Bromo Mountain,top of the fascinating

The national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676 metres), Mount Bromo (the most popular) and the Tengger people who inhabit the area.

Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru ("Great Mountain"), is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. What stands out most about this mountain is the fact that it erupts periodically (and very reliably so). Every 20 minutes or so, the volcano belches out a huge cloud of steam and smoke, sometimes interspersed with ash and stones. Climbing Mount Semeru requires some planning and a permit from the national park authority. The mountain is often closed due to its highly active nature.

Mount Bromo (2,329 metres) is easily recognized as the entire top has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. It sits inside the massive Tengger caldera (diameter approximately 10 km), surrounded by the Laut Pasir (Sea of Sand) of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly, especially when compared to the lush green valleys all around the caldera.

The major access point is Cemoro Lawang (also Cemara Lawang or Cemora Lawang - blame the East Javanese accent!) at the northeastern edge of the caldera, but there are also trails from Tosari (northwest) and Ngadas (southwest). The village of Ngadisari, on the road from Probolinggo about 5.5 km before Cemoro Lawang, marks the entrance to the national park. Both Cemoro Lawang and Ngadisari are rather picturesque, with brightly-painted houses and flower beds outside.

The Tenggerese

Roro Anteng and Joko Seger Javanese folklore has it that during the 15th century, Princess Roro Anteng (daughter of the Majapahit King Brawijaya) and her husband Joko Seger fled marauding Islamic forces and ended up in safety at Mount Bromo. Here they developed a new kingdom and named it Teng-ger using parts of their respective surnames. The Kingdom of Tengger prospered and their religion flourished but the royal couple were unable to produce an heir to the throne. In desperation they prayed and meditated on Bromo for many days before the crater opened and the almighty god Hyang Widi Wasa announced that they would be given children with the condition that the last borne was to be sacrifcied back to the mountain. No less than 25 children were produced but many years later Roro and Joko broke the condition and refused to sacrifice their last borne, Prince Kesuma. A dreadful eruption of Bromo followed and swallowed Kesuma into the crater. To appease the great God, Kesuma's brothers and sisters held an offering ceremony at the crater once every year and this still happens today - the Upacara Kasada held on the full moon of the 12th month (Kasada) of the Tenggerese calendar.

The area in and around the park is inhabited by the Tenggerese, one of the few significant Hindu communities left on the island of Java. The local religion is a remnant from the Majapahit era and therefore quite similar to that on Bali but with even more animist elements. The Tenggerese are believed to be descendents of the Majapahit prices and were driven into the hills after mass arrivals in the area of devoutly Muslim Madurese in the 19th century. These Madurese immigrants were labourers working for Dutch coffee plantation owners and the native Hindu people of the region soon found themselves outnumbered and either converted to Islam or fled to the inhospitable high mountain tops where they remain today.

The religion is quite low key though (certainly when compared to Bali) with the most visible manifestation of faith being the rather austere Poten temple in the sea of sand. The Tenggerese number about 600,000 and they reside in 30 villages scattered in and around the park with smaller communities elsewhere in East Java.

For many visitors, the sight of the angular-faced, sunburned, moustachioed Tenggerese wrapped in poncho-like blankets, trotting about on ponies with craggy mountains as the backdrop, more resembles Peru than Indonesia!

Landscape

If ever a landscape were need to demonstrate the meaning of the phrase desolate beauty, then this is surely it. Rugged, barren volcanic peaks, gravel plains and that sea of sand. Truly unworldly.

The park also includes large areas which are very lush and green fed by rivers from the high tops. The medium elevations are clad with much thinner forest before this gives way to the barren plateau and peaks.

Flora and fauna

In the parts of the park which most interest visitors (the caldera and mountain tops) flora and fauna is limited - a general lack of vegetation. At lower elevations and away from the sea of sand there are though lush green valleys with a typical tropical forest flora. The higher elevations before the tree line ends are largely clad with casuarina (cemara) forest.

Down in the valleys, a few leopard cats are present but rarely seen. Java rusa deer, muntjac, marbled cat and wild pig are amongst the mammals more likely to be glimpsed by casual visitors. This park is not so renowned for birdwatching as others in Java but up on the plateau you often see hawks and eagles soaring over the valleys below.

Climate

Temperatures are refreshingly cool during the day but outright cold at night as temperatures can drop close to zero in the summer and are rarely much above 5°C in winter. Daytime temperatures anywhere in the park never exceed 20°C with low teens being normal.

It can rain at anytime and the mean average rainfall is 6,600 mm. Most of that comes in the wet season though - November to March. During periods of heavy rain in January and February especially, many parts of the park are inaccessible due to flooding. Landslips are also a real issue at these times.

Official Tourism Offices

• East Java Tourism Office, Jalan Wisata Menanggal, Surabaya, East Java, ☎ +62 31 8531815 or 8531820 (eastjava@indosat.net.id). edit

• East Java Tourism Office, Jl Jendral Basuki Rachmat 6, Malang, East Java, ☎ +62 341 323966. edit

• Office of the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, Jl Raden Intan No6, Malang, East Java, ☎ +62 341 491828 (tn-bromo@malang.wasan-tara.net.id). edit

Get in

Mount Bromo is the perhaps most accessible of Java's active volcanoes and for that reason it does get a lot of domestic tourists, often in package groups. It is also a popular destination for high school groups who camp in the area. For that reason, those visitors seeking a quiet appreciation of the park should avoid major domestic holiday periods. That being said, this is a large park and providing you get away from the main watchpoint areas, quiet enjoyment is possible at any time.

