Day 2: Kota Semarang & Kota Dua

Semarang - Today’s journey in Semarang was a deep dive into history, culture, and heritage.  It set against the city’s ever-present humid weather.

After my breakfast took a grab to the iconic Lawang Sewu, one of Indonesia’s most recognisable historical buildings. Built in the early 1900s during the Dutch colonial era, Lawang Sewu; meaning “Thousand Doors” and was originally the headquarters of the Dutch East Indies Railway Company. 

Lawang Sewu

True to its name, the building features countless doors and tall windows, designed for ventilation in the tropical climate. Walking through its grand corridors, you can feel the weight of history, especially knowing it later served as a site during the Japanese occupation and Indonesia’s struggle for independence. The architecture is stunning, with its white façade and arched windows standing proudly as a reminder of a complex past.

Train front carriage

Top floor of Lawang Sewu

All the doors of Lawang Sewu

Lawang Sewu Quadrangle

Frangipani flowers

Just across the road stands the striking Tugu Muda, or “Youth Monument.” This 53-metre stone monument commemorates the five-day battle between Indonesian youth and Japanese forces from 14–19 October 1945. 

Built in 1953, it symbolises courage, sacrifice, and patriotism. Standing there, you can’t help but reflect on the resilience and determination of the young fighters who played a part in Indonesia’s independence.

Next, I headed to the vibrant Sam Poo Kong, a colourful temple complex rich in cultural significance. Dedicated to the Chinese admiral Zheng He, this site blends Chinese and Javanese influences beautifully. It’s a photographer’s paradise, with bright red structures, intricate details, and dramatic backdrops at every corner. The entrance fee was Rp200,000 for the outer grounds and another Rp200,000 for the inner areas, totalling Rp400,000—but it was well worth it for the experience and the countless photo opportunities.

Day 1: A Humid Day Exploring Kota Dua (Semarang old city)

 Semarang - The Garuda plane had no air-condition whilst on the tarmac and it was so hot in the plane.  The steward told me that the pilot will turn on the aircon once the plane takes off.   

The moment I stepped out into the streets of Semarang, one thing was immediately clear; the weather was incredibly humid. The air felt thick and heavy, wrapping around you like a warm blanket. It’s the kind of heat that slows you down, but also adds to the city’s old-world charm.

Just a short 5-minute walk from my hotel, I visited Batik Danar Hadi. Known as one of Indonesia’s most respected batik brands, the store showcases beautifully crafted traditional fabrics. Walking through the shop felt like stepping into a cultural gallery, with intricate patterns telling stories of heritage and craftsmanship.

Next, I made my way to the iconic Semarang Tawang railway station. This historic station is a striking example of Dutch colonial architecture, with its grand facade, high ceilings, and symmetrical design. What makes it truly unique is its resilience despite frequent flooding in the area, the station continues to operate and remains a key transport hub. Its vintage charm, combined with its enduring functionality, gives it a character unlike modern stations.

Right in front of the station lies the scenic Polder Tawang, an artificial pond that plays an important role in flood control. At its centre stands the Soekarno Monument, a statue honouring Indonesia’s first president. The monument faces the colonial station, creating a symbolic contrast between Indonesia’s independence and its colonial past—a powerful visual moment. 

To end the day, I had dinner at Toko Oen, a place steeped in history. Established during the Dutch colonial era, Toko Oen has preserved its nostalgic charm with classic interiors and an old-world ambience. It’s known for its Dutch-style comfort food and traditional ice cream, making it a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

I ordered the rijst met hachee, a hearty Dutch-style beef stew served with rice, followed by a delightful dessert plain poffertjes are traditional Dutch mini pancakes, characterized by their small size, fluffy, tender texture, and a slightly spongy bite. Made with yeast and often buckwheat flour, they are traditionally served warm with powdered sugar and butter.  Simple yet satisfying, the meal perfectly matched the restaurant’s timeless character.

rijst met hachee

Poffertjes

Semarang may be humid, but its rich history, cultural depth, and unique experiences make every moment worthwhile.

