Semarang Holiday: Day Seven: More Trains. Old Ones.

Excuse the lateness. I went back home yesterday, but this was the most interesting thing I've done during the holiday, actually, at day seven: (All photos were taken at 2/1/2016 with my Canon EOS 600 D, then edited in Adobe Photoshop)

Please, don't blame me. Truly, even I thought our seventh day would be a simple, relaxing one, like God suggested. But sadly, as my little brother loves trains, then we returned to Ambarawa. We went to the train station-turned-museum, Stasiun Ambarawa.

Lo and behold, more trains. Much, much more trains.

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Did cross my fingers that I got at least one good picture. And these ones I took should only be mediocre in comparison with those people in photography.

But anyway, what are the stuff displayed in Ambarawa Station?

Besides dozens of old engines and carriages from old, arranged on the vast grounds of the museum, there's also an old station building filled with stuff used in the train industry long ago. They date back from the days of the Dutch occupation, when the rails were first laid in Java.

The place was indeed a different place for holidays, and especially for people who love history (I expect no less than a handful, sadly.) must see the place. That is all for now, as I have a rigorous self-arranged schedule of schoolwork (yes, in the holidays), drawing, and watching stuff.

The Sherlock New Year special was fascinating, by the way.

Semarang Holiday: Day Six: A Crowded New Year

I would just like to recount my experience yesterday, during the new year's day.

And yes, this is day seven.

First, it started with a BANG. The bang of fireworks. I did try to take some pictures, to no avail. Nothing good, and my camera ran out of battery, and the charger was left at home.

Such was the new year. It didn't start fine, strictly speaking.

I slept at 1 o'clock, the latest (or earliest?) I've ever been throughout the year (or I'll ever be throughout the coming year?). I am unlike some, or perhaps most of, my friends who regularly sleep at three. Or am I exaggerating? No matter. That's not healthy. But I won't bother with health advices.

Still woke up at half past seven. Cursed internal system clock.

We went to Mary's Cave at Kerep, Ambarawa, close to where we stayed.

And whoops, once again, wrong timing.

The weather was nice and cloudy this time, but the sea of people churned. Kerep crowded like I've never seen before. Seemed like everyone chose this spot for a new year blessing. We could only pray (or at the very least, I paid respects) hastily.

And the worst of all, my camera was dead since 1 o'clock. That was the most boring part.

We closed our trip by sightseeing the largest statue of the Virgin Mary (Marry of Assumpta) in the world just outside the complex. Near the parking area.

And like Borobudur, its 42 meters does look smaller in real life.

Taken with my handphone. No use giving stats.

So, another tip for a trip: Do not go to a holy place during new year. Unless you are someone who strives to search for holiness. 

There we go. After that, I returned to Semarang, where a nice, quick internet connection was waiting. And that's precisely where I am now, writing away. Until next time.

Semarang Holiday: Day Three: Borobudur (Plus Some Other Stuff)

All photos taken on 28/12/2015, with my Canon EOS 600D, and edited on Adobe Photoshop. Oh, apologies for the lower quality photos, i saved on high quality JPEG on Photoshop as opposed to the usual maximum. I am running on prepaid internet through phone.


Yes, it's Day Three. Technically, it's in the middle of Day Four, but I would guess there'll be nothing to note today, except for traffic. And there wasn't anything in Day Two worth noting as well, I think. So here we arrive at the third day: where I traveled to Jogjakarta.

First, I went to Candi Borobudur, which is actually in Magelang, Central Java. Blame Jogja's advertising.

I got two thoughts upon gazing on Borobudur for the third time in my life. The first one was, dang it's sweltering hot. The second one was, It's smaller than I remembered.

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Now, don't get me wrong, it was still quite the walk to the top floor, For the stone steps were quite steep. And the amount of people made a traffic jam.

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I won't delve into the history of Borobudur much here. These are the holidays, and people, especially students, would tire to hear about the history how Borobudur was built at the 8th century AD by the Syailendra Dynasty, in ten floors symbolizing the journey of the human soul from the depraved mortal world to enlightenment.

Enough said. We'll let the reliefs talk.

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These are records of a time long past. Even in the haze of heat, the fact that these stones are the record of thirteen centuries of history is quite the experience. Or is it just me that likes history?Perhaps not; I commend the government once more on their efforts to preserve this World Heritage site. And yes, while aspiring tourists might like to prove the myth that touching the thumb of one statue will bring you luck, that action could (somehow) bring the stone bad luck (according to the curators). Please do not climb the stupas or reach inside them, for fear of tearing the monument apart.

These stupas were still very well preserved, so we could see and feel the serenity of the Buddha depicted as statues. But for me, it was hell finding an angle to take a good picture, what with the heat and also trying not to knock myself over a floor, and taking several tourists with me. It was crowded.

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Well, wrong time to be going there. If the sky was just a little bit more cloudy, then it should have been much, much, better. But what could we do, we had a schedule. We went to Sendangsono, where the Virgin Mary stands vigil in a cave.

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Perhaps a little rude. Mary's Cave in Sendangsono is the site where the first Catholic in Indonesia was baptized.

And where there are many, many dogs. I love dogs. Sorry, I hate cats. 

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Awww.

Well, on that happy note, i'm out.

Semarang Holiday: Day One: Trains

Gone on holiday. One word:

Camera: Canon EOS 600D
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Taken 26/12/15
Edited in Adobe Photoshop

Trains.

That is, the method which I would be travelling with today. And yes, I know about the notoriety of train travel in Indonesia. But that was back then.

Well, the price isn't too far below a plane's. No plus points there. Then why am I riding one? My brother likes trains.

Some 'mid-to-upper class' Indonesians at my age (which is actually not that old, to be honest) never once rode a train with preference to airplanes--faster, more comfortable, they say. This I know from my schoolmates.

Airplanes are faster. Sure. Cannot argue with that. A regular Airbus or Boeing should only take a fifth of a train's time. The time is not a problem, as I spend it typing away here, reading, and watching Noragami. Time does fly when you are having fun. Or should I say, run on the rails?

Airplanes are more comfortable. No.

That might indeed be the case with old trains: filthy, no air conditioning, the jiggle from the rails, the presence of only one rail requiring frequent stops to wait another train to pass. But that just doesn't apply to current trains in Indonesia. 

Applause to the last director of Kereta Api Indonesia and current Minister of Transportation, Mr. Ignatius Jonan, for revamping the train system.

The trip is smooth. The rattle from the railway, unnoticeable except for some shaking. It is comparable to some turbulence in a plane, but without that feel of g-forces that could be unnerving to some. Oh, and the cabin doesn't need to be extra pressurized. You'll hear every word clearly.

Comfortable? Indeed, for the inside is not as filthy as rumored to be in the old days--except perhaps for the toilet, which doesn't stink but incomparable to plane's. These are new trains, new coaches. Of course, this also meant that there will be no free meals so they are not wasted (and to save up money), but you could bring your own food. Just eat tidily.

Well, the station, in this case, Gambir, is an old building, perhaps 'a lower class' even to the notorious Soekarno-Hatta Airport. But as the airport had been renovated, the uninvited guests have been kicked out from the station, including most of the trash. And there are no uninvited street vendors (pedagang kaki lima) going in the train through the stations. 

Overall, riding a train in Indonesia now, at least the executive class of trains, is very enjoyable. At least, for friends who haven't, do try to ride one once.

Oh wow:

Camera: Canon EOS 600D
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Taken 26/12/15
Edited in Adobe Photoshop

Cracked glass on one of the doors. Not dangerous. Just a good photo op. Till next time. I want to play Space Engineers (Now with planets!).