Curug Sewu gets spruced up to attract more tourists

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.