Things to do in Surakarta

We really enjoyed being a day on the road with Ajib. His English is impeccable and his knowledge of the Hindu history is inspiring. Since we are suckers for the Hindu symbolism and stories, it was a blessing to be with someone able to explain in so much detail. That combined with tea plantations, drinking tea and visiting a lovely waterfall made it a perfect break from Solo city life. Thank you Ajib, keep up the good work! Sampai jumpah lagi, Remco, Sarah & Duco di Belanda

On a bright and sunny day we start the trek along tea plantations, awesome infinite views and cool wind accompanying us on the way. High at Candi Ceto we find the latest Hindu temple on Java 1500 meters above sea-level whilst mist surrounds us. Ajib our personal guide, a walking history book, narrates endlessly. This temple is of the 15th century, built by the last king of Majapahit. Highlighted by the Hindu society that lives around the temple who are still worshiping this temple using the culture of Majapahit. Next the 4 wheel drive takes us through a steep mountain trail to a 116 steps descent that leads to the Jumog Waterfall decorated in green with fern trees where we go for a bite and drink. In the crystal clear water we chill our feet, before visiting Candi Sukuh located 1100 meters above sea level. This temple was built during the ruin times of Hindu Kingdom where refugees from East Java went to the west to search a peaceful place. Then they finally stop at the sacred mountain and built their mother temple for both worshiping and doing exorcism ceremonies. After the interesting break at Sukuh a two hours mountain hike awaits us. The winding lane meanders around the slopes of the Lawu mountain as breathtaking vistas vary never-ending. Walking along small villages where cheerful mountain people greet. The trail ends at the parking area of Grojogan Sewu waterfall, where optionally you can visit this 80 meters high waterfall. Finally we drive back to Solo. Thanks to Ajib our pathfinder we learned a lot about the history of Ancient Jawa and meeting the local people living in the sunny hamlets that offers every opportunity to relax and unwind in beautiful surroundings...

Die Tour war interessanter als beschrieben, hat uns wirklich gut gefallen. Wir (18,19,5x,61) sind total begeistert, haben mehr gesehen als erwartet. Kapong - Baumwollartige Baum-Früchte .... Brennerei für medizinischen Alkohol.... uralte, traditionelle Häuser und dann noch die Manufaktur für Musikinstrumente : Gamelan-Orchester. Schmiede... hautnah. Tolle Landschaft, und super Erklärungen. i-Tüpfelchen: das Mittagessen, das Ajibs´ Frau zubereitet hatte. Lecker !

Ajib a big-smile tour-guide takes us on a bike trip roaming the rice fields encircling SoloCity. Country lanes lead us to the Solo river. On the riverbank we find a home crafts factory where cassave crackers are made. With patience the delicious crackers are manufactured one by one. Next we cross the Bengawan Solo on a bamboo raft navigated by an old boatsman. Agile he pilots the raft with great power along the strong river current to the other side where in a small warung we drink a glass of green tea. Back on the bike we continue the trip and in a small village we visit a gong forge where the heat is sheer unbearable. Strong blacksmiths hammer with force the red hot giant gamelan gong into the right shape. Leaving the beating men we move on. Later on we stop at a little tile factory where a family fabricate them manually piece by piece. The old lady fixes the clay on the plate, her son turns the wheel so the tile is pressed into a mould. His wife finishes the job by pealing and stow away the tile left to be baked in the oven. And on it goes again, finally ending at a distillery. Here clinical alcohol is distilled and besides a couple of bottles will be spared as booze. Late afternoon we bike back and Ajib’s wife welcomes us with an exquisite meal at their cozy place.