By plane

• The nearest major airport is in Surabaya, three to four hours away by car (and more by bus). Surabaya is well served by regular domestic flights from Jakarta and Bali and some other countries in Asia.

• There is a small regional airport at Malang with flights from Jakarta only and access from here makes sense if you intend to enter the park via the Tumpang/Ngadas route.

By road

There are three established routes into the park.

The Probolinggo -> Ngadisari Route

The nearest larger town is Probolinggo, on the north coast of Java about 45 km as the crow flies from the park (but it feels a lot further). This is by far the commonest route used to access the park as it is the most straightforward (but not necessarily the most interesting). About 6 km west of Probolinggo on the main coastal highway, turn south at the village of Ketapang. From there the road snakes up for 40 km through Sukapura (not a bad idea to stay the night here as the hotels are good) to Ngadisari and finally Cemaro Lawang on the edge of the caldera. Total journey time about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

To get to Probolinggo from Surabaya, take a Damri shuttle bus from the Juanda International Airport in Surabaya to the Bungurasih bus terminal (also called Purabaya) in the city. Then take an express Patas air-conditioned bus for the 2 to 3 hour journey from Surabaya to Probolinggo.

The Pasuruan -> Tosari Route

This route is only a little harder than the Probolinggo option and Pasuruan has the benefit of being closer to Surabaya. From Pasuruan on the main north coast road between Surabaya and Probolinggo, take the road 45 km south to Tosari via Pastepan. Irregular buses ply this route or you can drive it in a regular car. From Tosari to Wonokitri it is another 3 km via a local bemo or on the back of a truck. From Wonokotri up to Bromo it is a really nice three hour 14 km trek, so you do need to start very early if you want sunrise. Alternatively you should be able to hire a 4 x 4 with a driver for that journey. There is accommodation in both Tosari and Wonokitri.

The Malang -> Tumpang Route

This route approaches from the south east and is seldom used due to the lack of facilities. Certainly the most off-the-beaten-path way to approach the park. Take a microbus from Ardosari bus station in Malang to Tumpang and then a 4WD vehicle or a heavy truck from Tumpang to Ngadas. There are no facilities to speak of at Ngadas but you will find informal accommodation in family homes in the village. At Ranupani up on the top there is very simple homestay accommodation avaiable - ask at the park office there. The route from Ngadas on to the caldera is interesting because it transverses the Sea of Sand and directly passes Mount Bromo. A dirt road leads across the flat bottom of the caldera, up to Jemplang on the southern rim and on to Ranupani where you should check in at the park office. You have to take a 4WD vehicle (unless you prefer to walk).

Fees/Permits

To enter the park an official Rp 50,000 permit must be purchased at one of the four entrance gates.

If you intend to climb Mount Semeru (only for serious trekkers and often closed due to eruptive activity) you will need to apply for a permit in advance to:

• Office of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Jl. Raden Intan No6, PO Box 54, Malang, East Java, Indonesia. Tel: +62 341 41828

[edit] Get around

From the village of Cemoro Lawang, you can easily hike up Mount Bromo and Mount Penanjakan and the best time to do this is pre-dawn. Villagers offer horseback rides to the top of Mount Bromo and you can also hire a jeep to take you around the area. The whole area is a hiker's dream though - walk if you possibly can.

See

• By far the most common activity in the park is visiting the collapsed but still smouldering Mount Bromo, located in the huge, unearthly moonscape of a caldera known as the Sea of Sand (Pasir Lautan). The much photographed view of steaming Mount Bromo surrounded by the Sea of Sand, its rather serene neighbour Mount Batok and mighty Mount Semeru as the southern backdrop, is one of the great iconic images of Indonesia.

• Mount Batok (2,440m) is a brown volcano at the north centre of the caldera. Unlike the other nearby peaks it is no longer active and actually has some vegetation growing on it, mostly casuarina (cemara) trees that somehow manage to survive even on volcanic ash.

• The wonderfully coloured and immaculately tidy Tenggerese houses. The Tenggerese culture is unique and an effort to understand these fine people, where they have come from and how they live in this sometimes difficult environment, will be rewarded.

• The Upacara Kasodo (also Kasada) is held every year at the full moon of the 12th month of the Tenggerese calendar and it is the most demonstrable Tenggerese religious ceremony. The Tenggerese invoke the approval of the gods to ensure a successful harvest, to be spared from any natural calamities and to be cured of disease. Selected Tenggerese men climb down to precarious ledges on the Bromo crater wall and catch the offerings thrown down by their excited neighbours above. A scramble ensues for possession of the offerings and whole thing is both exciting and rather terrifying as it is not unknown in all the mayhem for a "catcher" to slip off his ledge and fall. You can check the date of the next Upacara Kasodo at the East Java Tourism Office in Surabaya (+62 31 567 7219).

