Mount Merapi a popular site at New Year
Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
Kaliadem district on the slopes of Mount Merapi is a favorite place for Yogyakartans, especially the youngsters, to spend New Year's Eve. Compared to other attractions in and around the city, the spot is extremely affordable and offers a different atmosphere for visitors.
The savanna-like resort of Kaliadem, called Bebeng by locals, is gearing up to welcome the upcoming New Year celebrations. To brighten up the festivities, the local administration is planning all-night-long entertainment for its residents and quests.
Bebeng is located in the east of the noted tourist resort of Kaliurang. It is easily accessible, by motorcycle or car, as it is perched just off the well-maintained main road some 30-minutes drive from Yogyakarta.
Since it is located at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level, the weather is usually cold at night requiring visitors to wear sweaters to keep warm. The vast slope which is suitable for camping is equipped with decent toilets and shelters for the visitors.
On new year's eve visitors usually spend the night feasting on the breathtaking scenery. Mount Merapi, which seems so dark and imposing under the clear night skies, sometimes coughs and spews flaming lava and white smoke from its crater. As the stars sparkle in the clear night sky, burning red lava streams down Mt Merapi's slopes.
Visitors can refresh themselves at the foodstalls (warung) scattered all around. Visitors really love to just hang out at the foodstalls and chat despite the fact that the price is very cheap. Usually they provide simple food and drinks like grilled corn (jagung bakar), instant noodles, ginger boiled in hot water with palm sugar (wedang jahe) and banana with hot water and palm sugar (wedang pisang).
The New Year celebrations at Bebeng has been going on without any coordinator. But many visitors have prepared themselves with fireworks to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Hundreds of fireworks create a very beautiful view with Mount Merapi as the background.
Some visitors prefer to stay until dawn to witness the sun rising in the east. From this height they will see the first sunrise of 2002 appearing from behind Mount Lawu that is like a giant slumbering on the horizon.
The joy in welcoming in the new year on the mountain slope is not at all costly. Mount Merapi is away from the hustle and bustle of a big city, away from blaring trumpets on the streets and loud music in upmarket hotels. Watching the phenomena of this mountain in serenity is like witnessing the greatness and might of God.
Perhaps, the tranquility of the open may lead us to self- introspection, pondering over what happened in 2001 and looking to 2002. It is something that we will certainly miss in an upmarket hotel.