Special 'hotel' ready to pamper and freshen up tired traveling cows<\/p>\n
Kartika Bagus C., The Jakarta Post, Batang, Central Java<\/p>\n
Does it ever cross your mind that like human beings, cows also
\nneed to rest when traveling a long distance? They do, and
\nsomewhere in Tulis village, Batang regency in Central Java, there
\nis a special place ready to pamper and freshen them up.<\/p>\n
Located along the main traffic route on the north coast, or
\nabout two hours drive from Semarang heading to Jakarta, one can
\nfind the place where traveling cows from East Java to Jakarta
\ntake rest stop.<\/p>\n
Just like people who freshen up and relax at hotels, these
\ncattle are given special treatment. The moment they get off the
\ntrucks, a shady and cool place complete with lush green grass and
\nfresh water are waiting for them.<\/p>\n
And more, if any of these cows get carsick during the long
\ntrip, a mixture of caffeine and Bodrex -- an over-the-counter
\nheadache drug -- will be ready for them. After a while, the cows
\nwill be freshened up and ready to continue the journey to the
\nslaughterhouses.<\/p>\n
But if the cows get seriously ill and need a longer rest, they
\nwill spend a night there and a vet will come in to treat them.<\/p>\n
With such special services, the place is popularly called
\nHotel Sapi, or Cow Hotel.<\/p>\n
Hotel Sapi is managed by the 54-year-old Tolani. He began
\noperating in 1975. He got the idea for the business when the city
\nbecame a transfer place for cows on their way to Jakarta. As land
\ntransportation was not as good as now, the cows were moved by
\ntrain, and in Batang they were loaded onto trucks. Many times,
\nsome of the cows got sick during the transfer and needed a rest.<\/p>\n
At that time, the head of the village ordered Tolani to set up
\na shelter where these cows could rest.<\/p>\n
And the business continues up to the present since there are
\nmany cows passing through this strategically located \"hotel\" on
\nlarge trucks.<\/p>\n
Tolani said each truck carried, on average, about 16 cows and
\nwould have to pay Rp 35,000 to enjoy the service. In the
\nmeantime, the driver and his assistants, can also grab a bite to
\neat at a food stall nearby.<\/p>\n
\"The cows, and their drivers, usually rest for about five
\nhours then they will be fresh and healthy enough to continue
\ntheir trip,\" said the father of seven.<\/p>\n
During peak periods, Hotel Sapi can accommodate some 160 cows
\na day. But recently, it only served about 80 cows, or five to six
\ntrucks a day.<\/p>\n
The man said the low number of cows transported from East Java
\nto Jakarta was due to a good supply of imported beef in the
\ncapital city. Cows from Tulungagung and Probolinggo would be
\nslaughtered only when the beef stocks in Jakarta was getting low,
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
\"But there will be busy days around the (Muslim) fasting month
\nof Ramadhan,\" said Tolani. At that time, Jakarta would need a
\nlarge supply of beef, meaning Hotel Sapi would be crowded with
\nroad weary cows.<\/p>\n
These days, Tolani earns some Rp 30,000 per day, but the
\ncompetition is getting stiff with the presence of other \"hotels\"
\noffering similar services for their special \"customers\".<\/p>\n
Despite the competition, the man insists his place is still
\nthe best and most popular among truck drivers. And he will not
\ngive up his \"hotel\" easily and even hopes to develop it into a
\nmuch better place with additional places ready to pamper truck
\ndrivers as well.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/special-hotel-ready-to-pamper-and-freshen-up-tired-traveling-cows-1447893297",
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