For the more active and the young there is a short trek along mountain paths to "Telaga Warna," a small lake which is believed to change colors several times a day , from blue to green and sometimes purple. Only those who are happy can see the different colors, is the folkloric belief and this may be the reason it draws young lovers.

Once over the pass, the road is downhill. Here in Puncak, is one of the oldest hotels which is still in use today. In spite of the cloudy weather and low clouds which engulf it in the afternoons, Puncak is popular, particularly with European residents of Jakarta who rent bungalows annually as their weekend hideaway.

From Sindanglaya, the road drops to Ciloto and straightens out on a plateau, More private holiday homes and hotels riddle the countryside, with traffic getting heavier as one approaches Cipanas, the main resort village on this side of the mountain.

At the Cipanas village center, small horse carts provide conveyance to the farmers who carry their produce to sell at this market. Vegetables: cabbages, cauliflower, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, onions and garlic, are sold yearround, and avocadoes are a bargain at Rp. 450 a kg. (about three). There are plant nurseries, and freshwater fish are sold out of waterproof baskets. The golden yellow-tail carp or ikan mas is a favourite of the Sundanese, and cultivated in these mountain areas.

The main focus of a trip to Cipanas is the small palace which was originally founded by Governor General van Imhoff as a health resort.

According to historian Miss Paramita Abdurachman of the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Van Imhoff learnt of the hot springs in Cipanas and its curative powers from the local population. She says, "When van Imhoff had ascer

tained himself of their existence, he took samples of the water to Batavia to investigate its sulphur and iron contents. The water did, indeed, contain the required amount for the curing of certain diseases, moreover its location in the high mountains was excellent for the recuperation of many patients who otherwise could only slowly recover in the heat and discomfort of the sick wards at Batavia. Van Imhoff thereupon decided to build a health resort near the springs, which was started in 1745. Although the travel from Batavia to Cipanas took four days by horsedrawn carts and it was not a pleasant journey for the sick people, the resort did have its positive effects on the health of its patients. The simple wooden barracks were in time made more comfortable. The health-resort was eventually housed in a big structure surrounded by gardens and a moat, over which led a drawbridge.

"Unfortunately, the expenses for the maintenance of such a resort were high, and it was due to budgetary reasons that the undertaking was closed in 1761.

"There is very little information on the further history of the Cipanas country-house. A new health resort or sanatorium was built in Sindanglaya in 1869, not far from the hot springs, but when and how the existing villa became part of the Governor-General's retreat is as yet not known."

No doubt the mountain holiday resorts vie with the beaches and the islands in the Bay of Jakarta for the local weekend tourist trade which is considerable, keeping in mind the size of the population.

For international tourists, Puncak is included in the highland tours of several tour operators or as an overnight or lunch stop on overland Java tours. Either choice gives visitors a view of the magnificent natural scenery of the West Java mountain area and the bounty of its agricultural lands.

Travel Indonesia
Vol 6 No. 7
July 1984

activities continued to grow after Indonesia's independence on an even more extensive level, in keeping with current problems faced.

The 55th anniversary of Mother's Day in Yogyakarta was marked by the inauguration of the "Mandala Bhakti Wanitatama" Building, the construction of which was suggested 31 years ago at the 9th KOWANI (Indonesian Women's Congress) congress in Bandung. The first stone was laid in a ceremony that took place 30 years ago. Due to insufficient funds, however, construction had to be undertaken in stages, but of this monumental building it can now be said that it was built for women by women, as its entire financing was the result of the tireless efforts of the women of Indonesia .

Yogyakarta was chosen as the site in view of its role as the birthplace of the historic first Women's Congress. Named "Mandala Bhakti Wanitatama," which means place of dedication for women of noble character, the building is a symbol of the strong determination of contemporary women to become heroes of development in furthering the ideals pioneered by their predecessors.

The inauguration of the building was marked by the handing over of its keys by President Soeharto to women who had taken part in the First Women's Congress, after signing the inaugural inscription of the building. As part of the ceremony, Mrs. Tien Soeharto performed the ceremonial cutting of a string of melati flowers using a 'patran' (miniature keris or dagger), marking the official opening of the building and of an exhibition of women's handicrafts. This was followed by the unveiling of a relief inscribed with the words "The Struggle of Indonesian Women."

The "Mandala Bhakti Wanitatama" Building, as part of the struggle of Indonesian women, is a piece of national pride. Built on 11,928 square meters of land, it consists of three constructions named respectively, Shinta, Srikandi and Arimbi.

The Shinta is a joglo-shaped glass-walled hall of 1,000 square meters. Shinta is the name of Rama's wife in the Hindu Ramayana epic who is the symbol of a woman's loyalty to her husband. The four supporting pillars are named respectively, Kyai Pagota, Nyi Pagota, Nyai Tugur and Nyai Sabar. They are made of teakwood, each with a diameter of 70 cm and a 100 cm-diameter base. The 100-year-old teakwood used for the pillars was especially ordered from Cepu in the northern part of Central Java. Carvings were made by professional artisans. Black and white are the predominant colors in the Shinta Hall. In the center of the ceiling hangs a huge, old-fashioned lamp designed by Central Javanese artists as a permanent indication of the inaugural date of the building. It has 22 leaves, 12 stems and 83 bulb sockets. Bronze relief decorate the walls of the hall, depicting events in the women's struggle throughout Indonesia in the past and the present, the development period where women are given full opportunity to play a role.

The second hall is named Srikandi, taken from the Mahabharata epic. Srikandi is the wife of heroic Arjuna. The Srikandi Hall is where all administrative and managerial work for the Mandala Bhakti Wanitatama Building takes place. There is also exhibition space and shops for the sale of incoming handicrafted articles produced by women throughout Indonesia . Exhibited in this room is a collection of historic objects bearing witness to the achievement of unity among women. The room will also reflect the level of