Editorial
Dear Readers, March is one of the sacred, important months for Balinese, especially Balinese Hindus, in which they celebrate Nyepi. By practicing Catur Bratha Penyepian or the Four Ways of Realizing Nyepi, as the core of the Nyepi Celebration Icaka New Year 1933, we expect to get enlightened in order to pass this new year full of achievements. There is another big moment in this March, namely Bali International Spiritual Festival. Many countries will participate in this important event. Together with other nations of the world, we expect to enjoy peaceful atmosphere in Bali. We are deeply concerned for Japanese people who are suffering from the disaster now. May this catastrophe tighten the friendship among nations. Regards, LeGong Management
Travelling Note Marvelous Scenery of Indonesia ................ P.4 Heritage Gedongsongo to The Peak of Serene Spirituality .......p.12 Travelling beyond Times in Little Europe ............. p.23 Unforgottable Experience Living And Making Friends Closely ..................... p20 Tips for Beginner How to Access Bali ...... P.6 High-Light - NYEPI Indonesia Bali Hindu New Year and Day of Silence P.8 BaliSpirit FestivalHIV/AIDS Live Concert .................... P.10
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TRAVELLING NOTE
Marvelous
scenery
Kawah Ijen Kawah Ijen, the wonder of Java, a gigantic crater activity of 134 km2 in area, dominated by volcanic cones of Ijen, Merapi and Raung. This site contains many natural wonders.
Rawa Pening Rawa Pening An enchanted view for photographer. Located in Ambarawa, a district in Semarang Regency. Rawa Pening is a lake that will charm the visitors for its beauty. It is about 43 kms from Semarang, the capital city of Central Java. It lies close to Ambarawa and Salatiga, about 900 meters above sea levels. The fresh air and pure natural view will spoil the visitors and make them stay longer there. You can see Mount Merbabu and Telomoyo Mount as the background of the bluish lake in the morning or whenever the weather is clear. Just a short stroll you can go around Bukit Cinta, another tourist resort nearby. The 2.670 hectare width lake challenge you to observe the beauty and the brisk air closely in the middle of the lake. You can rent a boat for 10 people and you can go through the lake. Just spend 30 thousand rupiahsfor half an hour in group of ten people. Fascinating! Feel hungry; you can enjoy the delicious meal served in the restaurants there. Grilled ďŹ sh could be a nice choice. You are a photographer? Come very early in the morning where you can capture the sun rise. Don’t miss its panoramic scenery 4
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Indonesia
Borobudur Temple The temple of Borobudur, Candi Borobudur in Indonesia, a major construction Mahayana Buddhism, built in the eighth and ninth centuries. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. The temple is both a shrine to the Buddha but also a place of Buddhist pilgrimage. It is both a stupa, and saw the sky, a mandala. It forms a square about 113 meters on each side with at each cardinal point, a protrusion at the four corners accompanied by a recess.
The South Route The traditional return route from Borobudur to Jogja is called the south route in reference to the position of Merapi volcano that is located to the north direction of Jogja. Now let us explore the north side instead. What can we see and enjoy there? First, go to Ketep Pass. It is highlands that is located 1,300 meters above the sea level. We can see the active Merapi Volcano from relatively close distance so that it looks more amazing. Merbabu mountain standing firmly to the left of Merapi volcano makes the scenery more scenic! While enjoying the beauty of nature, we can sip black coffee and taste fried floured-tempe or barbecued corn. There is also a museum keeping collections of volcanic materials and playing the documentary film of Merapi volcano eruption.
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TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
How To Access Bali
SEA
FLIGHT
Bali can easily be reached by air and now there are eleven International Airlines running scheduled direct flights from Europe, America, Australia, and most Asian Countries to Ngurah Rai Airport. Destination to Bali will be Denpasar (DPS) instead of Bali. Domestic flights are also available to and from major cities within Indonesia.
Regular passenger ferries from Java and Lombok. International Cruise ship anchored in Benoa--south of Denpasar--and for larger and luxury cruiseship used to stop of at PadangBai.
OVERLAND
Overland trip to Bali can be done by car from Java. Regular ferry service connecting Gilimanuk and Java for 24 hours.
Pasports and Visas 1 The Department of Justice and Human Rights has officially determined that as of 1 February 2004 :
The Free Visa Facility (length of stay max 30 days) will be issued to citizens of the following countries: Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, Morocco, Chile, and Peru. The Visa-on-Arrival Facility (length of stay max. 30 days) will be issued to
2 citizens of the following countries: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Citizens of countries not stated above are required to apply for a visa at the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in their country of domicile.
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BALI Best Favourite Island in Hongkong
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fter successfully reaching the predicate as “The Best Island in the World” by Travel and Leisure magazine published by the United States nine times in a row from 2001 to 2009, and as the “Best Spa Destination 2009″ from a tourism magazine published in Germany, now Hong Kong’s turn up the tourism of Bali. Bali 2010 is crowned as the “Best Leisure Destination in Asia Pacific” by readers of Business Travelers magazine published in Hong Kong. This is the first award received by Bali. Notification for the election of Bali as the “Best Leisure Destination in Asia Pacific 2010″ are submitted in writing by the Managing Director of Business Travelers Magazine, Peggy Teo, the Bali Tourism Board (BTB). “The Best Leisure Destination in Asia Pacific 2010″ was given after the Business Travelers magazine polled their readers for three months, from April to June 2010. Awards are scheduled on October 10, 2010 at the Conrad Hotel, Hong Kong.
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HIGH LIGHT
NYEPI
Indonesia Bali Hindu New Year and Day of Silence On the Nyepi day there is no activity. Pecalangs, traditional Balinese security men, make sure that the villages are totally silent with no traffic and activity. It is the New Year day, a day to contemplate and cleanse the mind and body and begin afresh.
B
Nyepi.
alinese Hindus celebrate the New Year in silence and the day is known as
Bali Nyepi symbolically represents the state of the universe before creation. The Bali New Year is based on the Hindu lunar calendar and involves four days of rituals. Nyepi falls on the Amavas (no moon night) . 8
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The rituals related to Nyepi begin two days before Amavas or the actual Nyepi day. The first day is dedicated to Melasti purification or Mekiyis or Melis. The day before Nyepi is Tawur Kesanga or Tawur Agung. Then it is Nyepi the day of silence. The next day is Ngembak Geni. The Bali New Year is based on the Saka calendar – the
one followed by the Indian government and by some Hindu communities. In India, Saka era begins with the Chaitra month. Kaniska I of India had started this calendar in AD 78. And it was Aji Saka who introduced the Saka era in Bali. In India the Saka era calendar begins with Purnima and in Bali with Amavas. On the first day that is the Melasti purification day, village deities are bathed in the sea. People take bath along with deities. Symbolically the deities and the sea or ocean purify man’s soul so he can embrace the New Year with a pure heart. It also provides an opportunity to take the blessing of God Baruna, the god of oceans.
