CETHO temple and SUKUH temple

CETHO temple and SUKUH temple

  05:42    ABHISEKATOUR

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Solo city tours. Cetho temple and Sukuh temple are nice Solo Indonesia tourist attractions on the Mount.Lawu that still fresh cold air. Both are Hindu temples in Indonesia that built in the end of the 15th century with a lot of ornaments, statues, and many symbols that describe society activities in that time. Paying attention to the details in every piece of relief then we will be able to view and understood the ancient Javanese society as part of the ancient world cultures. Both temples also are very impressive temples by mystical place that suitable to a cooling-off or self meditation. It can be connected from that situation which Majapahit royal conflic so people need place like Cetho temple for closing to their God in meditation.

Frog statue in Cetho temple - God Wishnu symbolism

view from Ceto temple (north)

In India, the Hindu temple is commonly associated with Mount Meru - the axis of the world - and, more widely, with the universe itself. As the universe is coiled around the cosmic mountain, so the temple must have a centre. As the universe is four-pointed (caturbhr s t i), the temple too is first defined as a square (Kramrisch 1946:161-162; Michell 1988:69-72). This perception of the temple as a Mount Meru most probably prevailed in Southeast Asia as well.

Cetho temple has 13 temples terrace but fully restoration 1 - 9 terrace. 13 meanings to reflect 13 God manifestations like we can read at Hindu's book Lontar Wrhaspatti Tattwa.  Beside that, people in that time start to develop the local genius about built a temple to make prehistoric concept that respect to God who living on highest. Cetho temple even in same periode with Sukuh temple Solo, but quite different than Sukuh temple.
In Sukuh temple, we will seen many glory statue of God and many relief of Royal and their servant. So, from all statues and ornaments in Sukuh temple we can feel that this temple not for praying or meditation. Sukuh temple more as a respect temple for the King who has personification as God on earth. One relief at Sukuh temple describe the respect to Kings's funeral with Hindu's ritual prosession.

Frog statue in sukuh temple - sysbolism God Wishnu

Three tortoise sculpture that symbolizes the earth and the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Notes about Tortoise creature recognized by various civilizations in the world as the great reptiles. In China, tortoise said to be the basis of the beginning of creation. In Japan believed to be the cosmic mountain and is a symbol of the Earth's axis. In India is believed to be the first living beings who have the form of evolution that has spirit and is considered as the axis of the earth as well. American Indians put the tortoise as a symbol of the oldest in the process of life on earth and is known as the Mother Earth. In Greek myth, the turtle is a sacred symbol for the god Aphrodite and Hermes two deities associated with sexuality or the creation of natural contents. In Africa, there is a method called Ifa forecasting using tortoise shell as the basis for forecasting at a certain time. 

Wishnu change as tortoise to help other God to search water spring for life. Scarfing at sukuh more smooth and from massive stone, different than in Cetho that tortoise statue made from many stone and compiled. Why Wishnu illustrated and not Siwa ? We can understand because in that time the situation of the kingdom at the end of Majapahit where many wars then people hope God Vishnu immediately to make a peace on earth.

God Wishnu with arms

relief about respect to King's funeral

sukuh temple's relief

The unique one in both temple was how to describe the man with hat that their use. That hat   relief remind us to Java leather puppet (wayang) today. Many type of hat we can seen in sukuh temple from people on royal high rank until lowest rank and also the guard. 
Even in the old age of 700 years ago but at that time the community has reached a high level of understanding of the engineering building, technical artists, as well as an understanding of the most important concepts or beliefs that turned out to have continuity with the culture at various places. In this case I am talking about a statue of a turtle.


