A Memory of an old time in Semarang

Semarang is situated on Java's northern coast and is called the capital of Centarl Java, as it lies just about halfway between the extreme east and west coasts of the island. The environs around Semarang are perfect for day trips and side and side excursions.

The old records of this city date back to the 15th to the 18th century AD in where captivating ancient and colonial monuments still standing to present date. In the older part of the city, near the harbour, you can still find an interesting collection of buildings dating back to the Dutch Colonial era and the Dutch East Indies Company, such as GEREJA BLENDUK, is the eldest Christian Church in Central Java built by the Dutch community in 1753. It shows the Church architecture of the 18th century with its huge dome and a baroque organ inside the building. Nearby the Church, there are some buildings from the Dutch colonial time. STASIUN TAWANG, the main railways station with its "Old Time" architecture located also in this area. While LAWANG SEWU or usually called as Thousand Doors, situated in the downtown of Semarang is also a remarkable building from the "Old Dutch Time".

Beside an interesting collection of Dutch Colonial buildings, there's an also Chinese buildings remain in Semarang. In the west part of Semarang, a temple SAMPOKONG or locally known as Gedong Batu (Stone Building) was dedicated to Chinese Moslem Admiral Cheng Ho, his fleet arrived in the first time at 1406 AD. The other Chinese Buddhist temple is Tay Kak Sie at Lombok Street built in the year 1772.

Getting There

• By Plane
  To and from Semarang is easily accessible by Air, the airport name is Ahmad Yani located in West Semarang around five km from the downtown.
  There are several airlines, such as Garuda and Merpati, connect with other cities of Indonesia such as Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Banjarmasin, etc.
• By Train
  The main railway station is Tawang, in the old part of the town.
  The main train connection is between Semarang, Cirebon and Surabaya. There is also service to Solo.
• By Bus
  The main Bus Terminal is in Terboyo, in the eastern part of the city. Several Bus companies serve the inter-city connections with many cities in Java, Bali and Sumatra. Direct information can be collected directly in the terminal.
• By Boat
  The Semarang harbor is in Tanjung Mas. There are regular shipping lines for passengers sail to and from Semarang to other island, as Kalimantan. The main line is Pelni. Inquire also for occasional cargo boats, taking passengers in the harbor.

Where to Stay

This city has enough accommodation for its visitors, from budget hotels to the star-rated hotels. Some top hotels located in downtown and in any luxurious area. The facilities meet international demands with combination of traditional specialties.

Moving Around

You can move around the city by becak (a three wheels vehicle) only in the north part of the city, mini-buses, buses and taxi.

Other Things to See or Do

While in Semarang, you can visit other interesting places, such as:

• Simpang Lima, it is a square with many shops and cinemas around. In the evening a lot of people are here taking a walk or window-shopping. Early in the morning, people are jogging along the street.
• Gombel, its a favorite place on the hill with its fresh air and picturesque landscape. In the evening, people like to be here to relax while enjoying the panoramic vista to the city and the harbor.
• Puri Maerakaca, it is a well arranged park on the beach exhibiting traditional houses of every Central Java regencies. In these houses, specific crafts of each regency are displayed.

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Dining Guide

There are a lot of restaurants in Semarang offering delicious food of Indonesian, Chinese, and European cuisine. One should find easily in Jl. Pemuda around Pasar Johar the best speciality market in Simpang Lima mall.

The area of Gang Lombok and Jl. Gadjah Mada are famous with its Chinese restaurants, in Jl. A. Yani there are tasteful Javanese restaurants.

Semarang is famous for its Lumpia (Chinese Spring Rolls ), Pia, Wingko Babat and Bandeng Presto (Tendered Fish).

Souvenir Tips

Souvenir and art objects are available in Semarang, mostly in the downtown areas and popular market places or shopping centres. Batik cloths and garments, handwoven fabrics, traditional and local jewellery, leather puppets, basketry and many.

Travel Tips

• The weather is most pleasant between May to September and it is recommended that travelers choose this time of year to visit
• Dress light and comfortable to wear
• Don't forget to bring an umbrella or raincoat, in case of rain

Borobudur, A Wonder of Indonesian History

Have you visited Borobudur temple? It is an ancient site once considered one of the world’s seven wonders. No doubt, this great temple will always be in the mind of those who visit it. If you visit, you will enjoy the fresh cool air of Magelang city with its roads lined with big and shady trees.

These tree lined streets are well managed and look greener than the parks surrounding it. Borobudur is well-maintained and stands tall against the Menoreh mountain range that surrounds it.
It is now easy to enter the temple compound. The compound also has “rabbit carts” available to visitors at a reasonable price.

For visitors with children, you will not want to miss the massive green grass around Borobudur site. You will certainly miss something if you visit the great temple without knowing its history and importance which are captured on its many reliefs.

There are also guides to walk you around as they explain the history of this site, built during the Syailendra dynasty, for only Rp 50 thousand (about US $5.00). Many philosophies can be studied about the meaning of life from the reliefs of this temple.

To save money, you may choose to walk through Green Park from the entrance. Although there may be many vendors who would chase and offer you souvenirs, they would do so in an orderly manner. Regulation says that they are not allowed to disturb visitors. During the hot season, you should also bring an umbrella for shade or the occasional shower, or rent one for Rp 2.000 (about US $0.18).
Many people visit Borobudur during the Waisak festival. This is a Buddhist holiday for holding prayers.  Borobudur looks elegant during a full moon. This terraced ceremonial structure consists of six levels below a square-shaped level, and three levels above a circular level, with a Buddhist stupa on the top. Stupas are also found on every level.