On the Tawur Kesanga day evil or Bhuta Kala is burnt. Ogoh-ogoh, huge demons made from bamboo, represents the evil. In a carnival atmosphere in the evening, Ogoh-ogoh is burnt in the street corner. It is a sort of warding off the evil and also a cleansing ceremony. This ceremony is quite similar to burning of Holika or Holika Dahan before Holi in India. On the Nyepi day there is no activity. Pecalangs, traditional Balinese security men, make sure that the villages are totally silent with no traffic and activity. It is the New Year day, a day to contemplate and cleanse the mind and body and begin afresh. The following day is Ngembak Geni. It is meant for prayers and meeting friends and relatives.
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AYO! KITA BICARA HIV/AIDS Live Concert attracts over 3,000
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he BaliSpirit Festival’s FREE concert on Sunday, February 13th attracted an unprecedented crowd of over 3,000 to Ubud’s soccer field to kick off the 2011 AYO! Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS campaign. The concert, the first ever of its kind in the soccer field, was headlined by KIS Band, originally from Ubud, and supported by African reggae sensation, Afro-Moses, as well as other well known local music performers, was hailed as a complete success by Balinese and international attendee’s alike. “We’re surprised and delighted at the extraordinarily high turnout for this community event,” said Meghan Pappenheim, co-founder of the BaliSpirit Festival and lead concert 10
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organizer. Pappenheim expressed further satisfaction at the roughly 90 percent Balinese audience turnout. “tonight, Balinese people showed they can have fun and care about a very important cause.” The concert was held to launch “AYO! Kita Bicara HIV/ AIDS” (Let’s Talk about HIV/ AIDS), an ongoing educational outreach program created by the BaliSpirit Festival, to engage the local community – specifically the Balinese youth, in conversations and education about HIV/AIDS at the grass-roots level, and to promote teenagers as Agents of Change within Indonesia. Efforts by concert sponsors to
raise awareness about the threat of AIDS and HIV were met with interest by concert-goers, who received free information brochures, condoms, and trivia contest prizes at the live music event. One enthusiastic Balinese music
with the goal of raising $10,000 for the charity initiative-- enough money for 25 schools throughout Gianyar, Denpasar, and Badung to host programs. According to Bali’s commission of AIDS Prevention, the number
“We’re surprised and delighted at the extraordinarily high turnout for this community event,” said Meghan Pappenheim, co-founder of the BaliSpirit Festival and lead concert organizer.
fan from Ubud expressed his desire to find out more about the AYO! Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS initiative, “We’re excited to see the KIS band, that’s why we’re here. But we’re also interested in the theme and want to learn more.” Others approached BaliSpirit Festival’s outreach staff to find out how their schools can become involved in the program. AYO! Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS partnerred with Gianyar schools to arrange five interactive programs that will share information, encourage HIV testing, and promote family and community engagement on the threat of HIV and AIDS. Other charity events have been planned
of Balinese infected with AIDS will double in 2011 to over 7,300 cases. Males represent the vast majority of those infected, and those most at risk are reported to be men and women of reproductive age (15-29 years old). The BaliSpirit Festival is a leader among a new generation of festivals for the rapidly growing holistic travel marketplace. Combining over 100 yoga, dance and music workshops with nightly world music concerts, this annual event provides a platform of inspiration and the opportunity to affect positive change at the personal and community level. Be a part of something that will change your world!
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GO ARCHIPELAGO
Candi Gedongsongo To The Peak of Serene Spirituality
By R Darana
There are many things we can enjoy, learn, and feel when we go to Gedongsongo temple that is located at the foot of Ungaran Mountain, in the village of Candi, Sumowono District, Semarang Regency. The trip perambulating seven temples in ďŹ ve different complexes constitutes blend of tour, spiritual and learning journeys.
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he location is easy to reach since there are many public transportations that will readily take you there. It is 15 kilometers west of Ambarawa, passing the Bandungan resort or 12 kilometers from Ungaran if you pass Karangjati.
Puncak Nirwana Why are there only seven temples while the complex is called Gedong Songo that means Nine Buildings? Because there are only seven temples standing there; the other two or generally referred as the sixth and seventh temples left the foundation only. The unique thing is that all temples are located in five different locations. At the highest location at the altitude of 1,300 meters above the sea level, there stands one tomple surrounded by pile of old rocks. The temple is called Puncak Nirwana with some typical Hindu statues such as Syiwa Mahaguru, Syiwa Mahadewa, Syiwa Mahakala, Durga Mahesasuramardhani, and Ganesh. Lingga and Yoni affirm its Hindu characteristic. From the place, we can see the view of all directions. We can see clearly the mountains of Merbabu, Merapi, Teloyomoyo, Sindoro, Sumbing, dan the swamp called Rawa Pening. We really feel surrounded by nature. In addition to the temple, the surrounding panorama is enchanting. Look at the row of pine trees, people’s field with vegetable and flower plants, bending rock road, hired ponnies walking through the
road. The aroma of the pine sap gives specific nuance. The colors of the flowers are so attractive; there are rose, gladiole, and amarilis. ’’This is heaven of flowers,’’ one of the temple security staff said.
The Inheritence of Old Mataram The complex of Candi Gedongsongo is approximated by archeologist to have been built by Sanjaya, the king of Old Mataram around 8th Century, about the same time of the foundation of Dieng temple complex in Wonosobo. The architectural style and the Hindu religion of the founders affirm that all of them are Hindu temples. In terms enshrinement, especially Hindu temples, there must be function of a temple, i.e. a place of devotion or praying and a place for burial. Hence, experts estimated that the temples in Gedongsongo complex functioned as burial since there was much ash around the temples when they were discovered. It is very likely that the ash was the remnant of cremation. In line with the Hindu teaching, dead person is usually burnt. The presence of the temple complex was fistly reported by General Raffles in 1740. Renovation and environment management was done by the Indonesian government in 1972-1982. The temples in Gedongsongo that are deteriorating and frozen by the average temperatur of 17 degree Celcius are still chosen by people for recreation place. The ticket box officer informed that an average of 75 to 100 people visit
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the place per day. On Sundays or holidays, the number of visitors reaches 750 people. That is record of domestic visitors. In a week, at least 30 to 40 foreign visitors come to the complex; they are from Australia, Japan, USA and many European countries.