A Busy Lunch at Oriental Kopi with Willy

 Singapore - I had lunch today with Willy at Oriental Kopi, one of the fastest-growing kopi chains that’s been drawing long queues across Malaysia and Singapore. Known for blending nostalgic Nanyang coffee culture with a modern café experience, Oriental Kopi has built a strong following largely due to its consistent quality, polished branding, and crowd-pleasing menu. It’s usually packed, so we were lucky to catch a relatively short queue today.

So what’s the hype? It’s really the combination of familiar local flavours done well, comfortable seating, and that “Instagram-friendly” café vibe. Plus, their menu offers a good mix of classic kopi staples with a slightly elevated twist.

Mee Siam

For lunch, I ordered the mee siam with fried chicken. The mee siam had a nice balance of tangy and savoury flavours, and the fried chicken was crispy and satisfying. Willy went for the curry mee pok, which came rich and aromatic, with a comforting depth of flavour.

We also couldn’t resist trying their famous Portuguese egg tart. It was flaky, creamy, and just the right level of sweetness and definitely worth the hype.

Overall, it was a simple but enjoyable lunch; good food, good company, and a kopi spot that lives up to its popularity.

A Satisfying Lunch at Seorae Jib Korean Charcoal BBQ with Joseph

 Singapore - I recently caught up with Joseph, a good friend, over a hearty lunch at Seorae Jib Korean Charcoal BBQ. It turned out to be one of those meals where the side dishes were free flowing and we certainly didn’t leave hungry.

We decided on their special pork collar set, which is one of their signatures. Even before the main dish arrived, the table was already filled with an impressive spread of complimentary side dishes.  There was a buffet counter for side dishes and we helped ourself to kimchi, soup, fresh lettuce wraps, and a variety of small bites that kept us happily occupied. In fact, by the time the main course was served, we were already half full; well, at least that’s what we joked about!

The pork collar itself was beautifully prepared; meat was tender, flavourful, and perfect for grilling. Wrapped in lettuce with a bit of kimchi and sauce, each bite was satisfying and well-balanced. It’s the kind of meal that encourages slow eating and good conversation, which made it perfect for catching up.

What really stood out to me was the level of hospitality. We were served a complimentary cup of cold barley tea, which was refreshing and a nice touch. Even more surprising was the free flow of water.  This is something that’s becoming quite rare these days, as many restaurants now charge for even tap water. It’s small gestures like these that make a dining experience feel more welcoming and thoughtful.

And just when we are done and paid, we were asked to help ourself to free ice cream and ended our meal on a sweet note. It was simple, but it completed the experience nicely.

A Refreshing NParks Morning Walk at Chinese Garden with my sister

 Singapore - I spent a delightful morning reconnecting with nature and my sister during a 2-hour guided walking tour at Chinese Garden, organised by National Parks Board. My sister and I arrived just before 9am, when the air was still cool and the park was calm.  It was a perfect for a relaxing start to the day.

Our journey began from Jurong Lake Gardens, where we met our guide, Siti. From the very beginning, it was clear we were in good hands. Siti was incredibly knowledgeable, especially when it came to edible plants; something I never realised was such a big part of our local greenery.

We entered through the iconic entrance arch and crossed the elegant bridge into the Chinese Garden. The scenery immediately transported us into a tranquil, classical Chinese landscape. 

Arch entrance to Chinese Garden

Jurong Lake

One of the highlights early in the tour was visiting the air-conditioned hydroponics enclosure. This was fascinating; almost like stepping into a mini research lab within a garden.

We walked into the editable plants area and there was the cat whiskers herb, known for its medicinal properties.  Cat whiskers herb is a traditional Southeast Asian medicinal plant widely used as a natural diuretic to treat kidney disorders, urinary tract infections, and reduce water retention. Rich in antioxidants, it also helps manage high blood pressure, gout, and diabetes, often consumed as a tea for detoxification

Cat Whiskers herb

The Jujube plant or Chinese red dates are often used in traditional remedies. Jujube fruit is high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories.  High in antioxidants. Jujube fruits are a rich source of compounds such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, and triterpenic acids. Some of these compounds have antioxidant properties.

The Red Button Spiral Ginger plant stood out with its vibrant colour and unusual shape.  the Red Button Spiral Ginger is edible, particularly the red, cone-shaped bracts and the yellow flowers that emerge from them. They are often eaten raw, offering a sweet, slightly sour taste similar to green grapes or apples.

