Junior High Harapan Bangsa Modernhill Goes to Semarang

The students of Harapan Bangsa Modernhill Junior High School gathered at the SHB Primary Building at 4:30 AM, and the journey continued at 5:00 AM after all students were registered by the teachers. They arrived at Gambir Station at 6:00 AM, where tickets were distributed to the students, and they began lining up to enter the station. A total of 117 students and 14 teachers participated, including the principal and a nurse. Once all students and teachers were seated on the train and had checked their seat numbers, everyone enjoyed the five-hour journey, receiving mineral water, snacks, and boxed meals.

Upon arriving in Semarang, buses were waiting for us, and we continued our trip to Gedong Songo Temple, a journey of about 1.5 hours. At the main parking area, we took a shuttle for a 10-minute ride, then arrived at Gedong Songo Temple, where a tour guide directed us around the site. The first day ended with a meal at Lombok Idjo Restaurant. We then headed to the Louis Kienne Pandanaran Hotel to rest.

On the second day, we all woke up at 5:00 AM. Muslim students performed their prayers, and non-Muslim students prayed in their rooms according to their faith. After breakfast, our destination was Sam Poo Kong Temple, where we learned about Chinese culture and its history, followed by a visit to the Ambarawa Railway Museum. Students enjoyed the scenery on a train tour and learned about the history of trains in Indonesia. We ended the day with dinner at Kopi Banaran, joining the high school students for a cheerful evening meal together. We then returned to the hotel to rest.

On the third day, we traveled to Desa Menari, a two-hour journey. In Desa Menari, students learned to make candy from milk, saw the process of making lemongrass soap, and danced together. The fresh air and warm hospitality of the village residents brought joy to all the students. After lunch, we headed to Lawang Sewu, a famous Semarang landmark loved by visitors for its photogenic spots and rich history. After our visit, we went to Kampung Laut for dinner and returned to the hotel, where students prepared their clothes for the return trip to Pondok Cabe the following day.

On the final day, we went to a nearby souvenir shop, then checked out and headed to Kota Lama (the Old Town), where we visited museums, viewed art displays, and enjoyed walking around the historic area. Before heading to Tawang Station, we stopped to buy batik and other souvenirs. We then continued to Tawang Station and headed back to Pondok Cabe (where students were served dinner and snacks on the train). We arrived in Pondok Cabe at 11:30 PM.

The 2024 Semarang Edutrip concluded.