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.