In search of dreadlock hair kids at Dieng

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I had a long wish list, indeed, and Dieng Plateau was one of them. I and my friends decided to fly to Semarang from Jakarta and continued by road to Dieng. We arrived late in the evening at Semarang International Airport, where our driver picked us up and took us directly to Dieng. The drive took about four hours; reachingD Dieng at 2 am, I realised I had mistakenly left my camera bag at the airport! Thanks to the airport staff who have kept it safely and had it delivered the next day.

We stayed at Lovebird homestay near Dieng and continued our journey the next day. First stop was the famous Sikidang volcano crater, of which molten lava was hot enough to boil eggs. Next destination was Batu Pandang Ratapan Angin, from which hill we could have the valley view of Dieng. Dieng Plateau was unique for a few reasons. Every year, during certain season, the area could be covered with frost, and occassionally, it was closed to visitors because of the toxic CO2 emission from the crater.

Not only the landscape is beautiful, but it is home to some hundreds kids with naturally dreadlock hair! My wish to see one was granted while we took a break at one of the local coffee shops. It so happened the daughter of the coffee shop's owner, Atika, 20 months, was one of those kids with naturally dreadlock hair playing in front of us. We were told when she was seven months, she had high fever for seven days, after which her hair turned curly and dreadlock naturally. It is also believed that those kids should not have their hair cut until they had requested it themselves; otherwise, they would fall ill. Every year during August, the locals hold a Ruwatan ceremony which is a hair cutting ceremony, prior to such event, the parents should grant whatever wish their kids had. Today, Dieng Festival is combined with other activities such as jazz festival.

That evening, we left our accommodation at 3 am to start our climb to Sikunir hill to catch the view of the golden sunrise. I was told the climb was easy as stairs had been built for half of the track. For a fit person, the climb should not take more than half an hour. It took me an hour to reach the top, and to my surprise, the place was so packed that it was difficult to find a spot for my tripod! Only when the sun started to appear, I finally understood why people flocked to this place. It's the magical color combined with the beautiful landscape underneath, creating a picturesque painting like sight. Heading back to Semarang, we had a chance to stay at Wonosobo and visit the old city for tea time the next day before heading back to Jakarta.

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Comments

[Arjun]

TECh news
Thank you for sharing this information with us. You always inspire us.

[Totofore]

In Search of Dreadlock hair kids at Dieng
Thank you!