Indonesia - First Stop, Dieng Plateau

When my friend and I came back from Semarang, Indonesia, back in 2012, we immediately planned for another exploration in the country. Coincidentally, AirAsia mega sale was on and we managed to grab two more of our coursemates to join us, this time to Yogyakarta. Flash forwards to April 2013 and the four of us were on the flight to Semarang.

Wait a minute. Didn't I say Yogyakarta? Then, why were we flying to Semarang then? As both cities are only about 3 hours apart, we decided to fly to Semarang and back from Yogyakarta. Alright, more like AirAsia decided for us as we can't find promotional prices to Yogyakarta for return flights. However, we didn't stop and explore the city (since the two of us already done that) and once we arrived, we rented a taxi in the airport to bring us to Dieng Plateau, our first stop.

We stopped by a tahu (tofu) factory for a quick snack

Fried tahu - quite delicious

It was a 4 hours journey from the Ahmad Yani Airport to Dieng Plateau and when we reached the highland, it was already 1 p.m. The ride along the way was really beautiful but since the road taken was almost the same from the one when we first when from Semarang to Magelang, I fell asleep halfway. 

When we were getting nearer to Dieng Plateau

Dieng Plateau, Wonosobo is not a major tourism destination in Indonesia and this is an advantage for us. There were barely any tourist around when we arrived Candi Arjuna Complex, the main attraction in Dieng. There are about eight Hindu temples scattered across the complex. While none of them are as grand as Prambanan, they are still quite a sight themselves.

Candi Arjuna

The entrance fee for the complex is IDR 25,000 (about RM 8) which I think is rather affordable. There are about eight small temples in Dieng Plateau and are said to be the oldest standing temples in Java. Out of these eight candis, the main one is Candi Arjuna. The names of these temples are said to be inspired after the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Taking photo with the candi

One of the eight temples

What I really enjoyed when in Dieng Plateau was the peacefulness of the place. There were little tourists in the complex, allowing us to explore the area in a relaxing pace. The weather was also enjoyable and cooling, considering it being an upland. We saw a lot of bell-shaped flowers here in Dieng Plateau and it was really pretty. Too bad we had no idea what their name is.

That bell-shaped flowers on the left

Hydrangea

After spending about an hour exploring the complex and taking photos, we decided to head to another landmark in Dieng Plateau, Telaga Warna.

Group shot

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Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

We decided to hire the taxi for the whole day, with him bringing us to Manohara Hotel in Magelang at the end of the day. The whole trip costed us IDR 900,000, which was about IDR 225,000 per person (about RM 72). While you surely can't find such a rate anywhere in Malaysia, I do believe you can find a cheaper one in Indonesia. When I told how much we paid to my friend, he told me to hire a minivan instead. The rate is about IDR 250,000 for half day and it comes with driver. We just have to pay for petrol, which costs about IDR 100,000. Hence, arrange your transport to pick you up from the airport with minivan.

Semarang - Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah

As I had mentioned in the previous post, I loved walking when exploring new places. I believe you get to experience more when exploring cities with your legs. Therefore, on the last day of my stay in Semarang, I decided to embark on a journey to Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah. It was something of a spontaneous action, a snap of my brain to do it. I read about the mosque being one of the biggest in Central Java and that it has an observatory deck that you can go up to and see the whole of Semarang. And since I still have some times to spare before going back to the hotel to meet up with my friend, why not?

I was already out at Kota Lama, nearby the post office, when such impulsive decision was made. I approached the nearest Indonesian and he pointed me to the right direction. When asked how much time needed to walk there, he said too far, cannot walk. I brushed off the last remark and began my journey. Boy, was the man right about it.

So close, yet so far

Sweat was pouring out of my head as I was walking under the bright sun, crossing heavy traffics, watching the scenery changed from rows of shops to plains of paddies. Occasionally, I stopped and asked the locals to make sure I was on the right track and also to find out how much further. It seemed like a never ending stretch of ‘terus’ (go straight). Finally, after crossing the bridge, I saw the imposing mosque and obviously, there was still quite some distance to cover.

Pristine countryside

Another side of Semarang

After about an hour, I had finally arrived. Immediately, I went to the observatory deck (after all, it was my main objective) and paid Rp 5,000 (RM 1.50, more or less) to ascend the lift up. When the door opened, breezy wind greeted me, welcoming me with their embraces. My eyes were blessed with scenery so beautiful that all the walking was worth it. 

The observatory deck

The city of Semarang

Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah

I spent a good 10 to 20 minutes up there, taking in the sights while enjoying the refreshing breath of fresh air. I also had a good chat with a man from another district in Central Java who came to visit his brother in the mosque. When the time was up, I went back down and headed back to the main road, trying to catch a ride back. I was not going to do another hour of walking as I was already behind schedule. 

