The Easter Traveller: Jenolan Caves in Australia

Selamat Paskah

Happy Easter

Joyeuse Paques

Buona Pasqua

Anyone who knows me well would be accustomed with my quite adventurous taste of travelling. Well, a stylish adventure it is. JJJ

In 2017, I finally got a chance to be an Easter Traveller. Ever since I arrived in Sydney few years ago, Jenolan Caves was high on my must visit list of places in Australia. Located in the heart of New South Wales, these limestone caves located within the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve in the Blue Mountains region, in New South Wales. Journey from Sydney to Jenolan would take around 4-5 hours by car.

Founded by Australian Aboriginal people of the Gundungurra clan, the caves and the land above them have been made use by the Gundungura whose culture stretches back tens of thousands of years and which is very much a living culture today.

Due to its awe-inspiring beauty and scale, Jenolan Caves (http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/) have been frequented by the world’s royalties and celebrities. As early as 1927, Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother who were then titled as Their Royal Highnesses Duke and Duchess of York, made a Royal Visit on behalf of King George V. Fast forward 2018, the American tennis icon Venus Williams visited the Caves during her break at Australian Tennis championship.

I was even more motivated to make the visit since I read that Jenolan Caves performing Easter Sunday mass inside the Lucas Cave. Lucas Cave is one of the most impressive caves inside this complex. Housing the Cathedral Chamber, the Lucas Cave is the largest Cave and a favourite among visitors. It is called Cathedral Chamber since the stalactites in this cave looks like stalactites.

One could imagine when the soloist sang the “Risen Christ” song inside this million years ago formed cave, one’s heart and mind would surely ponder on the greatness of The Lord.

This year as we are celebrating Easter today, let me kindly wish my Christian and Catholic brother and sisters a very joyful Easter. May the blessings from Jesus’ resurrection continues to dwell in our lives forever more. A happy long weekend to my Moslem, Buddhist and Hindu as well as other brothers and sisters.

Now, I am certain that you would not want me to look like an ancient cave man. No worries, mate! I won’t let you down by wearing shabby outfit inside the caves. So for celebrating last year’s Easter in the Caves, I chose wearing a track pants crafted from Maumere Tenun (handcrafted) by the talented Dana Duryatna, a well-known Indonesian designer famous for his eclectic menswear design based on traditional cloths.

Scroll below to see my preferred color and see more style of JET in IG (@JETANDJUNG) and Facebook Page (JET Fashion Diplomacy).

Ps. Catatan Kecil untuk Sahabats Fashionista dan Rekans Diplomat

Selamat Paskah bagi sahabat dan keluarga Kristiani di Indonesia. Di hari yang agung, tetap kenakan Tenun, Batik, Songket untuk menampilkan betapa besar budaya bangsa Indonesia. Percaya lah bahwa perjalanan jauh tidak akan terasa jika hati dibuat bahagia. Salah satu caranya adalah dengan dressing up to the nines. So dress up nicely particularly when you attend an Easter brunch or dinner. As a guest, you want to look amazing, while as a host, you would want to look pristine. Either way, Indonesians remember to wear modern pieces crafted from traditional cloths. For Easter Sunday 2017, my choice fell to a Tenun Maumere track pants by Dana Duryatna for Priya (IG: @priyabydana).

Marvel at the beauty of Cathedral Chambers, known for its Cathedral-esque limestone cave.

Easter 2017 with The Mulyanas, Dr. Yayan GH Mulyana (then serving as Consul General of Republic of Indonesia to New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia) and Madam Irene Mulyana.

JET wears Tenun Maumere track pants by Dana Duryatna for Priya.

Care to join me in this epic adventure? ;)

Always put forward fashion diplomacy even as JET entered the cave

It’s a long journey before I got inside the body of the Jenolan Cabes

And the journey took me also to the limestone veranda overlooking pristine river.

Finally JET arrives at the majestic Cathedral Chamber

“Risen Christ” splendidly sung by this melodious soloist in the Cathedral chamber

Another top performance in this once a year Sunday Easter mass at Cathedral chamber. In the past, this chamber was used as a weekly place of worship to those working in Jenolan Caves.

What do you think of this shape? I think it looks like a Mermaid tail. J

A Shark fin look alike natural carving made from million years limestone.

This cave formation reminds me of the story of Jonah inside the belly of a large whale.

Grandeur mystery river of the cave.

But first, let JET be a super stylish cave man! Fashion diplomacy cave man to be correct.

After the tiring hiking inside the Caves, let’s have all Indonesian food lunch as prepared by the beautiful Ibu Irene Mulyana who is an amazing cook. Meatball soup, corn fritters, cheese stick, pineapple tart, you name it we have it! ;)

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#Easter2017

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