Special 'hotel' ready to pamper and freshen up tired traveling cows

Special 'hotel' ready to pamper and freshen up tired traveling cows

Kartika Bagus C., The Jakarta Post, Batang, Central Java

Does it ever cross your mind that like human beings, cows also
need to rest when traveling a long distance? They do, and
somewhere in Tulis village, Batang regency in Central Java, there
is a special place ready to pamper and freshen them up.

Located along the main traffic route on the north coast, or
about two hours drive from Semarang heading to Jakarta, one can
find the place where traveling cows from East Java to Jakarta
take rest stop.

Just like people who freshen up and relax at hotels, these
cattle are given special treatment. The moment they get off the
trucks, a shady and cool place complete with lush green grass and
fresh water are waiting for them.

And more, if any of these cows get carsick during the long
trip, a mixture of caffeine and Bodrex -- an over-the-counter
headache drug -- will be ready for them. After a while, the cows
will be freshened up and ready to continue the journey to the
slaughterhouses.

But if the cows get seriously ill and need a longer rest, they
will spend a night there and a vet will come in to treat them.

With such special services, the place is popularly called
Hotel Sapi, or Cow Hotel.

Hotel Sapi is managed by the 54-year-old Tolani. He began
operating in 1975. He got the idea for the business when the city
became a transfer place for cows on their way to Jakarta. As land
transportation was not as good as now, the cows were moved by
train, and in Batang they were loaded onto trucks. Many times,
some of the cows got sick during the transfer and needed a rest.

At that time, the head of the village ordered Tolani to set up
a shelter where these cows could rest.

And the business continues up to the present since there are
many cows passing through this strategically located "hotel" on
large trucks.

Tolani said each truck carried, on average, about 16 cows and
would have to pay Rp 35,000 to enjoy the service. In the
meantime, the driver and his assistants, can also grab a bite to
eat at a food stall nearby.

"The cows, and their drivers, usually rest for about five
hours then they will be fresh and healthy enough to continue
their trip," said the father of seven.

During peak periods, Hotel Sapi can accommodate some 160 cows
a day. But recently, it only served about 80 cows, or five to six
trucks a day.

The man said the low number of cows transported from East Java
to Jakarta was due to a good supply of imported beef in the
capital city. Cows from Tulungagung and Probolinggo would be
slaughtered only when the beef stocks in Jakarta was getting low,
he added.

"But there will be busy days around the (Muslim) fasting month
of Ramadhan," said Tolani. At that time, Jakarta would need a
large supply of beef, meaning Hotel Sapi would be crowded with
road weary cows.

These days, Tolani earns some Rp 30,000 per day, but the
competition is getting stiff with the presence of other "hotels"
offering similar services for their special "customers".

Despite the competition, the man insists his place is still
the best and most popular among truck drivers. And he will not
give up his "hotel" easily and even hopes to develop it into a
much better place with additional places ready to pamper truck
drivers as well.