Madakaripura Waterfall - a good example of the lush nature of the park at lower elevations

• Madakaripura Waterfall. These spectacular falls in the foothills of the park are easily reached by anyone visiting with their own transport. From Sukapura take the north-heading road towards Tongas and after about 6 km close to the village of Sapih the turning to the falls is signposted on your left. Continue down this small road to reach the car park for the falls. There are often lots of hawkers in the car park waiting to hire or sell you umbrellas to protect from the spray. There are actually seven waterfalls here some of which drop over the access path during the wet season, so an umbrella is not as silly as it sounds. Legend abounds here: bathing in the chill waters is said to be an elixir of life, the water is regarded as holy by the Tenggerese and is used in their important ceremonies, and the great Majapahit prime minister Gajah Madah is reputed to have meditated here. A very attractive and relaxing spot.

• The Poten. This is the Tenggerese Hindu temple that sits looking eerily beautiful in the sea of sand close to Mount Bromo. There is something quite magical about this place and the frugality of its decoration and austere design seems very appropriate for the location. Easily found, you really cannot miss it.

• Lakes Ranupani and Ranu Regulo. These small, serene and always misty lakes are adjacent to the village of Ranupani on the south side of the crater. The village is the usual start point for ascending Mount Semeru and there is a park office here. Most visitors to this side of the crater will be happy though to take in the beauty of the small highland lakes and leave climbing Mount Semeru to the professionals. Ranupani is an extremely mystical village even by East Javanese standards and the rather ghostly lakes only add to the feelings of spirituality here. If this side of the crater appeals to you, it should be possible to arrange some simple homestay accommodation in Ranupani - ask at the park office.

Do

Sunrise at the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

When timing any activities in the area, bear in mind that sunset is soon after 5 PM and sunrise is correspondingly early at around 5:30 AM. This means you will usually need to get up by 3:30 AM or so to get to a watchpoint in time for dawn.

For the keen hiker, this park is a dream come true and you can make your own schedule. There are so many possibilities once you are away from the obvious well known area at Mount Bromo.

• Mount Bromo edges tinged with sulphur and always bubbling, is the main sight here and sadly, for some tourists it is the only sight. To reach it on foot, pick the left fork at Cemoro Lawang's solitary crossing, then head down the ramp into the caldera and then across the caldera to the Hindu temple (Poten) at the foot of the mountain. From the temple a steep path of 250 concrete steps leads to the edge of the crater and a precarious meter-wide ledge from where you can gaze into the steaming crater. Local jeep-hirers will often try to persuade tourists that the journey to the mountain is not within walking distance in order to hire them jeeps or ponies, but the walk from the tourist centre to the top of the mountain should take no longer than 90 minutes and is about 3km.

• Mount Penanjakan (2,770m), located just north of the caldera, is a mountaintop viewpoint accessible by paved road from Tosari and hence popular with jeeps and even tour buses. Most of the crowd comes to see the dawn at 5 AM and you will likely have the large concrete observation post to yourself if you arrive later in the day. A steady hike from Bromo to Batok and then around the rim to Penanjakan will take about three hours and the last ascent of about 500 metres is very stiff indeed but truly worthwhile. Ancient Javanese Hindu texts tell of how Bromo-Penanjakan-Semeru (or Mahameru as it was then) was the spiritual axis of the universe and the point of all creation. The view from Penanjakan will explain why - it is truly breathtaking. This is where most of those iconic picture postcard views are taken from. After you have had your fill of the views, a hike back across the sea of sand to Cemoro Lawang will take about two hours.

• Mount Semeru can be climbed over two days but it is a venture for serious trekkers only and requires a high level of physical fitness. A permit must obtained in advance and would be climbers should be very aware that the mountain will be off-limits during periods of eruptive activity. This is a very active volcano. If you do decide you are up for this you should be able to find a guide to go at least part of the way with you at the park office in Ranupani. That office is also the best source of information for an assessment of the current state of the mountain and for hooking up with serious climbers from around the world.

• Viewpoint #2, along the trail from Cemoro Lawang to Mount Penanjakan, is an excellent way to get a stunning view of the caldera without the crowds. To reach it, head west from Cemoro Lawang (past the Cemoro Indah hotel) for 6 km, passing Tenngerese farms and fields. The paved road eventually turns into a twisty mountain trail that ends with a flight of stairs on the right, and the viewpoint (with concrete shelter) is at the top. Allow 90 minutes hours for the climb up at a steady pace and bring along a flashlight if attempting this at night. From here, you can continue onto Mount Penanjakan by following the trail upwards, after which the trail merges onto the paved road to the viewpoint (total time about 60 minutes one way). If planning to return the same way, mark the spot where the trail emerges onto the road (if you pass a stone lantern on the way down you have gone too far!), and note that descending on this section can get slippery due to loose sand and rocks. As of September 2008, the direct route from Cemoro Lawang up to Penanjakan and Viewpoint #2 is severely damaged because of landslides. The path is still passable, but it can be tricky to spot the dangerous parts in the dark — each vistor should have their own flashlight.

Buy

The most popular local product, at least based on the number of hawkers selling them, appears to be the Bromo hat, a colorful wooly hat with BROMO embroidered on it.

Scarfs and extra warm clothing are also popular and useful if you are not prepared for the cold mountain air.

• Semeru Hiking Guide, [1]. Specialist Guide for organize trip to climb Mount semeru posible from Malang or Cemoro Lawang edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Every lodge and hotel has an attached restaurant and there are few independent eateries of any note.

There are simple roadside warungs though selling the regular basic Indonesian dishes and Rp 2,000 mugs of hot Javanese coffee (kopi panas). There is no nightlife in the usual sense of the word but all restaurants are open at 3AM as that is when everybody wakes to see the sun rise.

