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Semarang sits on
the north coast of Java happily ignored by most western visitors. after
all, what are its attractions? How can this relatively unknown seaport
compete with other Javanese attractions?
 
don't get me
wrong, for a first time visitor to Java there is no reason why Semarang
should raise a blip on the radar but for those who know the score, for
those who have been round the block once or twice Semarang offers a
respite from the established Javanese story of traffic jams anf 'hello
meester.'
 
Semarang gives you
history. Yes there is the 18th century Dutch church and warehouses that
line the narrow streets in the predominantly Chinese kota lama. But jump
on the bus and look at
Demak,
Kudus and Jepara and look at Javanese, Dutch and Arabic culture mixing
in a smorgasboard of influences that help define this area.
Borobodur isn't
far, perhaps 2 hours, Gedung Songo receive infrequent foreign visitors,
there are beaches near Jepara, Kartini is remembered in these parts in
name at least, Ambarawa is for the steam train enthusiast, Semarang is a
laid back alternative to Yogyakarta.
Don't expect
hotels with rock bottom prices though. There aren't direct flights to
Singapore or KL for fun. Ethnic Chinese have long known about Semarang,
they were here before Zheng He, but the western visitors are few on the
ground. Next time you want something off the beaten track, try here for
a few days.
| Getting There &
Away Loads of lights
daily from Jakarta, it only takes 50 minutes and you should be
able to get cattle class one way for about 30 USD. Also regular
trains do the run in about 6 hours, cheaper ekonomi trains will
take longer. |
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