Riding a Pony Due to the up and down road, you need extra energy to be able to explore all parts of Candi Gedongsongo tourism complex. You can take a walk to walk through the bending rock stairs, but I would suggest that you hire a pony, at least you can feel the sensation to be on the saddle of the pony that walks slowly. Tens of local people hire ponnies. They will actively offer the service to visitors. Besides, they will serve as your tour guide as well. You can ask questions while enjoying your ride. The tariff depends on the destination. Village tour is IDR 25,000 for domestic tourists, and IDR 40,000 for foreigners or IDR 40,000 (domestic) and IDR 60,000 to visit the Hot Spring (sulphur). For the entire temple complex, the tariff is IDR 50,000 for domestic visitors and IDR 70,000 for foreigners. The tariff has not changed since it was determined three years ago. It is Thursday, at 09.00 a.m. The weather is so clear. There’s no fog that prevents people from seeing the panorama of Candi Gedong Songo complex. Anyway, the weather can change immediately at anytime. Early in the morning, some visitors have been there. Most of them are 14
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young couples. At the entrance gate, there is crowd of people offering the pony service. One of them approaches me and convincingly offers his pony service. The dark-skinned man is Yusrin. I read his name on the left chest of his dull purple vest. He said that he is 25 years old. There is a bag hanging on his shoulder with a polaroid camera in it. In addition to hiring a pony, he also offers polaroid photo service. IDR 20,000 for a piece of photo. The name of his pony is Lestari. He explained that the pony is six years old. He hardly guides the pony by the line. ”She knows well the road,” he said. Most of the pony here also play the role as tour guides. They will explain many things about
the temples and the surrounding environment. Travelling on a pony is quite fascinating. Passing a terrace route is a bit uncomfortable. Our body is rocked quite hard. This is the tips given by Yusrin: when we go down, tilt your body back and push your feet forward; when we go up, bow your body forward and push your feet back. The pony is the only means of transportation for visitors. In fact, it does not take too long for visitors to finish the tour in the complex without riding a pony. However, without riding a pony, it requires strong feet and breath. Approaching the highest temple called Puncak Nirwana, the pony must stop at the footbal field. ”We cannot proceed to the top. It’s not
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allowed,” Yusrin said. The pony is not moored. She is free to find grass. Yusrin himself sits on the grass while lightening his cigarette. I walk up to the location of Puncak Nirwana: a temple surrounded by six piles of ruined rocks. For the spot, I can see the mountains of Telomoyo, Merapi, Merbabu and the swamp Rawa Pening to the south-east direction, and when I turn my sight to the south-west, Sindoro and Sumbing mountains look so beautiful. In the lawn, Yusrin does not sit anymore. He is absorbed in racing his pony around the field like a professional jockey. That must be an 16
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entertainment that he always does while waiting for his guest. The trip continues to the source of hot vapour from the sulphur. The location is in a valley. When I see whitish soil, Yusrin explains, ”That’s dead source of sulphur vapor”. There is only one source spouting out sulphur vapor. Surrounding the source, however, there are many sources of boiling water. Some of them must be enclosed with fence. Enjoying the sulphur vapor while feeling afraid of the vapor to become poisonous (there is never poisonous sulphur vapor there), I remember the legend with regards to the sulphur vapor. The legend originates for
the story of Ramayana that most inhabitants believe to have lived in the natural source. According to the folk stories, Ungaran mountain, where the temple is located, has something to do with the war of Hanoman and Dasamuka to fight for Sinta. It is told in the puppet story that Dasamuka kidnaps Sinta from Ramawijaya. A big war takes place to get the beautiful lady back: Dasamuka and his giant troop fights against Rama who is helped by the monkey troop led by Hanoman. However, the powerful Dasamuka has the magic power that protects him from death, even though struck by different weapons by Rama. For the
reason, the powerful Hanoman lifts a mountain to burry Dasamuka. Then, Dasamuka is burried alive by the mountain that is called the Ungaran mountain, but he never dies. Still relates to the legend, everyday Dasamuka keeps on groaning with his roaring voice. The roaring voice comes from the sulphur hot spring there. ’’The sulphur water is good for skin diseases. My people have been cured,” said Yusrin, reminding me of the Dasamuka legend. In Candi Gedong Tiga with intact buildings, someone is playing the bruch on the temple stones. His name is Yono, a security staff. He is erasing graffiti made by visitors by using thinner. The graffiti that Yono and his colleagues has erased will appear again. Not only graffiti, sometimes scratches are made on the stones. That must destroy the temples. Yono cannot give answer of how to control visitors in a very vast areas in order to prevent it from happening.
The Temple from the Queen’s Dream There is always a legend in a tour destination. It completes the stories for the visitors. In addition to be related to the story of Ramayana, resembled with the temple in Dieng having similar architectural style, the complex of Candi Gedong Songo is also related with Queen Simha (also written as Shima) from Kalingga Kingdom in Jepara. More fantastically, those temples were built from the dream of the queen. Moreover, the different
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location of the temples is also related with the hostility of two ascetics sent by Queen Simha to build temples. Once upon a time, Queen Simha dreamt. In her dream, she got a signal that she and her people should be closer to the Almighty One by building temples for praying. Two powerful ascetics, namely Ki Hajar Selakantara and Ki Hajar Watangrana together with the troop of Kalingga kingdom became important ambassadors of the intention. According to the Queen, the temples must be built on the peak of Suralaya mountain that is considered to be the dwelling place of the gods. The mountainous and panoramic, fresh area to the west of Kalingga Kingdom was chosen as the location. It was told that in a place when he was going to choose the most suitable location, Ki Hajar Watangrana smelled the fragrance of ower. He knelt and prayed. He asked the power from the gods in order to build the temple there. He thought it was the right place that Queen Simha expected. The next day, he began building the temple without an approval from Ki Hajar Selakantara. Knowing this, he was angry. The reason was that Ki Hajar Watangrana made onesided decision, without evaluating the bad and good things of the place to build the temple. Whereas, Ki hajar Selakantara had gone far up to the hill and considered the place to be the right place to build the temple. The war between those two 18
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ambassadors of Queen Simha and their troops took place. Selakantara won and Wtangrana had to move away to the north area and went up to the place that is believed to be the peak of Suralaya. There, a temple was built. Learning this, Selakantara got angry again. He had to abort the temple construction. The war took place for the second time and it lasted again and again. The war came to despair when both sides were lack of water and suffered from thirst. How did the war end? It was the beautiful assistant of Ki Hajar Selakantara named Endang
Puspasari who mediated the hostility. Being ashamed, Watangrana left and let Selakantara continue building the temple. There was love story in ďŹ nishing the temple, namley the love story between Ki Hajar Selakantara and Nyi Endang Puspasari that later bears a child, not a human being but a big dragon named Baru Klinting. Another legend was created, i.e. about Rawa Pening. The love story is manifested by a site called Bukit Cinta or the Love Hill, which is located closed to Gedong Songo. The moral of the story is that deviation from the supreme goals will