• Bromo Corner Cafe, (in Cemoro Lawang right next to the park office). Decent cafe serving the usual Indonesian staples and excellent local coffee. edit

• Waroeng Basuki. Nice eatery at Cemoro Lawang serving many traditional Indonesian dishes such as tahu tek (tofu/beancurd), rujak cingur (salad with a sweet and spicy sauce and garnished with ox-nose). Also serves Chinese food. Reasonably priced. edit

Drink

Evenings in the park are quiet. A few beers with fellow travellers are in order.

The mulled wine served at some places in the evening seems to be heated Tuak (a palm wine) with soem local spices added. Only those with the strongest constitution should even consider this and frankly, it is not very nice.

Make sure you always have enough water with you during the day as it is deceptively easy to de-hydrate here, despite the fresh climate.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

Colourful Tenggerese farm house, Cemoro Lawang

There are plenty of accommodation options around the park. Facilities at Cemoro Lawang and elsewhere close to the caldera are quite basic though and those visitors looking for more comfortable accommodation should stay in Sukapura or Tosari.

Cemoro Lawang

• Cafe Lava, Cemoro Lawang (very close to the park entrance). This is a good budget option and it does have a rather wonderful name. Famous for its cheery attitude to visitors and notoriously bad food! From Rp 120,000 for an economy room. edit

• Cemara Indah, Cemoro Lawang, ☎ +62 335 541019 (info@bromotrail.com), [2]. Bad reputation: hard sell of tours and transport, thefts reported, overpriced. Nice views of Mount Bromo and all 15 rooms have hot water. You can sit in the restaurant and view Mount Bromo directly. From Rp 200,00 to 600,000. edit

• Hotel Bromo Permai, Jl Raya Cemoro Lawang, Ngadisari, ☎ +62 335 23459. It is right on top in a fabulous location but it is not cheap compared to the other options. Also reports of the hot water and heating not working. edit

• Lava View Lodge, Cemoro Lawang, ☎ +62 335 541009. The most upmarket option in Cemoro Lawang, located at the caldera edge some 500m west of the village and the price is a bit higher than other options here. Looks better from outside than in, but the rooms are clean and have hot water. From Rp 375,000. edit

• Yoschi's, ☎ +62 335 541018, [3]. This German-run place is a bit of a legend on the backpacker circuit. It is located about 3 km down from Cemero Lawang. Probably the best value option anywhere near the park and serves notably good food. Has 24 rooms and two x 2 bedroom family cottages. From Rp 104,000. edit

Sukapura

• Java Banana Bromo Lodge, Jl Raya Bromo, Wonotoro, Sukapura, Probolinggo, East Java, ☎ +62 335 541193 (booking@java-banana.com), [4]. A cozy boutique hotel with beautiful views. It is a lodge, cafe and gallery. Also offer mountain bike rental. Prices from Rp 650,000 which includes a 4 x 4 trip to Mount Bromo. edit.

• Grand Bromo Hotel (formerly Hotel Raya Bromo), Desa Sukapura, Probolinggo, East Java, ☎ +62 335 581103 (info@grandbromo.com), [5]. Formerly this was clearly the grandest place to stay near the park but Java Banana may now hold that accolade. Located in Sukapura about one hour down the hill from Cemoro Lawang. Internet rates from US$55 and frequently included on package tours. edit

Tosari/Wonokitri

• Bromo Cottages, Tosari, Pasuaran, ☎ +62 335 515253 (info@bromocottages.com), [6]. Despite the name, it is actually a fairly upmarket hotel with 100 rooms. Has a good Chinese restaurant attached and can arrange car hire. Offer a full compliment of organised tours in and around the park as well as catering for the independent traveller. From Rp 600,000. edit

• Bromo Surya Indah Homestay, Wonokitri village, ☎ +62 343 571049. Simple place to stay in an excellent location. Popular with budget travellers. About Rp 120,000. edit

Camping

Camping is certainly possible in the park but you must register at the Cemoro Lawang gate (where there is an adjacent campsite). There are many sources of safe, fresh water in the park - ask locally.

Potential campers should be very aware of how cold it gets here though and be thoroughly prepared for that. Heavy duty sleeping bags are essential.

Stay healthy

Temperatures on Mount Bromo are refreshingly cool during the day (although sunburn is still a real danger), but outright cold at night, as temperatures can drop to zero in the summer and are rarely much above 5°C in winter. Some of the cheaper places to stay may not provide adequate blankets or heating, so come prepared. If needed, you can rent jackets and hats at Cemoro Lawang and at the Penanjakan viewpoint for about Rp 10,000.

There are cases of Malaria each year in the lower foothills of the park and any visitor planning a long stay or to camp in this area should take necessary precautions. This is not though a problem for those visiting Mount Bromo or the high plateau only.

Mount Semuru erupting in 2004

Stay safe

The "path" at the top of the steps up to Mount Bromo is only about 1 metre wide and in places the drop into the crater is sheer and considerable. Be careful, make sure you have a flashlight for any pre-dawn climb and always have your wits about you.

Bromo is an active volcano, and Semeru is a very active volcano. In June 2004, two tourists were killed at Bromo by rocks flung from a sudden explosion. The Smithsonian Institute's Volcanic Activity Report [7] keeps an eye on both, and is worth checking.

