Indonesia: A Mosque Which Was Built Overnight

Since now is the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Indonesia, I'd like to share some pictures of a mosque that I visited last year in my hometown, Malang. I can't remember what I was browsing on the Internet when I came across an article about this mosque and thought, Whoa! This mosque looks beautiful. And it's in Malang? How come I've never heard about this before?

Masjid Tiban

The name is Masjid Tiban or Tiban Mosque. 'Tiban' in Indonesian means 'suddenly there'. Rumour has it, the locals believe that this mosque was built overnight by a genie. Because they've never seen this mosque nor the building process before and suddenly 'BOOM' one morning this mosque just appear in that area. (David Copperfield, please tell me did you do this ?)

The truth is Masjid Tiban was build since 1991 and until now it's not completely done yet. It's built in the middle of an Islamic boarding school in Turen area, about 1,5 hours from Malang city centre. Hajj Achmad Bahru Mafdloludin Sholeh, owner of the boarding school denied all the rumours.But I guess because of the rumours, this mosque became famous.

path to the unique mosque

other side of the mosque

some aquariums

interior

rest area

calligraphy

What I found fascinating was the details on the wall. I've been told that the students and pilgrims has been helping to build this mosque and they carved Islamic symbols or prayers on the wall. It looks so pretty in blue and white colour. Somehow I feel like I was in the Middle East country.

details on the wall

information centre

Tiban mosque is 9 storey high including souvenir shop, a canteen and a mini zoo. Each floor has different and unique interior. I was in awe looking at that pretty architecture and details.
It is open for public and free of charge for any visitors. However please bear in mind to dress in decent clothes including covering your arms, knees and even better your hair to respect their religion.

Austria: In Love With Salzburg

Austria, September 2011

Doe, a deer, a female deer
Ray, a drop of golden sun
Me, a name I call myself
Far, a long long way to run
Sew, a needle pulling thread
La, a note to follow sew
Tea, I drink with jam and bread
That will bring us back to do...oh oh oh

Have you watched the Sound of Music movie ? I vaguely remember some of the scenes that I watched when I was a kid. Snowy mountains, green pastures, beautiful vintage buildings and amazing gardens with colourful flowers. And as a kid I wasn't curious enough to find out where it was taken. Until I planned my trip to Austria, I found out that some of the shooting locations were in Salzburg. I couldn't wait to step my feet on Mirabell gardens while dancing and singing the Do Re Mi Fa song. But of course I didn't do that because when I was there, the garden was kinda crowded. Because as much as I believe that I'm a good dancer, unfortunately I'm a terrible singer. I didn't want people to throw rotten eggs to my face so I was just humming the song while admiring that beautiful gardens and the palace.

the palace

Mirabell Gardens were redesigned around 1690 under Prince-Archbishop Johann Ernst Graf von Thun to plans by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and completely remodeled around 1730 by Franz Anton Danreiter. The Pegasus Fountain, a work by Kaspar Gras from Innsbruck, was installed in 1913. The four groups of statues around the fountain were sculpted by Ottavio Mosto and symbolise the 4 elements: fire, air, earth and water. The Mirabell Gardens were opened to the public by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1854. Today they are a horticultural masterpiece and popular backdrop for photographers.

Mirabell Gardens

a statue at Mirabell Gardens

Hohensalzburg Fortress in the background

Getreidegasse, the famous shopping lane

I managed to visit St. Peter's Cemetery, one of the oldest and the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. I can't really remember how or when I started my hobby of admiring cemeteries and skulls. There's something mysterious about it that attracts me a lot. St. Peter's cemetery is the final resting place for a number of famous personalities, artists, scholars and businessmen such as Sanction Solaria (architect and builder of Salzburg Cathedral), Mannerly Mozart (Mozart's sister), and a lot more.

St. Peter's cemetery

Salzburg Cathedral

Mozart's house

And since Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart, it would not complete without a visit to his house. The Mozart family lived on the third floor of the "Hagenauer House" at Getreidegasse 9 for twenty-six years, from 1747 to 1773. The celebrated composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was born here on January 27, 1756. In this museum you'll find out about how he grew up, when he began to make music, who his friends and patrons were, his relationship with his family, his passion for opera, and much more.

funicular railway

Then I made my way up to Hohensalzburg Fortress by the funicular railway. Fortress Hohensalzburg is a real eye-catcher peaking out high above the baroque towers of the city. Having served as a fortification and temporary residence of the prince archbishops for many years, the fortress also served as military barracks and a prison. The view from above is splendid, with overview of the old town, the Salzach river, green pastures and the Alpine with snowy tip. I could spend my whole day here enjoying the view while sipping a cup of coffee from the cafe.

lunch with a view

I wish I wake up every morning to this scenery

view from the Hohensalzburg Fortress

I really had a great day in Salzburg compared to the one I spent in Vienna.Well, I guess I'm not a city girl after all. I enjoy beautiful landscapes more than crowded big cities.
Salzburg, I wish I was in this pretty city right now...