result in disaster. That is the fruit of the war. According to Ki Hajar Selakantara, in order to complete a holy desire and to achieve the goal, human beings must control the lust that is manifested by the nine holes in one’s body. The Gedong Songo temple (songo means nine in Javanese language) was built with similar philosophical spirit. In other words, the temple complex symbolizes human lust that requires to be controlled. Thus, it is clear that the temples were realization of a dream of which construction involved hostility. (R. Darana)
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unforgettable experience
LIVING AND MAKING FRIENDS CLOSELY “Guests prefer to be welcomed in the way as local people welcome their guests everyday,”
I
t was quite a hot day in the village of Tunjuk that afternoon. However, the inhabitants, who mostly are farmers, did their activities as usual. Other than those cultivating their paddy in the rice field, some of them were working in their garden. Among the farmers working in their garden, there was a group of foreign tourists gathering in a hut. They were enjoying the fresh young coconut taken directly from 20
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the tree by a farmer. Some of the male tourists tried to climb the coconut tree though they failed. It was such a strange view. It is unusual to see foreign tourists gather in people’s garden or field. They are usually in such tourism spots as Kuta Beach, Ubud – Gianyar areas or other places of interest. Lately, there is a new trend that tourists expect a new form of tourism, namely living and mixing with Balinese community. They
Anto YB. Setianta, Senior Tour Guide
prefer staying over night in people’s community, rather than staying in luxurious hotels in the areas of Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur or Ubud. Living and making friends closely with communities in Bali constitutes unforgettable experience for them, said Anto YB. Setianta, a senior tour guide who often handles guests from France. ”My guest bursts into laughter seeing his father tried to have meals using a bare hand,” Anto senior tour leader said. The guest told Anto that it was the first time for him,
I Ketut Putra Suartana, Director of Mapindo
his children and his wife laughing outright in front of his father. Anto, who is experienced handling European tourists, said that there are many requests from the guests wanting to stay with the local people families. Now he adds a number of new locations for his guests. An area he is observing is Tunjuk – Tabanan. “Guests prefer to be welcomed in the way as local people welcome their guests everyday,” said Ketut Buana, the manager of Taman Sari Buwana, Balinese Traditional Farming, North Banjar Beng, Tunjuk Village, Tabanan – Bali. Ketut, who is also an educator, said that he still worries about the hygiene of serving meals, despite the willingness of the guests to experience the natural condition and life of a village.
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For the reason, he always invites the local people who often receive foreigners to increase the hygiene of the food served to the guests, even though the menu being served is traditional Balinese cuisine. “Food is a sensitive matter and it deals with guests safety,” he said while adding that by far the food served to the guests comes from one kitchen, which is a special kitchen managed by a special team, while waiting for the improvement of the proficiency of local people in serving food at reliable hygiene. Ketut said, it is not that easy to educate such a thing to people who inherited their custom from generation to generation, so government or educated people should be involved in educating people in such areas. 22
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What Ketut Buana expects is responded positively by tourism education community. I Ketut Suartana, the manager of Mapindo education institution, said that his office is observing the feasibility of such a program. “As a part of social services stated in Three Services of Higher Education, we will give guidance required by the society, from both attitude and entrepreneurship sides,” he said to LeGong. He reminded the importance of serving hygienic food to guests. Small problems will surely have big impacts on our world of tourism. For the reason, he feels being obliged to take part in giving consultation to the society with regards to serving safe and green tourism. (*)
Travelling beyond Times in Little Europe by R Darana The area was a trading colony of Dutch and European people that was bordered by a pentagonal fortress called vijfhoek. It is reasonable people call it the Little Netherlands since several buildings show special indische architectural features.
T
he sturdy church stands on Jl. Letjen R Soeprapto Semarang. The dome of the church that looks like the undeveloped lotus ower stands out among the other high, old buildings nearby. The Javanese word for the shape of such a dome is mblenduk. Hence, the popular name of the church, i.e. Gereja Blenduk comes from, whereas its original name was de Nederlansche Indische Kerk
that later was changed into GPIB Immanuel. The church that was built in 1753 is located in the most attractive area in Semarang, namely Kota Lama area that literally means Old Town where there are still many old buildings as the inheritance from the Dutch colonial time. In addition to Gereja Blenduk, we can see several old, sturdy buildings that are still in function now, for example Marba
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Building, Marabunta Building, and Gedangan Nunnery. Marba Building that was built in the mid of XIX century and is located on Jl. Letjen R Soeprapto No. 33 is a two-storey building with Âą 20 cm thick wall. The foundation of the building was initiated by Marta Badjunet, a rich merchant from Yaman. His name was abbreviated to become the name of the building. Initially the Marba Building was functioned as an ofďŹ ce of a shipping enterprise, namely Ekspedisi Muatan Kapal Laut (EMKL). It was also used as the only modern shop at that time named de Zeikel. Now the building is utilized as a warehouse. Marabunta Building on Jl. Cendrawasih used to be an operan theatre named Schouwburg. The building is unique with the replica of a couple of ants on its front roof so that it is sometimes called Gedung Semut. In the past, Matahari, a legendary female spy, was active as the primadona of the opera stage. On the other street in Kota Lama area, at Jl. Ronggowarsito No. 8 to be exact, there is Gedangan Nunnery. In 1808, Father Lamberts Prinsen initiated the foundation of a Catholic orphanage for boys named Weeshuis. In 1870 Franciscan Sisters came to Semarang. A Dutch architect, M. Niestman, made the building a nunnery. Thus, travelling to the area feels like passing beyond space and time. It seems as if we read the history record not from a book but from an observation of all buildings including 24
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its unique architectural pattern, especially the European architecture style of the Renaissance period.
Trading Colony
The area was a trading colony of Dutch and European people that was bordered by a pentagonal fortress called vijfhoek. It is reasonable people call it the Little Netherlands since several buildings show special indische architectural features. One of them is a building that looks like a Dutch traditional house that used to be functioned as the State Court of Semarang. The location is accross the Gereja Blenduk.
This building that used to be the dwelling of a clergyman has the features of a Dutch dwelling house of the XVIII century. The house has no front yard, it directly borders with the street. The roof forms a soaring saddle with steep sloping angle and there is a window on both sides of the pitched roof.
In addition to Little Netherlands, the other predicate for the Old Town is Little Europe. Originating from an area dominated by VOC as the Dutch trading alliance, the colony did not develop as a village merely owned by Dutch people. The architecture of Kota Lama Semarang, as we can still see today, impresses blend of different traditions and style developed in Europe with a little local and Chinese touch.
