Family trip to Jogja and Semarang 12 - 16 Dec 2014

In less than a week of returning from Osaka, we were up in a flight again, to Jogjakarta with family members and my siblings. There were 14 of us and travelling in one big family was such a fun. We hired a 16-seater van that took us to Prambanan and Borobudur on the 2^nd day when we were joined by Irfan and Sarah who flew in later.

1st day in Jogja

Prambanan as background

Prambanan

the in-laws

wifey and daughters

Fun shot for the guys

Fun shot for the ladies

 

posed by the ruins

Baby Nuri also want to be in the limelight

the cousins

 

Borobudur as background

Yanti at Borobudur

wifey by the stupas of Borobudur

On the 3^rd day at 8 am we left Jogja for Semarang to meet relatives and cousins in Kendal. The drive took more than 3 hours’ and to avoid traffic congestion, the driver took the alternative route driving up mountain ranges. It was a good decision made as the drives was so scenic.

We arrived in Kendal around 12 noon and were met by my cousin, Harjo by the road side in case our driver overshot.  This was my second visit to Kendal but my siblings’ first. We were greeted and welcomed with joy by all the relatives. After some formal introduction we were feasted with traditional home cooked Javanese food prepared by Harjo’s wife, Miah. Stories and life experiences were exchanged over lunch and tea. 

 

 

feasting in Harjo's place

 

sharing and recording family tree with Harjo

 

We left Kendal later for Demak visiting the historical Masjid Agung Demak. This Masjid was built few hundred years ago during the spread of Islam in Indonesia. 

one big family

We and Nuri

After Asar we left Demak for Semarang checking into the hotel where we will be staying for the next 2 days.

 

resting in Masjid Agung Semarang

with Harjo at Masjid Agung Semarang

 

fun.... taking the van taxi in Semarang

Although this was only a short trip, it was good one as it strengthened family bonding. 

good bye Semarang

Kyoto and the last day in Osaka

I didn’t get to update last night as I was too tired. We were in Kyoto yesterday but the weather was not with us. It rains the whole day with the temperature at 8c and we were soaking wet…you can imagine how unfortunate it was making our sight-seeing really unpleasant. We came back to Osaka in the evening (night fall at 5pm) and all dead tired.

leaving for Kyoto and checking for which platform to go

in the rain at 8c

Kyoto sight-seeing

trying hard to smile for the camera

rain or shine, the day is mine

happy with natural smile away from the element

This morning was a cool sunny day with the temperature at 8c. Although there was sunshine, the air was icy cold. Anyway, as it’s our last day in Osaka we planned to spend the time shopping. I couldn’t find any record/vinyl shops although I knew there were quite a few in the area so I decided to give that a miss this time round.

Our first stop was Americamura, a shopping area popular with the teens due to its Americanized product. Nothing interesting for us though but we chanced upon a record shop which was on my list, King King music.com. Afterward I realized that there were many of these shops in the area but most of them stocked pop and hip hop or alternative music. Nevertheless, I get to pick some jazz albums….not so bad.

Next stop was Namba area with its shopping street connected to Shinsaibashi that seems like a never ending alley. With Christmas coming soon, the place was a sea of people at every nook and corner and in a freeeeeeezing temperature.

on a street in Namba area

lunch......pancake with ice cream topping

Alice in wonderland....I mean on wednesday

This is a must in every trip.....vinyl shopping

some of the vinyls

 

shopping street in Namba

by the bill board in Namba

Dinner in a Pakistani restaurant

nasi bryani tasted so good.