Tour de Jogja-Semarang part 2

The sun shines bright today. A sign for us to continue our trip. And the destination for today is Semarang, the capital city of Central Java, also known as the city of Lumpia as well.
Lumpia is kind of Chinese origin pastry similar to spring roll. It is a thin crepe which is rolled to wrap the filling. The filling could be chicken, meat or veggies.


Lumpia Semarang itself is filled with bamboo shoots,some veggies and meat/chicken. It is served with chili pepper and baby shallot. OK, enough talking about food, i get my mouth-watering already,lol.

We went to Semarang from Jogja around 07.30. First we went to Terminal Jombor to find a bus to Semarang. There are two bus actually, economy and exclusive one. This bus takes 3 hours approximately to arrive at Terminal Terboyo, Semarang. I was sleeping along the way, left Elly being flirted by an old man, lol, tut mir leid meine Kamerad :D

And we finally arrived at Terminal Terboyo, Semarang. First impression thing about this city is the weather. It is HOT AS HELL... The sun really really burnt out our skin.
But the show must go on. Then we went to our first spot in Semarang by DAMRI bus.

First Spot : Kota Lama (Old Town,or Outstadt in Dutch)

The Old Town is....old,lol. It is a complex of Dutch colonial heritage buildings in Semarang. Generally, the buildings follow 18th century European architecture. And the roads here are paved. Unlike Kota Tua in Jakarta, Kota Lama is more desolate and abandoned. Seems like the government doesnt do much to keep this heritage.

And another part of this complex is used as market and a place for public transportation to wait the passengers. Despite of it, we still kept continuing explore this area. Walked along the street to explore every side in the Old Town.


We saw the Gereja Blenduk or Blenduk Church. Blenduk means "dome" in Javanese language. As easily guess, it must be named due to it's red dome. The Curch is still used for religious activities, and there was a sunday Mass held at the moment. Then we walked again around the Old Town under the sun beam shower and saw more dilapidated buildings.


Kinda hot and tired frankly, but didnt stop our narcissism bones. Yeah, we still took photographs all the way, while people around were watching us. Risked our life as well, cos we also took photographs in the middle of the street, outran from passing vehicles :D


Watching the Old Town made my mind wanders. There must be alot of story behind every corner. Each windows, each doors, each walls and each ruins has its own story. This old buildings have something.
It's like a mature fair lady, wrinkly yet its beauty at past still exist. She doesn't need thick make up all over her, just a clean up. Then her grace will reveal naturally.

And uh, close from the Blenduk Curch i saw couple wearing wedding suits. They have had a prewedding photographic session. Seems like they chose the Old Town for it's colonial romanticism
(Talking about colonial romanticism reminds me of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar,dunno why,lol).
After chilled out our dry throat with ice tea, we went to the next destination, Lawang Sewu.

Second Spot : Lawang Sewu (The Thousand Doors)


Lawang Sewu is located at Tugu Muda round. Earned its name from the numerous doors and windows (doesn't reach a thousand though), this building gets the fame because of its spookiness.
First glance from outside, Lawang Sewu doesn't look like a haunted building, moreover we came there at midday. Later when we entered it, the eerie atmosphere slightly felt.
I even could imagine, the Dutchmen walked in the hall and passed along corridors and the stairs that beautified with stained glass art on the wall behind.


They used the building as the NIS (Nederlands-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij) office. Well, i know then that Javanese term for Sepur or train comes from Spoor ^_^.
They also used this building as a function hall, proven from its ballroom on 2nd floor.

Then Lawang Sewu changed into tortured camp during Japan invasion. The guide even showed us the torturing room and the cell. He told us too that the corpses were thrown into a river behind the Lawang Sewu.


And sometimes, they were headless...uugghhh. There is a chamber under the building, but now it is closed. Someone has died in the underground chamber because of been possesed by spirit. That's why it is closed.

Contented with spooky tour in Lawang Sewu, we continued to the last destination in Semarang, Sam Poo Kong temple.

Third Spot : Kelenteng Sam Poo Kong ( Sam Poo Kong Temple)


Still under the hot sun beam at Semarang, we arrived at Sam Poo Kong temple. Red is everywhere, this temple is so Chinese indeed. Two dragons coil on top of main gateway.
Inside, they sell burn incenses and rent royal Chinese costumes out (in case the visitors want to take photographs in costume).


We took some photographs inside the temple, but pity us, we could not enter praying building.
Based on the story i've ever read, this temple was built as a memorial building for Ceng Ho, a Chinese admiral who voyaged to Asia and Africa.


This day i travel in hunger. Only ate a portion of siomay bandung at noon in front of Lawang Sewu. Yeah rite, instead of trying local cuisine, i ate Bandung-origin cuisine in Semarang :P.
Whereas Semarang known for Lumpia and Bandeng Presto (smoked milkfish which is cooked in high pressure cooker), we didn't try any of it at all T_T
We went back to Jogja in the afternoon by executive bus. A little cool treat after a hot journey in Semarang.

Today expenses:
Pedicab + bus to Jombor = IDR 7,5K
Jogja-Semarang(Terboyo) = IDR 18K (economy bus)
Bus in Semarang = IDR 2K
Lawang Sewu = IDR 5K + 20K for tour guide
Kota Lama and Sam Poo Kong = no charge
Semarang-Jogja = IDR 35K (executive bus)


*by the way, i ever heard a funny jokes about Lumpia, here is the story:

There is a foreigner who ate his first lumpia in Indonesian restaurant. He likes the taste so much, then he asked to the waiter who can't speak English well. This is their dialogue.
Foreigner : This is so delicious, what is this?
Waiter : That is Lumpia,mister.
Foreigner : What are the fillings?
Waiter : Chicken,mister. And ummm..... (thinking hard)
Young bamboo stick mister
Foreigner : Young bamboo stick? You mean that the bamboo is not ripe yet?
Waiter : Yes mister,not ripe, not old
Foreigner : Well, if young bamboo stick tastes this delicious, the old one must be more delicious, rite?
Waiter : .......