Archive for July 12th, 2006
Mountain scenery , with its bitingly, cold climate, and winding roads, are perhaps common sights during mountain climbing trips. But, along the Mount Lamongan slopes, within the Klakah SubDistrict, Lumajang Regency, this is different. Here, the mountain scenery appears complete with the existence of three lakes; Lake Klakah, Lake Pakis, and Lake Bedali.
These three lakes which have become the tourism primadona of the Lamongan Regency, are in fact what used to be the craters of Mount Lamongan. Located high up, the lakes are shaped like washbasins, and are connected to each other.
Ever since being officiated as a Tourist Destination Area by the Regent of Lumajang on 18 August 1989, this tourist destination has become busily visited by tourists, especially during holidays. Besides its location which is easily accessed, this tourist destination has become an alternative in the Lumajang area, next to the already popular Bromo, Tengger, and Semeru.
Lake Klakah, and Lake Pakis are close to each other. Off by some 200 metres only, and separated by community yards, a teakwood forest and cane plantation. The road to these lakes is accessible by four wheel transportation, or on foot while enjoying the surrounding natural beauty. If we drive from lake Klakah to Lake Pakis, we will be passing by the steep sides of lake Pakis. We can choose, either to visit Lake Klakah first, and continue to Lake Pakis from there, or the other way around. From the Klakah Sub-District Terminal, there is an intersection, the left leg reaches Lake Klakah, while Lake Pakis is straight ahead.
The view from these highlands, is pleasing indeed. Especially, during early mornings, or late afternoons. There are two Western styled shelters, adequate for short breaks, before continuing the journey around Lake Pakis. If on foot, it would be best to trace along the sides to the right, since, besides being shady, there are also other things to see.
As with Lake Bedali, we can reach the location from the Ranuyoso Sub-District, about 5 kilometers before Klakah. From the Probolinggo Regency, turn left for about 1 kilometer before Klakah. From the Probolinggo Regency, turn left for about 1 kilometer and we will come upon Lake Bedali. There is a quite tall waterfall here, with its water coming from Mount Lamongan.
Lake Klakah, Lake pakis and lake Lake Bedali are indeed feasible to he developed for water skiing, because the locations are surrounded by mountains, with a breeze that is not too strong. However, between the three mentioned lakes, only Lake Klakah has been prioritized to be developed for such water sports.
Near Lake Klakah, public facilities have been built, like shelters, tennis courts, play grounds, a park and a billiard hall. Besides those facilities there are a few boats that we can rent, and a lodge complete with bedroom, bathroom, and television sets. During holidays this place is usually already reserved by tourists.
July 12th, 2006
Tourism
The development in Tourism sector is directed to familiarize the people with nature, social value and culture which exist in Lumajang Regency, by keeping the image of national personality and behaviour, to develop and to apply the tourism industry as a means of increasing the regional and people’s income, besides as the effort of providing work opportunity.
The potentials of tourism attractions in Lumajang Regency are as follows:
- Mountain attractions: in Piket nol and Besuk Sat
- Beach attractions: in Bambang beach, Dampar, Meleman and Watu Pecak
- Lake attractions: in Klakah, Pakis, Bedali, Gumbolo, Regulo and Ranupane
- Swimming-pools: in Selokambang, Swimming pool Stadium and pool Tirtowono
- Caves attractions: in Tetes cave, Cumpling and Bima
- Waterfalls: in Kertowono, Antrukan and Manggis
- Cultural attraction: (Anniversary of Lumajang Regency on December 15), Kupatan, Historical and Cultural research Dance/Musical Art and Handicraft
The accommodations which are available either for domestic or foreign tourists include the hotels of Lumajang, Gajah Mada, President, Sri Rejeki, Ranu Klakah and Baru.
July 12th, 2006
 THE GREAT PURA MANDARA GIRI SEMERU, LUMAJANG
Lumajang, besides known as triangle lakes (Bedali- Klakah - Pakis), also has a temple named the Great Mandaragiri Semeru in the village of Senduro located on the slope of Mt. Semeru, 20 km from Lumajang. It is the second largest temple of Hindu - Bali in Indonesia after Besakih Temple in Bali. It was built by Balinese Hindus for worship and most of them came from Bali. Based on Hinduism the Great Mandara Diri Semeru known as Kahyangan Jagad means the place for worship Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa and it cannot be separated from the Balinese temples.
