Baturaden's springs a respite from stress
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)