkulu.

"We found the location of this new Rafflesia habitat three months ago. Some flowers are blooming now, and the rest are on the verge of blooming," he added. (WDY)