July 12th, 2006
Adventurous tourists who come to see Mount Semeru will not only admire and enjoy the grandeur of Mount Semeru, the highest one in Java, but can also test their skill in rafting.
On the slope of Mount Semeru it has been pioneered to pave a path for rafting along Ireng-Ireng river, whose spring is on the slope of the mountain. Its water is clear, its location is challenging, and its surroundings are still untouched by human, which makes it excellent for adventure.
To prepare the river for white water sports especially rafting, the big boulders that bar rafting have been moved aside. The people living near the river help to clear away the stones so that the rubber boats can sail the swift current of the river freely.
It is estimated that this new tourist attraction can attract tourists to come to East Java. It is included in one tourist travel package with other tourist attractions in Malang, Surabaya, Bromo, Ranupani, and Senduro. These tourist attractions are marketed through travel bureau agencies, hotels, and other tourism network in East Java.
Punan Adventure from Malang conducted a survey on the location. His team concluded that the condition of Ireng-Ireng river is an ideal place for rafting. He is of the opinion that it is not less excellent than one in Bali.
The length of the river which is suitable for rafting is about fifteen kilometres from Pagowan to Sentul village. After the tourists land on the finish point, they are taken to Selokambang swimming pool. It takes them from one and a half to two hours to cover the distance from Pagowan to Sentul by rafting. The tourists can enjoy the young coconut milk there, and agung banana chips or just bananas.
The location of Ireng-Ireng river rafting place which is about fifteen kilometres long has much variety. Two kilometres from Pagowan to the west there is a very steep gradient. Five kilometres from Pagowan there is a sharp curve and a deep whirlpool. The rubber boat navigator should be very careful so that they are not heavily thrown to the rocky cliff of the river. Of course it is very risky if the boat crew do not wear special outfit.
There are some eerie spots on the way, especially when the rafters have to pass the “virgin” spots where there are many bamboos that might hurt them, especially during the rainy season when the current is very swift.
Rafting down the river needs exact and skillful maneuvers. In some spots it is good for jumping. There is no very wavy current but in some sports they have to pass through very narrow fissures.
The echo of thundering waves of the river is very amusing. Along the Ireng-Ireng river there are many boulders from Mount Semeru that make the tourist rafters extra careful. If they are careless, their boat may be flung onto the boulders eventhough many boulders have been put aside.
The tourists who want to participate in rafting, have to bring along their outfit and other facilities, such as rubber boat, and some first aids medicine.
There are many facilities available to the tourists who visit the area. If they want to stay in Senduro district, they may stay in Sri Rejeki hotel. It is a hotel which is situated close to Pure Mandharagiri Semeru Agung, the largest pure (the Balinese House of Worship) in Asia.
If the tourists want to spend the night at Lumajang town, there are even more hotels for their choice. In Ranupani, some homestays and even the homes of the villagers are available for the tourists to stay in. If the tourists who want to go to the Ireng-Ireng river rafting place are from Surabaya, they may use their own vehicles or take a bus. When they arrive at Minak Koncar bus station of Lumajang, they may continue riding the bus to the middle of the town. From there they take a cab to Senduro, which is fifteen kilometres from Lumajang town. When they come to Sari Kemuning village they have to ride on rented motorcycles to the start point of rafting.
If the tourists are from Malang, they have to pass Tumpang district to Ranupani and then to Gubuk Klakah. From there they have to take an old Landrover to Senduro. On the way they can take another package tour to Ranupani, Ranu Regulo, and Ranu Kumbolo at the foot of Mount Semeru.
Lumajang regency administration provide tourists with various tourist attractions such as Selokambang Swimming pool, Tetes Cave (Pronojiwo), Piket No, i.e. to see the South sea and Mount Semeru crater from the top of Mount Bintang, which is now developing its agrobusiness tourism such as Gucialit tea plantation, and sugar cane plantation which is owned by PG Jatiroto.
July 12th, 2006