Meet prehistoric 'Java Man'
by theo1006
The Solo river valley, north-east of Solo, is an important source of prehistoric fossils. Half of the world's findings of Pithecantropus Erectus or Homo Erectus skulls were made here, along with countless animal bones.
There are two museums dedicated to these findings, one at Sangiran and a smaller one at Trinil.
The government has recently invested in improvement and enlargement of the Sangiran museum. Its hours are 8-16 daily except Monday. There are few foreign visitors. The curator - Haji Gunawan - will be happy to show you his conservation laboratory, which is off limits for local tourists.
You can also visit the discovery sites in the neighbourhood of the Sangiran museum.
Directions: Sangiran is 19 km from Solo. Take a bus in direction Purwodadi, drop off after 15 km at the turnoff right to Sangiran. Find an 'ojek' for the 4 km to the museum, and for driving you to the discovery sites.
The Trinil museum is farther from Solo, some 80 km. It boasts copies of the humanoid skulls found there, the originals are in the Netherlands. And it has educational displays for local visitors. Take a bus to Ngawi-Madiun, drop off 11 km before Ngawi at the turnoff to the north for Trinil. From the turnoff it is 3 km.
A more recent and interesting fossil discovery site is located in Kudus regency. See Patiayam tip.
The Village Alarm System
by bpacker
Despite its modern facade, Solo is still a quaint little place by heart. Just opposite of the Novotel Hotel, lies a little village with quaint alarm. The system is erm, quaint to say the least. It's a wooden trunk with a clapper. Hit it twice for a robbery, thrice for floods, four times for a fire.
Where: Solo, Indonesia, in a street opposite Novotel Solo
SATE KERE YU REBI
by ancient_traveler
One more food that is categorize as a must try and again its very unique and could only be found in Solo (even other region also has the food with the same name but with the different content) is Sate Kere (Satay of the poor).
Just like soto, no region could claim satay as its origin, but for this delicious kind of satay, indeed it really is comes from Solo. You have to come to one of Sate Kere kiosk when visiting Solo, it's a must try.
operating hours: 11.00 - 20.00 in Sate kere kiosk will find sate tempe gembus (tempe made of soy, as a residue from a tofu creation process), beside the ordinary beef and cow innards as usual. But usually tempe gembus is dominating the presentation. That's why, this food then called sate kere (sate of the poor), because gembus is very cheap. So people with heart desease or hypertension, may not worry and avoid the satay kiosk. As long as you don't order cow innards satay as lung, spleen, heart, kidney or testicle.
Tempe gembus cooked with the same seasoning as the one use for cow innards. And after burned upon fire, it serves with nut seasoning. Its taste is lighter because it consist of less nut than any others satay seasoning as usual.
Candi Ceto
by Rodan44
Along with nearby Candi Sukuh, Candi Ceto represents one of the last Hindu temples to be built in Java before the Javanese courts were converted to Islam in the 16th century. The temple sits high on the slopes on Gunung Lawu at an elevation of 2200m. The steep drive up the to the site offers breathtaking views of mountain slopes covered in rice fields. The day we went, clouds were covering the entire site, giving it a very surreal and mystical atmosphere. The cool mountain air also makes this a very pleasant journey.
The temple design is very similar to those found in the mountain temples of Bali. It is built on multi-level terraces, starting at the lowest point and climbing steadily up from there. It also contains the split gates that are so common in Balinese temples. There are some relief carvings and statues to be found, but not many compared to Candi Sukuh.
Since this site is even more remote than Candi Sukuh, it receives very few visitors. On arrival you must pay a small entrance fee and sign a guestbook.
Candi Ceto
by trisanna
Built around the same time as Candi Sukuh, or the 15th century this temple is located at the top of a steep hill-slopes of Gunung Lawu. The drive alone is worth the trip, since it's quite beautiful and you pass many tea plantations. This is supposed to be the most recently built Hindu temple in Java.
Since it's difficult to get here, you may have the site to yourself. The temple has some Balinese elements as well.
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My husband with our very entertaining guide
26-07-2010
26-07-2010
26-07-2010
