Visiting Semarang : The City of Lumpia

from high above

We planned this trip about six months and we started to save our money for this trip so our team can go to Semarang. Why Semarang? Because Bandung is too close and Bali is too expensive.. hahaha...

In Semarang we can have both sight-seeing and try a lot of food. Yes, we're all love to eat :)

The day is finally come. We're all so excited, we took the afternoon flight after office hours on Friday. We planned to spend two nights in Semarang. The city of Lumpia or we can call it the spring rolls city ? However I didn't capture any lumpia photo for this blog. Shame on me.

So our itinerary was full of foods and places to visit. Below was our optimist itinerary:

Day 1 (Friday)

Arrived at International Airport Achmad Yani and tried local food nearby the hotel. We picked Simpang Lima Residence hotel. The small hotel in the centre of Semarang since we knew that we're not going to spend a lot of time in hotel rooms. So why have we choose the expensive one? We planned to tried the famous nasi ayam/chicken rice Ibu Wido. Unfortunately it's closed so we stopped by the alun-alun and tried the traditional tahu gimbal.

Day 2 (Saturday)

After breakfast, we're so ready to explore Semarang. After tried the traditional nasi gandul, our first stop was Watugong Vihara, it's beautiful. We spent about almost two hours taking pictures here and there. We even mocking up the kungfu pose. On our way to next stop, we stopped by at masjid raya Semarang. It has a tall tower where we can see Semarang city from above. Unfortunately, the tower was closed during the Dzuhur prayer. So we only take picture outside. Then our next visit was Sam Poo Kong Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang. The history of China Moslem Laksmana Cheng Ho behind this place was made me curious to visit it at first time. After taking a lot of pictures (again) we fed our hungry soul at traditional noodle mie kopyok Pak Dhuwur. As if it's not enough we stopped by later at tahu pong Semarang located at Jalan Gajah Mada. Then we're heading to the famous lawang Sewu. It's spooky yet a very interesting place. It's a building with one thousand doors. I was so happy that I can finally visit that place. On our way to the hotel we stopped by at old Semarang City where Semarang Blenduk Chursh was located. It's a beautiful church that was built in 1753. This church has a dome in baroque style. 

There's a joke along our trip, we called this trip the religious trip cause we visited Vihara, temple, mosque and church.

The old city was also beautiful and we tried the famous vintage ice cream stall Toko Oen just near the church. We spent the night at one of restaurant at higher place of Semarang called The Hills. It has great view and the air was very refreshing. And we closed the day by visiting Semarang China Town and tried a lot of street food there. And I had a good sleep cause I spent a lot of my energy exploring the city. But I slept with a smile on the face. 

Day 3 (Sunday)

It's check out time, but we still has some places to visit. We decided to try our luck of nasi ayam Ibu Wido. But it's still close, so we tried nasi ayam near the China Town. Then on our way to airport we visited the legend Wingko Babat Kereta Api and bought lumpia on Jalan Mataram. There were some lumpia stalls, but one of my friend told me the delicious and halal one. Then we're ready to face Monday after this awesome trip to Semarang.

Maybe I'll visit Semarang again in the future for only tasting that famous nasi ayam Bu Wido.

Cheers, Dhidie.

Watugong Vihara

Beautiful Temple

Dewi Kwan Im Statue at Watugong Vihara

The Budha Statue at Watugong

Sam Poo Kong Temple

The Chinese Statues

Masjid Agung Central Java

Al Husna Tower at Masjid Agung Complex

Lawing Sewu

beautiful mosaic windows at Lawang Sewu

Lawang Sewu Attic. This is the secret of best air circulation of the building

Semarang Old City

Blenduk Church

The View from "The Hills" restaurant at Bukit Sari

One of temple at Semawis

the busy street of Semarang China Town

The Wonderful Journey (Part 7)

The View From The Red Sea Hotel

Before we leave KSA, we spent a night in Jeddah. We stayed at Red Sea Hotel which I noticed as the most favourite hotel for tourists since it's closed to Balad Market. The hotel was nice however it's the old luxury hotel. Balad market is a trade centre which sells abaya, perfumes, rugs, key chains, wallet and souvenirs to bring home. They also sell branded things with lower prices. The most important thing was there was a stall that sell Indonesian meatballs. I love it!! You have to buy carpets there cause they are in good quality and come in affordable prices and it can be delivered via courier to Indonesia.

Then in our way to airport we visited Jeddah Floating Mosque which located at Corniche along the Red Sea coastline of Jeddah. This was my second time being there. It's more beautiful than I remembered because last time I've been here was in the dawn just before the sunrise so everything was dark. The mosque is actually built in the sea and the high tide so it seems like to be floating in the water. The wind blew so hard, but the sun was shine so bright. I had to hold my umbrella tightly to prevent from the hard wind.

Always looking forward to be back to this city in the future.

Cheers, Dhidie

Beautiful Wall at Red Sea Hotel

Balad Markets

The Favourite Shop Toko Ali Murah

Yummy...