It gets very cold up on the high tops at night, probably colder than anywhere in Indonesia outside of the glacial highlands of Papua. Be suitably prepared for nightime temperatures not far above zero.

CENTRAL JAVA BATIK TOURISM

SURAKARTA BATIK TOUR

Danar Hadi Batik Museum
Depart from the hotel to visit Danar Hadi Batik Museum. A wide range of batik design, from time to time, and from west to east are displayed. Experience also the process of batik making, and shop batik till you drop.

Kampoeng Batik Laweyan (Laweyan Batik Village)Kampoeng Batik Laweyan is an old village which has old Dutch architectural buildings. Walking through its narrow alley which is typical of kampoeng in Indonesia will surely impress you. This village is also the center of Batik production. Take a short hour batik course and we can take home our creation as souvenir. Visit house to house to find your favorite batik souvenirs. Bargaining is possible to get a reasonable price.

Kampoeng Batik Kaoeman (Kaoeman Batik Village)Kampoeng Batik Kauman is another batik village. It is a must place to visit especially for batik freak.

Surakarta Batik

PEKALONGAN BATIK TOUR

Pekalongan is known for its batik. The dyed fabric is produced both by hand in small-scale shops, and printed in larger factories. A mainstay of the economy, the industry collapsed during Indonesia's economic crisis in 1998, but it has partially recovered since. Pattern and typical colour of Pekalongan batik have made easily recognized.

On the border of North Java, batik is called "batik pesisiran". Historically, there are three types of batik pekalongan. The first ones, is local batik. It is made by using local style. The pattern doesn't refer to princes' rule, but it takes market progress by using the product sold out quickly.

The second one is "batik encim". It design is originated from China, and can be defined in 3 categories. The pattern is based on "buketan accessories," china culture, and various paintings. The third one is "batik londo" made in Holland whose accessories were a Dutch culture.

These tree batiks are improved each other and it has their own customer. Among them, it is admitted that local batik is oldest even though it is unknown when and who the batik maker is. Generally it had existed before China and Dutch trader came. The glory period of pekalongan batik occurred around 1850: Elyza Van Zuylen product, Oey Soen King, until by the time of World War II, the product of Mrs. Sastromulyono was also known.

Pekalongan batik that had been produced in 1942-1945 appeared after World War II when Japan occupied Indonesia. Thus, Indonesia trade in cooperation with Dutch was over. So did unbleached plain cloth and dye trade. It led the lack of supply. If any, the price was too expensive. In this period, the batik producer made a new one. It was more sophisticated and made by implementing "Padat Karya system (Work full system). The purpose was to make slower and not lose of employees. Unexpectedly, it brought a great impact. Batik Java Hokokai was known then.

1980- 1997 was a critical situation, then they produced silk batik and batik recovered step by step and the customer increased their demands. In 1999, they applied batik in wholesale. It had an intention to access bigger market and to make closer to the customer as well as create pekalongan become "kota batik or batik city". Nowadays, there are around 4 wholesale in Pekalongan: Setono, Gamer, MM, Pantura.

Pekalongan Batik

Central Java Map

Batik Processing

PURBALINGGA, the Tourism Magnet of Central Java

Purbalingga is a regency city that located on the foot of Slamet Mount. Seven hours from Jakarta or four hours from Semarang(capital city of Central Java). If you want to try the taste of Indonesian Train, you can try go by train and get off on Purwokerto station. And then you can continuing your journey by bus from Purwokerto to Purbalingga, just 20 minutes.
This regency city has 77,764 hectare areas. And has 18 subdistricts, three of them have attractive tourism place. They are Kutasari, Padamara and Bojongsari.
Bojongsari has one torism place, that is Waterplay Bojongsari or Owabong. This place has 4.8 hectare areas. In this place, we will be welcomed by six swimpool that full of fasilities like waterboom, spilled bucket (Ember Tumpah), stream flow pool (Kolam Arus)and you can also try banana in this swimming pool.
Two kilometres from Owabong, there is Purbalingga Reptile and Insect Park. This park is saved by 841 specieses from 1,831 speciments of insects and one thousand specieses of reptiles. There are may kind of Butterflies, Ladybugs, beetles, and also phytons,king cobras instead crocodiles . But don't worry, these animal are tame enought. If you want to immortalized this moment you can take a photo with that dangerous animal, because no everypeople can do it. You can take a photo easilly if you don't panic and imagine that animal just a puppy. How a strain moment is it!You want suround this park?, it's easy, on this park there are monorail trains that can carry you suround this park.
Four kilometres from Purbalingga Reptile and Insect Park, there is a Pancuran Mas Giant Aquarium on Purbayasa Village, Padamara Subdistrict. On your journey, you can find the beauty greeny village. On this place exhibit many kind of fishes. There are from Asia, Australia, Europe, America instead Africa. Phyranha, is an attractive populated on this place. Not only that, Arapaima Gigas fish also make many visitors are amazed. Because this fish has long 10 metre.

So, enjoy your fauna and educative trip on Purbalingga!.

