Mount Sepikul is one of the places that has recently been visited by tourists, from outside Solo and locals. This tourist destination went viral in 2017 and has been popular again since the end of last year until now. The phenomenon of popular tourist attraction is often associated with FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), where many people visit a place just because it is trending.
However, for me personally, this actually has a positive side. If a tourist spot is crowded again, the small traders and the surrounding community can get more income due to the increasing number of visitors. As long as tourists maintain order and cleanliness, crowds in a tourist destination are not a problem. On the contrary, this can have a positive impact on the local economy, especially in the Wonogiri area.
Mount Sepikul is located in Wonogiri, precisely in Bulus Village, Sukoharjo. If departing from Solo and its surroundings, the trip will not take long, only about 30-45 minutes. To enter the area, visitors only need to pay a parking fee of IDR 2,000 and give charity. This mountain is not too difficult to climb to the top because it only has an altitude of 360 meters above sea level
On Thursday at 8pm, I planned a trip to Mount Sepikul with a friend. I was curious because it went popular in all of social media. I also had rarely explored tourism around the city and travel more often outside the city. Then, we made an appointment to leave after dawn, around 5am, because according to my friend, the road was less congested and the location was still quite, so the scenery would look more beautiful without the distraction of crowds.
The next day, we set off according to the agreed time. Although I was still sleepy, I filled my stomach with bread during the trip. The journey from home to the location took less than an hour. Upon arrival, we only had to pay a parking fee. Before climbing, we also bought some snacks to bring it up.
The way to the summit is not too difficult as there are stairs and path that are quite accessible. Arriving at the summit, we met two people who seemed to be the same age as us. They had been there since 5am to enjoy the sunrise. My friend and I spent a long time until around 9am, when visitors started to arrive and the atmosphere became increasingly crowded. Therefore, we decided to go down so that others could also enjoy the beauty of Mount Sepikul in turn.
The difference between the quiet and crowded atmosphere of a tourist spot is pretty significant. When places are still quiet, the experience of enjoying nature’s beauty becomes more intimate and personal. On the other hand, when it gets crowded, the atmosphere is more lively but can feel uncomfortable for those who seek tranquility.
Regarding the phenomenon of viral tourism, I see that not everyone comes just for the sake of it. There are also many who really want to enjoy the beauty of nature and experience it first-hand. However, the most important thing is the awareness to maintain cleanliness and order, so that tourist attractions remain comfortable for everyone.
My experience at Mount Sepikul proves that the best time to visit is in the morning before the place gets crowded. Besides getting a quieter atmosphere, we can also enjoy the beauty more optimally. If tourist maintain cleanliness and order, then popular tourism is not a problem, but can be an opportunity to introduce Indonesia’s natural beauty to more people.
By: Finny Fadhilah Carolyna Aabdul
Write and Win: Participate in Creative writing Contest & International Essay Contest and win fabulous prizes.