I did not enter the compound of the mosque as I was wearing shorts and did not want to be rude. After all, I noticed that I was the only person wearing shorts. I guessed shorts for observatory deck is ok but mosque, better not. 

It was a befitting ending to a wonderful adventure in Semarang. More photos to end the entry.

The mighty sun

I like this photo...

...and this...very serene

Kids playing football along the parking lot in the mosque

Semarang - Lawang Sewu

“Lawang Sewu” is the perfect name for this historic landmark in Semarang, as far as name goes. There is nothing figurative about the meaning of the Javanese name which means thousand doors for there are indeed that many a door in this complex. However, if you find the name interesting, wait until you read about its colourful history.

Lawang Sewu

There are two main buildings in the complex, with the first one, building A, completed in 1907 and the remaining by 1919. Originally constructed for the purposes of the national railway of Dutch East Indies, it served as a prison during Japanese Occupation in 1942. During this dark period of time, many Indonesians were victims to the Japanese’s tortures and died in the basement of the building.

Isn't the name befitting with the many doors in the buildings?

When the war was over, the complex was took over by the government and remained in dilapidated condition until renovation took place a few years back to cash in the influx of tourists arrivals in Central Java. When we were in Semarang, only building B was opened for tour while building A was still under renovation. We were told that a few months later, building B will be closed for its turn in reconstruction while building A will take over the function as tour ground.

One of the many compartments/items on display

 The appeal of the structure lies on its unique Dutch colonial architecture, with its white façade as well as its numerous doors. But the main attraction, I believe, is the haunting the building often associated with.

There are tales of sightings of headless ghouls roaming the complex by visitors and also of the spirit of a Dutch woman, said to be committed suicide in the structure. It is nothing out of the unusual with these rumours for such a historic building, especially one of dark time and the connection to the Japanese during the occupation. Apparently, the basements of the buildings are the scariest for that was where the tortures and the imprisonment were done.

The basement where the torturous scenes happened (have to use flash 'cause too dark)

I was told that there was once a group of reality show in Indonesia came to do a shooting on the ground and one of the contestants was left in the basement on her own and apparently, she saw something. The whole fiasco in turn made Lawang Sewu an attraction not to be missed when in Semarang.

Be it for the haunting scene or the striking structure, Lawang Sewu deserved to be in the spotlight and preserved for future generations. Colonial structures don’t come by much often these days and tall, generic buildings will soon take over the skyline. Without these heritage landmarks, there will nothing left to distinguish one city from another.

A beauty, indeed

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Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Entrance ticket to Lawang Sewu is priced at Rp 10,000 (RM3.50, more or less) per person and you have to hire a tour guide at a price of Rp 30,000 (RM10.00, plus minus) as you cannot enter without one. Once you have enough of the building, you can walk to the roundabout located opposite the complex where the Tugu Muda monument stands. Erected to commemorate the deaths of the warriors fought in defending Semarang from Japanese, Tugu Muda is definitely worth a glimpse.

Tugu Muda

Semarang - Exploration of Kota Lama and Chinatown

This is one heck of a long post. Be warned!

Semarang, by itself, has nothing much to offer other than its rustic charms and untouched feelings for the presence of foreigners are barely felt in this quaint little city. Even if you saw one or two of them, chances are they are on their ways to Karimun Jawa, the scenic archipelago located north of the city. In short, all gave Semarang a pass and it is their loss. Read on to know why you should not do that.

The road heading to Kota Lama

Hotel Review - Quest Hotel, Semarang

This'll be just a short update while I recuperate my brain to be more high functioning for the remaining few entries on my Semarang trip which was like two months back. My procrastination skill is improving.

So, after the enriching experience in Borobudur, it's time to explore the city of Semarang. We booked our 2 nights stay at Quest Hotel at Jalan Plampitan and with the 3-star status, the money we paid for were simply outrageously cheap. There's no way to find such stature at such low rate back in Malaysia, even in a sleepy city like my hometown, Ipoh.

Quest Hotel at Jalan Plampitan

The room we were given was comfortable and cozy, with view of the miniscule swimming pool. The balcony was locked but can be opened upon request. It's spacious, with flat screen TV jam packed with 100+ channels. If you have nothing much to do at night, a restive outing in the room is highly recommended.

Two single beds...ignore the mess...

Spacious and cozy

Would I recommend this hotel for those who are planning to go to Semarang? Absolutely. About 15 minutes walk to Paragon (biggest shopping complex in the city which we frequented regularly during our stays) and another 15 minutes walk to Simpang Lima (the place to be for eating at night, apparently), you cannot ask for more. If historic buildings are more of your cup of tea, just about 10 minutes away in another direction and you will be at the heart of Kota Lama.

