Sendang Banyu Biru, the Blue Lake in Gresik

SURYA.co.id | GRESIK - Known as an industry town because there are so many factories and industries here, it makes not surprising to see that there are only a few destinations in Kabupaten Gresik, East Java.

But in near future, there is a new travel destination in Gresik. It is Sendang Banyu Biru. It is located in Desa Lowayu, Kecamatan Dukun, Gresik.

Actually, this attraction has already existed for a long time, even before the Holland imperialism era in Indonesia, with a form of a lake. The visitors could see the water is so blue.

“This place has already existed since I was a child, even before me, old people told me. The water looks so blue from far, and even more blue from a farther place.” Lowayu Achmad Misbahul Abidin, a local resident, said.

This lake with 25 meters diameter still in its quite natural shape with its right and left full of stones.

In 2013, this lake got an improvement, with a better stone arrangement with the cast. This improvement is in order to make the visitors easier to swim and sit.

He added: “Now, it is slightly better than before, but still it needs more to increase the amount of the visitors because until now the visitors only come during the weekend, while in the weekdays only some people are here. Most of them are local residents,”

Meanwhile, according to Misbah, the blue color is existed because of its sulfur content inside the water of Sendang Banyu Biru. It is believed that it could cure itches.

“Most of the visitors that come from outside this town said that know this place because this place could cure itches. But I guess it is only a myth from each people because this place is perfect to relax in leisure time, ” he said.

Constructed to be more beautiful
The view in Sendang Banyu Biru will be more beautiful after the village gets help from Kabupaten Gresik Government. This help will be more intensive to increase the number of visitors.

In this year, Desa Lowayu gets Rp 1 billion funds to arrange and construct Sendang Banyu Biru to become more attractive and beautiful travel destination.

“The construction has started. With the help of the fund, we could substitute some residents field in the right and left of this place to be included in this area,”  said Muhammad Yato, Head of Desa Lowayu, said.

Other than to substitute some resident’s field, the fund is also used to construct some supporting facilities, such as playground, pools, gazebos, and cafeteria.

“The concept is different. Now, there is no admission to enter this place, it is just the only contribution. But later, we will charge the admission to enter this place just like other travel destinations,” he said.

Not only that, Yato also promised to employ the local residents when this place opens officially. He hopes this will make better economic state for Desa Lowayu’s residents.