Purbalingga Reptile and Insect Park

Owabong, Purbalingga Water dreamland

Arapaima fish that exhibit on Purbayasa Aquarium


Central Java from Indonesia map


City map on Central java

REYOG, TRULLY INDONESIA

THE FAITHFUL PRIME MINISTER, REYOG PONOROGO HISTORIES

Many years ago, in East Java there was a big kingdom called Kediri which ruled by an old King who had handsome son and a beautiful daughter. One day the King called his son and said to him,
"My dear my son, I'm growing old, and I think it is time for you to be the King of Kediri. This Kingdom needs a younger King."
The Prince was unprepared to take this position, but he dared not say so to his father. He knew his father would be angry if he refused. Actually, the Prince needed more skill and experience before becoming King. He wanted to learn more before he ruled his father's kingdom, because he knew that the neighboring kingdoms had very powerful kings. One of them was King Kelono Sewandono, the King Of Ponorogo who was famous for his fighting skills and magic power.
At night, when everybody was asleep, the Prince left the palace and went to the Kingdom of Ponorogo to get a job in the Ponorogo palace. He had handsome face and a strong body, so it was easy for him to get a job as a palace guard. After some time, King Kelono Sewandono saw that he was too good to be just a guard, and trained him to be a soldier. During the time period, the Prince showed great ability in many fields which pleased the King. Later on the Prince became the King's Prime Minister, and he was then called Pujangga Anom (Indonesia = Young Poet)
Suddenly there came a time when the Kingdom of Ponorogo fell upon terrible times. The rivers became dry, and the people's rice fields were destroyed by drought. People got hungry, and every day there was death in the villages. At night, lions from the forest walked around the villages, eating every animal and human being they could find. The people were frightened. The King asked all the wise men in the kingdom to do something to bring things back to normal, but no one succeeded.
One night, the palace priest had a dream, and he saw prosperity return of the Kingdom of Ponorogo. He told the King about his dream.
"Your Highness, I also a saw a Princess sitting beside you. It was Princess Kilisuci, the famous Princess of Kediri."
The King listened carefully to the priest's words and understood what they meant: He had to marry Princess Kiisuci in order to save his people. Then he called his Prime Minister.
"Pujangga Anom, go to the Kingdom of Kediri and ask the Princess to be my wife!. You must not to fail, because it is vital for our Kingdom's welfare". Pujangga Anom bent his head. It was a very difficult job for him. How could he ever go back to his father after having refused his order and run away from his Kingdom.
However, he had to do this job. So he left Ponorogo with a heavy heart.
On the way to Kediri, there was a thick forest. Pujangga Anom stopped there and prayed. Suddenly, something fell from the sky right in front of him. It was a mask with a giant's face. Then he heard a voice,
"Pujangga Anom, this is what you need now. Wear it, then no one can recognize you. Besides, it also gives you great power, so great that no weapon can evert hurt you". Wearing the mask, he continued his journey to the Kingdom of Kediri.
The King of Kediri was surprised when Pujangga Anom told him the purpose of his visit.
"I don't want my beautiful daughter to be a giant's wife!", said the King with an angry voice. Pujangga Anom tried several times to explain to him that the King of Ponorogo was not a giant but a handsome human being, yet the King of Kediri did not believe him.
"If the Prime Minister is a giant, then the King must also a giant," said the King.
"Believe me, he is not a giant," said Pujangga Anom. Then he added, "Even I am not a giant. I'm human being."
The King of Kediri laughed. Finally Pujangga Anom had to tell the truth.
"Listen to me, please, Your Highness. I'm your son..." The King stopped laughing. His face looked pale. Then he got very angry.
"No, you cannot be my son. You are not my son. You are a giant!" The palace priest was startled when he heard the King's angry words.
"Your Highness, he was telling the truth!" He knew that the King's word could be powerful. They could work like a curse. The priest tried to stop the power of the King's words, but it was too late. At the very moment, Pujangga Anom really becam a giant. The mask became his real face, the face of a giant. How sad!
Princess Kilisuci saw shat happened to her brother, and she felt very sad. She came close to Pujangga Anom and said,
