Snapshots around Central Java

A quick glance to some moments during the trip around Central Java ( Semarang, Jogjakarta, and Karimun Jawa ) . Enjoy it !

Happy "Becak" Riding ! 

The Silence inside Underground Mosque of Taman Sari, Jogjakarta

Feeling Blue

A Gloomy Afternoon in the Beach  

The Beginning of The Day in Karimun Jawa 

See You Tomorrow, Sunshine! 

Old and Beautiful

Backside of Underground Mosque of Taman Sari

Can't resist to take a picture of myself too with the building, lol

The Graceful Steps in Prambanan

Coming to Central Java is not complete without visiting Prambanan Temple. Located in Jogjakarta, the center of Javanese culture and its exotic art, Prambanan Temple is the biggest Hindu Temple site in Indonesia.

My friends and I arrived in the afternoon. Prambanan Temple was full of visitors, just like always. I started walking around and looking for a nice spot to wait for the sunset. Beautiful pictures of Prambanan Temple are everywhere to be found, but I couldn't keep my urge to portray its glory in the midst of golden light.

After posing together with the temple, we left for having dinner, preparing an extra energy for the night show. Yup, we were back to the temple to watch the Ramayana Ballet. It was adapted from a Hindu epic poem and mixed with Javanese music and cultural style. We were on the right side of the stage. There was just some viewers below my seat, so I sneaked until close enough to the stage ( all I've got back then and until now are a lens kit 18-55 mm and a tripod. And that was a large stage, hiks ).  

It began with Sinta, the wife of Prince Rama, was abducted by giant Rahwana because of her beauty and she was believed as the reincarnation of Rahwana's former lover. Rama saved her wife with the help from Hanoman, the white monkey. The dance was slowly getting intense till the climax of story, showing Hanoman succeeded burning Rahwana's kingdom and Rama won the fight against Rahwana.

Silhouette of A Temple

The Beautiful Sinta 

Prince Rama received the help from Hanoman, White Monkey 

Sugriwa, The Monkey King, joined Hanoman for the rescue
  

The Action of Hanoman

Hanoman burnt down Rahwana's Kingdom 

Rama sent his brother Laksmana for the fight against Rahwana

Rahwana beat the monkey troops with his mighty power
( this is my favourite scene )

Rama's beating down on of Rahwana's alliance.

It was a massive performance on an open air theatre with more than 200 crews total and Prambanan Temple as the background. It was quite windy that night but the heat on the stage made me didn't feel cold at all ! And I still can rewind the graceful steps of the dancers in my mind.

*taken on August 2012, copyright: Dian Permatasari

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Between Worship and Tourism

Worship places nowadays are known not only for praying activities but also for the tourism destinations. Supported by gorgeous buildings, they are surely interesting to be visited, especially for the architecture lovers ( like me, btw ) . I got a chance to visit two famous worship places during the trip around Semarang city ( Central Java ) , The Great Mosque of Central Java and Sam Poo kong Temple.

It was a lovely day when my photography club friends and I woke up early to chase the morning view at The Great Mosque. It is the biggest one in Central Java. Established in 2001, the building's designed with the mixture of Javanese, Arabic, and Roman architectural style. There are six large hydraulic umbrellas in front of the mosque. The yard is surrounded by 'Colosseum-style' pillars and decorated with Arabian calligraphy. Another attraction is a 99-metres -high tower named Al Husna that provides a museum, cafe, and viewing tower.

Agung Mosque 

Beautiful Architecture of Agung Mosque

Pretty curve of 'Colosseum Style' Mosque Pillars

Al Husna Tower 

Luckily, on the last day of our club's trip schedule, we got a half day of free time . Most members spent it leisurely in the city mall. Meanwhile, two of my friends and I decided to visit Sam Poo Kong Temple. We thought it's gonna be such a waste to miss this place since we could find a mall in any city. We took a public transport ( angkot ) there in the midst of sunny day. Yeah, Semarang city's so hot.

Sam Poo Kong Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang. It was first established by Chinese explorer, Admiral Zheng He ( Cheng Ho ) . Sam Poo Kong temple complex has five temples : Sam Poo Kong, Tho Hee Kong, Kyai Juru Mudi,Kyai Jangkar, and Cundrik Bumi Temple. There are also stone carvings on the wall illustrating the journey of Admiral Cheng Ho.

The Complex of Sam Poo Kong Temple 

The temple is full of beautiful carving

One of the Altar Inside Temple

The Front Gate 

The Stone Carving of Admiral Cheng Ho's Journey

The Statue of Admiral Cheng Ho 

Both mosque and temple buildings are so beautiful. Just try to see the differences with an open mind and heart, and you can always find the good in them. Despite what religion you believe in, you will feel one thing for sure, filled in every worship places, The Serenity.

*taken on August 2012, copyright: Dian Permatasari

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Bali-Lombok Photostream

Ulan Danu Temple 

The Guardian of The Cave ( Tanah Lot) 

Garuda Wisnu Kencana 

The Faces Behind the Barong 

Balinese Traditional Musician in Garuda Wisnu Kencana

A Beautiful Italian Girl who Kindly Posed for Us at Dream Land Beach 

Catching the Flare through The Cliff at Dream Land Beach 

Sasak Tribe's Traditional Architecture, Lombok 

Paddy Harvest ( Sasak Tribe )  

The Spinner Granny 

Sasak Tribe's Crafts 

A Granny is Chewing Her Betel Leaf 

Sunset at Senggigi Beach, Lombok

 *taken on April 2011, copyright: Dian Permatasari

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