Kalisuci Cave Tubing

 Kalisuci Cave Tubing

Gunungkidul Regency has been known as a barren and dry area since topographically almost all of its regions consist of range of hills that underlain by limestone, or something known as karst. During the dry season, the green view of plants will dramatically change into brown because they are withering. However, behind its barrens, Gunungkidul possesses millions of potential tourism objects that are rarely found in other places. One among them is the beautiful cave that lies beneath the earth with the stream flows in it.

Go along the river flowing through the cave in the bowels of the earth is one of the adventures offered in Kalisuci, Semanu, Gunungkidul. Known as cave tubing, this activity combines caving and body rafting activity. Based on the information that cave tubing is only held in Mexico, New Zealand, and Gunungkidul, We curiously began the new exciting and challenging adventure. After life jacket, helmet, and all supporting cave tubing equipments had been perfectly set on the body, We started to walk along the path between jati woods to reach the start of Kalisuci cave tubing.

The winding river flow could clearly be seen from the cliff; the blue water looked contrast with the brown land, the karst, and also the withering plants, so that they formed an awesome and harmonious natural picture. After everybody got on the tube, the river adventure started. The tube moved as the river flew. When the water was still, our hands should row the tube to make it move, but when we were in a rapid, the tube would move fast and twirl following the stream flow. In some spots consisting of rocks and extreme rapid that was hard to go through, We should have got out of the river and walked while carrying the tube.

The real adventure began when the stream entered the recesses of Kalisuci and Gelatik cave. The sunlight disappeared and the situation turned into something dark. The only light was from the headlamp. The stalactites seen on the cave’s roof kept dropping water from their tip. Some of them were crystal. Three bats were hanging on the ceiling, some fish were swimming under our feet, and a big spider was on the stalagmite. The beauty of the cave and the coolness of the river in the silence made us reluctant to leave. Having an intimate experience with the coldness of the river flow beneath the earth with an extra wonderful and exotic view was a really unforgettable adventure.

Price: IDR 65,000 / person (min 5 persons)
Open Hours: 09.00 AM - 16.00 PM
Facilities: cave tubing equipments, guide, meal after the cave tubing activity

  

Source: www.yogyes.com

Credit Photo:  http://news.viva.co.id

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The Rafting on the Sa`dan River

The Rafting on the Sa`dan River

A. Brief Information

Are you a rafting lover? Do not worry to find a place for this extreme sport. The Sa`dan River (Saddang) is an ideal place. The river that passes Tana Toraja has about 182 km in length, 80 km in width, and 294 tributaries as well. The ford of the river was taken for two days by staying overnight in the middle of the journey, and getting rest in a stage house called Lantang in the riverside.

B. Distinctive Features

Along the Sa`dan River, there are many types of rapid with different difficulty levels. Those three rapid are Puru` rapid with the difficulty level III; Pembuangan Seba rapid with the difficulty level IV, which its surface of the water in the riverside that is wide narrowed in the downstream; Fitri rapid with difficulty level V, which many fractures and the current of the river hitting big rocks that may cause the boat adhered on the rock and trapped between. By such challenging river current hindrance, the rafting lovers` adrenalin will be satisfied by crossing the Sa`dan River.

Besides, the topography of this area which is very interesting, therefore the Adventurer can enjoy the beauty of the nature and the fresh air during the tour, see the various flora and fauna that were hanging around the riverside, observe the beauty of the mountains surrounding the river that are covered by savannah meadow as well.

C. Location

The first point of the ford is begun from the hanging bridge in Buah Kayu Village, Tana Toraja district and finish in Pappi Bridge in the district of Enrekang, South Sulawesi province.

D. Access

From Makasar to Tana Toraja, the tour can be taken by land and air. The land track is taken by private or public transportation for about eight hours, while by air can be taken by the pioneer flight for two hours. Upon the visitors in Tana Toraja, they can go directly to Rantepao city. From this city to Buah Kayu Village, the starting spot of the ford), the tour can be taken by using Jeep car for about three a half hours.

E. Accommodations and other Facilities

For the visitors who have no experiences in rafting, there are the professional river guides in the location costly IDR. 1,250,000.00 each person for local people and US$ 250 each person for foreigner.

Credit Photo: www.sinarharapan.co.id

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Lions and Dragons and Drums in Surabaya

After a four-year pause, the sound of drums and cymbals was once again heard as performers competed in the 3rd Dragon and Lion Dance World Championship, held at Kenjeran Park in Surabaya.

Surabayans were entertained from Friday to Sunday by 23 teams from 12 nations, including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States, Belgium, France, Korea, and Indonesia. All were vying to perform the best version of the dance, which originated in China.

The first competition was held in China in 2000 and the second in Malaysia in 2002. The event was suspended in 2004 due to the bird flu scare.

The teams of costumed dancers imitate the animals' movements in time to the music, and also perform acrobatics.

Chinese Vice Minister of Sports Zhang Fa Qiang, who also chairs the International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation, was in the audience.

"The Chinese government is proud that the biennial event could be organized again," said Zhang.

China, said Zhang, fully supported staging the event in Indonesia, since dances were no longer the sole property of China but were popular worldwide.

"We hope the lion and dragon performances will be included in the next Olympics," said Zhang.

The dances were banned under the rule of former president Soeharto. They began to make a comeback seven years ago in various events involving Chinese-Indonesians.

The Chinese, Malaysian and Indonesian teams were favored to win in the tournament.

In the final rounds on Dec. 10, the three teams put on their best performances. The Chinese team, which had showed its mastery on the first day, unexpectedly dropped out of the competition in the final.

The Malaysian and Indonesian teams performed remarkably. Seven judges provided the same points to both countries, while China placed second.

"The judges were at one point confused on how to decide the winner," the organizing chairman of the event, Soetiadji, told The Jakarta Post. They eventually gave the Indonesian and Malaysian teams a runoff.

That was when the Indonesian team gave its best performance and was named the winner. "May Indonesia defend its title in the 4th Dragon and Lion Dance World Championship which will be held in Australia.

Source: The Jakarta Post

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