Today at 6 AM the ship arrived in Semarang,Java, Indonesia. Situated on the northern seaboard of Java, the capital city of Semarang offers eclectic mix of cultures. First inhabited by the Chinse in the 14th century, Java has played host to many different occupants due to its strategic position along major trade routes. At the beginning of the 18th century Semerange became a part of the Dutch East India Company. In 1942 the Japanese military occupied Semarag and was ruled until Indonesian independence was achieved in 1945. Outside of the city many world heritage sites can be found. My tour took me to the Borobudur Temple where ten massive stone terraces, each representing a different stage of enlightenment are topped by the Great Stupa. For over a thousands of years it was hidden by jungle overgrowth. A large restoration project took place between 1975-1982 with the help of UNESCO and it is now the most visited site in all of Indonesia. It was built by the Buddhist kings of the Sailendra Dynasty, possibly to enhance the image of Buddhism when Hinduism was growing in strength across the Indonesian archipelago. It t was built without the use of modern engineering and technology, remains a mystery even today. It is very similar to Angkor Wat but is believed to be older and was believed to have been built in the 8th century.
I took a tour that took us to the Borobudur Temple. We left at 6:30 AM and arrived at the temple at 9:45 AM. We had a break before we got to the temple which lasted for longer than expected because of a tire problem on one of the buses. We had a police escort all the way to and back from the temple. It was not for security but to get us there and back in a reasonable time. The police car guided us thru stop lights and we passed other cars and trucks and at time to time the bus driver played chicken with who was in the opposite lane. We got to the temple and walked up hundreds of step to the top of the temple. The guide explained the many stone carvings. After we got down we walked over and had a Javanse buffet lunch. We left at 12 Noon and headed back to the ship with a stop at Borobudur Silver where we could view the many silver pieces for sale. We left and it started to rain and in rained until about and half an hour before we got back to the ship. The ship left at 4 PM we could have complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks.
Tonight before dinner, Lance Ringnald gave a short half hour demo to his skills and after dinner, Fred Klett, a Milwaukee based comedian had a comedy show for us.
Below are some pictures taken of Semarang and my trip to the Borobudur Temple.
This picture was taken as we were leaving for our tour.
This picture was taken as we were leaving for our tour.
This picture was taken as we were leaving for our tour.
This picture was taken as we were leaving for our tour.
This picture was taken from the bus. It looks like a power plant.
This picture was taken from the bus.
This picture was taken from the bus.
This picture was taken from the bus. This is some banana trees.
This picture was taken from the bus.
This picture was taken from the bus. This is a rice field.
This picture was taken from the bus.
This picture was taken from the bus.
This picture was taken at a coffee stop.
This is a picture taken of the bus of a coffee leaves and beans.
This picture was taken at the coffee stop.
This picture was taken from the bus.
This picture was taken at the stop to see the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken at the stop to see the Borobudur Tempe. Each of us were required to put this piece of cloth around us.
This picture was taken of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken of the Borobudur Tempe. We walked up these steps to the top.
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe. This is a sample of some of the many stone carvings.
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe. This is more stone carvings
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe. This is more stone carvings
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe. This is a Buddha stone carving.
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe. These carvings told a story.
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe. Under each of the bell like figures is a buddha.
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe. This is a sample of the buddha under the bell like figures.
This picture was taken on our tour of the Borobudur Tempe. This is a picture of the opposite side that we entered.
This picture was taken at the place where we ate lunch after a tour of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken at the place where we ate lunch after a tour of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken at the place where we ate lunch after a tour of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken at the place where we ate lunch after a tour of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken at the place where we ate lunch after a tour of the Borobudur Tempe.
This picture was taken from the bus.
This picture was taken at the Borobudur Silver stop.
This picture was taken at the Borobudur Silver stop.
This picture was taken at the Borobudur Silver stop.
This picture was taken at the Borobudur Silver stop.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way back to the ship.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way back to the ship.
This picture was taken from the bus on the way back to the ship.
This picture was taken from the ship.
This picture was taken from the ship.
This picture was taken from the ship. This picture contains some of the family of the crew as the ship left Semarang.
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