If you have been following our posts, you might remember that, back on Sulawesi, we had travelled to a place called Malino that was supposed to be exceptionally beautiful, but our journey there had been marred by rain, where you could not see but a few feet in front of you.
Sadly, today we arrived in the town of Wonosobo, where we had planned to go up to the Dieng Plateau, highly touted on Lonely Planet for its mesmerizing views, considered to be the best in Java.
We are staying near this village
Well, we did reach the Dieng, but by the time we got there, it was Malino revisited. It started to pour intermittently, but even when the rain stopped, the low-lying clouds made it impossible to see anything.
I've used the word sadly because occasional glimpses did reveal that this is indeed a memorable spot. We are in the heart of the ring of fire, in the most volcanic place on earth, and from the lofty heights, I should have been able to take some great shots to remember it by, looking down or looking up. But it was not to be, as you can see.
On the way there, we had peeks of amazingly terraced fields, going straight up the mountains, which lamentably you will also not see.
There are several interesting mountain towns along the way that add to the scenery.
Oh well, be that as it may, we were able to get a decent view of a couple of peaks from our new place, once back in the valley.
Never mind the pile of dirt, the restaurant owner was kind enough to offer to take a picture, Happy Valentine's Day!
We are staying in a place that is quite similar to the Eden we had in Jogja. It's a small mountain resort, where once again, we are the only guests. We have a pool, and we are lodged in a typical Javan house, like in the last place.
Our abode, on the left.
No, not flowers, but colorful flamingoes staked to the ground, with rotating wings.
Oddly, the last three days were possibly the hottest and the most humid yet, and we had no rain. But I suppose it was because we Jogja is on the water, the Java Sea. When clouds however travel inland and they reach the mountains at high altitudes, the condensation in the cooler air gives way to rain. It was to be expected.
At the top of the plateau we had also planned a visit to a geothermal area called Kawah Sikidang, but luck would have it that we reached the place just as it closed, so all I could master was a couple of pictures from the gate.
We now have two days to travel back to Jakarta, from where we will be flying to another island. We could stay put another day and then drive the entire day back to the capital, but we've decided not to. Tomorrow will be better spent driving half-way back.
Well, it's almost time for bed. See you tomorrow, hopefully. Ciao!
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