There are some options to enjoy the beauty of "Rawa Pening", a lake with a famous legend of "Baru Klinting Dragon", from different angles, and arguably "Eling Bening" offers more than just a place of observation.
Eling Bening is located on a hill in Ambarawa, Semarang Regency which possesses cool weather and a fantastic view of lake Rawa Pening, mount Merbabu and mount Telomoyo. That's why it also becomes amazing photography spots. Presently Eling Bening which officially opened in the end of 2015 is getting more and more popular among locals.
It is only 1.8 km from Bawen Bus Station, follow Bawen-Ambarawa Rd, pass through the traffic light and just after the gas station turn left. Unfortunately, the road sign to Eling Bening is merely a banner that often unclear to be seen. It should be changed into a permanent one, I think.
This time, I was accompanied by my wife.Then, when we turn left on Jalan Sarjono, it is ascending street, indicate that the location is on a highland. Not far from the main road, we saw "Eling Bening Sign", it's on the left side. Yup! We finally arrived there.
We bought two tickets for IDR 30k (USD 2.20), On weekdays the entrance ticket is at IDR 15k (USD 1.10), while on weekends is at IDR 20k (USD 1.50). Although each ticket can be exchanged to a bottle of mineral water. But, In my opinion, for the area of Semarang Regency, the entry fee is quite expensive. So I was so curious. What's actually offered by Eling Bening to its visitors. Lets find out the answer.
The first building on the right side, also the main building, is a restaurant dominated with white colour features a refreshing view to a small fish pond, a clear pool and a fantastic view overlooking lake Rawa Pening and a mountain range (mount Merbabu and mount Telomoyo). It is semi open air restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating. However, we entered that restaurant just to swap our entrance tickets to two bottled of mineral water, no intention to have lunch there for we had brought some "jajanan pasar" or traditional snacks (see my previous blog post about "jajanan pasar") which we bought near our home before heading to Eling Bening, and it was still early for lunch time, and the others reasons were; the food are quite expensive for people around Ambarawa. Furthermore, according to my wife who had eaten there with her younger sister before and some information from other bloggers that the dishes at that restaurant are just average, not special. Actually, I understand that it's not easy to hire and keep the best cooks to work in one same place for a longer period of time. So, it reminded me of my past time during my job training in food production or kitchens in some big hotels in Bandung (West Java), Jakarta and Bandar Lampung (Sumatra). I learned that working in a kitchen is stressful and staff turnover is high. As a result, it's hard for the management to maintain the consistency in the work place, especially in presenting a constant high quality of food.
It is only 1.8 km from Bawen Bus Station, follow Bawen-Ambarawa Rd, pass through the traffic light and just after the gas station turn left. Unfortunately, the road sign to Eling Bening is merely a banner that often unclear to be seen. It should be changed into a permanent one, I think.
This time, I was accompanied by my wife.Then, when we turn left on Jalan Sarjono, it is ascending street, indicate that the location is on a highland. Not far from the main road, we saw "Eling Bening Sign", it's on the left side. Yup! We finally arrived there.
We bought two tickets for IDR 30k (USD 2.20), On weekdays the entrance ticket is at IDR 15k (USD 1.10), while on weekends is at IDR 20k (USD 1.50). Although each ticket can be exchanged to a bottle of mineral water. But, In my opinion, for the area of Semarang Regency, the entry fee is quite expensive. So I was so curious. What's actually offered by Eling Bening to its visitors. Lets find out the answer.
The first building on the right side, also the main building, is a restaurant dominated with white colour features a refreshing view to a small fish pond, a clear pool and a fantastic view overlooking lake Rawa Pening and a mountain range (mount Merbabu and mount Telomoyo). It is semi open air restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating. However, we entered that restaurant just to swap our entrance tickets to two bottled of mineral water, no intention to have lunch there for we had brought some "jajanan pasar" or traditional snacks (see my previous blog post about "jajanan pasar") which we bought near our home before heading to Eling Bening, and it was still early for lunch time, and the others reasons were; the food are quite expensive for people around Ambarawa. Furthermore, according to my wife who had eaten there with her younger sister before and some information from other bloggers that the dishes at that restaurant are just average, not special. Actually, I understand that it's not easy to hire and keep the best cooks to work in one same place for a longer period of time. So, it reminded me of my past time during my job training in food production or kitchens in some big hotels in Bandung (West Java), Jakarta and Bandar Lampung (Sumatra). I learned that working in a kitchen is stressful and staff turnover is high. As a result, it's hard for the management to maintain the consistency in the work place, especially in presenting a constant high quality of food.