Turtle is a symbol known in mythology as their appearance and longevity. Therefore, the protective shell and thoroughly charming appearance, sometimes we find that the turtle is a symbol of protection and welfare aspects in particular mythology. Many cultures believe that the turtle is an animal that carries the world on its shell or as supporting the heavens. 
In some indigenous traditions of the Americas, the tortoise is believed to carry the world on top of the shell. Supreme spirit Cheyenne, Maheo, is grandma old turtle shell that supports the earth. Mohawk Nation believe that earthquakes are caused by old granny turtle which was stretch the body due to the weight of the earth that he prop in its shell. 
In ancient history, the people of Mesopotamia believed that the turtle is the symbol of one of their gods, namely Ea. And in Africa, the Yoruba mythology, known Ijapa, the tortoise is in the fairy-tale witch hereditary. 
In Hindu mythology, the world is supported by four elephants standing on a tortoise shell. Akupara is a tortoise in the world carrying the Hindu legend in penggungnya and maintain the balance of the earth and sea. There is one of the avatars of Vishnu, known as Kurma, the giant tortoise. Kurma avatar has a temple, Sri Kurman Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India which is dedicated to him. 
In China, one of the four leading animal is a turtle data that represents the element of water, symbolizing the four cardinal points north. Tortoises are mensimbolkan strength, longevity and immortality. Tortoise is also a real animal that became a symbol of the Chinese nation on the compass, though still looks like a mythological creature in the illustration.

turtle statue in sam poo kong - a chinesse temple built at 15 Century AD in Semarang

See more beautiful Indonesian ancient culture with us "ABHISEKATOUR" as your tour driver guide. Please send me your trip plan to email : aswoto69(at)gmail.com, so we can make discuss for your itinerary and quotation. We can serve 1 guest in 1 aircondcar until 100 guest using 2 big well aircond bus.

with kind warm regards, ATOK

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JAVA SUNRISE TOURS

JAVA SUNRISE TOURS

  06:39    ABHISEKATOUR

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Yogyakarta sunrise to sunset tours. Sunrise tour package in Java. See the sunrise at Java, Indonesia was a pleasure and amazing sensation that unspeakable how the beauty they are. Many places in Java Island to enjoy the beauty of sunrise ranging from Borobudur Sunrise Yogyakarta, Summit of Merapi Volcano in Yogyakarta, Setumbu Hill, Mount Sikunir in Dieng Plateau, Mount Bromo, Mount Semeru and Ijen Crater. I will review several of the sunrise point that generally desirable by foreign tourists and make the name as JAVA SUNRISE TOUR PACKAGE.

Sunrise moment on Borobudur temple

Borobudur sunrise. Yogyakarta sunrise to sunset tour packages also famous choice in yogyakarta tours.You can ask me to take yogyakarta sunrise and sunset tour.

DAY 1st

You landed at Yogyakarta at noon (arrival flight by Silk Air/Air Asia KL/Air Asia SG), and directly continued to yogyakarta heritage tour to visit Prambanan Temple, Sewu Temple, Ratu Boko temple, and finally hotel check in. 

DAY 2nd
Borobudur sunrise. The greatest sunrise view on summit of biggest ancient Buddhist Temple, Borobudur temple. All guest will registered and pay admission by Manohara Hotel for Borobudur sunrise.

borobudur sunrise tour

Yogyakarta sunrise to sunset tours. After that, we straight go to Dieng Plateau and reach there around 1 PM and continue exploring Dieng Plateau. You will spend overnight at Dieng Plateau that allready close to Sikunir Sunrise.

dieng plateau sunrise

Mount Sikunir sunrise, at Dieng Plateau

DAY 3rd

Sunrise Sikunir that started at 4 AM until 6.30 AM. From Dieng sunrise tour we continue to visit Sikidang Crater, Color Lake, and Arjuna Temple Complex. After lunch time we start to go to Borobudur temple and be there until sunset. You will be spend a night at hotel in Yogyakarta.

DAY 4th

After visiting Sultan Palace at 9.30 AM we will driving from Yogyakarta to Mount.Bromo, and will arrive (check in) at Mount.Bromo around 9 PM and spend over night.

DAY 5th

Mount.Bromo sunrise started at 3 AM with hire Bromo adventure jeep and finished around 8.30 AM. After breakfast, shower, relax, then we continue driving to Ijen Crater. We will arrive at around crater at 3 PM. Here, we stay over night to prepare climbing tommorow to see blue fire crater that start at 2.30 AM.

