Old town vibes feels like I’m into Constantinople era 🥹

Stroling around

Old Town, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

Semarang Old Town on Film, Indonesia Leica MP / Kodak Portra 160 . . #filmisnotdead #leica #leicamp #filmphotography #35mm #leica_fotografie_international #lfigallery #fineart #storytelling #SpiCollective #analogphotography #analogindonesia #analog #analogfilm #shotonfilm #photooftheday #filmforever #myfilmstory #ibelieveinfilm #ishootfilm #LeicaFilmFriday #streetphotography #streetside_urban #filmfeed #filmwave #life_is_street #minimalmood #minimal_perfection #streetleaks #dinersonfilm https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm0IvMRBMcV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Major natural hazard in the 3rd most populous country.

This time a ripple, next time a wave

Old Town in Semarang We are now sailing into Ho Chi Minh City and we are both excited and a bit apprehensive. Our last port, Semarang, Indonesia was beautiful chaos. It’s nice to see that there are still places that haven’t been sanitized. Not one Starbucks or Mickey D’s in sight. That isn’t to say that it made it easier. Particularly with a wheelchair. There were a few moments on the tour that…

View On WordPress

Semarang

I may not know any clue on how to lead a good life, or even if it’s possible to lead a “good” life in a world filled with so much grief and sorrow. But Semarang made it seem like it is, indeed, possible. 

This was the first time in months that we’d pick up the courage to go out of town, during earlier days going to the grocery store was the most exciting trip to have. On our first night we decided to take a walk towards the alun-alun. Alun-alun means “Dimana penduduk asli berkumpul” or a space in the centre of the city where locals spend time with their loved ones. 

That night, my legs were sore from walking and sitting too long in the car, but as we entered the alun-alun it slowly faded away. The children were playing with tiny toy propellers that lit up as they threw it towards the sky, creating a fleeting yet beautiful constellation. Maybe I was so deprived of seeing and experiencing human interactions, but it really felt like a breath of fresh air. I realized how much I missed aimlessly wandering, people watching, eavesdropping on some juicy gossip from a group of aunties, the comfort crowds, and the laughs. Under a full moon and a clear night sky, it felt like I have found something I’ve craved on for the longest time. 

I guess Semarang acted as a sort of reminder for me, living in Jakarta could easily fill you up with greed, sky high ambitions, the hustle and bustle, you almost feel like your worth is being measured by your productivity. And yet, in Semarang, it feels like the days are slower, both the moon and sun seemed like they loved looking over the people of Semarang as they do their silly little things- everyone we met during the trip was kind and warm. I saw people doing nothing and I saw how beautiful they are, I saw people mindlessly looking over the ocean and fell in awe. 

The most memorable part for me was when we walked around Kota Lama in the morning. Kota Lama which translates as Old Town was a fortressed area of Dutch colonizers, it served not only as a business and government central, but also a residence for Dutch elites. As we went to park our car we were welcomed by a lady who led us to a shedded parking spot “Disini aja, biar enak, gak panas!” she said. Kota Lama was enchanting, and it was huge. Countless of buildings that were still standing strong speaks louder than any history teacher, creeping vines through the muted yellow walls, pavements that were once promenaded by foreign heels. 

Coloring the old town ......... ..... . #3january2021 #exploresemarang #oldtownsemarang #kotalamasemarang #nature #architecture #neverafraid #withgalaxy #samsunggalaxys10plus #exploreindonesia #rakhmanufamz (di Kota Lama Semarang) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChE4eA4P87y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The beauty of GPIB Immanuel (known as Chruch Blenduk) & the old town of Semarang 😍😍😍 #ebaliburan #ebajalanjalan #lwliburan #lwholiday #lwonvacation (at Kota Lama Semarang) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfOuKJyPAG4jd5-V-UoPIxSoNGDvuQcDVBX3lk0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#Repost @wedarphotography • • • • • • GPIB Immanuel Semarang Semarang old town @ nite. #semarang #oldtown #oldtownatnight #oldtownphotography #cityscape #townscape #samsunga52photography #lanternlighter https://www.instagram.com/p/CdBlXa9sHyG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

javatrip, 2021: whom you go with, adds up to how much you learn. so thank you, monokroma architect, my life-long architectural school.

