Semarang, Java, Indonesia

Java is home to about 100M (85% Muslim) people; Semarang about 2M.

Excursion: Semarang and Hillside Temples - We drove out of town through villages where we saw local people living their lives, farmers growing their vegetables and flowers and lots of small local shops. Our coach was escorted by columns of scooters, buses, and various trucks. In one of the villages, there was a big 'parade' celebrating the beginning of crop season.

As with Bali before, the little towns consist of narrow streets featuring tiny shacks, metal and red tile roofs, one piled upon another, ill lit, and debris heaps littering the way. Noticeable in Bali and Semarang are the obsequious helter-skelter electrical poles and chaotic lines strung throughout the communities. Frequent colorful mosques carve out clean, colorful, symmetrical contrasts to the surrounding bedlam. The 5x per day call to prayer adds to the panoply of scooter, music, bird, and auto noises in the background.

We arrived at Mt. Ungaran after about a 2-hour drive. Mount Ungaran is a deeply eroded stratovolcano, located in the south of Semarang. Our destination here was the Gedong Songo Temple consisting of 9 small ancient temple buildings ensconced within lush green foothills, amidst low clouds, and sulfur mists within a geography of active volcanos, about 4000 feet above sea level.

Up, (and later, down) through the sacred thick green hills, we rode small horses, clomping our way up sometimes 25-30% inclines and declines toward temples distributed in brief clearings where we dismounted and walked the remaining steps to see the temples up close. We will never forget this incredible journey up and down the hillside.

Following our return to the stables, we convened to our shuttle to be whisked away to an Indonesian lunch prepared by the Susan Spa, a magnificent facility perched atop a hill with a splendid view of the countryside.

We headed back to the ship for a haircut, rest, and dinner.Read more