French and South Europe Color
French and South European colors appear on the main streets of Kota Lama, for example Letjen Suprapto Street (de Heeren Straat), Gelatik Street, Taman Srigunting Street, and Kedasih Street. The characteristic reminds people of the Quartier francais of the cities in America. It can be seen on the two-storey buildings with the oor ornamented with carved wooden fence or cast iron and column row. In general the windows are doubleshutter windows known as the French characteristic. Even Gereja Blenduk is not of Dutch style, it is dominated by Andrea Palladio style, an Italian architect in the late Renaissance time (XVI century). The buildings that we can see today is the fourth generation redesigned by W. Westmas and H.P.A. Wilde in 1894 with the basic shape resulted from the renovation in 1794. The renovation altered the shape of the church coming with the dome and completed with portico column of
Dorian Roman style. In fact, in the XVIII century Europe was affected by the revival of Palladin style so that many buildings were designed like Italian buildings. Wetmaas and Wiide added the crown to both the dome and the two minarets, without perturbing its Palladian characteritic.
Lettuce in Ketchup Sauce
It is undeniable that Kota Lama Semarang is like a bowl of salad containing different vegetables and typical ingredients from Netherlands, Portugal, French, Indonesia and a bit of Chines ketchup. The architecture is inuenced by various genres and styles. The buildings represent each era when they were created. Kota Lama is the little Europe in a country of dark-skinned people. Travelling to the place seems like tracing the exotic past stories. (*)
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The Mother Temple of
BESAKIH Annually there are at least seventy festivals held at the complex each year since there is a yearly anniversary celebrating almost every shrine. This yearly cycle is based on the 210-day Balinese calendar system.
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he Mother Temple of Besakih, or Pura Besakih, in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, is the most important, the largest and holiest temple of Agama Hindu Dharma in Bali, Indonesia and one of a series of Balinese temples. The temple probably dates to the fourteenth century. It was built on the south slopes of Mount Agung, the principal volcano of Bali. The temple is actually a complex made 26
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up of twenty-two temples that sit on parallel ridges. It has stepped terraces and ights of stairs which ascend to a number of courtyards and brick gateways that lead up to the main spire Meru structure, which is called Pura Penataran Agung. All this is aligned along a single axis and designed to lead the spiritual upward and closer to the mountain which is considered sacred. The symbolic center or main sanctuary of the complex is the Pura
mere meters.
Penataran Agung and and the lotus throne or padmasana is the symbolic center of the main sanctuary and ritual focus of the entire complex. It dates to around the seventeenth century. A series of eruptions of Mount Agung in 1963, which killed approximately 1,700 people also threatened Puru Besakih. The lava ows missed the temple complex by
The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous, and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected. Annually there are at least seventy festivals held at the complex each year since there is a yearly anniversary celebrating almost every shrine. This yearly cycle is based on the 210-day Balinese calendar system. It had been nominated as a World Heritage Site as early as 1995, but remains unvested. (*)
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BATU LEMO TANA TORAJA AMAZING GRAVE Location of placement of the tomb has a meaning, ie the higher the location of the body is placed, the higher the status of that person. They believe that the higher the location of the tomb, the closer they are to the Creator. In front of the tomb there is a statue called the Tao-Tao, is a form of decorative sculpture carving symbolic of the decedent.
B
atu Lemo, Tana Toraja burial place or persemayaman corpse shaped holes in the wall rocks. This place is the result of human creations exceptional Toraja. How not, persemayaman which has existed since the 16th century were made by carving. At that time, certainly with very simple 28
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equipment. Lemo is located in the village (valley) Lemo. About 12 kilometers south of Rantepao or six miles north of Makale. Named Lemo because some models burrow circular stone and mottled orange or lemon-like fruit. Stone graves were also called liang paa . There are 75 holes in the
wall rocks. Some of them have statues lined the so-called tau-tau. The statues are a symbol of social position, status, and their role during the life of the local nobility. These objects are crowded with visitors since 1960. Besides watching the stone tomb, tourists can also buy various souvenirs or walking path around the object witnessed the fruit of a ripe fruit pangi brown. The fruits were ready to be cultivated and eaten as food typical Toraja tribe called pantollo pamarrasan. Location of placement of the tomb has a meaning, ie the higher the location of the body is placed, the higher the status of that person. They believe that the higher the location of the tomb, the closer they are to the Creator. In front of the tomb there is a statue called the Tao-Tao, is a form of decorative sculpture carving symbolik of the decedent. But not everyone can be made Tao-Tao, only the nobility are allowed to be made Tao-Tao. There are rules in effect at the
time of pilgrimage, the pilgrims should only be done at the time of opening the door of the tomb before and after harvest. If the rule were violated, will result in bad effect on crop yields in the future. And also there is doubt to atone for the transgression, that is by holding ceremonial slaughter of a few pigs to resist adverse events to the harvest. So, if you want to see the funeral of a unique and artistic, come to the Tomb Stone Lemo. But follow the rules, do not make their failed crops.
