Baturaden's springs a respite from stress

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Locals will tell you that the springs at Baturaden, where cool weather, scenic beauty and a choice of cool or hot water, heal any kind of stress you care to mention.

The hot springs are created from geothermal power from Mount Slamet, on whose slopes Baturaden is located. The original temperature of the water from the springs is 50 degrees Celsius; this is adjusted as it flows toward visitors lounging in the pools and tubs.

Baturaden lies 14 kilometers north of Purwokerto, the capital of the Banyumas regency, at 640 meters above sea level. The average temperature of the mountain weather here is about 18 degrees to 26 degrees Celsius.

Two popular sites are dubbed the Seven Hot Springs and the Three Hot Springs.

Baturaden is also home to the beautiful waterfall called Curug Gede, 50 meters high and 1.5 kms to the south of the gateway to Baturaden.

Fifty meters south of the Seven Hot Springs is the Sarabadak cave. This is a natural cave in which two, hot and cold, water sources, send out streams of water flowing side by side.

For swimming enthusiasts, Baturaden also offers a fairly large swimming pool with pristine natural water. Be careful, though, the water is freezing.

And don't forget to take the cable car to enjoy the view below.

There are special facilities for children -- watercycles in a fairly large pool teeming with fish. There are also three water slides and three mini-trains.

Baturaden is also of interest to botanists; it is home to more than 3,000 registered species of plants, and rare fruits also add to the enjoyment.

According to the head of the Baturaden tourism office, Andri Sungkowo, 489,852 people visited the area last year. The authorities have named it the best tourist spot in Central Java.

However only 2,953 were foreigners, mostly from Holland and Germany.

However, if the site maintains its reputation, which includes cleanliness, the figures should increase. (Agus Maryono)