ATOK - yogyakarta bromo tour guide driver

mount bromo sunrise - direction to go down the Bromo sea sand

mount bromo sunrise

DAY 6th

Starting to climb peak of Ijen Crater at 1 AM with guiding by local guide to reach the Ijen Crater seeing amazing and spectaculer Ijen Crater . You will finished around 8 AM. Back to hotel for cleaning, shower, breakfast, and check out around 12 noon. We will go to hotel nearby Surabaya Airport and reach there around 7 PM. Finished all sunrise tour.

ijen crater view

DAY 7th

Check in departure flight at Surabaya Airport in early morning. ADIOS AMIGO ! Have a nice memory with Java sunrise tour with us.

Borobudur sunrise tour, Bromo sunrise tour. For more complitely information and reservation, please soonest contact me (ATOK) by email to : aswoto69(at) gmail.com. We will make few email conversation before, to make same opinion about your trip plan then we make a nice deal between us ( you and me as your tour guide driver ). Tour with us make your cost tour in Java more efficient with same kind services as any tour agency, because we also had experienced many years to serve foreign tourist and local tourist went to those all sunrise tour in Java, Indonesia. So, to get in touch with us, simply leave us a message using our Contact Form, and we'll make sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

yogyakarta tour guide driver - ATOK
http://id.linkedin.com/pub/aswoto-subandoro/67/255/8a0/

with warm kind regards, ATOK

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ULEN SENTALU, YOGYAKARTA UNIQUE MUSEUM

ULEN SENTALU, YOGYAKARTA UNIQUE MUSEUM

  08:29    ABHISEKATOUR

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Ulen Sentalu Museum, Yogyakarta. Ulen Sentalu museum seem as exotic and unique building because it was built in the jungle at Kaliurang, Yogyakarta and blend with the trees around the museum building. Shady and cool atmosphere will make you relax enjoy room by room that guided by a officially Ulen Sentalu museum guide. The museum is a place to store objects of ancient culture and cultural documentation of the Java Classical Periode to modern. 

ATOK-yogyakarta driver at ulen sentalu museum with Hansi Loh, KL

ulen sentalu museum "House of Heaven" (Grya Kaswargan)

ulen sentalu museum

relief in Ulen Sentalu Museum

Ulen Sentalu museum, Yogyakarta. If you want to understand the culture of Javanese then visited Ulen Sentalu museum is the right choice. In Kaliurang area, in addition to the museum Ulen Sentalu, you can visit also the museum of volcanic Mount Merapi, so you will be able to know the history of this mountain activities through documentation and scientific visualization. We can make program for tour to Ulen Sentalu museum for you, combining with Volcano Museum, and then enjoying Mount.Merapi using hire jeep adventure to see many nice scenery of mt.Merapi. 

We also well Java Bali Tours management that manage your Java Bali trip. Please don't hesitate to contact us by email to : aswoto69(at) gmail.com.

restaurant inside Ulen Sentalu museum

ulen sentalu museum

outdoor art in Ulen Sentalu Museum

ulen sentalu museum - room

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Chinese Temple in Semarang

Chinese Temple in Semarang

  20:35    ABHISEKATOUR

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SEMARANG TOURS, SEMARANG TOURISM, SEMARANG TOUR & TRAVEL

Semarang shore tours or Semarang tourism places. One of important and interesting sights to visit in Semarang is Sam Poo Kong chinese temple that also named "Sam Poo Thay Jin" and in Indonesia famous with name "Gedung Batu" chinese temple. Located in the southwest of the city of Semarang, 15 minutes from or to Semarang airport (Achmad Yani Airport). This temple at early year 1.500 AD was as a transitory and the first landing of a Moslem Chinese admiral named Zheng He / Cheng Ho.

gedung batu, semarang

Gedung Batu inscription

Building the main chamber of this temple is a stone cave. This cave believed to be the initial landing and the headquarters of Admiral Cheng Hoo and his men during a visit to the island of Java. Inside, visitors can see the statue that is believed sabagai statue of Sam Poo Tay Djien. Visitors also frequent ciamshie to be able to see a pilgrim luck in the future. 

This location can also be found altars and tombs of staff Admiral Cheng Hoo in Java, which is often visited by visitors to pilgrimage. Giving the name of the building / building is quite unique considering naming is based on objects from the ship. For example, Mbah Kyai Cundrik Bumi is where all types of weapons that are used to arm boat crew. Kiai / Nyai Tumpeng related to food on board and Kiai Djangkar put a ship's anchor. And Mbah Djurumudi that believed as the tomb of the helmsman ship. Building decorated with various paintings and sculptures depicting Cheng Hoo trip to Java including the two pillars on the surface of the main building.