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TAXI Pan Wirti Taxi Jl By Pass Ngurah Rai Phone: (62 361) 723 355 Praja Bali Taxi Jl. By Pass Nusa Dua 4 Phone: (62 361) 701 111 Praja Taxi Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai Phone: (62 361) 289 090 Bali Van Jl. Pulau Buru No. 4 Phone: (62 361) 228 271
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STATIONS Kereneng Station (Bemo Station) Tegal Station (Mini Bus Station) Wangaya Station ( Mini Bus Station) Ubung Station (Bus Station) Batubulan Station (Bus Station)
CONSULATES Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Britain Jl. Prof. Moh. Yamin No. 1 Renon Denpasar Phone: (0361) 235092, 235093, Fax: (0361) 231990 France Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 35 Sanur
Phone: (0361) 285485 Fax. (0361) 285485 Germany Jl. Pantai Karang 17 Sanur Phone: 288535 Fax. (0361) 2888826 Italy Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 126 G Phone: (0361) 227628 Fax: (0361) 289743 Japan Jl. Raya Puputan Renon Denpasar Phone: (0361) 227628 Fax. (0361) 231038 Mexico Jl. Moh. Yamin No. 1 Renon- Denpasar Phone: (0361) 223266 Netherlands Jl. Imam Bonjol No 599 Kuta Norway and Denmark Jl. Jaya Giri Block VIII/No. 10 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 235098, 233053 Fax. 234834,238013 Spain Hotel Melia Bali, Nusa Dua Phone: 771510, Ext: 88078 Sweden And Finland Hotel Segara Village Sanur Jl. Segara Ayu Sanur Phone: (0361) 288407 Switzerland Et Austria Jl. Pura Bagus Taruna Legian Kaja P.O. Box 2035 Kuta Phone: (0361) 751735 Fax. (0361) 754457 USA Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 188 Phone: (0361) 223605, 222462
HOSPITALS AND CLINICS Army Hospital Jl. Sudirman Denpasar Phone: (0361) 228003 Ambulances Phone: (0361)227911 Dharma Usada Clinic Jl. Sudirman 50 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 227560 Dharma Yadnya Hospital Jl. WR. Supratman Tohpati Denpasar Phone: (0361) 224729 Emergency Dental Treatment Jl. Patimura 19 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 222445, 226445 Emergency Unit Ambulances Service Sanglah Denpasar Phone: (0361) 227911, 226035 Graha Usada Surgery Special Hospital Jl. Cokroaminoto 30 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 423467, 426492 Manuaba Clinics Jl. HOS. Cokroaminoto 28 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 226393 Red Cross Ambulance Jl. Imam Bonjol Denpasar Phone: 118 Sanglah Public Hospital Jl. Kesehatan Selatan 1 Sanglah Denpasar Phone: (0361) 227911 Surya Husada Clinical Jl. Pulau Serangan 1-3 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 233786, 233787 Wangaya Hospital Jl. Kartini Denpasar Phone: (0361) 222141
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BUS TICKET INFORMATION POST OFFICES Central Post Office Jl. Raya Puputan Renon Denpasar 80235 Phone: (0361) 223565 Sanur Post Office Br. Taman Sanur Denpasar 80227 Kuta Post Office Jl. Raya Tuban, Kuta-Badung 80361 Branchers Jl. Kamboja (front of KrenengMarket) Denpasar Jl. Teuku Umar denpasar (front of Kimia Farma Chemist)
THE REGION - PHONE CODES Denpasar region Level II: 0361 Badung Region Level II: 0361
Ubung Station Jl. Cokroaminoto Denpasar Phone: (0361) 427172 Bus AKAS Jl. Narakusuma Denpasar Phone: (0361) 232251 Gunung Harta Jl. Diponogoro No. 53 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 232302 Kramat Jati Jl. Diponogoro No. 1 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 235383 Lorena Jl. Diponogoro Denpasar Phone: (0361) 235010 Safari Dharma Raya Jl. Diponogoro no. 1 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 236901 Simpatik Bus Jl. Diponogoro Denpasar Phone: (0361) 229187
Gianyar Region Level II: 0361 Tabanan Region Level II: 0361 Klungkung Region Level II: 0366 Bangli Region Level II: 0366 Karangasem Region Level II: 0363 Jembrana Region Level II: 0365 Buleleng Region Level II: 0362
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POLICE STATIONS Polres Badung Jl. Gunung Sanghyang Denpasar Phone: (0361) 424245 Polsek Kota Denpasar Jl. Ahmad Yani Denpasar Phone: (0361) 225456
Sector Sanur Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai Sanur Phone: (0361) 288597 Polda Bali Jl. Seruni No. 6 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 227711
PUBLIC PHONE SERVICES General Information Phone:108 Interlocal Information Phone:106 International Connection Phone:101 Interlocal Connection Phone:100 Post Service Information Phone:161 Imigration OfďŹ ce Niti Mandala Renon Denpasar Phone: (0361) 227828 Airport Ngurah Rai Tuban Phone: (0361) 751038, 751011 Ext: 1212, 2184 General Information Service Department Jl. Melati No. 23 Denpasar Phone: (0361) 226781
LeGong
Free Monthly Magazine in English - French
Directrees Niken Setiarini Editor Muhammad Nur Journalist Emmanuel (Jogja) R.Darana (Semarang) S. Jawama (Semarang) Seta (Jakarta) Photographer Zet Yoga Rahardja Webmaster/Graphic Design Hayu Website www.thelegong.com Marketing Eka eka@thelagong.com OfďŹ ce Perumahan Taman Bina Mulia 32 Ubung Kaja - Denpasar Utara Phone: 361 - 900 7863 e-mail info@thelegong.com publisher CV. Pro Media
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BOROBUDUR Ils consistent en des cloches de pierre ajourées logeant des bodhisattvas. Au centre de ces terrasses et donc au sommet du Borobudur, un autre stûpa couvre un bouddha inachevé, dont on ignore s’il a été rajouté après coup ou s’il était présent à l’origine.
C
andi Borobudur, est une importante construction bouddhiste mahayana, construite aux VIIIe et IXe siècles à l’époque de la dynastie Sailendra dans le centre de l’île de Java en Indonésie. Borobudur est le plus grand monument bouddhiste au monde. Le site, construit aux alentours 34
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de l’an 800, semble avoir été abandonné vers l’an 1100. Pendant une tournée d’inspection à Semarang dans le centre de Java en 1814, Thomas Stamfor Raffles, alors lieutenant-gouverneur de l’île, entendit parler d’un grand monument dans la forêt près du village de Bumisegoro. Ne pouvant pas s’y rendre lui-même, il envoya H. C.
volcanique grise par différents artisans qui réussirent néanmoins à préserver l’unité artistique du monument.
Cornelius, un ingénieur néerlandais, y faire des recherches. Pendant deux mois, Cornelius et ses 200 hommes abattirent des arbres, firent brûler la végétation et creusèrent dans le sol, mettant au jour le monument. Le temple est à la fois un sanctuaire dédié au Bouddha mais aussi un lieu de pèlerinage bouddhiste. C’est à la fois un stûpa et, vu du ciel, un mandala. Il forme un carré d’environ 113 mètres de côté avec, à chaque point cardinal, une partie en saillie accompagnée aux quatre angles par une partie en retrait. Il est constitué de quatre galeries successives de forme géométrique. Celles-ci sont superposées et les trois plus hautes forment une représentation de la cosmologie bouddhiste. Comme l’ensemble du monument, ces galeries sont couvertes de bas-reliefs, dont la longueur totale est d’environ 5 kilomètres, relatant les divers épisodes de la vie du bouddha Sakyamuni. Ces bas-reliefs furent taillés in situ dans de la pierre
Un élément étonnant de ces galeries est l’existence d’une cinquième galerie enterrée, également couverte de basreliefs représentant essentiellement les turpitudes de la vie terrestre. Plusieurs hypothèses ont donc été émises pour expliquer la dissimulation de cette galerie comme une volonté de consolidation du bâtiment ou encore la volonté délibérée d’occulter les réalités terrestres. Après avoir traversé les quatre galeries, le pèlerin atteint la terrasse supérieure, elle aussi surmontée de trois terrasses circulaires concentriques bordées de 72 stûpas (respectivement 32, 24 et 16). Ils consistent en des cloches de pierre ajourées logeant des bodhisattvas. Au centre de ces terrasses et donc au sommet du Borobudur, un autre stûpa couvre un bouddha inachevé, dont on ignore s’il a été rajouté après coup ou s’il était présent à l’origine. Sauvé de la ruine grâce aux efforts conjoints de l’UNESCO et du gouvernement indonésien, le temple est aujourd’hui restauré et figure à l’inventaire du patrimoine mondial de l’humanité1.(*)
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Le Dragon de Komodo Il y a environ 15 millions d’années, une collision entre l’Australie et l’Asie du Sud-Est a permis aux varans de passer vers ce qui est aujourd’hui l’archipel indonésien. On pense que le dragon de Komodo est apparu il y a 4 millions d’années, se différenciant de ses ancêtres australiens et élargissant son territoire jusqu’à l’île de Timor, à l’est.
