Cavetubing “Kali Suci” on Jogjatrip 1 Day AdvenTour

10 Oktober 2011

Wonosari, Jogjatrip.com – Jogjatrip, one of the portals of tourism and cultural arts held an event entitled 'Jogjatrip 1 Day AdvenTour' in Yogyakarta. On this first held is to invite all the participants to venture down the cave which famously known Cavetubing “Kali Suci” located in Gunungkidul, on Sunday morning (18/9). All the participants have been gathered since 06.00 am in front of publication office of AdiCita. Cheerful mood and happy faces were shown from them who were enthusiastic joining this challenging tour.

At 07.30 am, group of participants was departing from the office located at St. Sisingamangaraja Karangkajen No. 27, heading to Semanu village, where the base camp of Kalisuci is located. The trip takes one hour and a half by bus while the participants seemed not to wait for long enough wondering the plans provided by the committee. There are some participants who are foreigners, who are some exchange program students from Holland at the University of Gadjah Mada. During the trip, they used their opportunity to become acquainted to each other.

Arriving at the location of the base camp, the instructors began to invite participants who in total 45 people for using some protective equipment for the security, such as a helmet, vest, and gaiter. The group is divided into two smaller groups, each totaling 20 people as for the maximum capacity for one-time explore of the cave.

Walking 50 meters from the base camp heading to the edge of Kalisuci River, the participants immediately landed at the river using the floats that have been provided. So hit the water, feeling cold and nervous are being felt by all participants, but still did not loosen their enthusiasm. Interlocked with each other, forming a line like a snake, along with the instructor they started to explore the cave in depth of 10 meters. The sound of water drop from the ceiling resembles like drizzle. Clothes and bodies of the participants began to wet. Using flashlight lighting the potluck brought by the instructor, the participants explore the inside of the cave which dark and damp. Occasionally the sound of bats was echoing in the cave.

Even just an immerse activity through the current of Kalisuci River, it remains challenging to all participants. The flow of the river requires all participants to pass through narrow crevices between the rocks of the cave. Helmet and gaiters are very useful in this situation preventing the participants to hit the overhanging rocks.

The explore down the river and cave takes two hours and when it reaches the end, all participants must climb a fairly steep cliff about 20 meters to go back to their picking base camp bringing their float. They will be picked up to rest while having lunch.

After having lunch of meatballs and traditional foods of Gunungkidul such as tiwulgathot made from sweet potatoes and coconut, all participants continued their trip by bus to Kukup beach, one of the beaches on the south coast of Wonosari.

Arriving at the beach, they went around enjoying the atmosphere of white sand and crashing waves on the beach. Some participants spread the mat seen to relax while enjoying various seafood snacks provided by the committee like crabs, shrimp, fish, until the traditional food called undur-undur. For more less than one hour and a half enjoying the beach, the group finally entered the bus to return back to Yogyakarta. Previously, they found time to buy souvenirs of local foods beside Gathot and tiwul, which is the grasshopper.

At 07.30 pm, all participants have returned and gathered in front of publication office of AdiCita. “I really enjoyed this trip. I love with the food you served too, I really like it”, said one of the participants who came from Holland. Though they were tired and weary, but satisfied and happy feelings accompanying all participants of 'Jogjatrip 1 Day AdvenTour' back to their homes. *** (Indra Jati Prasetiyo)

Foto by : Fajar Kliwon, Aris Arif M, Indra Jati Prasetiyo