Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Colors of Indonesia......Wonderful Magelang

Magelang might not ring a bell for many of us, but one would be more familiar with Yogjakarta or Borobudur Temple. Magelang is located about two hours drive from the center of Yogjakarta, and houses the well known Borobudur Temple. But my story here will not revolve around the magnificent temple..it is about the lesser known attraction hidden not far from the main attraction itself. I have been to Borobudur Temple before , and amazed by everything there, but this round I'm looking for something less known, but equally awesome.

 



If you travel in by plane, the nearest airport is Adi Sucipto International Airport in Yogjakarta. If you are from Jakarta, West Java or East Java, you can travel by train to Yogjakarta Station (formerly known as Tugu Station). From the airport or train station, you can take Damri bus to Magelang, the journey take about one hour or two hours respectively, depending on the traffic condition. One must know that Yogjakarta tend to be very crowded during public holidays or long weekends, and the traffic will be very bad.

I flew in from Jakarta on one fine Saturday morning, landed 10 minutes early (what a blessing!) at terminal A in the airport. I walked directly to Damri bus shelter across the road, through the underground tunnel. The tunnel is located at the second left turning from the arrival hall exit, the first turning is the connecting way to terminal B. The 11am bus has left, so I bought the ticket for 12 noon bus (bus are scheduled every one hour starting from 7am, the last bus is at 8pm). It cost Rp50,000 for one way trip to Magelang. My guesthouse I was staying at is actually located near Borobudur, but even though on the Damri shelter banner stated destination Borobudur, unfortunately there is actually no direct Damri bus to the site. The staffs has to call and check if there is any connecting bus from Magelang to Borobudur, and usually the luck is not there. I have checked on the Taxi tariff from the airport to Magelang, it cost Rp250,000 without using meter. From reliable information source, I understood that the metered taxi can cost more than that if traffic condition is bad. For a trip to Borobudur, the tariff is Rp200,000. Agreed on the fare first if you are taking the one without using meter.

After a quick lunch at the cafe next to Damri shelter (the food cost almost like in Jakarta, so if you are not starving, better just wait until you reach Magelang), I walked back to the Damri shelter, it was 10 minutes to 12 noon but since the bus was already full, so it departed earlier. Anyone should not expect the executive class like Damri bus (not like the one in Jakarta if you have been on to), it was just a 12 seater shuttle bus. Unfortunately, the one I took also came with sauna package...the aircond did not work well and all of us were sweating through the whole journey. The bus stop and parked at Hotel Wisata (or known as Hotel Melati) in Magelang. There are taxis queuing on the roadside in front of the hotel, so it is quite convinient if one need to continue a journey to some other location. If you travel light with just one backpack, you can opt to go on the Ojek (motorbike taxi), with cheaper fare. I took taxi to The Armta guesthouse which located about 5 to 15 minutes walk from Borobudur (depending on whether you walk fast or just merely dragging your legs). The taxi fare was RP100,000, a reasonable one for 25 minutes journey.



My chalet at The Amrta Guesthouse.
Click the link to find out more.

Endless green paddy field seen from the chalet
 


I highly recommend this guesthouse. The view and the services are 5 star class


 For me, The Amrta Guesthouse is really a special place to stay at, and to experience Borobudur and all other attractions around. Not only because of the beautifully designed chalets and surrounding area, but because of the special attention and personalized service from the staffs. Before my trip, I had emailed the owner Mr. Aan for a special arrangement to fulfill my main reason to come back to this part of Indonesia. To my delight, everything was arranged accordingly, all has been communicated clearly to Pak Budi, the person on duty when I arrived. And the guide to accompany me to the site of my visit also has been assigned and arrived much earlier than the agreed time. Do look at the references through Agoda.com or booking.com, and if you are interested to stay at the guesthouse and need further information, do call +6281336027320 or email to theamrta@yahoo.com.
 And of course, if you are looking for English speaking , humble tour guide who knows every corners of the town and villages, please contact Mr. Jamal +6285725519925. You will have the options to go around with bicycle (just make sure you have strong pair of legs), by scooter or by his special ride that you can see in my following photos. It seems like everyone in the villages and around town, know him well ;) and he will not charge you hands and legs for his tour services...trust me on this one. Real humble and fun person.
 
It rained heavily before I went to my destination, so I took the chance to Dance in the Rain



My ride to the site. It took 45 minutes and burning legs muscles to reached there.


The Chicken church....soon to be well known hidden attraction in Magelang.
Restoration work has started to preserve this site



 
Facing the direction we came from, we need to pass by the forest, but the proper cemented walkway has been built, so it was an easy "inclining" walk to the site. Just do some warm up before you climb on...you will be fine! 







The door to magnificent view


Excellent view can be seen from the top of CC head. A proper wooden staircase has been built to allow visitors to climb until the top. A great place to watch sunset if you don't mind to pass by the forest area on the way back when it gets dark ;)
It rained and seems to rain again...so no hope for the great bright red sunset though


Make a visit to this site when you are visiting Borobudur,
before it gets too touristy in years to come 

Try to Google and read more about the history of this Chicken Church...it has never been used as a church anyway for certain reasons. It's unique shape, the mysterious story behind it existence and slightly interesting location (up on the hill in the forest) has attract many adventurous seekers to pay a visit. I wanted to see it for the same reasons...and to dedicate the visit to my Idol Fellow Traveler cum my Travel Inspiration who have no chance to visit this site yet. You know who you are ;) 


With my travel companion this round and our ride for the rest of our visit

It's time to hunt for dinner after the calories burning Chicken church hunting.

This is Bakmi Godog Pak Dal. This super delicious noodle is served at a house café in Kampung Patran. If you want to find this...assign Pak Jamal as your tour guide.
Dessert time. One must have this delicious Wedang Ronde when in Jogja or Magelang. This one located on the road alongside Borobudur temple compound. The owner is so generous with his smile.

I asked for the one with 2 small slices of bread 

 The next morning...on the way down after sunrise viewing at Puntuk Setumbu Hill


Shy princess plant as Indonesian call it  


After the climb for sunrise we refuel with Nasi Pincuk at Kampung Limpoh


Pincuk is referring to the banana leave that used to replace a plate

Happy heavy breakfast

My all the time dessert....banana fritter

After breakfast activity...Batik painting


My drawing before the painting lesson

Painting tools for drawing with the wax
 
 I painted it so slow until my teacher get
bored and left me alone

 
But I am persistent okay....
Teacher repairing and put final touch up on my artistic work..haha!
Thank You teacher.....
 


The warm wax that seep through the cloth on to my palm...
 
Not bad at all for the first timer right! With my teacher and the owner,

Ms. Lusi (+6281578720883)


Batik for sale. It will take me months to finish this 2 meters.




Journey continue...next destination






On the way to Camera House

 
The splendid ride



 Introducing...the Mad Buffalo

 The Camera House which consist of gallery and also the
4th floor tower for visitors to capture nice scenery




       Some nice plant around the vicinity of Camera House       




 

Bringing out my other talent...pottery making.
That one is the precious piece. I sweat fro that ;)

 The end products
 


 Snake fruit (salak pondoh)...easily found around Jogja and surrounding cities/ towns

 It's time for local food again


 Kupat Tahu for lunch...yummy!!

In all, the visit to Magelang this round was a blast for me. Everything so wonderful. Wonderful places, wonderful people and hospitality, wonderful foods and wonderful new experiences. If I do fall in love with this place...you would too.

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