Reopened Borobudur Temple Relieves Boredom

Kompas

A number of tourists take pictures in front of Borobudur temple, Magelang regency, Central Java, Thursday (25/6/2020).

After its closure for around three months, Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur (Borobudur Temple Tourist Park), Magelang regency, Central Java, was reopened on Thursday (25/6/2020).

MAGELANG, KOMPAS — Tourists enthusiastically arrived at Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur in Magelang regency, Central Java, on its first day of operation, Thursday (25/6/2020). Although their visits were tightly arranged according to health protocols and going up to temple structures was not yet permitted, the temple’s opening for tourism was still a pleasurable experience to relieve people of their boredom.

Gilang, 17, a visitor from Kebumen, Central Java, said in spite of being prevented from ascending the temple buildings, the opportunity to have a close look at Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur amid the pandemic offered a very enjoyable opportunity.

“I’m happy to be able to stroll along the tourist site and view Borobudur Temple again. Tourism is important to dispel the monotony of months of studying at home,” said the vocational high school student.

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Gilang was touring with his schoolmate, Adam, 16. His visit to Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur actually was not planned and was unexpectedly

decided. Earlier, they planned to tour the pine forest in Pakis district, Magelang regency. But on their way, they were glad to get information from residents that the Borobudur tourist park had been reopened.

Putu Arena, 46, a visitor from Karawang, West Java, also said he had made an unplanned visit to Borobudur Temple while he was on his way to the home of a relative in Magelang regency.

“On the road, we were informed that Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur had reopened. Soon afterward, we decided that before visiting our relative we would first go to Borobudur Temple,” he said.

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

An officer gives an explanation to tourists that visits to Borobudur temple tourism park were temporarily limited to zone II only. The photo was taken on Thursday (25/6/2020).

With his four family members, Putu traveled by private car from Karawang on Wednesday evening (24/6/2020). Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur was their first destination when they arrived in Magelang regency.

Putu said the tour of Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur was his and his family’s first activity after spending most of their time at home. Putu had lost his job as the textile factory where he worked ceased operation and his three children had been studying at home.

On Thursday morning, until 11 a.m., dozens of visitors kept flocking to Borobudur Temple after being closed for three months due to COVID-19. Most of the tourists obediently kept a distance between one another and wore face masks.

Apart from wearing masks, they also equipped themselves with face shields

Sidney, 40, a tourist who is also the manager of a travel bureau in Jakarta, went to Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur along with 10 other peers from various travel bureaus. Apart from wearing masks, they also equipped themselves with face shields. “We’re accustomed to wearing face shields to work and it’s also important to use them for outdoor activities like touring,” he said.

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The group of travel bureau managers was touring Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur to check the preparedness of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko. Results of the inspection will be used to prepare tourism packages for domestic and foreign visitors in this new normal period.

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

A tourist arrives to visit Borobudur temple tourism park while donning a face shield on Thursday (25/6/2020).

General Manager of Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, I Gusti Putu Ngurah Sedana, said tourists were not allowed to ascend temple structures because at present volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Merapi on Sunday (21/6/2020) had not been thoroughly cleaned up. But so far the Borobudur Conservation Center (BKB) has informed that the cleaning will be finished on Saturday (27/6/2020).

“On Friday (26/6/2020), BKB personnel will start conducting a simulation for visits to temple buildings and on Saturday (27/6/2020) the zone I area will be opened to tourists,” he added.

The lack of opportunity to go up to temple structures disappointed some, who decided to cancel their visits. Nevertheless, Putu noted that in general, visitors were for the most part quite satisfied. From 8 a.m. to 11:41 am. on Thursday, the total number visitors to Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur was recorded at 115.

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