Thrills and chills galore at Indonesia Safari Park<\/p>\n
By Gin Kurniawan<\/p>\n
PASURUAN, East Java (JP): The tiger stood calmly in the way.
\nIt seemed to be angry. Once in a while it opened up its mouth
\nwide, as if to exhibit its sharp fangs. It seemed as if it had
\ndeliberately blocked the passing car. At that time, the car was
\nstalled and the passengers panicked because of the presence of
\nthe tiger, especially when it scratched the glass window with the
\nsharp nails of its paws.<\/p>\n
This was not happening in a wild jungle, but in a forest
\nfrequented by tourists, or to be exact, Indonesia Safari Park II
\nin Prigen, East Java. The passengers of the car did panic but
\nenjoyed the scene. It was really an extraordinary experience for
\nthem.<\/p>\n
\"I was afraid at first, especially when the tiger came close.
\nWe thought it would spring on us, but it only scratched the glass
\nwindow. After some time, we found it exciting. Only this time did
\nI come face to face with a wild animal,\" said Handoko, 34, the
\ndriver of the car.<\/p>\n
He never expected he would have such a thrilling experience.
\nHe could not understand why the car suddenly stalled because he
\nknew for sure there was no engine trouble.<\/p>\n
\"Luckily, we got help from the gamekeeper. The car was pushed
\nto a safe place and after some time I could start it again,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Of course, Handoko never thought wild animals would be running
\nloose in a park. He thought they were in cages like in a zoo.<\/p>\n
Like Handoko, a father of two who owns a shop at Tunjungan
\nPlaza Surabaya, visitors to the safari park can experience being
\nchased or surrounded by tigers in the park. Then they can also
\nhave an equally thrilling experience when they enter the bear
\nzone.<\/p>\n
\"Compared with tigers, bears are fiercer. A bear can bite the
\ntires and bumper of the car if it should stall because of engine
\ntrouble,\" said Vita V. Nugroho, a public relations executive of
\nthe park.<\/p>\n
A trip to the park is both enjoyable and thrilling. Here you
\ncan relax and see the lives of many animals, all in their genuine
\nhabitat. A variety of animals can be seen here, including tigers,
\nsnakes and alligators.<\/p>\n
The Indonesia Safari Park II, about 60 km away from Surabaya,
\nis easy to reach. It is about an hour drive from Surabaya. From
\nthe Mt. Bromo area, it will take about 2 hours. There is complete
\naccommodation available. You can spend the night at Tretes,
\nfamous for its cold weather, which is only 10 km away. Here you
\ncan choose a hotel from the nonstar to the star-rated.<\/p>\n
The safari park is now an interesting tourist area. The
\nentrance fee is quite cheap at Rp 10,000 per adult and Rp 8,000
\nper child.<\/p>\n
The entrance fee includes bus service, which takes you around
\nthe park. This service is especially for those who did not come
\nin a car.<\/p>\n
The park is located on the slope of Mount Arjuna, 800-1500 m
\nabove sea level, or to be exact, at Jatiarjo village, Prigen sub-
\ndistrict, Pasuruan district, East Java. The park is over 400
\nhectares in area, three times as wide as Safari Park I in
\nCisarua, West Java. The land was obtained on the basis of an
\noperational cooperation with state-owned forestry company Perum
\nPerhutani and local residents.<\/p>\n
It was built with the idea of \"going back to nature\" and is a
\nmodern zoo. As such, the park does not only prioritize
\nrecreation, but also stresses conservation efforts, education and
\nresearch.<\/p>\n
\"We provide education through entertainment, namely by
\nindirectly educating the community to love animals,\" said Vita.<\/p>\n
The safari park is divided into two areas: the animal park and
\nthe recreation park. The animal park is divided into three zones
\non the basis of the origin of the animals: the Australian-Asian
\nzone, the European-American zone and the African zone. Visitors,
\neither driving or riding on the Safari bus, will pass through
\nthese three zones.<\/p>\n
If you wish to enter the animal park, then you must bear in
\nmind several things. First, you are not allowed to drive a pickup
\nor other similar vehicle. You can't leave your car or open your
\nwindows. You are not allowed to sound your horn or make any noise
\nwhich may startle the animals. Your car must be driven at a
\nmaximum speed of 5 kilometers an hour and you are not allowed to
\noperate any radio communication devices such as cellular phones
\nor CBs.<\/p>\n
After savoring the beautiful natural scenery and getting
\nacquainted with various animals, you can proceed to the
\nrecreational park. There are many kinds of entertainment here.
\nYou can also buy souvenirs, have a meal or just drink a cup of
\ncoffee. Children will like this place because there are
\ninteresting attractions for them, such as hopping on a flying
\ncycle, go-kart, the worm train, lolly swing, Rio Bravo antique
\ncar or the Bombom boat.<\/p>\n
You can also take in an entertaining educational program held
\nevery day at noon. You can watch how elephants, dogs and parrots
\nshow their talents.<\/p>\n
Of course, you can have your picture taken with certain
\nanimals, like a tiger or orangutan.<\/p>\n
Vita said the safari park was now planning to introduce a
\nnocturnal trip, the same as the park in Cisarua. She could not
\nconfirm when the trip would start up, but it would not be before
\nthe completion of the park's second development stage, which
\nincludes the establishment of, among other things, a swimming
\npool, a caravan, a birds' park and an area for baby animal shows.<\/p>",
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