10

Sep

Ratu Boko

Last month was a special month for me. Yes, it was Ramadhan, a holy month. The most interesting part of it was in the end. Remember, we have a strong tradition: lebaran, and mudik. Days after Idul Fitri usually used by people as recreation time, along with numerous gatherings. Since most of my families are in Yogyakarta, I always be there when lebaran comes.

I took my time in Ratu Boko, a complex of ancient palace dated to Mataram Hindu Kingdom in Central Java. Yes, what you’ll see are ruins, and a very slow progress of reconstruction.

Pictures below are not the ancient palace, it’s a cafe, nicely sit in a place with great view. I can see Prambanan and Merapi from the distance.

 

Minal aidin wal faidzin, mohon maaf lahir dan batin 🙂

 

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23

Aug

Bar and Cuisine

“You should visit a brewery and taste a beer in Cologne!” as Oliver, our guide, told me. Sorry, but I’m not interested in trying such kind. But, entering a local restaurant seemed fun, as a part of experiencing the local’s rhythm of daily life.

 

After walked from one to another, we chose this one…

 

Choosing the right menu was never easy. In one side, I wanted to taste the local cuisine. In the other side, I had to consider whether it’s halal or not. Obviously, most of it weren’t. I chose the neutral one: goulash. Whatever it is, it’s a beef with sour sauce, served with bread. Dari rasanya, saya jelas jauh lebih suka rawon.

 

And our guide? Pork blood pudding with apple sauce. That’s his meal.

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23

Aug

Views Around the Hotel

Our hotel in Cologne was located far from the city’s center of activity, thus gave us some precious quiet moment. Through the window, I could see a glance the atmosphere of the common neighborhood. It was nice.

In one afternoon, I climbed the hotel’s roof in a purpose to fill my curiosity. Yes, it wasn’t a safe thing to do, but hey, I got some nice views from there!

Lagian, udah jauh-jauh ke negara orang, mbok ya nakal sekalian. Kapan lagi manjat-manjat genteng di sini?

From the top, I could have a sneak peak to the neighbor’s apartment. Well, they have a lovely balcony and a grill. Kind a place to spend your afternoon, sipping tea, and watching leaves fall from the trees.

Finally, feared of being caught for my unsafe act, I returned to my room…

 

And here’s one of our group member, enjoying the soft breeze from the window.

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23

Aug

Cologne Street Shots 2

 

Few more street shots from Cologne. Pictures were taken at Deutzer Bridge, Cathedral Plaza, and Neumarkt.

Near the Cathedral’s Plaza, I found a band of street performers, The Wordlfly. This Australian group were there as a part of their world tour.

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22

Aug

der Domturm

One of the most prominent aspects of Gothic architecture is its distinctive pointed spires, as a symbol for human glorification of the heaven. Being in the top of the cathedral, the whole city seemed to open itself, exposing the cityscape as if it wanted to show all that it has.

The Bell

 

Even in the most famous building in Germany, where you can be sure the conservation and security is at its best, the trace of tourists art vandalism can be found. The “BABY I LOVE YOU FOREVER” can be written by anyone. But the writing in the right side of the frame, was definitely made by a douchebag Korean tourist.

*Please, I didn’t mean to offend any person from any ethnicity, especially Korean 😉

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22

Aug

Inside The Cathedral

The last post I’ve described the Cologne Cathedral briefly. Now, it’s our turn to get inside it. The interior will be as fascinating as the exterior 🙂

 

The Tombs of The Bishops of Cologne

The Tombs of The Bishops of Cologne

The basement of the cathedral. Notice the foundation structure.

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21

Aug

Cologne Cathedral in A Glance

The most famous building in the Deutschland isn’t in the capital itself. The Cologne Cathedral is a marvelous example of a gothic architecture, a style which made popular by the Notre Dame of Paris. Many of the masons and craftsmen from the Notre Dame project continue to work in similar projects. Cologne Cathedral hasn’t been finished yet to this time. One reason, it’s a really expensive project. In the World War II, the allied bombers didn’t even want to shot a single bullet to the cathedral, while the rest of the city burned down. No, the reason was because it was used as a marker. You sew the cathedral’s tower, then you’re above Cologne. The second reason why it hadn’t been finished yet, is another superstitious story. It is believed when the cathedral is completed, the world will end. So, why bothering it?

Eventhough we saw unfinished cathedral, it was still a marvelous one 🙂

I also have pictures taken inside the cathedral, but it’s another story 😉

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21

Aug

Street Shots: Cologne

Beautiful landscape and nice buildings are good, but how the people inside the city lives, it’s another way. Capturing the unprepared moment always fascinating 🙂

I saw many cyclists. They are everywhere, even in the trams, buses, and trains. A really nice way to travel. Since I had a crush on cycling, I couldn’t hold myself to take pictures of bikes, everywhere I found it 😀

It was the beginning of the summer.

Picture above: not a citizen of Cologne.

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21

Aug

Overview from the Rhein

It took me three years and a half to add a new post in this blog. Geez. For those years, I don’t even remember I have this one. But then out of the blue, came an idea. Hey, how about keep posting on this one?

Enough for the preamble.

So, last June I got a very special moment, which I have dreamed about since many years ago. Yes, it’s a Euro Trip. Not all of Europe actually, just Germany. And it’s only in the three city, for twelve days. Long story short, me and my college friends had received a visiting grant from DAAD, and our adventure thousands miles from home begun…

The first: Cologne. Or Köln. Whichever fits in your tongue. I found this city is very impressive. Located at the banks of Rhine, it has epic riverfront views. Combined with good architectural taste and many historical churches and cathedrals, I can’t stop saying wow to myself. Being the only one who hold the degree in architecture in my group, It feels like I’m the only one who always late. Yes, the views were too good to pass up.

When I walked through that alley, I can’t stop swearing. A huge cathedral seems suddenly appears in the end of the path.

Wonder why this bridge full of shit padlocks? Lovers the superstitious, of course, usually wrote down their name on their padlock, and threw the key to the Rhine. A symbol of naive idiocy true love which nothing can separate but God.

Finally, the Old Kaiser himself, in a Prussian military uniform, on a back of a mighty horse.

By the way, the state which the city belong is Nordrhein Westfallen. Beautiful name, isn’t it?

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25

May

Sisi Lain Jogja

Foto-foto ini diambil di pinggiran Kali Code yang membelah Kota Jogja. Biasanya orang yang mengunjungi Jogja lebih banyak terpaku kepada Tugu, Keraton, atau Malioboro. Pernahkah terpikir untuk melihat Jogja dari sisi lain? Sisi yang menurut banyak orang kurang menarik, tapi bila diamati ternyata ia memiliki detil-detil yang mengagumkan.

Coba lihat sisi lain Jogja melalui perkampungan Code…

16 years ago Short URL Comments

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