If you like swimming, Eling Bening offers visitors with a nice swimming pool overlooking a great natural view. You just need to pay extra IDR 20k (USD 1.50).
When I was there, I saw a couple, a man and a woman, having a wonderful time in the beautiful designed swimming pool. Although it was a bit cloudy at that time, and after finished swimming or I meant after they finished dipping their bodies, they might be tan. So, in comment section of someone blog, a girl suggested the management of Eling Bening to build a semi open swimming pool. I really agree with her, swimming or dipping while overlooking a breathtaking view without worried of getting tan is so perfect. Although in other countries, women and girls like being tan by doing sun bathing to be more sexy and more beautiful.
I continued roaming around. I not we because my wife had already sat under a shady tree hipnotized by the beauty of Eling Bening or just feeling tired, I didn't know cause I hadn't asked her about it yet, but from her body language I could see that she enjoyed her time but a bit tired. Although I don't know the total area of Eling Bening, but I'm sure if you explore it, you may burn the calory from your breakfast you ate before, either Indonesian breakfast, American breakfast or whatever.
No doubt I've heard that a well-designed garden should include flowering plants. Those plants grow in a small flowering garden could attract a group of elderly who looked cheerful to take photos there.
If only all plants had bloomed the mini flowering garden would have been nicer.
Other spot that interest me is a play ground with its facilities, such as a seesaw and swings, and also there is a wide field that children can play. Moreover, the place which is on the higher position surely as a perfect viewing spot. However, one thing that really a big question for me is a building which is still being built near the swimming pool if it finishes will block the amazing view from the play ground.
The strong breeze from up here made us actually want to stay longer, but it's already lunch time and we decided to have lunch at other place for I had written the reason why we didn't want to have lunch at Eling Bening restaurant, and on our way home there are plenty of good restaurants, especially those which sell local food.
Eling Bening
Location
Jalan Sarjono, Ambarawa, Semarang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia.
Opening Hours
Weekdays 08.00 am - 06.00 pm
Weekends 07.00 am - 06.30 pm
Entry Fee
Weekdays IDR 15k (USD 1.10)
Weekends IDR 20k (USD 1.45)
(note: the entry ticket can be exchanged to a bottle of mineral water)
Facilities
Garden Party
Outbound
Flying Fox
Swimming Pool
Play Ground
Flower Garden
Restaurant
Having Lunch at "Sop Ayam pak Min Klaten" in Tuntang
On the way home, we passed through some eateries, including the famous "Kampoeng Kopi Banaran", but we didn't drop in there for we had been there before and I've already written about it. Then finally on the left side, we saw a famous restaurant with has many branches, one is in Tuntang. No hesitate we both decided to drop in there.
This eatery is "Sop Ayam pak Min Klaten" which sells only chicken soup (sop ayam) with a various of side dishes, if not sold out, such as fried tofu, fried soy bean cake, egg satay and many more. Unfortunately, we were unlucky, almost all side dishes were sold out. Perhaps if we had come earlier we would have got more options on the tables.
One thing that make this eatery unique is each part of chicken are sold, including its internal organ.
My wife ordered chicken's thighs while I chose its wings. it's not because I prefer wings to thighs, but I just wanted to compare which one was more delicious, obviously, chicken's thighs are delicious for they are tender while the wings are bit harder. However we loved its broth, it's so tasty and we added with "sambal" (chili paste) and little soy sauce to make the taste more perfect.
In my conclusion, many people like to have "Sop Ayam pak Min Klaten" because there are many choices of the meat and the broth is so tasty that suitable to be eaten both during rainy and dry season.
No doubt about it, Indonesians may love chicken so much.
Sop Ayam pak Min Klaten -Tuntang
Location
Jalan Fatmawati Tuntang, Semarang Regency, Central Java
Opening hours
Daily 06.00 am to 04.00 pm