9-12 dec, semarang: pretty amazed by the development and cleanliness of its old town (Kota Lama); love the scale of this area!

felt sorry yet stunned by one hotel across Stasiun Tawang called Pelangi Indah, "you, such an old good quality building, are deserved to be renovated better, man!" ; this is the view from the hotel's fourth floor balcony...

like this famous old market, Pasar Johar by Thomas Karsten. although is not the same great as how it was before the fire, it looks much much much better than when i visited it in 2017.

moving on to some new projects, how nicely disorienting yet functional this cafe called "Lika-Liku Coffee" is of no question; but i learned about the VOID too! in this picture, my phone camera on the second floor was looking up to the skylight that reflected where we were sitting and the void to the first floor

in another project, by the same architect, Ady Putra, it was clear to me that: a site is the source of identity for its architecture. it's the newest building of Forme Factory complex, a site where Forme produces its kayu jati furnitures, imported world wide.

we met Oscar Randy, one of our first alumni, now the head of Osara, a humble emerging architeure firm in the city. he showed us how he turned Marabunta, then a sugar factory, to now such a hype restaurant and bar.

we even unintendedly stayed at a hotel, Mahima, that he designed when he was still in his previous firm. i found this adorable cat, calling this facade her home.

last but not least, a huge thanks to our fellow lecturer at Universitas Pelita Harapan, pak Dani Hermawan, his wife, Imma, and their four beautiful minions. such a nice breakfast; i love your veranda!

The Iconic “Spiegel” and Any Other Restorations: Things that are Breathing New Life to Semarang Old Town

Took a walk to discover the authenticity of its heritage, Semarang Old Town is a jewel that shines once again.

November 1, 2021 | By Monica Ariesty

Back in 2019, the whiff of nostalgia greeted me through every old building I found in this old town. Located at Jalan Jl. Letnan Jenderal Soeprapto Street, Tanjung Mas, the heritage atmosphere was strongly appear as if they welcome you with a warm greeting. I was a first-timer in walking through this street, but it is not right to say that I was truly blind about this place because I have heard about it before. Earlier known as the Oudstad, or Old Town in Dutch, this old town is where 18th century buildings have been well preserved with many still in use to this day. The Indonesians are familiar with the name of Kota Lama Semarang which was established in 1678, when the harbour of Semarang was handed over by the Sultanate of Mataram to the VOC to pay off a debt. The multicultural riverside settlement quickly grew into a significant trading and commercial center. Today, the 30-hectare region contains 116 heritage buildings ranging in style from Baroque to Modernism and well-known as "Little Netherlands."

“What an authentic vibe,” said a man with black T-shirt—he was a travel buddy—who was walking with me along the streetwalk. Sat on a bench, I also found out on the internet that Semarang Old Town has been tentatively considered for nomination as a Unesco World Heritage site since 2015, as one of the best-preserved ensembles of Dutch-era structures in the country. The Tentative List includes cultural and natural heritage sites that are deemed to have outstanding universal value. I took some great pictures of this street. The golden hour was too good to be missed out. I looked at my travel buddy next to me to make sure that he did not leave me because it took me minutes to take a good picture. However, everything was too pretty at that time. The timing was right if you want to visit this place at around 5 to 6 PM in West Indonesia timezone. If the weather is nice—not cloudy or even rainy—you are lucky enough to see how beautiful it is to see the sky turns to its pinkish-orange color. It’s not like you will get such a full sunset moments due to the high buildings but still, it’s beautiful. I started to think that this place is similar to Jakarta’s Old Town (Kota Tua Jakarta) but personally, the atmosphere of heritage felt more intense here compared to Jakarta Old Town.

