“So, I’ll set 500k as our maximum budget for the trip ya! Can’t you?” She reassured me. Feb was well-known as my super-cheapo office mate. But that time, she took her frugal lifestyle to the next level. How could I survive in Semarang, the capital of Central Java with tons of mouth-watering dishes, by only having 500k IDR?? I suddenly remembered that the payday was still far away. So, I told her I accepted her challenge. There she was, she nodded and gave me a very big smile.

On Friday afternoon, we went directly from Jakarta’s Central Business District (my office) to Pasar Senen Station. We took Tawang Jaya Train Line, departed at 11 PM from Jakarta and arrived on 6 AM on Semarang Poncol Station. If you prefer a more comfortable option with business class, you would like to take train from Gambir to Semarang Tawang Station. Be mindful to buy ticket in advance through official website and not buying in station from middlemen.

Brown Canyon for the Adventurous One

Our first stop was Brown Canyon. It looked like Grand Canyon in USA (okay, I was being hyperbolic). Brown Canyon was a huge mining area for camphor. The mining activity has formed the rock and soil in unique shapes. It also has created a camphor secretion lake. 

The temperature was so hot like hell, thus I suggest you to come on early morning or late afternoon. To go to Brown Canyon, you need to hire whether a car or an angkot (public transportation looks like an elf) because there was no bus or train went there. It was wonderful, if we think about how human activity was able to disrupt the natural shape of the earth.

Susan Spa & Resort for Your Perfect Instaholiday Snap

After getting burnt under the sun in Brown Canyon, we decided to go chilling at Susan Spa & Resort. FYI, Semarang was surrounded by beautiful sea and mountain, so you can always go to chill weather after a one hot & sunny day. 

Susan Spa & Resort was not an ordinary resort. It has a very beautiful chapel, named La Kana, and shaped in triangle with great views of Semarang city! You could see a massive Mountain stand tall as well as Semarang’s seaview. The cozy place would certainly make you feel homey and did not want to leave. The good news was you don’t even need to buy entrance ticket! You could buy any food or drink for 25k IDR and you can get in easily! I ordered delicious warm tea with some snacks, which was obvious - a bamboo shot spring roll!

Pagoda Avalokitesvara Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong

Mind has been indulged by seeing greeny lush on Susan Spa while my body has been moved by the early adventure on Brown Canyon. It’s time to feed my soul! So, we went to Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong, the tallest pagoda in Indonesia, around 45m heights! Eventhough I was not a Buddhist, I believed going to a prayer house would give a serene peace. 

Inside the pagoda, a statue of Buddha Rupang (I guess it was happy Buddha) and Kwan Im Goddess (the symbol of compassion) stood still. Meanwhile, outside the pagoda, you could put your prayer and wishes on the tree. You can wrapped it in orange paper and gave some coin as your offering in the box. The atmosphere of the pagoda was so quiet and peaceful; I almost fell asleep. If you don’t hire a car, then you could ride Bus Rapid Transportation (BRT) and drop of at Sisemut Ungaran Station. Psst, this pagoda was totally free to get in!

Alun-alun Semarang (Semarang Plaza) to end a Perfect Night

Sightseeing in Simpang Lima Plaza was something that cannot be missed! This was the icon of Semarang where I could stroll around the night market and laughed at the cosplayers (they were dressed up like SpongeBob or Dora the Explorer with fail plastic surgery *lol*). The greatest thing was I could ride a cool laserlight odong-odong (small mini cooper modified to have fun)! This uber cool odong-odong would accompany your trip with loud music; not only dangdut (Indonesian traditional genre), but also EDM song if you want. 

I happily ate cheap dinner at street stalls (Tahu Gimbal Pak Edi - Mixed Tofu with Veggies) for as much as 12k! Chicken Rice next to it was so yummy too! You must be kidding me if you don’t like it! Again, I bought another spring roll. For those of you who were curious (do not, it could kill a cat!), bamboo shot spring roll or lumpia was the main cuisine of Semarang. It was a tiny crisp flour with bamboo shot and chicken or prawn, deep fried with sticky sweet sauce. Lumpia was a mixture of Javanese and Chinese culture, where an immigrant from China named Tjoa Thay Joe married Javanese ladies, Wasih; and they invented it! Thanks to them!

The night was still long. We went to grab a drink at a high-ceiling bar located in the top of the valley called Nest.Co.Logy – The Land of Gastronomy (another review though). It’s magnificent décor, unique fusion food, amazing views of Semarang’s nightlights, especially it’s affordable price -  has enlightened our hearts. I went to Mister Stay feeling content and relaxed, to put it simply, ‘happy tummy happy me’. LOL.

Lawang Sewu

The final day has arrived. We visited the most beautiful but most terrifying site in Semarang, Lawang Sewu! Lawang means door and Sewu means thousands. This colonialized building which used to be a main station during Dutch era has thousands of endless doors.

I saw the old pictures from Dutch era along with its historical explanation. I was mesmerized when looking at its beautiful artistic stained glass with gothic touch in the second floor. I wondered how could artists from the past were able to create such an amazing masterpiece. I shivered when I visited the underground jail (It even has a skull and I did not know was it real or not *cry*).  Rumour said never come to Lawang Sewu at night, because the place was haunted *CRY louder*. Some people have reported they saw a headless priest walked around, holding his head at night. But overall, it was a beautiful place to take a picture and relaxed with your family and friends.

Sam Po Kong Temple

Ten minutes away from Lawang Sewu, there was a huge red temple named Sam Poo Kong Temple. This temple marked the journey of the brave General Cheng Ho who came from China to Semarang. History said he had traveled the world, including United States even before Colombus found it! Massive statues welcomed you to enter the temple. Red colour was simply everywhere, reminded me about Shaolin temple on the movie.  Some employers offered a photo session using Chinese traditional clothes. Obviously I refused it, I did not even need to use that clothes to look more Chinese than this *lol*.

I was mesmerized with all the wonderful places I have visited in Semarang. The richness of history and the excellent mixture of its culture has blended perfectly; gave a perfect combination for holiday and knowledge enrichment. Its awesomeness (which we call 'Pesona' in Indonesian language) has hooked us up. We did not feel like going home. I wish I had more time so I could travel more around Central Java, especially in Semarang, for both its mountains and its beaches. Traveled to this city was a live proof of 'Wonderful Indonesia' slogan. The beauty, the art, and the food has spoiled me. 

The clock has shown 1.30 PM. We need to catch our return train journey. Wow, when I calculate my money, I still have few to spend, my spending was not even close to 500k! With using above plan, I could travel and visit wonderful hidden spots in City of Spring Roll – Semarang. Last but not the least, before my train departed, I bought some gift for my parents, which again: spring rolls!

Budget

Unfortunately, the train ticket price suddenly peaked up and changed by September, it has become 240k for return trip instead of 120k. But that's just an addition of 10 bucks! Happy travelling!

P.S.

Tulisan ini diikutsertakan dalam lomba Blog Visit Jawa Tengah 2016 yang diselenggarakan oleh Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Provinsi Jawa Tengah @VisitJawaTengah (www.twitter.com/visitjawatengah) #BlogJateng2016 #JatengGayeng #PesonaJawaTengah

This writing is submitted on Blog Visit Jawa Tengah 2016 Competition by Cultural & Tourism Department of Central Java @VisitJawaTengah (www.twitter.com/visitjawatengah)