Curug Sewu gets spruced up to attract more tourists

Suherdjoko, Contributor/Kendal, Central Java

Nestled in dense forest in Patean subdistrict, Kendal regency, Central Java, some 70 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital, Semarang, is holiday resort Curug Sewu.

A clean and cooling breeze can immediately be felt upon entering the resort, which features three waterfalls at 45 meters, 15 meters and 20 meters. The chirping and twittering of birds can be heard everywhere.

On top of a hill, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking view of water cascading into a river basin, forming an image of huge quicksilver pillars. When the sun shines directly on it, rainbow colors of great beauty emerge.

Curug Sewu has everything that nature can offer. So attractive is the resort that many even consider it more attractive than the province's more popular Tawangmangu waterfall in Karanganyar regency.

Due to its natural beauty the regental government of Kendal decided in 1982 to take over the management of the resort from the village administration, which had been managing it since 1960.

To make it more attractive for tourists, the Kendal government then built a number of new facilities including a camping ground, swimming pool, meeting hall, fishing ponds, inns and souvenir centers.

According to Kendal tourism office head Agus Rifai, from 2004 to 2005 alone, the regental government allocated some Rp 3.2 billion in funds to improve the resort's facilities. Subsequently, Kendal expects to earn some Rp 380 million a year from Curug Sewu.

The government added a roller coaster in 2003. Although not as large as the one in Jakarta, the new facility has proved to be a significant attraction for tourists, especially during holidays.

Currently, according to Agus, only about 100 tourists visit the resort every day, although entry is relatively cheap at Rp 3,500 per person. During long holidays, however, like Idul Fitri thousands throng the area.

During such special holidays the management usually offers additional attractions such as dangdut performances.

Once the government brought in a huge python, which was said to be the largest ever seen in Southeast Asia.

Thanks to the snake, which was said to be 447 kilograms in weight, 14.85 meters long and 145 years old, the ticketing staff recorded 7,000 visitors on Jan. 1, 2004 alone.

At that time the management also imposed an entrance fee of Rp 2,500 per person for those who wanted to see the snake, in addition to the resort entry fee of Rp 3,500.

When the snake died at the beginning of this year, however, it was only nine meters in length when measured.

Covering an area of some 7.5 hectares, the resort, according to Agus, will be managed more professionally in the near future. A tower will also be built in the area as an observation post from which visitors will be able to view the whole resort.

Agus also said that, inspired by the success of the snake in pulling in visitors, a zoo would be built at the resort. A huge aviary is also scheduled to be added to the planned zoo, where various bird species are to be placed.

The plan still has to be approved by the provincial Natural Resources Conservation Office (BKSDA) before it can go ahead.

"We have yet to approve it because, in our view, the proposed plan (to establish the zoo in Curug Sewu) does not meet our specifications," Kasiyanto of BKSDA said.

Apart from the additional recreational facilities that the regental government has developed in the resort, the virgin forest and the three waterfalls are not the only natural attractions of Curug Sewu.

Other attractions include Punthuk Jambe camping ground, Pagar Alam, Goa Lingsang, Goa Genthong, Goa Baladewa, Tuk Lanang, Goa Tretes, and Balong Biru. All are linked by narrow trails that traverse the lush, fertile hills.

Pagar Alam, which is atop a rocky hill some 60 meters high, is where the observation post is being erected. It is from here that visitors can have view the beautiful scenery of the resort and its surroundings.

Some five meters below Pagar Alam is Goa Lingsang (Lingsang cave), which can accommodate about 10 people at a time. From here visitors can enjoy a picturesque view of the waterfall.

"We came here to see the waterfall here in Kendal for ourselves," Gunawan from Semarang told The Jakarta Post while visiting the resort with his wife and their two children.