Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Backpacking in Yogyakarta - Part 2

Hey guys! At last part 2 of our trip in Jogja but before reading this, please check the Jakarta and Jogja part 1 stories, here are the links:



Alright so the second part starts when we woke up in the morning, had breakfast, prepared our belongings and gathered with Kas coz he waited at the park near Abrakadabra.

It was one sunny morning, luckily it didn't rain. 9 am was our call time to our first destination at Kraton of Yogyakarta (Palace of Jogja). Paying the entrance with your camera visible will be twice the fee but since I was only using an Iphone, the lady said it's free of charge. Don't worry about the entrance fee though, it's inexpensive.

Kraton of Yogyakarta is much nicer if you hire a tour guide with you, somehow you will learn a lot of things. However, since it's my second time, I already know a little about it's architecture and history so I tried my best explaining some information to Sheff.

After Jogja Kraton, we went to Water Castle and during that time it was Kas' turn to explain the antiquity of the place and about the Sultan as well; we enjoyed listening to him. It was a little bit crowded and a photo shoot took in place (like a girl's 16th debut), I couldn't get the chance to take a wonderful photo at the pool blaaah. Nevertheless I was still amazed by the water castle's structure and handiwork.

Moving on, we went to a puppet master's shop, maybe it was the master's son explaining the puppet's aspect in great detail. It was very thoughtful he went into specific triviality. Truly an awesome experience like I was in history class.

Later on we continued along an aisle of mural paintings and colorful walls depicting Javanese culture and traditions, came across freshly made batik and the smell of jasmine was abundant. We visited a certain batik workshop beside a kindergarten. It was my first time to see a school in the palace area. The kindergarten is for children of the parents who are working in the palace. However, the batik master mentioned that it's not just a school but also an orphanage for there were unfortunate kids. I felt the urge to help but, we were not showered with moolah inasmuch as spending a large amount of money, it wasn't part of the plan so I didn't buy anything from this shop. But then again if I were rich, I'd buy one from the master's pieces because they were absolutely gorgeous!


Also, here's a vlog I made during our 1st & 2nd day in Jogja:



DAY 6



Mornings are so nice in Jogja.


Sheff preparing our coffee :}


Abrakadabra's breakfast frequently changes every morning :} That day we had sticky sweet rice. (parang biko)


As promised, a tour by Kas. Awesome ride to tell you the truth.


The famous Jogja Kraton wall.


The Palace gamelan plays in the morning. 'gamelan' means a traditional instrumental ensemble of Indonesia, typically including many bronze percussion instruments.


It's been 5 years now I got this at a tattoo shop in Jakarta. It's a memoir of my first trip and art appreciation of Indonesia. I got the inspiration from parang motif. Long time ago, parang motifs are only worn by the royal family but nowadays, anyone can wear such design. Tattoo by Jati.


Inside one of the museums in the palace.


Touristy shot hahaha!


The intricate hand made 'ukiran' or carving looks spectacular in real life.


They look just like the mom and son in Beauty & the beast, if you know what I mean :}


After looking around the palace of Jogja, we went to our next target at the water castle. This area is still located on every side of the palace. That's the oldest tree in Jogja by the way.



The water castle is a lovely place to have a pictorial but I was trying to avoid extra charges lol. The pools are already abandoned and probably dirty lol. They said that the waters are merely rain water.



Supposed to be in the past there are no houses surrounding the water castle.


This is where the Sultan waits for his prized woman chosen among 40+ more lol. Women will bathe in the pool while the Sultan is peeking through the window so he could choose the lucky girl, the rest is history lol.


Right in front of this carved edifice is a wide space where they say gladiators fight for entertainment. 


Walking in the neighborhood of people who work for the Sultan.


Traditional batik murals. Ugh so cool! <3


Authentic batik canting, drenched in dye over sun light to brighten the colors. Good to see such a reminiscing sight.


The baby looks so cute and vivid psychedelic mural looks dope af.


Going inside the underground mosque.


