Tawangmangu: A cool spot in Central Java<\/p>\n
For those looking to escape the heat and enjoy a relaxing
\nholiday with the family, Central Java offers a perfect retreat.
\nPerched on the slopes of Mount Lawu, Tawangmangu promises a cool
\ntime for everyone. The Jakarta Post contributor Kartika Bagus C
\ntraveled to the resort area and found that there was much more to
\nTawangmangu than the cool climate. He explored the areas natural
\nattractions, its traditional rituals and its special delicacies,
\nand came back with the following stories.<\/p>\n
West Java has Puncak (literally meaning peak), while Central
\nJava has Tawangmangu, a tourist resort known for its cool
\nclimate.<\/p>\n
Perched on the western slope of Mount Lawu at an altitude of
\n3,265 meters, Tawangmangu enjoys temperatures of between 22 and
\n31 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n
Tawangmangu is located in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java,
\nsome 45 kilometers, or about a two-hour drive, from Surakarta to
\nthe southeast. The resort is easily accessible by car or
\nmotorcycle. And for visitors arriving at the Adisumarno
\nInternational Airport in Surakarta, it is easy to get a cab or
\nbus to Tawangmangu.<\/p>\n
According to Sri Hartono, 40, of the Karangayar tourist
\noffice, Tawangmangu Resort has numerous hotel choices for
\nvisitors. He said there were 44 hotels -- from the star-rated to
\nmore modest accommodation -- ranging in price from Rp 20,000 to
\nRp 250,000 per night.<\/p>\n
Though its climate is the main draw, there is much more to
\nTawangmangu. The attractions at the resort include waterfalls,
\nTaman Ria Balakembang, the Lawu Resort campground, Bumi
\nPerkemahan Sekipan, Puncak Lawu, hot water springs and Candi
\n(temple) Sukuh, Candi Ceto and Candi Bromo.<\/p>\n
There are also cultural attractions, such as the traditional
\nceremonies in the villages of Mondosiyo and Dukutan.<\/p>\n
Sumini, 44, an employee at the district's tourist office, said
\nthere were also periodical dangdut and campur sari performances,
\nas well as traditional art performances.<\/p>\n
One of the main attractions at the resort is the Grojogan Sewu
\nwaterfalls. With its pristine nature, the breathtaking 81-meter
\nhigh waterfalls remain the most frequented spot in the 20-hectare
\nforest area of the resort.<\/p>\n
The park, which has been managed by Natural Resources
\nConservation, in Bogor, and run by PT Duta Indonesia Jaya since
\n1956, provides visitors with swimming pools, camping areas, a
\nrecreational park, souvenir shops and restaurants.<\/p>\n
The 3.5-hectare Taman Bakembang is specially designed for
\nfamilies. Small children can enjoy themselves in its vast
\nplaygrounds and parents can relax with a game of tennis.<\/p>\n
If you still have the energy, you should not miss Candi Sukuh,
\na temple located in the middle of a coffee and tea plantation on
\nthe mountain's western slope in Berjo village, at the foot of
\nTawangmangu. The temple is accessible by car via a
\nfive-kilometer-long road.<\/p>\n
\"And now we are encouraging tourists to walk down the road to
\nthe temple,\" said Hartono.<\/p>\n
The temple was built in the 15th century during the time of
\nthe Majapahit Kingdom. In the past, the Hindu temple was used as
\na place for worship and religious rites, but now it is used as a
\nplace for meditation and to give offerings.<\/p>\n
Sumini said the local administration was actively promoting
\nthe resort as a tourist destination, and was considering selling
\nCD-ROMs depicting the attractions of Tawangmangu. Information
\nabout the resort can be accessed on the Internet.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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