We also learned about Job’s tears, which can be processed into what we know as Chinese pearl barley.  Chinese pearl barley or Yì yǐ rén, are nutritious, gluten-free, teardrop-shaped grains popular in Asian cuisine and medicine.  

Job's tears

Another interesting discovery was the Passiflora quadrangularis Erotica plant or the Penis passion fruit. 

Along the garden there were asparagus growing in the editable garden.

As we continued our walk, we arrived at a large, serene pond filled with lotus plants. The lotus flowers were in full bloom with graceful, delicate, and truly beautiful. It was one of those moments where you just stop, take it in, and appreciate the calm.

Then we walked pass the twin pagoda

Sister and me

Siti also pointed out the fragrant Ylang-Ylang flower, which is famously used in perfumes like Chanel No.5. It was amazing to think that such a luxurious scent has its roots in a simple flower growing right here.

Ylang-ylang flower

We then made our way to the iconic 7-storey pagoda, a striking landmark that adds to the charm and cultural richness of the garden. Nearby, the 12 zodiac statues added a fun and familiar touch, with visitors stopping to find their respective zodiac signs.

Further along, we came across another pond filled with water hyacinths. Their soft purple flowers created a stunning contrast against the water, adding another layer of beauty to the landscape. Our walk concluded with a peaceful stroll through a bamboo forest, where the tall, swaying stalks created a soothing, almost meditative atmosphere.

water hyacinth flower

Overall, the tour was not just a walk. It was an enriching experience. Thanks to Siti’s insights, we saw the garden through a completely different lens, appreciating not just the beauty, but also the purpose and stories behind the plants.  

It was a wonderful way to spend a morning—learning, exploring, and simply enjoying nature with my sister.

Dinner with Classmates and Walk Among Dinosaurs

 Singapore - It had been a while since I last met my old classmates, so when we finally agreed to catch up, we decided to keep things simple; good food, good company, and a bit of adventure. We chose dinner at Saboten, a cosy Japanese restaurant known for its tonkatsu.

The evening started with the familiar warmth of reconnecting. The moment we sat down, conversations flowed naturally with updates about work, family, and of course, plenty of laughter about our school days. It’s always amazing how friendships can pick up right where they left off, no matter how much time has passed.

I ordered the large tonkatsu set, and it did not disappoint. The pork cutlet was beautifully golden and crispy on the outside, yet tender and juicy on the inside. Each bite had that perfect crunch, followed by the rich flavour of the meat. What made the meal even better was the free flow of fresh shredded cabbage, rice, and miso soup. The cabbage was crisp and refreshing, balancing the richness of the tonkatsu, while the warm miso soup added a comforting touch to the meal.

We took our time enjoying dinner, refilling our cabbage and rice, chatting and laughing between bites. It wasn’t just about the food; it was the experience of sharing it together. To end the meal on a sweet note, we were each served a complimentary scoop of green tea ice cream. Light, slightly bitter, and refreshing, it was the perfect finish.

After dinner, we hopped on the free shuttle bus from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4, enjoying the short ride and continuing our conversations.

From there, we made our way to Jurassic Mile—a unique outdoor attraction that adds a fun twist to a simple walk. Stretching about 1 kilometre, it is Singapore’s largest permanent outdoor display of life-sized dinosaurs, featuring more than 20 prehistoric creatures along a cycling and jogging path.

Walking along the path felt almost surreal. Towering dinosaurs stood on both sides, some reaching up to nearly five metres tall . From the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex to giant dinosaur eggs, the displays were impressively lifelike. We couldn’t resist stopping for photos, posing, joking, and even attempting some “dinosaur encounters” for fun.

The path itself was lively, with both walkers and cyclists passing by, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. We walked at a relaxed pace, enjoying the night air and the simple joy of being together. Conversations became deeper as the night went on—less about the past, more about where we are now and where we’re heading.

By the time we reached the end of the trail, it wasn’t just about the dinner or the dinosaurs anymore. It was about reconnecting, sharing stories, and creating new memories.

Sometimes, the best moments are the simplest ones; good food, a pleasant walk, and the company of people who have been part of your journey for years.