A paradise for true nature lovers
A paradise for true nature lovers
By Carl Chairul
PELANG, East Java (JP): "What took me so long to find this
place?" a nature lover might wonder upon visiting the beautiful,
unspoiled beach of Pelang.
Saying that the place is Kuta Beach, Niagara Falls and the
Karangbolong Caves rolled into one might be an exaggeration. But,
come on! Where in the world can you find a beautiful beach, a
natural fountain, and an unexplored cave within a radius of three
hundred meters? Where else can you stand under a soothing natural
fountain immediately after stepping out of the sea? Only at
Pelang can you spend your leisure time lying on the white sand,
listening to the poetry of the sea, without being interrupted by
curious beach bums, masseurs, or souvenir vendors. And that's
before you've even explored the stunning cave!
Situated in the district of Panggung in East Java province,
some three hundred kilometers from Surabaya, Pelang is a great
place to visit, especially for those who are not too obsessive
about luxury. This place is so quiet that you can hear the voice
of swallows over the rhythm of the waves, which are similar to
those at Kuta Beach. There are no restaurants (and no noisy
waiters!), and there are no hotels (and no terrible room
service!) around Pelang. If you want to spend the night on the
beach, you'll have to bring your own tent or sleeping bags and
your own food. To get things done smoothly, it is advisable to
hire a local person with a motorcycle. Such a local will be able
to cater to your every need; from buying fresh fish to cooking
and washing. If you feel insecure (although there is no reason to
be), he can stay during the night. (The last time we went there,
the hired people made barbecued shrimp with the most delicious
chili paste we had ever tasted).
Pelang can be reached by car or by public bus. From Surabaya,
it costs a mere Rp. 6,000 (US$2.70) to reach Trenggalek, sixty
kilometers from the beach. There are no hotels with air-
conditioned rooms here, but the climate in the town is not very
hot. From Trenggalek, the bus trip to Pelang takes approximately
one hour, provided the bus is in good condition. The bus fare is
Rp. 1,500.
Along the hilly road to Pelang, you will enjoy the scenery of
hills in a very unusual configuration. One of the hills, from a
distance, looks just like a giant pole towering above the others.
You'd think that you'd never be able to get close to it. But when
you get to Dongko, the highest point on the route, that hill is
right beside you, like a pin that could have been installed by
Mother Nature to keep the earth stable.
Investors
The beauty of Pelang has not, unfortunately, been able to lure
any investors. Although the nature in this place must not be
changed, it sure needs some "polishing". A hotel must be built to
accommodate those who need comfort and do not have the guts to
sleep in the open air. Restaurants must be made available for
visitors who are reluctant to take care of their own meals. And
how about some publicity? So far nothing has been done to promote
this potential tourist spot. (We found out about the place from a
friend who happens to come from the area).
The local government should do something to promote this place
and to provide better transportation. At present, getting to
Pelang means enduring an over-loaded bus or minibus with a
careless driver. And, before somebody comes along to wreck the
environment, regulations must be introduced to keep the hills and
the forest along the way unchanged. They have been and must
always be there to be enjoyed as the priceless gifts of Mother
Nature.