FHM - AIRASIA - SEMARANG (Day#2)

2nd Day probably was the best of the whole trip.


Starting the day by eating like a true Javanist - "Gado-gado" - My All-time favorite!


Gado-Gado -"Mixed." A mixed parentage just like me.


Coffee
We started off by visitng Semarang local coffee, if you’re a caffeine lover, you would probably like this trip and experience how it was made. I had to pick my own coffee and had a taste too.


me & my amazing tour guide by Air Asia


Not sure what i was doing. Im quirky like that. haha


Borobudur

Borobudur – a world reknown tour destination is famed the world over and is listed as Unesco World Heritage site. Ive always heard of this famous destintation but never expected I would able to visit this place through this trip. The momument is beyond phenomenal. Borobudur compromises six square platforms top with three platforms. It has total 10 layers till the top and it is said that each human being has 10 levels in their lives to achieve nirvana. This is such as money & power. lus,&greed, desire…etc. Only did a realize it has so much stories behind the sculptor and statues and turned out to be a great LIVE lifebook experience. The whole visit to Borobodur was beyond words. And it is only an hour and a half road trip ride from Semarang. Definitely a top-of-list to do of this trip.


Love Borobudur - The view Xxx


Highly recommended to visit, just log in to Air Asia to nearest destination.


At the top of Borobudur. It is what they called - Nirvana. Where Everything is "centered" and "Balance". Also do Note that the tip of the hill, is LOCATED EXACTLY CENTRED of the JAVA coast according to map. How Amazing!




Everything you see is Wide, Peaceful and the Beauty nature of life.


MY FIRST EVER HORSE RIDE!!

As I was still stunned by the incredible experience from Borobudur. Our tour guide told us to behold for another great adventura. I am about to have my FIRST EVER HORSE RIDE . Upon arrival in Kopeng Hills and Village, I was captivated immediately by the beautiful scenery, lush hills, the cool weather.


The view

This is no ordinary horse riding like we thought but we gonna ride along the volcano mountain by the sunset as scenery.



me & my little pony!!!


mountain horse


she's so pretty Xxx

Ive been so blessed and so grateful to have all these wonderful experiences. ( Every view was drop dead in awe, I was still in shock when my body was just in a beautiful place )


////We ended up our 2nd day in Kota Lama Semarang for more signtseeing during the night such as Blenduk Church while takeing opportunity for more local food tasting /// You heard me right. Food food food //////


more sightseeing of the day.


Bodhi tree. A very spiritual experience this trip. :)


(ENDING)


As day trip -3rd arrived, it’s another horse ride day for us as we visit Gedong Songo. Complex of temples. The nice hindu temples that make up the complex are among the earliest antiquities in Java between 730 and 780 AD. As you make your way from one temple to the other, you’ll enjoy the magnificent view of Gunung Ungaran, Lake Rewapening, Gunung merbabu, Gunung merapi. Speaking of mountain hopping! my guide told me this was consider a pretty intense horse ride for a beginner like me What an experience! So blessed!

(riding up and down of a mountain through a horse’ imagine hows scary it was)


We were suppose to play the "Flying Fox" on the last day, too bad we were too early.


More mountain horse. different grads from yesterday i think.


she's so pretty Xxx Mine


This is the one hour and a half horse ride route. How Thrilling. *I took this* multitasking haha


Pitstop. One of the hindu temples.


Between Heaven & earth xxx


Sulfur zone. That's right you heard me, sulfur!!!


Namaste

By now, we have visited Buddist, Muslim, hindu temples, Burobudur, 2 mountains, and lots lots more sightseeings and everything in three days time.

(Museum)
We managed to squeeze in all the desired destinations such as Indonesia’s first jamu (tradisional medicine) museum followed by Silver workshop.




Silver workshop.

(Souvenir)


do head to Kampoeng Semarang Souvenir Centre for a perfect last minute souvenir quick fix.

And last ********



The journey would not be complete without more traditional Indonesian food!

It was a full packed 3 days 2 nights fun journey in Semarang. All Thanks to AirAsia, for the wonderful amazing great trips!

