Road to Dieng Plateau
Be ready for a long ride. Going to Dieng Plateau from Jogja took five hours plus. Why Dieng? Well the Balinese have Island of the Gods. Here in Java, Dieng was known as the Abode of the Gods.
Road condition was okay from Jogja passed Borobudur then Magelang.
However, from Magelang to Wonosobo, the road was much narrower and bumpy. Overtaking was difficult and our van kept a good distance away from older vehicles going uphill. Some were under powered and looked like it could roll backwards. We saw some "roll backs" on certain uphill stretches.
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| Beginning of narrow stretch after Magelang |
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| Rustic views |
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| Logged timber a common sight |
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| Talk about horse power! |
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| Welcomed pee break at a petrol station |
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| Street vendor plying their trade |
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| Reaching Wonosobo town |
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| These buses were parked in the middle of the road |
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| "Toll Booths" sprout out of nowhere! |
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| Arrived at Dieng |
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| Terraced vegetable gardens |
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| Magically set against mountain backdrop |
The Ruins and Surroundings
Part of the attraction in Dieng were these remnants of Hindu temple or candi. Enterprising locals donned mask and costume of Hindu Mahabharata heroes to pose with tourists, for a fee of course.
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| Pace here was a bit slower compared with Prambanan |
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| A relaxed family smiling for the camera |
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| Puntadewa temple |
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| Monkey gods to pose with |
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| Dieng Plain was much cooler and walk was pleasant |
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| Pretty flowers but poisonous |
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| Arjuna cluster |
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| Those with steps were popular with photographers |
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| Mostly local tourists |
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| Sikidang Crater commercial area |
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| It's hard to imagine that below this surface, boiling hot magma |
The Volcanic Area
We arrived to view our highlight, Sikidang Crater. The main hub was a cluster of shops selling souvenirs and tidbits. You can go to the loo here before venturing out to the crater about 500m away. The smell of sulphur had hit us upon disembarking from our van. Local vendors offered us face masks but frankly, I doubt it would be of any help.
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| Our carpark in the background |
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| Walking towards Sikidang |
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| Boiling cauldron |
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| Free of any vegetation |
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| Standing upclose a mini cauldron |
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| Bamboo orchestra |
There was a local band dishing upbeat music.Perhaps to lull us into a sense of security. We were in an active volcano zone you know.
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| Lots of steam |
Around Dieng Plateau
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| Mirror Lake but not much reflection as it was a cloudy day |
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| There was a flying fox facility behind us |
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| Scenes around the lake |
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| Path was damp from an earlier shower |
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| Meet the local guardian |
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| Walking on a cantilevered log was tricky |
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| Branch about to hit face :)) |
New discovery - Carica Fruit
This papaya looking fruit must be processed to be eaten. At first glance, I thought it was papaya solo, a specie that bears miniature fruit. It can be found on little stalls that dot the way to the plateau. The fruit, which was sweetened in syrup, has a firm bite to it and its flavour mild. Best taken as a cold drink with lots of ice.
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| Papaya tree? |
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| Grown amongst other crops |
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| We bought carica here |
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| Fruits were small but bountiful |
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| Final product |
Mee Ongklok
Our driver insisted that we ate the local specialty, mee ongklok. The famous outlet was located enroute to Jogja and he could make a stop.The gravy has a mee bandung / pasembor consistency. It was rich in spices albeit mild in flavour. 10 sticks of satay came with each bowl.
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| The outlet we visited |
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| The cook also collects the money |
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| Condiments were satay, keropok |
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| Tiny skewers of satay |
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| It was a tiny restaurant |