The strolling agenda was not stop there. “Welcome to the iconic Spiegel,” he said as he opened the door for me. It is a bar actually, where you can find alcohol drinks there but I think it’s still safe for people calling it as a coffee shop since I heard that mostly the tourists commonly know Spiegel as a coffee shop instead of its actual function: a bar and bistro. Opened in 2015 after a careful restoration, Spiegel Bar & Bistro is named for the building’s erstwhile Viennese owner Herman Spiegel, who ran a general store here since 1895. I think that Spiegel brings modernity to this old town. As a part of restorations happened in this area, the trend of western life—seen by the food and beverage they sell—brought by Spiegel to show how this bistro took part in breathing a new life to Semarang Old Town. The tan-colored brickwork and hidden red arches dominate the whole room and I think this is how this place preserves the heritage atmosphere to suit the area where the building is standing.

Not only Spiegel, this old town still has a lot of interesting places to visit. Another iconic building, not far from Spiegel, there is the oldest church in Central Java named Blenduk Protestant Church (Gereja Blenduk). I was very impressed of its overall look. Known for its location at the heart of the Old Town, the church was built in 1753 in the traditional Javanese 'Joglo' style, but it underwent a remodeling in 1894 into the iconic Doric design that can be seen today. It was a very pleasant experience for me to see the emblematic octagonal copper dome and the two iconic surrounding clock towers by myself. As you can see above, I also took my best shot when I stopped by in front of this white building.

There are still a lot of gems to be discovered when it comes to this place. The Bank Mandiri building, The Escompto Bank building, 3D Trick Art Museum, Covarè, Javara Culture, and many more. This area is easily accessed by any kind of vehicle or transportations, but I strongly suggest for you to take a walk in discovering places in Semarang Old Town. Take your best time and do enjoy every beautiful sight captured by your eyes. The restorations might bring modernity, a new life to this old place, but as the old town is rebuilt, its unique histories are pieced together for the next generations. This is why Kota Lama Semarang is told to be a jewel that shines once again.

The Places I Wanna Visit

“Travel as much as you can. As far as you can. As long as you can. Life’s not meant to be lived in one place.”

I seldom to traveling since i was child. Today, as i am growing old and can making some travel to another destinations, with my own willing, money and travel mate, travelling is one activity that bring me relaxation and happiness. So you can pick me as your travel mate too. When travelling, I am enjoying the scenery outside, taking some pictures with beautiful occasion and sweet friends. I can feel togetherness and it recharge me to facing the reality again after it.

Here are the list of my favorite places I wanna go as long as I still alive. It divide on two flights, domestic and international destinations. 

Domestic Destinations

1. Belitung Island

I love being sit or stand on the sand with the beach breeze. This island is amaze me beautifully with the big coral rocks spread through the beach. Beside the pretty natural destination, there is Museum Kata Andrea Hirata, the author of mega best seller book, The Rainbow Troops. The design is bright-colored and I really want to know how he was rising in this island as his born place. And many more places i want to go on this island, include the shooting places of The Rainbow Troops here.

2. Semarang

I had promise with friend to making visit to this place. This town is famous with the old town buildings. Beside that, there are many museums and natural destination that beautifully created.

3. Malang

In this town, you feel see some of the mountains with beautiful phenomena. You can see it from sunrise until sunset. It famous with the cheap and yummy street food around and cool even cold breeze even on the afternoon.

So what about the international? here they are.

1. Mekah, the holy place of Muslim. I wish I could be there doing Hajj or Umrah prayer with my family here.

2. Australia, the nearest British country that I wished to taking my next studies there.

3. Japan, with the rich and strong human culture and the tidiness this country applied on every single details of basic human needs.

Jakarta, September 19, 2020 - 18.42

This time a ripple, next time a wave

Old Town in Semarang We are now sailing into Ho Chi Minh City and we are both excited and a bit apprehensive. Our last port, Semarang, Indonesia was beautiful chaos. It’s nice to see that there are still places that haven’t been sanitized. Not one Starbucks or Mickey D’s in sight. I’d like to think we didn’t just avoid them. That isn’t to say that it made it easier. Particularly with a…

View On WordPress

Semarang old town

Old town, Semarang told me another story about vintage and reality such a  sweet memory to visit that place