Culinary :: Soto Kudus Mbak Lin Simpang Lima Semarang

Another kind of Soto: Soto Kudus. But this time, I eat it at Semarang. Kudus and Semarang is near.
Soto Kudus Mbak Lin Simpang Lima Semarang, the bowl is small, and this Soto using Rice. It taste sweet.

Kudus ~ Central Java ~ Indonesia

Today we go to Kudus, to attending my mom's family wedding party. Magelang to Kudus take 3,5 hours. I use GPS to track our route.

Kudus is a regency (Indonesia: kabupaten) in Central Java province in Indonesia. Its capital is Kudus. It is located east of Semarang, capital of Central Java.

The city of Kudus was something of an important Islamic holy city in the sixteenth century. It is the only place in Java that has permanently acquired an Arabic name ('al-Quds', Jerusalem). Sunan Kudus, one of the nine Wali Sanga, was said to have been the fifth imam (head) of the mosque of Demak and a major leader of the 1527 campaign against 'Majapahit', before moving to Kudus.

The Mosque of Kudus (Masjid Menara) which dates from this period, remains a local landmark to this day. It is notable for both its perseverance of pre-Islamic architectural forms such as Old Javanese split doorways and Hindu-Buddhist influenced Majapahit-style brickwork, and for its name al-Manar or al-Aqsa. The date AH 956 (AD 1549) is inscribed over the mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca).

Credit: Wikipedia

When we entering the regency, we can see this symbol after passed the bridge.

Kudus, Kota Kretek (Clove Cigarette City), because there's a big cigarette brand/manufacture company in here, it's Djarum.

The road from east Semarang to Kudus, passed by Demak, and it's only straight road, no need to turn left or right. Just cross outer Demak, to avoid the crowded in the Demak Regency.

If you didn't want to enter Semarang City, you can use toll-road and come out at the east side.

We only attend the wedding party for 2 hours. Then we go back to Magelang again.

We decided to passed by Salatiga, and eat Bakso Taman Sari, expensive Meat Ball. But delicious and when you tired, it feel fresh to eat hot soup and meat ball.

Then we go back to Magelang from Kopeng.

Culinary :: Cimory > Bawen ~ Central Java ~ Indonesia

Finally, I have a chance to visit this place. I have been heard this place quiet times. Located at Bawen, near Semarang. The place is big. Once you enter, you will see the shop and restaurant.

For those who has children, you can see the cow farm and see how to make milk / yoghurt. Of course you have to pay for it.

Website: http://cimory.com/

I only visit the restaurant and drink some milk.

WatuGong, Ungaran > Semarang ~ Central Java ~ Indonesia

Watugong is a place at outside Semarang, in Ungaran City (small city). It is like a stone with form Gong (an East and SouthEast Asian musical percussion instrument that takes the form of a flat, circular metal disc which is hit with a mallet.).

Credit:
- http://www.indonesia.travel/id/destination/674/vihara-buddhagaya-watugong
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gong

The place is still under improvement. And it plan to build a big Buddha statue with height 36m from bronze.
There's a Vihara Buddhagaya inside the place. The Vihara has 7 floor, with height 45m.

The ticket price is free, but you can give donation.

Lawang Sewu > Semarang ~ Central Java ~ Indonesia

Lawang Sewu, is a landmark in Semarang, Central Java. It called “Lawang Sewu” from Javanese which means “Thousand Doors”. The name comes from its design, with numerous doors and arc.

There’s 4 building in Lawang Sewu, the two main ones name A & B, and the other two smaller ones name C & D.

Lawang Sewu located at Pemuda Street, in front of Tugu Muda. It initially used by the Nederlandsch Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij, the national railway of the Dutch East Indies. After the Japanese invaded Indonesia, the basement building B was turned to prison. And when Semarang retaken by the Dutch, the Dutch forces used the tunnel leading into A building to sneak into the city. A battle ensued, with numerous Indonesian fighters dying. It was later returned to National Railway Company after the Indonesian Army took over the complex.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawang_Sewu

The entrance ticket is IDR 10.000 and we need to be accompanied by a guide which cost IDR 30.000 for 1 group. You can choose Indonesian native guide or English one.

When we come to this building, the building A is closed due renovation. And we only entered building B. The guide tells us, Lawang Sewu has 350 door and many windows, but each door has 2 leaf door. So it has more than 1000 leaf door and windows.

There’s underground tunnel, but we didn’t dare to enter. Besides it is wet, and we have to rent a boot, everything is dark in there. Additional ticket required to entering the underground tunnel.

Building C, now for office used

the back of Building A, on renovation

the Door

Building B Stairs

Building B Corridor

Building B Terrace

Building A

Steam Train

(http://aawtraveldiary.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/2013-feb-05-lawang-sewu-semarang-central-java-indonesia-part-45/)

Kedai Beringin > Semarang ~ Central Java ~ Indonesia

Many restaurant in Semarang, which actually I’m not too familiar. Everytime I went to Semarang, mostly I ate at the Department Store’s food court. This time, I try the most crowded restaurant, Kedai Beringin.

Kedai Beringin located at Jalan Beringin I/9 Semarang 50132. (Phone 62-24-3554292).

I ordered Nasi Hainan Campur, which the waitress said, it’s the favourite dishes in there. But so far, the food is not bad. And the price also not too expensive. You can find Indonesian dishes or oriental dishes in here.

(http://aawtraveldiary.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/2013-feb-05-lunch-at-kedai-beringin-semarang-central-java-indonesia-part-35/)

Sam Poo Kong Temple > Semarang ~ Central Java ~ Indonesia

Sam Poo Kong （三宝洞）, is the oldest temple in Semarang. Also well known as Gedung Batu Temple. Originally established by Chinese Muslim Explorer and now shared by Indonesians of multiple religious denominations including Muslims and Buddhist, and ethnicities including Chinese and Javanese.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Poo_Kong

We have to buy 2 kind of tickets to entering the temple. 1st is Temple’s park, which cost IDR 3.000 for local, and IDR 10.000 for foreigner. 2nd, is the Temple area which cost approx IDR 20.000 for local, and IDR 30.000 for foreigner. I’m not sure for the temple area ticket price, because when I went there, I just bought incense for IDR 10.000 per packs to pray inside the temple. We bought 3 packs for 5 people.

We can take picture, but only from the park, we can’t take picture inside the temple. And we have to take off our slippers / shoes before entering the temple.

The Park

The Gate from inside the temple

The Gate from outside the temple

(http://aawtraveldiary.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/2013-feb-05-sam-poo-kong-temple-semarang-central-java-indonesia-part-25/)

Semarang ~ Central Java ~ Indonesia

The 2nd destination is Semarang.

Semarang is a capital city of Central Java Province, one of the largest city in Central Java. It famous of its hot. Semarang is hot city. It located near beach in the north part of Central Java.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semarang

It tooks 2 until 3 hours drive from Magelang. When traffic jam, it could took 4-5 hours.

We went to Sam Po Kong Temple, one of famous and oldest temple in Semarang. And then Lawang Sewu (thousand doors), an Nederlandsh old building which used as Railways Station. And last, we visit Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong at Ungaran, outside Semarang.

Tugu Muda at Pemuda Road, Semarang

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Let’s see more spesific about those place. ^_____^

(http://aawtraveldiary.wordpress.com/2013/10/10/2013-feb-05-semarang-central-java-indonesia-part-15/)