TRAVEL GUIDE: IT’S ALL ABOUT YOGYAKARTA (“JOGJAKARTA”)
Cliché as it my sound, but it is indeed lovelier visiting Yogyakarta the second time around. On both occasions of my visit, weather is
consistently unpredictable and the heavy downpour makes me want to curl up in
bed and lounge at the hotel room. But
with fixed itinerary made possible by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, exploring
Yogyakarta becomes hassle-free.
Yogyakarta
or Jogjakarta is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Indonesia
after Bali. There are about 70,000 handicraft industry and other facilities in
the likes of accommodation and transportation. As the capital of Yogyakarta
Special Region in Java Indonesia, it is renowned as the center of education,
classical Javanese fine art and culture in the likes of batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows.
A TASTE OF JOGJAKARTA CUISINE: PLACES TO DINE
GUDEG YU DJUM
Jalan Wijilan No. 167
Panembahan, Yogyakarta, Kota Yogyakarta
Daerah Istimewa, Yogyakarta, 55131, Indonesia
Open: 7AM to 10PM
It
is unfortunate that 2 weeks after we visited Gudeg Yu Djum, the owner passed
away at the age of 85. But her cuisine
will surely be remembered as one of best versions of gudeg, a traditional
Javanese food, originating from Yogyakarta and Central Java of Indonesia.
Gudeg is made from young unripe
jack fruit boiled for several hours with palm sugar and coconut milk. Additional spices include garlic, shallot,
candlenut, coriander seed, galangal, bay leaves and teak leaves, giving the reddish-brown
color to the dish. It tastes sweet for
my palate but it complements well when served with chicken and egg.
EPIC COFFEE
Jalan Palagan Tentara Pelajar
No. 29, Sariharjo, Ngaglik, Kabupaten Sleman
Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
55581, Indonesia
Open: 10AM-11PM
For
an Instagram-worthy interior and outdoor layout, this is the best place to
be. Every corner is picturesque and millenials would surely drool and panic
for their best angles to be taken. Apart
from being a coffee shop, it also serves as a furniture shop with creative
interior design and display of on sale items.
There
are positioned wooden long tables at the well-landscaped garden of the coffee
shop, serving as chill-out place for some diners who opt for open spaces and a
fresh air to breathe.
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STUPA BY PLATARAN
Borobudur, Magelang,
Central Java, Indonesia
Open: 6AM to 10PM
Adjacent
to a rice field, the open terrace restaurant provides a homey ambiance. It is in close proximity to the Borobudur
Temple which makes it a perfect venue to have our breakfast meal and to relax
after the sunrise viewing.
Traditional
Indonesia cuisine is the main offering of this restaurant.
BEUKENHOF RESTAURANT
Kawasan Museum Ullen Sentalu,
Jalan Boyong Km. 25, Kaliurang Barat
Hargobinangun, Pakem, Kabupaten Sleman
Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
55582, Indonesia
Open:
10AM to 4PM (Tuesdays to Sundays)
This restaurant is not the traditional one though ironically situated within the vicinity of a museum that tells stories of Java history. The colonial accents of interiors and architecture complements well with its dish servings – European and French cuisine.
Beukenhof
Restaurant is ideal for fine dining.
MILAS RESTAURANT
Jalan Prawirotaman 4 No. 127B,
Parangtritis, Brontokusuman, Mergangsan,
Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa
Yogyakarta, 55153, Indonesia
Open: 3 to 9PM
Contrary
to the Milas brand of restaurant that we know in the Philippines, this one does
not specialize in roasted suckling pigs.
It is purely for vegetarians. I
cannot vouch if dishes are highly recommended since I am not into
vegetables/salads but I managed anyway.
And some in the group who are vegetarians loved it, so I suppose it’s a legit-vegetarian restaurant.
OMAH DHUWUR RESTAURANT
JL Mondorakan, No. 252, Kotagede
Jagalan, Banguntapan, Bantul,
Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
55192, Indonesia
Open: 11AM to 10PM
Located at one of the historical buildings in the oldest area in Jogjakarta – Kotagede, Omah Dhuwur has a mix of Dutch and modern Javanese architecture. The restaurant is quite spacious that it can accommodate 100 or more guests. There is a well-landscaped garden as well serving as dining area’s view – making guests relaxed and comfortable.