We chose Quest Hotel as our base for the remaining days and our choice seems like a valid one. Only RM 104.50 per night (I made my booking through Air Asia Go website), you can only find such a deal in Indonesia. For more information, just look up its official website here.

TO BE CONTINUED

Hotel Review - Manohara Hotel, Borobudur

After a day of heavy traveling, there is nothing much more enjoyable than having a good night rest in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere and when you are in the town of Magelang where the Buddhist complex, Borobudur, resides, you simply must choose Manohara Hotel as your home for the night. Here are some of the reasons why:

Welcome drink from Manohara Hotel to soothe your day

Semarang - Adventure from the Get Go

Originally, our Semarang flight was at early in the morning, around 6-ish or 7-ish, but Air Asia waved its magic wand and our flight was delayed to afternoon, which caused us to arrive Semarang at 4-ish. After all matters were settled (getting out of aeroplane, immigration, etc), it was around 5-ish already. We had made our reservation for the first night at Imam Bonjol Hostel but I forgot to inform the owner about our flight delay and when we reached the destination, to our horror, the main gate was locked as if there was no one in the building.

Speaking of the hostel, it was nothing like a hostel at all. In fact, from the outside, it looks like some old warehouse building with a lot of hidden agendas behind it. And the idea that the main gate being locked was very suspicious. I mean, who on earth locks the main entrance and exit way to the building? How are the occupants going to go out or go back in?

We were standing out as the sky was going dark (it was around 5 something to 6pm local time), deciding what to do. I mean, we had been ringing the doorbell for ages and still no reply. Hunger and clueless on where we were (not exactly, but still) were the main thing on our minds. In the end, we decided to go hunt for another hotel to stay for the short night.

Hotel Plampitan, our saviour

We took beca (tricycles) to try our luck for the hotel we booked for the last two nights, Quest Hotel in Jalan Plampitan. Surprisingly, or rather unsurprisingly, the hotel was fully booked as there were functions being held over there. But on our ways over to the hotel, I noticed a rather low profile hotel right along the street called Hotel Plampitan and luckily for us, we managed to secure a room. The room was quite decent and rather OK for the price at IDR 188.000 (about RM 65.00). Once the main crisis had been resolved, we can then proceed to fill our stomachs and have a good rest in anticipation of tomorrow's journey to Borobudur.

Paragon Mall which we frequented regularly

Nasi Padang

Honey Lemon Chicken

Es Cleopatra

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Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

When your flights happened to be delayed or postponed, remember to inform your hotels about it so that they can keep your reservations, or in our case, have the main gate remains open. You do not want to be kept outside of your hostel, unable to enter.

Semarang - Overview

The launching of this new route to the Indonesian city by Air Asia back in late 2011 piqued my interest and I managed to secure return tickets to Semarang for my May trip. This is how I first came to know Semarang, a quaint city up north of Central Java. Before that, I’m oblivious to the existence of this port city as I am to many places around the world.

Lawang Sewu, a beautiful and historic building in Semarang

I’m not the only one unaware of the city as there were close to zero foreigners in Semarang. We (I went with my roommate/coursemate of mine) barely came across Westerners throughout our stays, bumping only into one Frenchman, I presumed, at the airport, heading to Kuala Lumpur. The lack of foreign tourists makes this city much more unique and unspoiled. However, such anonymity undoubtedly would not last long as the city is prepping up for the upcoming Visit Central Java 2013.

Gereja Blenduk, another local landmark

Is 5 days 4 nights trip to Semarang enough? It depends, but personally, I’m had just the right amount of fun and sun exploring the city (not to mention that my thinning wallet cannot last any longer than planned). In fact, if you just solely go for the charm of the city, 48 hours to 72 hours would be perfect. You will come out all soaked up with the charms of the city as well as have your belly gained an inch or two what with the ridiculously good and cheap foods over there.

Bakso and mie ayam are some Indonesian delights at low prices

That is not to say that my trip was a drag. We went to explore the Buddhist complex, Borobudur, located in Mangelang, a small town about 2 hours bus ride from Semarang. The history of the monument is rich, dating back centuries ago. It takes hours to truly absorb the legacy of this UNESCO site.

At the top of Borobudur for sunrise

Many picturesque shots can be taken there

As usual, I refused to believe that I had to bide farewell to Indonesia. However, it will not be a long adieu for I’m all set to make a comeback next year.

At the top of observatory deck at Masjid Agung overlooking Semarang

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Air Asia has daily flight to Semarang, Indonesia from Kuala Lumpur since its first flight in early February 2012. It takes about two and a half hour to reach Semarang. For more information about the fare of the flight as well as the schedule, go to Air Asia's website here.