Yogyakarta (Jogja) Day 3 - Sikunir Sunrise, Arjuna Temple + Kawah Sikidang, Telaga Warna

Dieng plateau is a mountainous region located in Central Java.

It is an active volcanic region leading to various kinds of natural phenomena volcanic which is very interesting.

Sikunir Sunrise

Waking up at 4 am, we had a quick breakfast and took off for the sunrise hike.

We were greeted with freezing cold and darkness upon starting the hike. 

Good thing hand phones are equipped with flashlight nowadays :p

The route wasn't very clear, we were lucky our guide came along and guided us

Without light pollution, 

you can see sky full of stars along the way...

Too bad i didn't take any good pictures since my fingers were numb from the cold

We took around 45 mins to reach the peak. 

Then....there's the wait, with nothing blocking the wind, 

we felt like we might froze to ice T_T

SO, do prepare warm clothes if you're coming for the hike

And here comes the sunrise....bursting out of the sea of clouds...WHOAAAA

The scenery back down is simply breathtaking. 

Everything basking in morning sun is JUST so stunning!!!

Sikunir hike admission: IDR 10,000

We had locally produce baby potatoes with tempeh for breakfast.

Having steamy hot food overlooking the lake at the foot hill after a hike 

is just life's simple pleasures~

breakfast: fried tempeh+potato IDR 5,000

Arjuna Temple/ Candi Arjuna

Next stop Arjuna Temple. 

The entrance fee is tied together with Kawah Sikidang/ Sikidang crater.

Besides Candi Arjuna, there's also a few other candi around the area,

such as Semar temple, Puntadewa temple, Srikandi temple and Sembadra temple. 

However what draws me is the beautiful landscape surrounding it.

Layers of farms and houses along the mountainside with fields of greens and blue skies gives the place a very serene feeling

Arjuna Temple + Kawah Sikidang (IDR 30,000)

Kawah Sikidang/ Sikidang crater

After the greeneries, Kawah Sikidang/ Sikidang crater is a change of scenery. 

It encompasses about 200 square meters with plumes of smoke coming out of the ground.

The crater is surrounded by guardrail, but if you pay attention, you can spot areas with bubbling mud and smokes all around.

As with most crater, there's a place to boil eggs.

Crater boil eggs, anyone??

Telaga Warna/ Colour Lake

Colour Lake in Dieng plateau is situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, where the color of water change often due to sulfur content in the lake.

We were told there's 2 spot to visit Telaga Warna. 

Either go right up to the lake, 

or view it from a higher vantage point (Batu Ratapan Angin Dieng/ Stone Ratapan Angin)

We chosed the second option.

Ratapan Angin is a cliff at an altitude. 

We were able to take in the view of both the Colour Lake and Pengilon lake.

Pengilon lake is the lake adjacent to Colour Lake with clear water.

 Colour lake admission: IDR 30,000

Lunch at this place called Bu Djono (which is also a hostel).

Fried noodles, fried rice, teh jahe/ ginger tea & kopi luwak (highlight of the meal)

Lunch: IDR 137,000 for 4

Then it's trip back go Jogja again.