The
restaurant’s menu is a combination of traditional recipes with imported
ingredients and served in the traditional way.
The blend of facilities, homey atmosphere and excellent food makes an
unforgettable dining experience.
AYAM GORENG SUHARTI
Jalan Suripto 208
Tunggal Depok, Yogyakarta
55143, Indonesia
In
the most comfortable and familiar dining experience, this restaurant is easy to
love. It resembles the typical eatery we
have back in the Philippines and we were greeted by a live singer at the
entrance. Unassuming as the interiors
may be, but the traditional Indonesian fried chicken is something the
restaurant should boast for. With its
huge serving, I was able to finish at least three for our dinner.
UNDERSTANDING YOGYAKARTA’S CULTURE: MUSEUMS TO VISIT
ULLEN SENTALU MUSEUM
Jalan Boyong KM 25 Kaliurang Barat
Hargobinangun, Sleman, Kabupaten Sleman,
Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
55582, Indonesia
Open: 8:30AM to 4PM
No
pictures allowed. That was the very first
rule given which of course for documenters like us would be a big deal. The story-telling though of the Javanese culture
and history became informative and smooth.
Thanks to our tour guide.
This
Javanese culture and art museum displays relics and artifact from royal houses
and kratons of Java such as Yogyakarta, Pakualam, Surakarta and
Mangkunegaran. The gardens are
well-maintained with sculptures and installations relating to traditional
Javanese culture and even conveys messages to the millenials of today – a continuous cultural preservation and
appreciation.
Admission
Fees: IDR50,000 (Foreigner) and
IDR30,000 (Locals)
KERATON NGAYOGYAKARTA HADININGRAT (KRATON)
JL Rotowijayan Blok No. 1
Panembahan, Kraton, Kota Yogyakarta
Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Years
ago, I was entrusted by my friends Carla and Christian to hold a map and lead
the way to the Kraton of Yogyakarta. With
all the hours of walking, we reached a residential community and asked a local
where we are. He immediately answered
that we are outside the palace complex and more so, outside the map I was
holding. The result? We head back to the hotel and sleep. This year, there’s no difficulty and at ease,
we reached the palace complex.
Kraton
is a palace complex located in the city of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta Special
Region, Indonesia. The palace is the main
seat for the Sultan of Yogyakarta and his family. Guarded by the “His Majesty’s Kraton Guard
Regiment, the palace complex serves as a cultural center for the Javanese
people and contains a museum that display’s the sultanate’s artifacts.
Trivia: The Kraton served as the second pit stop in
the reality show Amazing Race 19.
TIME FOR SOUVENIRS: REASONABLE SHOPPING CENTERS
BATIK MIROTA
Jalan Jenderal Ahmad Yani No. 9
Ngupasan, Gondomanan, Ngupasan,
Yogyakarta, Kuta Yogyakarta
Daerah Istimewa, Yogyakarta 55122, Indonesia
Open: 8AM to 9PM
Batik
Mirota is actually a clothing store with the cheapest finds of batik fabrics. Batik is
a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to the whole cloth. The patterns are varied and unique. In 2009, UNESCO designated Indonesian batik as the Masterpiece of Oral and
Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
But
not only batik fabrics are available
as cheap souvenirs in the likes of key chains, ref magnets, masks, home decors
and landmark replicas are in store.
MALIOBORO
Jalan
Malioboro is a major shopping street in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. The name is also used more generally for the
neighborhood around. It is open 24 hours
a day and all sorts of souvenir shops and stalls are within reach. In the evening, several open-air street side
restaurants operate along the street with street musicians, painters and other
artists exhibiting their creations in the road.
1 comments
that is one country in south east asia i haven't gone too (also brunei... and laos pa pala). i'll book mark this for future reference panyero. hope to go there soon, pero now, nganga muna and envy your shots :)
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