The annual celebration of the landing Admiral Zheng He is one of the main agenda in the city of Semarang. The celebration begins with a religious ceremony at the Tay Kak Sie temple in Gang Lombok. After it was followed by a procession of the artificial statue of Sam Po Kong temple from Tay Kak Sie temple to Sam Poo Kong temple (Gedung Batu temple). The statue was then placed alongside the original statue of Sam Poo Kong.

sam poo kong temple - front yard

Enjoying all building of Gedung Batu below the trees

Main yard with Zheng Ho statue

Zheng Ho statue
Sculpture made ​​from bronze which is made in China is the tallest statue in Southeast Asia

turtle statue

Turtle is a symbol known in mythology as their appearance and longevity. Therefore, the protective shell and thoroughly charming appearance, sometimes we find that the turtle is a symbol of protection and welfare aspects in particular mythology. Many cultures believe that the turtle is an animal that carries the world on its shell or as supporting the heavens. 

In some indigenous traditions of the Americas, the tortoise is believed to carry the world on top of the shell. Supreme spirit Cheyenne, Maheo, is grandma old turtle shell that supports the earth. Mohawk Nation believe that earthquakes are caused by old granny turtle which was stretch the body due to the weight of the earth that he prop in its shell. 

In ancient history, the people of Mesopotamia believed that the turtle is the symbol of one of their gods, namely Ea. And in Africa, the Yoruba mythology, known Ijapa, the tortoise is in the fairy-tale witch hereditary. 

In Hindu mythology, the world is supported by four elephants standing on a tortoise shell. Akupara is a tortoise in the world carrying the Hindu legend in penggungnya and maintain the balance of the earth and sea. There is one of the avatars of Vishnu, known as Kurma, the giant tortoise. Kurma avatar has a temple, Sri Kurman Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India which is dedicated to him. 
In China, one of the four leading animal is a turtle data that represents the element of water, symbolizing the four cardinal points north. Tortoises are mensimbolkan strength, longevity and immortality. Tortoise is also a real animal that became a symbol of the Chinese nation on the compass, though still looks like a mythological creature in the illustration.

As a tour operator in Semarang and Yogyakarta, we made ​​a semarang private tour package  or big groups (with bus) for you both come in Semarang by plane or by cruise ships like the Costa Victoria, Rotterdam, or The World Cruise Ship.

1. One day Tour : after ship dock then meet us at 8 AM, we visit Sam Po Kong first (1.5 hours) then go to Borobudur. We will reach Borobudur around 1 PM, visit Borobudur 1,5 hours, then we start to Semarang port. We'll come to port around 5.30 PM.
2. Two days Tour : same as number (1) then you stay overnight in downtown Yogyakarta. The next day we will visit Sultan Palace, Watercastle Tamansari, Prambanan temple, then we heading to Semarang port. If time permitted we can visit Fort Wilhem I Fortress in Ambarawa.

If you can invite your friends/other cruise passangers while sailing in cruise to joint tour so your cost would be more efficient (than private tour) and I will used Van (for 7 - 16 persons) or Micro Bus (17 - 30 persons). I could be so sure if your cost will be competitive than you used other operator, just try to make comparison before you choose which tour operator you like.

semarang tour driver-ATOK testimony

with wam kind regards, ATOK

Please don't hesitate to contact us by send email to ATOK : aswoto69(at)gmail.com. We will respond your email shortly.

semarang tour driver testimony - from THE WORLD CRUISE SHIP

ATOK - semarang yogyakarta tour driver

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IJEN CRATER TOUR, Java Blue Fire Crater

IJEN CRATER TOUR, Java Blue Fire Crater

  16:20    ABHISEKATOUR

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Ijen crater tour. Ijen Crater, Java is one of the most amazing volcanoes in Indonesia. This volcano with blue lava located in Bondowoso, East Java. Ijen Crater is an acidic crater lake located at the top of Mount Ijen, 2.368 meters above sea level with a depth of 200 meters and the area of the lake crater reached 5.466 hectares. Ijen crater treking was the most popular into Java Bali Trip and we do recommend to do ijen treking tours with ABHISEKATOUR.

