Dieng, The Land Above the Clouds

Just like last year, I wanted to have another birthday trip. But since I kinda upset by one and another. Then for this year, I decided to look for an open trip by myself.

I found a trip to Dieng by Ray Adventure on that date. And this time, I tried to ask Sekar to join me, fortunately she's agreed. She’s then contacted the CP and he said that it already full and we're on the waiting list. I was nearly gave up and started looking for private trip to one of thousand islands. Suddenly, the tour leader contacted Sekar and said that the other two was canceled. So then, we're going to Dieng. Hahaha

It cost IDR 625k/person with meeting point in Dunkin Donut Plaza Semanggi. After all people completed, we're going to Dieng by Elf. We departed on Friday around 9pm, and arrived in Dieng around 7am on the next day. Long drive indeed =__="

After waiting for the local tour guide, we're directly check in to the homestay. Eventhough it's not right beside the main street, but it's not too far away and the house's nice. 2 floor house with 3 big rooms, sofas and extra beds, including thick blankets.

A cool and clean breezes of Dieng really smoothen and calmed my mind. I shared room with Sekar and only the two of us, eventhough I already asked whether anyone wants to join since the bed was queen bed. After breakfast, showers and changed the clothes, we're ready to go. First stop; Kawah Sikidang.

I must take a note that anytime you go to a crater, you will need to bring masks. And unfortunately I forgot to bring it this time, so I have to buy there.

Kawah Sikidang is a volcanic crater with steaming vents and frantically bubbling mud ponds. There's no visible path near the entrance, so you must be very careful not to step to the wet areas.

The surroundings're dry and hot, but also with cold wind.

Along with the path to the crater that still half made, there're some local merchants whom sell various things, from local vegetables, fruits, even offer you to take a picture with horse.

The crater surrounding by hills, you can also tried to climb hills near the crater. I did tried to climb but not until the top since it's quite slippery up there.

After that, we're moving to Dieng Plateau. While waiting for our next turn to go to the theater, we did short tracking to Batu Ratapan Angin first.

Actually I kinda afraid of height, but then I tried to over it. And must admit that the view up there was amazing. We can see both of lake from the top.

And then we're going to the theater. The film was about the Dieng. Kinda, bored. And eventhough I managed to stay awake, while most of them're sleeping. Hahaha

We have lunch not so far from our homestay, and then we're going back to Telaga Warna. This lake is one of the tourist destination in Wonosobo. Telaga Warna name itself is given because of the unique natural phenomenon that occurs in this place, which is the color of water from the lake is frequently changing. Sometimes the lake is colored green and yellow or colorful like a rainbow. This's occurs because lake water contains high enough sulfur, so when the sun shine it, then the water appeared colorful.

Around Telaga Warna Dieng, there're a few caves that is often used as a place of meditation. That also connected to the other side of the lake

Eventhough they said that it's receding due to dry season, but we still can see the colors.

After that, we're going to Arjuna temples that apparently just straight up from our homestay and managed to catch the sunset.

Then we're going back to the homestay and after looking for the local food which's noodles called mie ongklok. After that we're sleeping and prepared for the sunrise tracking.

We're woke up at dawn and departed around 3am to Sikunir Hill. Because it's weekend, a lot people also going there. It tooks around 45 minutes to go to the top. After fighting with dust, sheer, and near the cliff, both me and sekar finally managed to the top.

Then I looking for the spot to hunt the sunrise. Fortunately we arrived earlier on the top so I got the good spot down below. And near another cliff. Hahaha

I heard that actually it will depends on our luck whether we could get the clouds or not. Since the clouds're Dieng's trademark. And thank you God, You gave me these few right on my Birthday. The very first sunrise on my new day. Here comes the Golden Sunrise

This' s why they called Dieng the land above the clouds.

After finished the sunrise hunted, we're going down. And I managed to capture the lake from above. It called Kecebong Lake, which reminds me of something... (well, nevermind)

We brought Dieng local fruits called Carica for souvenirs before repackaging and going back to Jakarta. Back to another 10 hours long drive..

And I got new friends in this trip! Yeay..
Anyway, see you on the next trip and..

Ja ne.