The innermost part of the dome is quite big!


Of course we wouldn't want to pass this chance. Kas took our photo :}


Inside another tunnel that leads to the ocean but the hole was already closed due to classified reasons. This tunnel is famous in music videos.


Kas and us went inside this kindergarten school, alongside the school is the master's batik shop.



The master's and his students' works. I wanted to buy at least that tiny one but still couldn't afford it lol.


Afterward we headed to a puppet master's shop, the ones they use in wayang. I shot a video of him and a guy explaining to me all the deets of their work.



Here are some of their works. The traditional wayang.


And they'd look like this in the theater or show.


These are the modern puppets.

After the twists and turns in Kraton of Jogja, we called it a day with Kas and dropped us at a restaurant near the area. We saw that this restaurant seemed crowded, very likely they have delicious food lol, and we were right.


Before parting ways, we took an obligatory selfie with Kas haha! Can't wait to visit Jogja again and give him souvenirs from my country.


The restaurant is Waroeng SS (spesial sambal) in Mantrijeron close to gudeg yu djum. Everything is local and affordable here!

TIP: The menu order is different in this restaurant. Don't be shy to ask the waiter/waitress for assistance, they can speak English so it's alright. 


So we had perkedel (fritters) our favorite haha!, tofu, fried duck, a mix of sambal sauces and tempe. We wanted to have a light lunch coz it was a bit late and sun was about to set.


Chocolate milk and avocado. UGH! So yummy!


And after lunch, we walked to abrakadabra bnb again! Spotted this fierce mural :}


Back at the hostel. Here I am resting my feet, it was one hell of a walk, not to mention it was raining haha!


Despite the rain, we saw a vendor selling dragon fruit at a cheaper price! 6,000 idr (22 php) for one dragon fruit, in Philippines apparently it's over priced. The dragon fruit was sweet and refreshing! Plus, host Andi gave us a taste test of their snake fruit wine. 


I was actually asking Andi if they were selling snake fruit, but he gave us a cup of the wine. Nevertheless, there were a few snake fruits left in the hostel's fridge and Andi gave them to us for free lol hurray!


Taking it easy before nightfall.


The restaurant is Hani's (the restaurant not the bakery). Clearly our dinner looked scrumptious, indeed they were! Chicken gudeg and red laksa hnggh! <3 Pricey but serving is excellent!


Welp! We definitely had our schedule full, as well as our stomachs. Time for tea and beauty rest.

SUMMARY:

  • Free breakfast in Abrakadabra bnb starts at 8 am. Wake up early so you can taste different breakfasts everyday. Start your trip early in the morning, more time more thrill.
  • Go to Kraton of Yogyakarta. Ride a taxi or get a driver from go-car thru the app to visit the palace and water castle. A much better idea is to make a deal with Kas or, you can just rent a bicycle/motorcycle in Abrakadabra. So many choices you can think of.
  • A tour guide in kraton and water castle is a must so you can get a better understanding of the place and relics rather than just meandering everywhere. Be sure not to buy anything that's 500,000 idr and up unless you are a fortunate traveler.
  • Go to Water Castle. The water castle is right around the corner. The entrance fee is inexpensive as well.
  • If the tour guide will make you walk to go to other places in the palace area, like the underground mosque, tunnel, batik and puppet shops, please do, they are places worth a visit.
  • Your next destination must be for lunch therefore I highly recommend Waroeng SS in Mantrijeron. If you like the local spicy food then this place is a must, they have different ways to serve sambal at an affordable price. Ordering food is different so ask the waitress for assistance.
  • I think I bought the dragon fruit at a mini store in Jl. DI Panjaitan on our way to Jl. Tirtodipuran. Good luck finding it! Parang sari-sari or tindahan lang. Moreover, buy snake fruit as well and try it.
  • I recommend Hani's for that cozy place and delicious food. I suggest you try the red laksa and ayam gudeg! :}
  • Go back to the hostel, drink tea and chill.

Part 3 will be the continuation, coming soon...

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