Semarang Indonesia

Semarang Indonesia, population 6 million in its metropolitan area, is the capital of Java. I thought traffic was bad in Bali but Semarang is even worse. Viking had to hire a police escort to make sure its coach would reach its destination on time.

The Dutch West India company was here--this time to develop tobacco plantations. The city retains evidence of its Dutch history.

We visited the Blenduc Dutch Reformed Church the oldest church in Central Java built in the Dutch Colonial Style in 1753. It is in a section of Semarang featuring other buildings with Dutch Colonial architecture.

Another interesting area is Kampung Pelangi (Rainbow Village) inspired by a local high school principal. Originally a swampy slum it has been upgraded to a colorful market and improved living area. Doubtless it is light years better than the slum but it is still a work in progress.

Then a trip to Sam Poo Kong, a Chinese Hindu temple, a larger Chinese version of what we saw in Bali. Its history dates back to the 1400s when the Chinese Muslim explorer Admiral Zheng arrived in Semarang and established a small temple in a rocky hillside cave. The temple remained until 1704 when it collapsed under the hillside. It was rebuilt in 1724 and renovated in 1937, 1950, 2005 and 2020.

Then back to the ship to recover from the heat.Read more