L
e dragon de Komodo (Varanus komodoensis]) est une espèce de varan qui se rencontre dans les îles de Komodo, Rinca, Florès, Gili Motang et Gili Dasami, en Indonésie centrale. Membre de la famille des varanidés, il représente la plus grande espèce vivante de lézard. Un dragon de 36
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Komodo adulte pèse environ 70 kg mais les spécimens vivant en captivité atteignent souvent un poids plus élevé. Le plus grand spécimen sauvage contrôlé faisait 3,13 mètres de long et pesait 166 kg, y compris les aliments non digérés encore présents dans son estomac. En raison de leur
taille, ces varans, avec l’aide de bactéries symbiotiques, dominent les écosystèmes dans lesquels ils vivent. Bien que les dragons de Komodo mangent surtout des charognes, ils se nourrissent aussi de proies qu’ils chassent, invertébrés, oiseaux ou mammifères. Il est de couleur vert foncé, gris ou noir, ce qui lui permet de se fondre dans son environnement et de s’approcher discrètement de ses proies pour les surprendre. Le dragon de Komodo possède une queue aussi longue que son corps, ainsi que près de 60 dents cannelées. Ses dents tombent pour être régulièrement remplacées et peuvent mesurer jusqu’à 2,5 cm de longueur. Sa salive est souvent teintée de son propre sang car les dents sont presque entièrement couvertes de tissu gingival qui se déchire naturellement lorsque l’animal s’alimente. Cela crée un milieu idéal pour la croissance des souches de bactéries qui colonisent sa bouche. Il possède une longue langue jaune profondément fourchue. Ce dragon utilise sa langue pour reconnaître les stimuli gustatifs et olfactifs, c’est sa langue qui l’aiderait à se déplacer dans l’obscurité. Si le vent est favorable, grâce aux rotations de la tête d’un côté à l’autre
lorsqu’il marche, sa langue est en mesure de percevoir l’odeur de charognes situées jusqu’à 4, voire 9,5 kilomètres de distance. Ses pattes se terminent par de longues griffes courbes.L’évolution du dragon de Komodo remonte à l’apparition des premiers varans en Asie, il y a environ 40 millions d’années, varans qui ont émigré vers l’Australie. Il y a environ 15 millions d’années, une collision entre l’Australie et l’Asie du Sud-Est a permis aux varans de passer vers ce qui est aujourd’hui l’archipel indonésien. On pense que le dragon de Komodo est apparu il y a 4 millions d’années, se différenciant de ses ancêtres australiens et élargissant son territoire jusqu’à l’île de Timor, à l’est. Une baisse importante du niveau de la mer au cours de la dernière période glaciaire a découvert de vastes étendues du plateau continental que le dragon de Komodo a colonisé, puis il s’est retrouvé isolé sur ses îles lorsque le niveau de la mer est lentement remonté Nous avons des chances de voir des dragons toute l’année à petites iles de la sonde. Le rituel consistant a nourrir ces varans géants avec des chèvres fournies par les visiteurs relève du passe. Ces iles sont maintenant bien desservies depuis Bali, grâce à des vols réguliers sur petits avions ; il suffit donc de quelques jours pour entamer leur exploration : pourquoi attendre plus longtemps ?
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NYEPI Nyepi commence à faire sentir son approche environ un mois avant la date fatidique, les rues se peuplent alors de monstres en papier mâché en cours de fabrication : les Ogoh Ogoh. Une fois terminés ils serviront à effrayer et à repousser les mauvais esprits qui tentent d’envahir la terre à l’occasion de chaque nouvelle année.
L
e 5 Mars 2011 c’était la fête la plus importante et la plus insolite de l’année à Bali : Nyepi. Ces festivités uniques au monde célèbrent le passage à la nouvelle année, nous sommes actuellement en 1932 du calendrier hindouiste « Saka ». Il y a soixante dix-huit ans de décalage entre le calendrier hindou « Saka » et le calendrier grégorien. La date du Nyepi correspond à un jour de nouvelle lune, et donc change chaque année. 38
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Le jour de Nyepi est le seul jour de I ‘année ou les enfants, non loin de chez eux, occupent les rues et les routes désertes. Le jour du Nyepi, le silence est observé durant 24 h à partir de 6 heures du matin. La journée est réservée à la méditation et les démons ne doivent pas être tentés par un retour auprès des humains, ce qui impose certaines restrictions : peu de lumière visible, pas de travail, pas de divertissement, pas de déplacement ; et, pour certains, le jeûne et le silence total.
Même les touristes sont invités à rester à l’hôtel. Les institutions sont fermées toute la journée, y compris l’aéroport international de Bali. Les dérogations ne sont accordées qu’aux véhicules d’urgence médicale. Les seules personnes visibles hors des maisons sont la Police du Tourisme et les gardes traditionnels, connus sous le nom de pecalang, qui patrouillent dans les rues pour veiller au respect des coutumes et à la sécurité. Incroyablement anachronique et unique au monde. Le respect de ses traditions séculaires passera toujours en priorité, c’est pourquoi cette île est et restera magique. Nyepi commence à faire sentir son approche environ un mois avant la date fatidique, les rues se peuplent alors de monstres en papier mâché en cours de fabrication : les Ogoh Ogoh. Une fois terminés ils serviront à effrayer et à repousser les mauvais esprits qui tentent d’envahir la terre à l’occasion de chaque nouvelle année. Quelques jours avant Nyepi les cérémonies religieuses, déjà
extrêmement nombreuses à Bali, se multiplient, notamment sur les plages. L’île commence à tourner au ralentie et l’attente devient presque palpable. La veille de Nyepi est donc le dernier jour de l’année précédente. Dès le lever du jour les enfants font exploser des pétards de plus en plus bruyants, ils entendent effrayer les mauvais esprits avant même leur venue. Mais rien n’y fera et la veille du Nyepi, au coucher du soleil, les esprits malins descendent sur la terre dans l’agitation générale. Les Ogoh Ogoh sont alors portés à bras d’hommes, le long des rues, en effectuant plusieurs tours sur eux-mêmes à chaque croisement afin de perdre les génies du mal. De nombreuses torches sont allumées et les pétards explosent de plus belle. Après deux ou trois heures intenses les balinais vaincront leurs assaillants immatériels qui remonteront alors doucement vers le ciel. Le lendemain de Nyepi s’appelle Ngembak Geni, cela veut dire qu’on peut reprendre les activités de la vie quotidienne.