Another interesting feature of Borobudur is that it does not have a worship room like other temples; there are long and narrow alleys with walls surrounding the temple on every level. In these alleys, it is believed that Buddhists perform a walking ceremony around the temple by circling it to the right. This type of roomless building and multiple levels is believed to be an evolution in terraced structures, and symbolizes the original architecture of the Indonesian pre-history era.

Another amazing thing about Borobudur is that was built using no cement at all! Visitors are amazed by its interlocking structure that is like a building of Lego blocks without any glue.

Another interesting thing about Borobudur is Menorah hill on its north. If you look at it carefully, the hills contour is in the shape of a sleeping person. Wow! Borobudur appears to stand tall beside a “sleeping person”. It is believed that makers of this great temple wanted to keep Borobudur strong. With its green areas and gently blowing winds, it will be hard to leave.

Please see the elegance of Borobudur under the Waisak full moon and the strength of Borobudur temple beside the “sleeping person” of Menoreh hill for yourself. You will surely be tempted to visit again.

The Borobudur site is now owned by the world heritage site by UNESCO and the government of the Indonesia. Proof suggests that this place was dumped from the 14th century. A lot of conversion took place during that time, from Buddhism to Hindu, from Hindu to java and Java to Islam. This is one of the most visited sites in the Indonesia. The main reason why a lot of visitors rushed to this place is to see the giant and the symmetric sculpture of the Buddha that is sitting on the small hill.

  

AMANJIWO RESORTS, A Peaceful Resort in Central Java

Amanjiwo (peaceful soul) opened in Central Java in 1997. With clear views to 8th century Borobudur, and drawing its design inspiration from this the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world, Amanjiwo specializes in cultural excursions and experience, highlighting the influential and long-standing artistic traditions of Central Java.

Amanjiwo (which means peaceful soul and opened in 1997) is fashioned out of limestone and takes its inspiration from the surrounding culture of Central Java. The resort is located within a natural amphitheatre with the limestone Menoreh Hills rising directly behind, the Kedu Plain in front and four volcanoes "Sumbing, Sundoro, Merbabu and Merapi" gracing the horizon. Amanjiwo looks out onto Borobudur, the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world. Indeed, Borobudur is carefully mirrored in the resorts design and central dome. The view runs arrow-straight through Amanjiwos entrance and the stone corridor that neatly cleaves the resort, up the steps to the soaring, bell-shaped rotunda, down to the Dining Room, on to the Terrace, past rice fields in an unwavering line to Borobudur itself. Several kampungs (small villages) are within walking distance.

Amanjiwo is constructed from paras yogya " the local limestone. Thirty-six suites radiate outward from the main building in two deep crescents. These are rimmed by high, limestone walls set off by spider lilies and morning glory. The walls blend into the stone walkways that link the suites to the main building and the Pool Club. At the far end of the resort, in a lush tranquil setting, is the Dalem Jiwo, a large private suite with two separate bedrooms.

• Amanjiwo can be reached by daily domestic flights to Yogyakarta and Solo either from Indonesias capital, Jakarta, or from Bali. Flights take less than an hour from either place and Amanjiwo is a one-hour complimentary transfer from Yogyakarta or two hours on the more scenic route from Solo, which passes some of the biggest volcanoes in Java. There are also several direct flights to Solo from Singapore and a thrice-weekly service to Yogyakarta from Kuala Lumpur.
• Private air charter on a six-seater Piper Chieftain is available between Bali and Yogyakarta at a cost of US$2,590 nett. The flight takes two hours and maximum load is 500kg which allows for approximately four passengers with luggage or six with only hand luggage.

Amanjiwos main building is framed by 36 suites arrayed in two deep crescents. The walled suites feature terrazzo flooring, high ceilings, domed roofs and sliding glass doors opening onto a garden terrace with a view towards Borobudur. 15 suites come with private swimming pools.

From Amanjiwos entrance, five steps climb to the rotunda bar, a circular salon of columns, ceiling fans and a coconut-wood bar. The Bar gives way to the arcing Dining Room, with its amber washed, silver-leaf ceiling. Indonesian and Western cuisine are both available in an open air setting. The speciality of the house is makan malam, classic Javanese offerings served in brass dishes. A Javanese gamelan orchestra performs at lunch and dinner.

You can move around Amanjiwo site on foot or bicycle.

Theres a lot of thing that you can see and do here in Amanjiwo, including:

• Visiting the city of Yogyakarta and Solo
• Trekking: Hike up the Menoreh Hills to a vantage point over the Kedu plain or the leisurely 40 minute walk through the village of Selogriyo and its surrounding verdant jungle and steep rice terraces.
• See the crowded of Market mornings in Central Java
• Watch the village dances
• Golf
• Watching the mist rise off the rice fields and densely packed coconut plantations
• Revealing the silhouettes of distant volcanoes in the distance.

Souvenir Tips

You can buy some souvenir at the resorts, or for more option, you can browse at the near city like Yogyakarta and Solo. There you can buy many local souvenirs like handicraft, textile woven, batik, sculpture and many else.

Travel Tips

• Loose and casual clothing is advisable.
• In the dry season, April to November, a light sweater may be useful in the evenings, especially in the hill country.
• Airport customs procedures are generally handled in a fast and efficient manner.
• In certain areas of Southeast Asia there is a chance of contracting mosquito borne diseases. Reasonable precautions, including the use of mosquito repellent will minimize the risk.
  

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