Picture from the front of the floating mosque

the mosque tower

Umbrellas

The Wonderful Journey (Part 6)

Still in Madinah. In the other day, we had opportunity to explore more of this city. Another place that we have to visit in Madina is Masjid Quba. This place was our Prophet (SAW) accompanied by Abu Bakr first arrived and stayed after emigrating from Makkah. And this date marked as the beginning of Islamic Calendar or Hijra. The masjid itself was beautiful and we performed tahiyat-ul-masjid prayer by the time we arrived.

Another mosque to visit was Masjid Qiblatain. This place was very important for moslem, since this place was where the revelation of Quran came to change the direction of qibla from Bait Al Maqdis in Jerusalem to Kaba in Makkah.  This masjid used to have two mehrabs, one in directions of Bait Al Maqdis and one towards Kaba. However the old mehrab now is been covered. This moment was remembered of the independent of moslem from Jews.

The Wonderful Journey (Part 5)

Madina come to be my most favourite city in the world. The city is very calm and serene. But the most important thing is our Prophet (SAW) chose this city as hijrah destination. I've told my best friend that if I she could not find me anywhere, she could find me in Madina.

This was my second time to visit the city and it's not change at all. And I still love it, cause I feel really close to our Prophet (SAW) and I could say that I could stay forever here in Madina. 

I love wandering around in the morning only to take a breath of fresh air and see the beautiful buildings and birds those flocking around the clock tower. There are some places to visit nearby the Nabawi Mosque. Maybe not many people know there is one place that very important just few metres from the mosque gate. The place was used as the meeting place when people decided who will take a lead after our Prophet (SAW) died. Its name Sokaifat Bani Saedah. It's now a park that still well-maintained. You can read the history about this venue all over the internet.

Not too far from the park there are Asmaul Husna Museum. It the must visit place, it's very modern museum and it has big screen to show how the Almighty Allah SWT in creating this universe and we're just nothing compare to the universe.

 I'm thinking that I have to visit this place again with my kids. 

Then the local market not too far from the museum. All local traders those usually sell their things in a way to the mosque now located here in one place. It's still heaven for me cause the price is very cheap and you can find fresh local fruits here.

I can't wait to step my foot again to Madina.

Cheers, Dhidie

One Of the historic place

The City

the local market on the right

My view when I walked from the mosque

My Favourite Spot

Shopping anyone?

My favourite fruits, Fresh Kurma.

Girls Things

Fresh Fruits everywhere

In front of the museum Asmaul Husna

The Wonderful Journey (Part 4)

The best part of travelling to another country is going local. Or I may say, act globally eat locally :)

I can tell you what to eat during your trip to KSA.

Have you ever heard about the famous Al Baik Chicken? Or you have to try KSA KFC? Seven Days Croissants and all delicious juices, Lays, Doritos, Kirrin Cheese, Kebab in Madinah, Bakso in Jeddah, the local dessert called Um Ali ( not Oom Ali for sure), Mandi or Kebuli Rice with roast chicken...

Let me go through the foods one by one:

1. Al Baik Fried Chicken

The famous Al Baik Fried Chicken can be found near the Masjidil Haram in Makkah. Al Baik is the first broast chicken in KSA. You can find a lot of broaster in Makkah and Madinah, but you can tell different. The chicken is not too oily like others and queuing in front of all their outlet will make you curious to try their menu.

2. KFC

Of course it's still the same KFC like everywhere, however I made a promise to myself that I have to try the local KFC everywhere I go :) The fried chicken was more spicy so you don't need chilly sauce. And they served the chicken along with french fries and bun.

3. Kebab in Madinah

Please don't expect it as Doner Kebab. It's more humble. It's very small and consist of slices lamb/chicken, vegetables and....potato wedges. So it's fully carbs. But you have to try it.

4. Mandi Rice/ Kebuli Rice

In Makkah there are many stalls sell this food. And you Must try it. Cause it's very delicious and I love it. They have two different kinds of chicken, but I forget the name, but I tried both. And both were delicious. I can tell you that I can't get enough of these dishes.

5. When we first arrived at the hotel in Makkah, we've been told to try a dessert from Egypt called Oum Ali. The name is funny so we try it straight away. It's like a bread pudding but instead of bread it using puff pastry. It's very sweet, the taste of coconut remind me of the traditional klappertart. I think I have to learn how to make it since my husband really love it.

6. Bakso in Jeddah. During our trip I miss bakso so much. So when we transit in Jeddah before we're fly back home. We tried this famous Bakso Mang Oedin which located at Balad Area or Corniche Commercial Centre. Where we can buy carpets, Perfume, shoes with lower price. The taste of bakso was authentic and even they have " teh pucuk" and Fried Wonton to accompany with. Now I can put a smile on my face.

7. Fresh Kurma or young kurma. You have to try this. I bought it at local market in Madina. It's very delicious, make me can't stop eating.

8. Local Snacks. There's a local snack name Seven Days. It's croissant with variety taste. At first I don't like it but later I love it cause it's a snack that always given by the tour from time to time. And it has delicious chocolate filling inside. 

That's all, don't forget to eat locally during your trip.

Cheers, Dhidie.

Al Baik and Mandi Rice with roast chicken

I Love You, KFC!!

Madinah Kebab

Bakso Mang Oedin Jeddah

Love's Labyrinth and Doritos

Indomie in a cup!! Proud to Indonesian.

My kind of snacks :)