Magical visit to gate to earth's stomach<\/p>\n
By Ridlo Aryanto<\/p>\n
KEBUMEN, Central Java (JP): Kebumen, a hilly regency about two
\nhours drive west of Yogyakarta, is one of only a few places in
\nJava which boasts extensive caves suitable for adventure.<\/p>\n
The regency has been busy promoting Goa (cave) Petruk. Lying
\nin the Karangbolong hills some 18 kilometers southwest of the
\ntown, the cave has yet to match Jatijajar cave, which is in the
\nsame general area, in terms of popularity but in fact it is quite
\na challenge for adventurers.<\/p>\n
Petruk cave is called \"the gate to the stomach of the earth\"
\nand boasts gorgeous stalagmites which protrude from the cave's
\nfloor and stalactites which hang from the roof. It is more
\nfascinating than Jatijajar cave, where the main attraction
\nconsists of government-commissioned statues related to the folk
\nlegend Kamandaka.<\/p>\n
\"But it takes a little bit more effort to get into Petruk
\ncave,\" Banyumas Regent Rustriningsih said.<\/p>\n
The regent is correct. The regency has spent millions of
\nrupiah building stairways from the parking lot to the cave's
\nentrance. After you park your car and pay the Rp 2,000 entrance
\nfee, you must climb a winding 900-step-stairway to the cave's
\nentrance.<\/p>\n
Welcome to the cave. The cave keeper is Suparjono, or Pak
\nJono, 45, and he is assisted by four tour guides.<\/p>\n
Armed with kerosene lamps, the guides lead you through the
\n700-meter-deep cave consisting of three levels.<\/p>\n
The one-meter path on the first level is slippery and winding.
\nBe careful because a small stream flows from the top level down
\nto the lowest. The tough path is a challenge.<\/p>\n
Stalactites on the walls by the stream will greet you a few
\nminutes after you enter the cave. Their shapes are unique. One
\nhas the shape of a banyan tree, the Golkar Party symbol, and is
\nbrown on the bottom half and yellow on top.<\/p>\n
A few meters above the banyan-tree-shaped stalactite the tough
\npath heads up to the second level.<\/p>\n
As soon as you set foot on the second level, you can see on
\nthe wall a stalactite in the shape of a 75-centimeter-tall
\nbearded old man. A stream of water flows onto the figure's head;
\nits shiny white beard reflects the light from the kerosene lamp.<\/p>\n
A few steps from the \"old man stone\" lies a brownish boulder
\nin the shape of a 50-centimeter-tall peanut. Close to the
\n\"peanut\" is an elephant-shaped rock.<\/p>\n
Just before you step onto the third level, you will encounter
\na small lagoon where light brown shrimp and crabs live in the
\nclear water.<\/p>\n
\"In the past, the shrimps and crabs were so abundant that
\nevery time people touched the water, the animals would gather
\nthinking that the hands would feed them. Now only a few of them
\nare left because people have caught most of them as souvenirs,\"
\nsaid Pak Jono.<\/p>\n
Legend has it that the lagoon was at one time inhabited by a
\npair of white turtles believed to be the reincarnated forms of Ki
\nPanjer and his wife, two local ascetics who disappeared to unite
\nwith God. According to the legend, the couple disappeared after
\nliving in the cave for several years to obtain magical power.<\/p>\n
Many locals, especially the older people, believe that the
\nwhite turtles appear every New Year's Eve on the Javanese
\ncalendar.<\/p>\n
\"Now no ascetics live in the cave anymore but, yes, a lot of
\nlovesick couples come here for fun,\" Pak Jono joked.<\/p>\n
The most exotic view inside the cave is found on the \"balcony\"
\nof the third level. Upon setting foot on the third level,
\nvisitors see a 2.5-meter stalagmite forming the figure of Semar,
\na short, large-bottomed character from the Javanese shadow plays.
\nSemar is the father of the clown Petruk, after whom the cave is
\nnamed.<\/p>\n
The Semar stalagmite appears to be smiling at dozens of rocks
\nshaped like women's breasts hanging from the roof.<\/p>\n
\"It is widely believed unmarried people who can reach up and
\ntouch the 'breasts' will soon get a wife or husband,\" Pak Jono
\nexplained.<\/p>\n
So where is Petruk? \"There he is on the ceiling,\" exclaimed
\nPak Jono. He pointed at the ceiling where there is a silhouette
\nof Petruk. The figure is formed by shadows of rocks when the sun
\npenetrates the cave trough openings and crevices.<\/p>\n
Pak Jono said anyone who can reach Petruk's hand on the roof
\nwill see their wishes come true. But, alas, the roof is 12 meters
\nhigh and only the geckos can touch Petruk.<\/p>\n
The cave has a \"window\" on the third level, from which
\nvisitors can enjoy a view of Karang Bolong beach, an oil refinery
\nin Cilacap and beyond this Nusakambangan island.<\/p>\n
Upon descending from the wonderful cave, young coconuts await
\nyou in the parking lot. It can be a tiring trip through the cave
\nbut it is worth the effort.<\/p>\n
The cave is easy to reach from the town of Kebumen. If you do
\nnot have your own vehicle, there are numerous public vans you can
\ntake to the cave.<\/p>",
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