Telaga Warna

This is the second part of my trip story to Dieng plateau, the first one is my previous post Sunrise Above The Clouds.

Observing the sunrise from the top of Sikunir hill requires you to get up early at 4-am and climb the hill for 25 minutes, if you stay in Dieng village. But if you stay in Wonosobo, you need to leave the town at 3-am. The "show" would last till 6.30-am. Still early for a breakfast. Then you have time to do something before having breakfast. Telaga Warna is just right there for you by being located between Sikunir hill and Dieng village.

Telaga Cebong in the shade

I was surprised when I saw a lake from the point I started climbing Sikunir hill that morning. I knew I was there before, and been told there was a lake there. But it was to dark to see anything. It was Cebong lake, named after its tadpole shape ((ke)cebong is tadpole in Indonesian). I was not sure if its shape really looked like a tadpole or not. That was not important, the lake was nice. Hiding in the shadow of ajoining hill. Taking its picture was difficult since its extreme contrast. After taking some pictures I continued my trip to Telaga Warna.

The main gate to Telaga Warna

The high roof main gate to Telaga Warna make it seen easily. The car park was at the main gate's opposite side of the road. I came in at 7-am after paying the ticket. Visiting this lake that early gave me huge advantage, no crowd! As soon as I enter the gate, the strong sulfuric smell hanging in the air just like at many other places in Dieng plateau.

The green colored water of Telaga Warna

 The water was green, I couldn't see anything in it. No small fish, no waterbugs, it just lukewarm acidic water. Some birds were swimming in the lake, they must be taking a bath. I believed it was called Telaga Warna due to its green colored water.  I walked further following a con-block pathway around the lake. It led me to a statue. It was Gajah Mada statue in golden color, with a closed cave by it. It was a sacred meditation place. I soon found out that Telaga Warna site not only had a lake, but also 4 caves/places for meditation: Batu Tulis, Gua Semar, Gua Sumur, and Gua Jaran (Gua is cave in Indonesian). I was not sure if they were still used currently, all were closed.

Gua Batutulis, guarded by Gajah Mada statue

Gua Semar entry

A statue at the Gua Sumur entry

All of the mediation caves were located in a kind of dyke between Telaga Warna and Telaga Pengilon. If Telaga Warna gave me a sterile impression by not having fishes in it, Telaga Pengilon was rich of life. Fishes, bugs, tadpoles, more birds and... fishermen. It had brownish colored water.

I wished I could get to a higher place for a better view on the lakes. God answered my wish, even though I had to punish my lung and legs for a climbing a hill for the second time that morning..... and the view was amazing! Telaga Warna, Telaga Pengilon were there. Mount Sindoro in the background was a big bonus.

Telaga Warna with Telaga Pengilon and mount Sindoro in the background

I took some pictures and gave my lung and legs time to recover before I went down for a breakfast and another destination in Dieng.

Another view to the lake

Click here for more pictures.


Iman
Pemalang, June 13 2010