Java Trip: Semarang Both Haunted and Fun in Lawang Sewu

After hot days at Cirebon, we continue straight to Semarang. On the way we pass through new toll road into Kanci. This new toll road is expensive and in bad condition, no wonder because it built by Bakrie group.  The corruption of government-corporaation always leave the government funding on maintenance with little improvement. I wonder what Deandels would think for over 200 years, we haven't connect Java with toll network.

A little bit rustic, a little bit grand

The network of central Java are begin with Brebes, Tegal and Pekalongan. Those three city is near the Java sea and have sea network. Brebes is legendary for salty egg and shallot. Shallot is one of important Indonesian spices and this Brebes shallot has bright colour and spicier taste. Next city we pass is Tegal, this growing city has strategic location and have develop shopping centre. Tegal historically have became the main rice producer. For Pekalongan the last stop before Semarang had been the producer of Sugar.

One Thousand Door

Semarang

Finally after long 8 hours drive from Cirebon we finally arrived at the capital of central Java. Semarang was an international port even before the arrival of European people. The Dutch mark the city with atmospherics architecture, and deeply rooted Chinese have give vibrant culture to the city. This city is always connected with the great admiral Zheng He which his mausoleum was enshrined and prayed until now.

Semarang is famous for Dutch architecture, from Gereja Bleduk to Lawang Sewu. The Lawang Sewu has very grand of colonial architecture, were once one of the headquarters of the Indonesian railways, during Dutch era. This building is famous because of the ghost story inside. During the Japan occupation this building is used for interrogation and execution.

Looks like an office

Today is the first of Suro in Javanese calendar. This date was published by Sultan Agung the king of Mataram in 14th century. This day is sacred by Javanese people, they don't go out unless for praying or fasting. In this day of the night we like to do something spooky, going to the haunted Lawang Sewu on the night tour. The official and maybe he spirited cast us away. That's only for a day, in the morning we went to the landmark.

Lawang Sewu

Early in the morning we arrived at Lawang Sewu. The visitor is moderate and we can wander around the building. The name of Lawang Sewu is from Javanese language that means "Thousand Doors". This building is high and have many window, when we enter the building we can felt the breeze of the fresh air. This cool place have empty space and kind a place for being photographed.

They are human, not ghost

This former offices is somehow empty, the story and the furniture have to be recreated by our creative mind. There are a showcase of how the building had been restored. I read that right now there is also museum for Indonesian train history. The highlight for haunting tour is going down to the dungeon. I don't take the tour, I don't want go to the haunted, damp, and narrow place. The tour usually guided by the official with boots and will tell you frightened story. 

Feel the creep?

I wondering why people love ghost story. The legend of this place had spread all over Indonesia, and I somehow quite creepy when I came in. Unfortunately the ghost usually cast away investor to restore and somehow makes the building utilize well. I think if the ghosts are visually and display better in historical narration and it might satisfied both people and the ghost.

Someone is watching over us eh?