Again, we held a meet-up to Coban Jodo. There are several reasons why we are here again. One, because we missed a geo walk with incredible scenery at Coba Jodo that we did not find anywhere else. Secondly, we also miss with fellow members of Batu Local Guides and Malang Local Guides who are like big families, whose days are getting closer to the brotherhood. Third, because we miss the hospitality of Mr. Tarub who has pioneered the way to Coban Jodo.
I remember, first met with Mr. Tarub and Mr. Yono, on the way to Coban Jodo. It was drizzling rain, with my beloved wife Anisa trying to explore Coban Jodo based on the information of the villagers. In the middle of the road, we stopped two men whose clothes were dirty as they were farming. Apparently, he both just came back from pioneering the road to Coban Jodo with dozens of villagers. He suggested that we return, because the road to Coban Jodo has not been passed, and very dangerous in the rain. He also invited us to stop by his house in Bendolawang village. Finally, we decided to stop the trip to Coban Jodo, and obey Mr. Tarub’s invitation to stop by. At Mr. Tarub’s house, we were served hot coffee and fried countryside sweet potatoes that were deliciously eaten when the temperature is cool. One by one, the Coban Jodo street pioneers came to greet us. Many stories we got from Mr. Tarub and the villagers around Coban Jodo, until the time went to night and we had to go home. When we said good-bye, Mr. Tarub gave two sacks of bananas, yams and cassava, harvest from his own garden. We had refused smoothly, but Mr. Tarub insisted that we accept his gift. Finally, we can not refuse anymore. Even though it is quite a hassle to carry two sacks on a motorcycle, we are very happy with the hospitality of Mr. Tarub and the villagers who are willing to accept us like their own family. In the following days, we keep in touch with each other. I help add a Coban Jodo place, I made a fanpage on Facebook, so that the place is more known and finally visited by explorers until now.
Last Sunday, 22 October 2017, was our encounter with Mr. Tarub and the pioneers of Coban Jodo after months of our busy activities. A total of 26 members of Batu Local Guides Malang Local Guides and one person from the Information and Tourism Office of Blitar City, present following the Geo Walk Coban Jodo. Coban Jodo Road which previously only a stone road that can only be passed by a motorcycle, now it’s condition has been hardened with concrete and can be passed by the car to the entrance of the path to Coban Jodo. The entrance has been repaired into a wider motor parking lot, complete with several gazebos for shelter and three simple stalls that provide food and soft drinks. Around 9 am, we gathered in the parking lot. After counting and praying, we started down the path to Coban Jodo. The atmosphere is still the same, the shade, the beautiful landscape spread wide, and the rush of clean water at some point. After we reached the river, all the participants started down the riverside and some bamboo bridges. Along this river flow, so many beautiful scenes that very pamper our eyes, until finally reaching Coban Jodo. Our children went straight to play in a shallow and clear river. Some participants opened their snack box, some hunted photos in two adjacent waterfalls. I took the time to remove the scratch marks on the stone that actually destroy the beauty of nature. Satisfied enjoying the beauty of Coban Jodo, we went back to the parking lot, along the river and up the path. After all the participants reached the parking lot, we headed to Mr. Tarub’s house to say good-bye. Here, we were treated to lunch with a typical rustic menu. The participants were scrambling to take corn rice and spicy vegetables that are rarely found in the city. It was 3 pm, and we were leaving farewell to Mr. Tarub and the Coban Jodo pioneers.
The beauty of Coban Jodo, the hospitality of the villagers, always leave an impression that can not be forgotten just like that. Hopefully Mr. Tarub and the pioneers of Coban Jodo are always protected by God in preserving Coban Jodo.