Paltuding Post, a trekking post to Ijen crater

Ijen crater blue fire. Mount Ijen Crater is the biggest crater lake in the world. With color bluish green lake, a cold enough temperature typical of the mountains and the scenery is very beautiful and enchanting so it is fitting that Ijen crater is an very exotic adventure tourist destination in Java, both for local or foreign tourists.

Ijen Crater

Ijen Crater blue famme. To begin climb to Ijen crater you should start heading Paltuding Post (last parking area) on the slopes of Mount Ijen. Ijen crater temperatur quite cool in early morning. From here you will climb (hiking) for about 1.5 to 2 hours – depend on your stamina. On the way tourists will meet many sulfur traditional carrier, which is also the traditional miners. 

ijen hiking trails start point

with Australian guest at Ijen Crater hiking trails

Ijen hiking trails, around 30 degrees

ijen crater hiking trails 20 minutes before Ijen Crater

Ijen Crater hiking trails, you almost come to greatest moment crater view!! 

Ijen traditional miners carrier, heavy : 70 - 90 kg

Ijen traditional coral sulfur mining

Ijen Crater Tour. Furthermore, tourists will arrive at the crater rim, travelers here will see the lake covered in mist and sulfur fumes. At the bottom of the crater, tourists can see the location of the sulfur traditional mining. Other sights can be seen is a fumarole which forms a mound of molten bright yellow. The mound of rock sulfur is usually taken out with a crowbar to further transported out. We recommend tourists to visit attractions crater in really early morning because the scenery is really exotic. For travelers who are familiar with the challenges can enjoy the blue flame (blue fire) of sulfur mining in realy early morning (start from Paltuding around 2.30 AM).

homestay at Paltuding Post, Ijen Crater

At Paltuding Post, there are room rent cost around IDR 150 K – 200 K per night or three-bedroom villa for around IDR 500 K per night. From here you live up to the crater of Mount Ijen waiting time of the morning start. So, if you want to stay overnight at Ijen better you reach Paltuding maximum at 6 PM then you have enough rest time for climb to see exotic crater Ijen. Paltuding Post also have many local Ijen Crater guide who will assist you to climb, take care of you, and also can take your property that might make heavy. Me my self do recommend this because the line trekking was quite dangerous in a dark. 

Ijen Crater, Java

Last Hiking Trails at Ijen Crater...You Make It !!!!

You want to go to Ijen Crater in East Java? Wherever you are, we will give you kindly advise how you will reach Ijen though you are guest from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Germany, USA, Nederlands, Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, etc. We invite you to contact us immediately "yogyakarta ATOK driver" via email: aswoto69(at)gmail.com or contact us directly at the number +6281329478187.

with warm kind regards, ATOK

paltuding post for start hiking to Ijen crater

yogakarta driver ATOK

other comments :

yogyadriver comments

update news see : KARIMUNJAWA ISLAND TOUR
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Twan T.Ververs has recommended you on LinkedIn

Twan T.Ververs tgv.-knd.-gerechtsdeurwaarder bij Hafkamp Gerechtsdeurwaarders

May 24, 2014 8:01 PM

Twan T.Ververs has recommended your work as tour guide at abhiseka tour and car rental.

This recommendation is visible in your profile.

Dear aswoto,
Ik heb deze aanbeveling van uw werkzaamheden geschreven zodat u deze kunt delen met andere LinkedIn-gebruikers.

Details of the Recommendation: "Ik heb Atok ingeschakeld om een tour te maken van Jogyakarta via Ambarawa naar Semarang.Hij is een zeer goede chauffeur in het hectische verkeer op Java en weet veel van dit gebied vanwege zijn opleiding en het feit dat hij in Semarang woonachtig is. We hebben een geweldige dag met hem gehad waarin alles kon en niks moest. En dat alles tegen een zéér schappelijke prijs !. Als iemand een tour wil maken in en om jogya kan ik hem zéér aanbevelen. The best you can get !!."
Service Category: Tourguide en chauffeur
Year first hired: 2012
Top Qualities: Expert, Good Value, On Time

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