“Our journey across Java rolls on with a motorbike trip up to the Dieng Plateau. Located 2,000 meters above sea level, it’s much cooler up here than in the lowlands. On the way there, we got a taste of things to come with stunning views off to the side. It was a long ride, with the winding mountain roads seemingly going on forever, but at least it was scenic.
There’s not much tourism infrastructure here, so consider doing a home stay with a local family if you want to spend a few nights exploring the area. We had a great time staying with an incredibly friendly family, and I got to practice my mediocre Indonesian.
After a few weeks in Java’s mega cities, it was great to escape to a quite mountain village. With a full day in Dieng, it’s possible to take in most of the sights in a simple loop. First up, check out the Arjuna complex of Hindu temples. The first level is for common mortals, the second for holy people, and the third for the gods. You can even pose for a sweet picture with some characters from the Ramayana epic… or you can go more modern with the Teletubbies.
These are actually some of the oldest surviving religious structures in all of Java, dating back to the 8th century. Although only eight temples remain, it is believed that there were once up to 400. The temples are interesting and all, but the surroundings are what make the Dieng Plateau a great place to visit. We hired an awesome local guide for the day to take us around and explain everything to us. The next stop is Kawah Sikading, a volcanic crater. This area is very much active, and you’ll see bubbling mud, steam rising from vents, and boiling water. Our guide cracked a nice joke…
Be careful walking around here, because you definitely don’t want to fall in. For an interesting local snack, grab a few eggs that are boiled right here in the crater. Walk up the hill a bit to escape the steam and take in the views. In the next video we’ll head to the Colored Lake.”
Sasha is an English teacher, writer, photographer, and videographer from the great state of Michigan. Upon graduating from Michigan State University, he moved to China and spent 5+ years living, working, studying, and traveling there. He also studied Indonesian Language & Culture in Bali for a year. He and his wife run the travel blog Grateful Gypsies, and they're currently trying the digital nomad lifestyle across Latin America.
