Rawa Permai: World of fantasy for children

Rawa Permai: World of fantasy for children

LOPAID, Central Java (JP): Odd as it may seem, as cities have
gotten bigger, places for children to play and enjoy themselves
have gotten scarcer. There are fewer open places where children
can be children, with seemingly every piece of ground in large
cities having been taken up by office buildings and apartments.

Eager to give children the freedom to run and play that they
deserve, Sugondho, 55, realized a dream by opening Taman Fantasi
Rawa Permai in Lopaid village in December 1994.

Located in Tuntang subdistrict, Semarang, Central Java, this
five-hectare park has a well-tended grass field and a swimming
pool for children under five and a larger pool for children
between the ages of seven and 12.

At Rawa Permai children can run, jump, swing, slide and enjoy
the beauty of a gorgeously designed waterfall, as well as relish
a ride through the park on an andong (horse-drawn cart).

With an abundance of plants and flowers of all types, the
atmosphere in the park is cool and relaxed, a feeling which is
complemented by the animal statues that inhabit many of the
corners of the grounds.

Almost all the facilities in the park have been specifically
designed to captivate and enchant children. The bungalows, the
man-made cave that looks like the mouth of a dragon and other
amusements are painted in bright colors to attract and delight
children.

"My brother and I can stay at the park all day because we love
swimming, and Mom and Dad don't mind if we come here," said Mery
(14), a second-year junior high school student.

The park is frequented by both the young and the old. A newly
built pool designed for adults is crowded every day, and Sugondho
said swimming clubs and schools in and around Semarang often used
the pool for training sessions.

The indefatigable Sugondho seems intent on adding more and
more facilities to his park, aspiring to transform it into a land
of fantasy akin to Ancol Dreamland in Jakarta.

"This spot is perfect for our whole family to come and spend a
day. We can come here to relax and learn how to swim," said
Sindahwati, who comes to the park once a week with her small son.

Compared to other attractions in and around Semarang, Rawa
Permai is extremely affordable, with the price of admittance only
Rp 1,500.

"And even if there is a dangdut show or some other
performance, you don't have to pay extra," said Emmy (19), a
ticket seller at the park.

The swimming pools and natural attractions are not the only
things the park has to offer. Visitors can also relish a wide
variety of fish dishes, particularly freshwater fish served in
the table-less bamboo bungalows. There are about 40 bungalows
available, with the largest able to seat 200 people and the
smallest seating 10.

On Sundays and holidays, the park is packed with some 3,000
people from various towns and cities in Central Java, most of
them children, but is relatively quite on weekdays. "There are at
most 500 people on weekdays," Emmy said.

Strategically located just off the main road connecting
Semarang and Salatiga, the park is extremely accessible. It takes
about 30 minutes to reach the park from Semarang, either in your
own vehicle or by public transportation. If you are coming from
Salatiga, it is only a five-kilometer trip to the park. (Manuel
Pery Mesquita)