"My dear Brother, don't be sad. You'll change back into a human being when marry the King of Ponorogo. But to make it possible, the King of Ponorogo must fulfil my requests. One, he has to come here to accompanied by hundred and fifty live lions. Two, the King and his soldier have to walk from Ponorogo to Kediri through an underground channel"
Pujangga Anom promised to tell his King about the Princess's request, and went back to Ponorogo to report to the King. Having became real giant, no one in the palace recognized him. The King was surprised and angry when he heard Pujangga Anom's story about his new face. The good-hearted Prime Minister cooled down the King's anger and promised him to try the best to fulfil the Princess requests. He went to the thick forest to get a hundred and fifty lions. It took e really strong person to do the job. After a long battle with the lions, Pujangga Anom was able to get exactly a hundred and fifty live lions which he brought to the Ponorogo palace. One of the lions had magic power. Pujangga Anom ordered this lion to dig the underground channel from Ponorogo to Kediri. Then the King of Ponorogo with his soldier, accompanied by the hundred and fifty lions, went through the channel on their journey to Kediri. On the way to Kediri, Pujangga Anom slowly changed back into a human being.
Meanwhile, in the thick forest between Ponorogo and Kediri, Singa Barong, the white lion who was the King or the forest lions, was very angry. He had just come back to his palace and found out that hundred and fifty of his soldiers had been taken away by Pujangga Anom. He knew that Pujangga Anom and his King had to come out of the underground channel on the border of Kediri, so he waited there together with his soldier, the wild lions of the forest. Up in the trees were a lot of peacock, the lions's friends, waiting too. They were ready to give support to the lions during the fight their enemies.
The moment came when King Kelono Sewandono and his soldiers came out of the underground channel. Men and lions met, and they had a terrible flight. During the fight, the peacock flew up and down, flapping their wings to give support to the lions. Finally, there were only four of the Ponorogo soldiers left. All of the others were killed by the lions, who were much too strong for the Ponorogo soldiers. Then KingKelono Sewandono let his soldiers leave the battle. He gave Pujangga Anom a magic whip With the whip in his hand, Pujangga Anom easily defeated the lions. Every time Pujangga Anom swung the whip, it made a frightening sound just like lightning. All the lions were frightened, and soon left the battlefield . Only Singa Barong stayed. Then it became a fight between two strong powers. During the fight, the sky turned from dark to light, again and again. When it was dark, the lion changed into a handsome man, and changed back into a white lion when it was light. The whole time, the peacocks flew up and down, flapping their wings. At last Pujangga Anom succeeded in killing Singa Barong with the magic whip. The head of white lion was separated from its body. The peacock gathered round the head of the King of the Forest, looking at it with very sad faces.
The King of Ponorogo and his soldiers continued their journey to Kediri. The soldiers bounced merrily on horseback all the way. One of them carried the head of Singa Barong, and the peacock kept close to the white lion's head. All the peacock opened their tail feathers which made them look like large beautiful fans. As the King of Ponorogo arrived in Kediri, he was kindly welcomed and Princess Kilisuci was then given to him to be his wife.
Princess Kilisuci was the Queen of Ponorogo for some years. But as she could not give a child to King of Ponorogo, she asked to be sent back to Kediri. This made King Kelono Sewandono very sad. He did not want to eat or sleep, and he was quiet for days doing nothing. The faithful Prime Minister understood the King's sadness, and he asked the soldiers to dance for the King. The dance was to bring back the happy memories when the King and his soldier defeated Singa Barong, and successfully brought Queen Kilisuci to Ponorogo.
This dance, known as Reyog Ponorogo, is a very spectacular dance with lots of bright colours and merry music. The dancer represent King Kelono Sewandono wears a red mask with a big nose and a thick moustache and a crown. He also wears a kris. Pujangga Anom also represent by a dancer wearing a mask having big nose and a thick moustache, with frighten with eyes. Singa Barong is represent by a dancer wearing a mask of a lion carrying a large peacock feather fan on top of the mask. He also carries a beautiful little girl on his shoulders, represent Queen Kilisuci. The Ponorogo soldiers are represent by four good loking young men riding flat bamboo horses (In Indonesia called Jaran Kepang). (Sutarto, Ayu. 1992. QUEEN KILISUCI and STORIES of REYOG. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama)

