Identity of a nation is determined by how the government and
the people maintain cultural heritage given by the ancestors. This can be
achieved by keeping and maintaining the old buildings, so that the consistency
of culture will be increasingly felt in the area. But not many areas that could
do well to regulate all existing systems in order to provide the amenities to
the tourists. Only a few places that can make proper regulations and followed by the entire community, because there are no
parties who feel aggrieved by any regulation. One of them is my travel destination.
Yogyakarta.
Jogjaaaaaa!
Three days and two nights are not enough to explore all the
wealth of culture that exist in this city. I was not in the year 2013 when I
was got around the city by a three-wheeled vehicle that I liked, pedicab. I
seemed to be brought to decades ago.
I will share my brief experience in the city of Yogyakarta. It
may be contained a little
promotion, please being understandable.
I departed from my residence on Friday night by a travel car. With only 3 passengers, I felt quite comfortable, because I got the
atmosphere of quiet trip. I arrived in Yogyakarta, precisely in Tjiptorini
Jaya hotel at 3:30 am. I can’t get my booked room, because I booked for
Saturday. The whole room was filled with
guests who also want to enjoy blangkon and gudeg, so I had to wait until the
guests check out. And it's 13:00! What a long time! I can’t hold the drowsiness
and I was slept in the lobby. Finally the guests check out and I occupied rooms
726. The room exceeded my expectations, because even though the one-star
hotel, but they have the services and facilities that match the 4 star hotel.
I immediately enjoy the convenience by climb into bed and pull the covers, and, sleeping. Then I was awakened with a hunger that eventually forced to look
for a bite of rice and a bucket of fried chicken to satisfy the stomach. I
chose to go to the Plaza Ambarrukmo, which is not far from the hotel, by foot. I should have been aware from the beginning, that Jogja is hotter than my
hometown, and I did not have enough preparation to face the heat of the day in
my trip that afternoon. Finally, my efforts eliminating blemishes on my legs
failed miserably. But, I managed to get a bucket of fried chicken. I hurried
back to the hotel and hope that fried chicken does not fly out of the bucket to
find a better nest, people who will eat it immediately while it was warm.
Successfully, the chicken still stand in the bucket and I can enjoy it while
warm in the comfort of my room. I spent that day by lock myself in the hotel
to do work on chemistry and electricity, and prepare for a big presentation on
Thursday. My head feels as enlarged by the stream that flowed from the
potentiostat (read : task) and causes a chemical reaction in my head and I
want to eat fried chicken again (what the..?).
The second day is the best day on my vacation in Jogja. I
prepare my faithful friend, Nuno, a camera that I have had since 2009. I was
also did my morning routine, enjoy hot water for showers. Then I felt ready to
explore the city. Shirt, jeans, cardigans, crocs, a simple turban, money, and a
camera bag. Sufficient to enjoy Jogja. Because of the distance from the hotel
to malioboro far enough (or can be said to be very far), none pedicab want to
transport me there. So, I put the best expression to the receptionist to
immediately call a taxi for me. After 5 minutes, the taxi came. The driver is a
resident of Bantul. We talk about such short conversation and he gave informations
about interesting hunting spots. Travel
cost by taxi is not expensive.
My first destination, Vredeburg Fort. Vredeburg means peace.
As the name implied, I felt at peace when I was in it. My eyes were pampered
with pristine atmosphere of the fort, with Dutch typical buildings which was
well maintained.
There are many interesting part for me. Buildings, parks,
and atmosphere.
After feeling almost dry due to the hot day, I decided to
stop at a cafe that was still inside the Vredeburg. The name of this cafe is
Indische Koffie. I had promised to come to that place from the early.
All-wood furniture and shelves made me feel at home and
feel comfortable. They have a different menu with other cafes. This cafe offers
djamu. It is unique, but because I do not like herbs, I chose to order a cup of
coffee latte and bolognaise.
Then I went to the second spot, namely Taman Sari. I chose
to hire a pedicab that was parked in the fort courtyard. After completion of
negotiations on prices, he was willing to take me around Jogja. The pedicab
driver name is Mr Surono. He was often in Malioboro. During the trip we shared
stories, ranging from the number of tourists at weekend, to stories about his children
who have been married.
Finally we arrived at Taman Sari. From the entrance, so many
tourists are walking towards Taman Sari. I began to worry if I could not take
pictures because of the tight. But I do not feel the loss because I still get
to enjoy the Taman Sari. Surely, the place was fulfilled with Japanese tourists
who took the tour. I took the opportunity, followed this group to get the
information provided by the guide.
Taman Sari was originally built by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I and called
as "The Fragrant Garden". On the inside there is a pond called Umbul
Binangun, which was once a bathing pool for the Sultan, his wives, and the
daughters.
If I traced to the inside, there are gates to the surrounding houses.
And awesome, all the walls of houses decorated by batik made by paint. I sat
in front of the houses quite a long time, just for looking at them, sat on a
small side of street. Haha.
After feeling satisfied and heat in Taman Sari, I turned to go to the
third spot, Bird Market. Mr.Surono faithfully drove me there. I think the place
is in Ngasem, as shown in the map of the journey. But apparently moved to
Jl.Bantul place since 2010. It was very far far away, and I feel so sorry for
Mr.Surono.
Finally we arrived at the bird market. The place is very nice, neat, and
clean. Mr. Surono waited outside the gate. I started the journey in the
bird market from the cage area. In this area all the stores selling cage with
different shapes and colors.
In this bird market, I can find a boy in a cage.. haha
Then I went to the inside. Goods was variated, starting from the cages, birds, chickens, etc. My eyes fixed on a store that sells rabbit houses. The houses were very pretty and have bright colors. I also had time to chat with the owner, Mr. Juniarto. He said that the business brings huge profits. Within a day, the rabbit houses were sold 10-50 pieces, with the price ranging from IDR 45,000 to 75,000 for each, depending on the model. Incredible! If I present black and white photographs in the previous, now I present a full color photographs for you, to show the beauty of house's color.
Bird market was last destination of that afternoon. The heat makes me
want to enjoy the AC in hotel room. Mr. Surono escorted me back to Malioboro.
Initially I wanted him to took me to the hotel directly, but it was too far. I
went to the hotel using a taxi.
When finished relax and pamper myselves in the hotel room, there is an
arrival of special guests in evening. She is Liza, my cousin who is a student
of UGM. She asked me to walk around in Malioboro and enjoy the atmosphere of
night in Jogja using the motorbike. We enjoyed some culinary in Jogja city. The
end of the trip we were enjoying a glass of milk in Kalimilk , a sizeable cafe
with crowded visitors.
My trip in Jogja was very brief. In my opinion, 3 days 2 nights was not
enough to enjoy it. I promise, one day will come back to enjoy it.
A few notes on my trip in blangkon city. I love Yogyakarta!
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