Tabanan, Rainbow over Ricefields

Penatahan Hotspring Relieves Dermatitis

Are you stressed? Simply come to Espa Yeh Panes Resort. There, you can luxuriate in immensely natural ambience. Its air is cool, pollution-free and having alluring terraced rice field that is nice to discern. Melodious bird’s singing accompanied by sound of water flowing in small stream at Yeh Hoo River that is rich in volcanic stones as if took us to another world. Moreover, in the midst of it occurs Lampah Temple as the center of hot spring makes this sphere have other ‘aura.’

Espa Yeh Panes Resort is situated on Jalan Batukaru, Penatahan Village, Tabanan and some 34 km from Denpasar or 12 km west of Tabanan City. This place has been known as hot spring that nestled on the gorge of Yeh Hoo River.
Based on research performed by Health Laboratory, Department of Health of the RI this water is safe for taking a bath. It contains sulfur, potassium and sodium that are effective to relieve a variety of dermatitis. Hindu community in Bali believes that such hot spring has the efficacy to cure numerous health problems.
On entering the area, you will be welcomed by sound of waterfall existing in the west of parking lot. This natural tourist resort has two resources of hot spring with temperature of 370 Celsius. This water is channeled to a bathing place (spa) that specially designed in traditional style. When bathing here, except you can submerge your body, you’ll also get natural massage because the water in this pool is equipped with a device that can spring hot water bubble, just as boiling water in the pan.
There are nine bathing places providing warm water, however, only four of them can be operated. To use this facility, local community will be charge at IDR 25,000 while foreign tourist USD 15.
There also occur two tiered-pools. Upper pool is intended for adult and family guests. While, the lower that close to the river is specially used for children. Both pools utilize fresh water. Special for adult guest is charged IDR 5-10 thousands and foreign tourist IDR 30 thousands. Duration of bathing is not restricted, depending on the number of guest visit.
The restaurant of Espa Yeh Panes Resort that engages 44 employees provides some options of menus like of Indonesian, American and Japanese. On the green gorges perched 16 villas that are close to one another. Villas that have spacious room are furnished with amenities like AC, bar, bathroom and TV set. It was established in 1994 following two years in advance it has completed the arrangement of its bathing place, swimming pool, restaurant and others.
According to Wayan Yusa, room boy of Espa Yeh Panes Resort, this tourist resort having the extent of 3 hectares is visited by large number of visitors on religious, school and New Year’s holiday. Meanwhile, visit of foreign tourist has its high season on the period July-September that organized by travel agent. “The largest number of visitor is of Japanese. But, we lately the Japanese market is slack,” he said.

At other places
Aside from Penatahan Village, Tabanan Regency has some other hot springs, like that located at Mengesta and Angseri Village that also have drawn many local visitors. Mengesta Village is located 15 km north of Tabanan City. This object is overly fascinating as it lies among the extensive rice field area. On its upper side, the Mount Batukaru highly towers along with its dense tropical forest. Bathing place at Mengesta is different from that of Penatahan. It does not resemble a well, but in the shape of some waterspouts therefore visitors cannot submerge or do massage. Having bathed here, tiredness and fatigue can be relieved.
Hot spring of Angseri Village is situated on the foot of Mount Batukaru or some 25 km north of Tabanan City. Temperature of its water reaches 480 Celcius flowing into the midst of bamboo forest inhabited by hundreds of gentle monkeys. On the south occur acid water and an ancient temple named Pucak Tinggah. When situating in this place, we can catch sight of tempting and magnificent panorama. As far as your eyes can see, you will discern the feet of Bali Island along with its seawater at Kuta. (BTN/015)