THE TRAGIC END OF TWO BROTHERS, REYOG TULUNGAGUNG HISTORIES

Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Majalengka, there lived a famous and powerful Commander-in-Chief, Buto Lucoyo, who had two handsome sons: Jaka Lodra, the elder and Singa Lodra, the younger. The two sons loved each other and always obeyed their father. They had been taught to use good manners at all times.
One day Buto Lucoyo called his sons to come before him. He wanted to teach them important things which could be useful for their future. When they came to meet his father, Jaka Lodra unthinkingly wore a horn-like headcloth which made his head look like a buffalo's. It made Buto Lucoyo very angry as it was impolite to come before a respected person with such a head cloth. Angrily, Buto Lucoyo said to his son,
"I dislike your headcloth. You know that is impolite to wear such a thing when you come before your father. You seem to forget the good manners I have always taught you. Well, if you like it so much, you can have a real buffalo's head instead."
Then like a magic, Jaka Lodra's head suddenly changed into a real buffalo's head.
Buto Lucoyo's younger son saw what happened to his brother and he laughed at him.
"Ho, ho, ho, you look so funny, Brother!" He laughed uproariously, showing all his teeth. According to the local custom, it was very impolite to laugh showing all one's teeth in front of respected person. Again Buto Lucoyo got angry with his son's manners and said to Singa Lodra,
"Stop laughing! You know it is impolite to laugh that way in front of your father. You seem to forget how to use good menners when you laugh. You laugh more like lion." Immediately Singa Lodra's head changed into a lion's head.
The two sons looked at each other and cried,
"Forgive us, most respected Father, please, forgive us. We promise not to repeat same mistake again."
Buto Lucoyo looked at his sons sadly, and told them
"Stop crying, sons. Your crying will not help solve the problem. I forgive you, but remember, never make your father angry, because my angry words can be very dangerous. Now, listen!. Singa Lodra, from now on I shall call you Jatha Sura, and you, Jaka Lodra will be called Lembu Sura. Go to the South and then to the West, untill you arrive in a forest. Stop there and clear the forest!. Then, build a palace!. The Lembu sura should be the King, and the Jatha Sura the Commander-in-Chief. You should name your Kingdom Bandarangin.", Buto Lucoyo's sons paid homage to their father and start off on their journey to find the forest.
Finally they found the forest which their father told them. Having cleared the forest, they built a beautiful palace. Through the years, the Kingdom of Bandarangin grew bigger and bigger, and was respected by other kingdoms. The only kingdom which could be compared to this kingdom was the Kingdom of Kediri. Kediri at that time was ruled by beautiful, clever Queen called Kilisuci.
One morning, King Lembu Sura held a big meeting. All the King's men, including Jatha Sura, were present.
"Jatha Sura, my dearest Brother, and all my brave men," said the King.
"This Kingdom needs a Queen, and the woman I've been thinking of is Queen Kilisuci of the Kingdom Kediri. I shall order my brother, Jatha Sura, to propose to the Queen. If I marry her, I will be able to join Kediri and Bandarangin into one great, strong Kingdom."
Jatha Sura was smiling, then he laughed.
"Ho, ho, ho. What a good idea! Yes, my brother, I agree with you. When shall we leave?"
"Right now, " answered the King. Then Jatha Sura paid homage to the King and left the meeting to carry out his duty.
Arriving at the Kediri Palace, he received a friendly welcome. Then he saw the Queen of Kediri. She was so beautiful that Jatha Sura fell in love with her himself. He forgot that he came there to propose her for his brother.
The Queen asked him in a melodious voice,
"Please tell me who you are, and where you come from!"
"I'm Jatha Sura, the Commander-in-Chief of Bandarangin Kingdom. I have been ordered by my King, who is also my brother, to propose to you for him. But now that I have seen you, I think I have fallen in love with you and I want to marry you myself," answered Jatha Sura.
"Suppose I refused your proposal, what will you do?" asked the beautiful Queen with clever smile in her face.
"I will destroy your Kingdom, and force you to be my wife," answered Jatha Sura in a loud and frightening voice.
Queen Kilisuci knew that Jatha Sura meant want he said. She also knew that he had strong magic powers, and could easily get his wish. So the beautiful but clever Queen tried to find a trick to save herself from the lion-headed man. She told him,
”All right, Jatha Sura, I will marry you. But you have to show respect to your brother to telling him about this.” Jatha Sura was quite pleased with the Queen’s promise, and he left the Kediri Palace to tell his brotherabout the result of his mission.
As soon as he arrived in the Kingdom of Bandarangin, he went immediately to see his brother.
“Forgive me, my most respected brother. I failed in carrying out my duty. After I saw the Queen, I fell in love with her myself, and now I want to make her my wife.” Lembu Sura was shocked to hear his brother’s words. His face showed great anger.
“I cannot forgive you, Jatha Sura. You have not respected your brother, and you have not carried out your King’s order. You must be punished.” Then he tpld Jatha Sura to get out of the palace, and the two brothers had a fight. Both of them were good at fighting, but Jatha Sura was more powerful. His brother knew that, and he tried to keep away from Jatha Sura’s blows because they were very dangerous. Even so, one moment when Lembu Sura was careless, he received a heavy blow on his head. He died with his head broken into pieces.
Buto Lucoyo who happened to visit his sons, saw the death of his elder son. He angrily told his younger son,
“Jatha Sura, you had no love for your brother. Remember this: ’Those who kill, will be killed’. You will come to the same end as your brother’s. You will be killed because of a trick!” Having said those words, Buto Lucoyo disappeared.
Jatha Sura went immediately to the Kingdom of Kediri to marry Queen Kilisuci.
“Queen Kilisuci, I have killed my brother so that I can marry you,” said Jatha Sura. “Now let’s celebrate our marriage.”
The clever Queen smiled at the lion-headed man, and he said, ”What marriage? I’m not going to marry you, Jatha Sura. You are only half human, The rest of you is demonic. I’m not going to marry a demon.” This made Jatha Sura very angry.
“You lied to me! You broke your promise!” He angrily went out of the palace, and destroyed anybody and anything he found in his way. Hundreds of heads of Kediri people were broken into pieces by his powerful blow.
Seeing all this, Pujanggaleng, the advisor of Kediri Palace, went to the Queen and told her,
“My most respected Queen, Jatha Sura is much too strong for us to defeat. If we do not his anger, the whole Kediri will be destroyed.” The Queen was very sad to see so many of her people die because of Jatha Sura’s anger. Then Pujanggaleng advise her to defeat the lion-heade man by tricking him.
“Tell him that you will marry him, if he can fulfil five requests. One, he has to dig twin wells at he top of Mount Kelud. Two, he has to get a chicken as large as a hut with a head as large as an areca nut, and the eyes as wide as a drums. Three, he has to get soldiers to dance while playing gamelan music, accompanying the Queen to meet Jatha Sura at the top of the mountain. Four, he should get rolled wet lime wrapped with Sinom leaf, and fastened with bent rice pestle. Five, the gamelan should be played by gods with nine characters.”
Queen Kilisuci quickly found Jatha Sura and told him to stop destroying her Kingdom.
“Jatha Sura, listen to me! I will marry you to save my people. But you have to fulfil five request so we can have a proper celebration.” Jatha Sura listened to the request and promised to fulfil them on time. The twin wells were finished without difficulty. To Queen Kilisuci’s surprises, Jatha Sura also fulfilled the other request easily. He succeeded in finding the correct meanings of the words used in the request. The chicken requested by the Queen meant a big gong supported on four legs. Drums meant gamelan orchestra, and the areca nut meant the instruments used in playing the gamelan orchestra. Rolled wet lime described the hats of the Kediri soldiers who would dance and play the gamelan orchestra accompanying the Queen to the top of Mount Kelud. The word Sinom meant a certain kind of melody played by gamelan orchestra. The pestle meant a trumpet which had to be played by gamelan orchestra. The gods having nine characters meant nine dancers playing nine different musical instruments in gamelan orchestra.
Gamelan Instrument and the map of East Java













Nginang or Nyusur activity