TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Surakarta City Administrative introduces new tourism attraction in Bengawan Solo river. Tourists are invited to join the 1.5 hour boat tour along the 2-kilometer distance of the legendary river. The route start in Ngepung Village and end in Ronggowarsito Park in Jurug.

The Head of Surakarta Cultural Agency Eny Tyasni Suzana said that the idea derived from the city’s annual event ‘Festival Gethek Bengawan Solo’ (Bengawan Solo Raft Festival).

“We invite the residents around Ngepung to run the river trip. They have so far actively involved in the Gethek Festival,” said Eny.

People who is interested to take the boat trip can visit the tourist information center in Surakarta Cultural Agency office. An officer will then connect the tourist to the trip’s organizer.

“Or, [people] can go directly to Ngepung Village. There is one boat available,” Eny explained.

The boat trip cost Rp100,000 per boat that can accommodate four to six people. Tourists can also see the town forest that are located in several places along the riverside.

The Bengawan Solo boat trip organizer, Sumadiyono, said that he have been running the trip since three months ago. He admitted that there still not many people took the trip since not many tourists know about the new attraction.

However, a tourism enthusiast, Patrik Orlando, said that the trip will be difficult to sell since not many people want to try it. Foreign tourists might not be interested since there are many similar trips with better views in other countries.

UKKY PRIMARTANTYO