BATU AND TRETES
Batu
and Tretes are two popular hill resorts, lying respectively in
the southern and northern foothills of the twin mountains Arjuna
and Welirang. For people travelling from Surabaya, Tretes is
the more easily accessible and is an ideal base for those who
want to be within an hour's drive from the capital. The resort
has a great variety of hotels and losmen, as well as villa-style
accommodation. Restaurants are good and there is a wide selection
of tropical fruit, including excellent durian for which Tretes
is renowned. If one has never sampled this 'controversial' fruit,
which is said to be intoxicating, eaten by tigers and forbidden
on public transport in Singapore, then Tretes is perhaps the
best place to try one.
The climate here is cool and refreshing and a welcome relief
from the heat of the plains. In fact, at night it can become
surprisingly cool, even cold, and a sweater or jacket is necessary.
From Tretes, there are many places of interest lying just a short
distance away. Waterfalls, hot springs and ancient historical
remains lie hidden in the surrounding hills. While many of these
places can be reached by car or motorcycle, a pleasant alternative
is to hire a horse from the local hill people. Tretes is an ideal
place for walking and there are many attractive trails leading
up into the mountains.
Mt.
Wlirang seen from Cangar
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Bamboo
at Batu
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