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NOTE DE VOYAGE
Merveilleux
scenery
Kawah Ijen
K
awah Ijen, la merveille de Java, Un gigantesque cratère en activité de 134 km2 de superficie, Dominé par les cônes volcaniques de l’Ijen, Merapi et Raung. Ce site regroupe de nombreuses curiosités naturelles.
Rawa Pening
R
awa Pening Une vue enchantée pour photographer.Located dans Ambarawa, un quartier à Semarang Regency, Rawa Pening est un lac qui ravira les visiteurs par sa beauté. Il est environ 43 kms de Semarang, la capitale de Java-Centre. Il se trouve à proximité de Ambarawa et Salatiga, à environ 900 mètres au-dessus du niveau des mers. L’air frais et pur point de vue naturel va gâter les visiteurs et les faire rester plus longtemps. Vous pouvez voir le Mont Merbabu et Telomoyo Mount que le fond du lac bleu le matin ou chaque fois que le temps est clair. Une courte promenade vous pouvez faire le tour de Bukit Cinta, une autre station touristique à proximité. Le lac 2,670 hectare largeur vous mets au défi d’observer la beauté et l’air vif de près au milieu du lac. Vous pouvez louer un bateau pour 10 personnes et vous pouvez passer par le lac. Il suffit de passer 30 000 rupiahsfor une demi-heure dans le groupe de dix personnes. Fascinant! N’hésitez pas faim, vous pourrez profiter du délicieux repas servi dans les restaurants. Poissons grillés pourrait être un bon choix. Vous êtes un photographe? Venez très tôt le matin où vous pouvez saisir la lever du soleil. Ne manquez pas ses paysages panoramiques! 40
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of
Indonesia
Temple de Borobudur
L
e temple de Borobudur, en Indonésien Candi Borobudur, est une importante construction bouddhisme Mahayana, construite aux VIIIe et IXe siècles. Borobudur est le plus grand monument bouddhiste au monde. Le temple est à la fois un sanctuaire dédié au Bouddha mais aussi un lieu de pèlerinage bouddhiste. C’est à la fois un stupa et, vu du ciel, un mandala. Il forme un carré d’environ 113 mètres de côté avec, à chaque point cardinal, une partie en saillie accompagnée aux quatre angles par une partie en retrait.
La Route du Sud
L
e chemin du retour traditionnels de Borobudur à Jogja est appelée la route du sud en référence à la position du volcan Merapi qui se trouve à la direction nord de Jogja. Maintenant, laissez-nous explorer le côté nord de la place. Que pouvons-nous voir et profiter là-bas? Tout d’abord, aller à Ketep Pass. Il est montagnes qui se trouve 1300 mètres au-dessus du niveau de la mer. Nous pouvons voir le volcan Merapi active de la distance relativement proche afin qu’il ressemble plus étonnant. Montagne Merbabu tenant fermement à la gauche du volcan Merapi fait le paysage plus pittoresque! Tout en appréciant la beauté de la nature, on peut siroter un café noir et de maïs frit goût farinée-tempe ou sur le barbecue. Il ya aussi un musée de maintien des collections de matériaux volcaniques et de jouer le film documentaire de l’éruption du volcan Merapi.
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Les Gedong Songo
L
es Gedong Songo (“neuf constructions” en javanais) sont un ensemble de temples hindouistes situé sur les pentes du mont Ungaran, au sud de la ville de Semarang dans le centre de Java, à une altitude de 1 293 m. Ces temples sont du même type que ceux du plateau de Dieng,un site archéologique avec la présence de huit temples hindouistes en ruine, situé au sud-ouest, et datent vraisemblablement de la même époque, soit vers 750 après J.-C, les sanctuaires de Gedong Songo, petits et modeste, figurent parmi les plus anciens temples hindous de Java. Chacune de ces constructions était en fait un groupe de temples, dont la représentation la plus complète actuellement visible se situe au groupe III. On a là trois temples dont le plus grand, celui du centre, est consacré à Shiva ,— transcrit parfois par Siva ou Çiva, « le bon, le gentil, qui porte bonheur » avec son lingam symbole de création associé à la yoni, une dalle de pierre représentant l’organe féminin, la matrice du monde. Par l’union du linga et de la yoni, l’Absolu qui se déploie dans le monde prouve qu’il surmonte l’antagonisme mâle-femelle ou spirituelmatériel. Le linga représente également le cosmos, mais aussi le pouvoir de connaître, la conscience comme axe de la réalité. Non plus orienté vers la finalité naturelle de force de vie et d’incarnation, le phallus dressé vers le ciel représente le rassemblement des énergies du yogi sur le plan sensible et leur conversion vers un niveau subtil. Le symbole du lingam peut aussi être perçu comme la représentation de l’axe du monde. Dans la considération 42
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d’un couple d’opposés qui réunit en une unité la polarité des deux sexes, le culte de Shiva associe ainsi le lingam au symbole du yoni, sous la forme d’une colonne entourée à sa base d’un anneau de pierre (cette image figure l’union des éléments masculins et féminins originels, union sur laquelle repose toute vie Les autres complexes de Gedong Songo, aujourd’hui ruinés ou limités à un seul monument, en général restauré récemment, devaient se présenter de la même façon, avec cependant des évolutions architecturales ou des particularités esthétiques. On a là le prototype de ce qui va être fait en beaucoup plus grand avec le temple de Prambanan, un ensemble de 240 temples shivaïtes, construits au IXe siècle sous la dynastie Sanjaya du premier royaume de Mataram dans la région de Java Centre, ainsi que pour la plupart des temples hindouistes de Java jusqu’au XIIIe siècle. Les temples ont un bel aspect depuis les importants travaux de restauration entrepris dans les ânées 80. Le sentier bien trace a flanc de colline passe devants les trois groupes, les sanctuaires du troisième étant le plus importants. A mi-chemin, le sentier dévale un ravin vers des sources chaudes, avant de remonter jusqu’au dernier temple, d’où la vue embrasse une perspective saisissante. La balade en boucle de 3 kilomètres est faisable en une heure à pied, mais le site mérite qu’on lui consacre davantage de temps. Nous pouvons également louer des chevaux. Les temples sont situés a environ 45 kilomètres de Semarang et environ 140 kilomètres de Yogjakarta. Il suffit donc d’une journée pour entamer leur exploration : pourquoi attendre plus longtemps ?
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