For those who would like to extend your trip, Air Asia introduces more options for heavy baggage travelers. In addition to saving up to 50% when you're pre book online, the feature now even caters to sports enthusiasts - the new 'Sports and Equipment' fee tiers options of 15kg to 40 kgs.

With the Air Asia easy access online check in feature, You’ll be surprise they flies to even more destination.

Summer is coming, May y’all have a fun ride safe trip!

Xoxo
Love and Bless
d.

Advertorial - AIRASIA- SEMARANG (Day#1)

Aloha! Hi peeps! How are you guys doing it's been long overdue i know but my life been great and so much happenings!

So last year 2012 I had so much traveling so much work I was in Europe for a month and a half over the summer cum WORK trip and 3 words to sum up all - IT'S BEEN AMAZING. Mere words could describe how much experience i had and so much memorable moments which was definitely a lifetime experience which i will share with you one day.

But First, I would like to share with you my experience to Semarang, a trip I never expected ended up so much fun and so much to learnt about Thanks to AIRASIA - for sponsoring me. (Yes, I do get paid just to travel,Hehe) to some of the destination that you would never thought it exist but you would be surprised coz it gave me a lot of FIRST TIME.

So digging in right away, after the 17 hours flight from Europe back to Asia, only less than 20 hours of rest (jetlag,unpack and repack), I hopped into another jetplane yet again for my AIRASIA - SEMARANG experience. We were a team of 3(a writer,photographer and me) all excited for another adventure.



It took us only less than 2.30 hours to reach Semarang - the #8 busiest city in Indonesia, note that Indonesia is such a huge country with 243 million population. Greeted warmly by the Tour guide specially arranged from AirAsia upon arrival, we are on our tour for the first sightseeing Already! Speaking of speedy and efficiency.







Sam Poh Kong
Our first stop arrived at Semarang oldest Chinese temple, Sam Poh Kong. It's foundation were set when Chinese Muslim Explorer Admiral Zheng He arrived in Semarang. It's remarkable relic of the early influences on the chinese cultural influence on Java*****Noted, back then they were more Chineses in Java thus a lot of architecture and history evolve Chinese Mulim influences. Besides, we've been told China has the most number of muslim around the World. How intrigued.

1000 doors/Monument/Morques

Then we moved on to Semarang's landmark - Lawang Sewu which means "Thousand Door" in Javanese. The name derived from the numerous number of doors and arcs of the building. It was one of the headquarter during the World War II Followed by the Youth Monument - which is near to the "Thousand Doors" to commemorate the city's fight for independence and those who lost their lives during the five-day between Indonesian freedom fighters and Japanese forces during World war II in October 1945.



Another sightseeing we did for the day (4th sightseeing)

It was fun and exciting arriving upon the new city and looking forward to what to be unfold. Riding along Semarang is yet realizing it is quite a busy city it becomes apparent almost as soon as we leave the airport the that Semarang's no sleepy cowboy town; it's just as bustling as Jakarta.


Balembang Gallery resort.
Other highlights of our 1st day trip is the Balembang Gallery resort. It's a traditional Indonesian style resort first time! Balembang Gallery resort boast with traditional huts, with beautiful heritage-inspired furnishing and a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains. Everywhere you go, is surrounded by traditional statue, scenery or with their ancient heritage touch. It was a really beautiful place to be till I can't help to have a photoshoot there. Hehe *smiling*


The Restaurant


the serene open park


Living hall outside my room


Just love this


Love


The Ambience


Their tradition household and oldies in the 1940s/50's


Everything so beautiful like a picture


Kampung Laut
Towards the end of the night, we went to Kampung Laut Restaurant which is not only known for good food, but also fared for its idyllic setting. We ordered helluva food for 3, satisfaction guaranteed. It’s a ideal for a romantic candlelight dinner in a rustic hut, accompanied by a cool sea breeaze. I had an amazing time chowing down Indonesian food.


First night in Semarang with a serene nice view

My first day sum up to be a great day yet full of surprises. The Chinese Muslim influences in Java, learning little bit of history, great atmosphere, good food. Thanks to AirAsia, connecting us to a lot more destination. That’s what travelling I love about. Connecting lives, connecting people.




Day #2- Follow for more

Xoxo
Love & Bless.
d.