DI Yogyakarta!

Going to Yogyakarta (Jogja for short) was an 11hr train journey with rice fields and mountains weaving past the window.I opted for the morning train for the scenic view. At six o clock I finally arrived in DI YOGYAKARTA. DI means Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Special Territory). At first I was amused with the name DI (which means "at" in Malay/Indonesian) until I was told what it meant and explains why this place has a special name, why so special you wonder? It was the government's recognition for Yogyakarta's contribution in the Indonesian National Revolution during the 1940s where Yogyakarta briefly became the capital of Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta is the only region to have a monarchy.The Sultan of Yogyakarta is a lifetime governor of his kingdom. The city being only 300 years old, was actually born from a split of the old kingdom of Mataram,into the Sultanate of Yogyakarta and Surakarta(Solo).




Aside from Borobodur and Prambanan making Yogyakarta a veritable name in Indonesian tourism, it also boasts a vibrant art scene - from silverwork, shadow puppetry, Javanese music and traditional batik house. Yogyakarta also has a more youthful demographic in the population from the three universities in this tiny city. Yogyakarta is thus known as the cultural heart of Java and Solo,the spirit of Java.

I had time to drop off my backpack before having a royal meal. We were two sedate ladies surrounded by happy go lucky students, ah the vibrancy of youth! After that we wandered around town a bit to see the centuries old Tugu monument which symbolysed the relationship of the sultan with the people of Jogja. It is also the site of students' demonstrations or protest. From the end of the handicrafts area of Malioboro street we walked by the Dutch fort, Vredeburg which faces the Jogja Post Office,this is also the beginning of the street lined with Dutch colonial buildings. We saw a strange half man half tree statue, it was the first time my friend saw it so she had no idea why it was there aside from making an artistic statement. We stopped at the Alun-Alun Kidul, (South Square) behind the Keraton. A calm quiet place believed to be the resting place of the gods. There's a folksy game attached to this place called Masangin, where if you could walk blindfolded between two banyan trees you will be blessed and have your prayers answered. If you peeped you will be punished by being sent to an otherworldly place. I'm not one for messing about in a spiritual place so I didn't stick around for long( hey it was dark already!)

The next day we went to Prambanan temple, which is 30 minutes away from Jogja.It was a bit of a sensory overload going on the Trans Jogja buses,lots of people squishing their way in and you really learnt to take an aggressive stance over your queue position. At first confusing but you figured out soon enough how to get your transfers and there's always an attendant inside the bus platform and bus so you can grill them for directions and transfers. After getting off at the Prambanan bus stop there were ojek and becak drivers offering their services and telling you that it's a 1km walk. Pfft please, I can walk and I dont wilt under the sun. (note to self: buy an umbrella!) So we got to the temple and saw a big banner advertising a two in one package for the Queen Boko tombs and Prambanan temples which included a free shuttle ride (Queen Boko was 5km away). So my friend and I were discussing the merits of seeing Boko,when it came time to buy our tickets,the ticket girl asked where I was from because we had been speaking English in front of her. SHIT! In the end I had to pay the overpriced foreigner admission of 235 000, locals pay 50 000. (nothing like an expensive tourist admission to sour your disposition )


Queen Boko's place is on a hill and it was built as a monastic site for the royals to have quiet meditation. Thousand years later the place has lost its grandeur but the size is still ovewhelming. We hiked upwards to a hill shelter where you could see Prambanan in the distance and Merapi floating above it. Wandering about we found the meditation area inside some caves. There were separate caves for men and women. An old man was sitting close by who gave us some history lesson. As we were leaving he asked for some money so he could buy cigarrettes but we pretended not to hear him and said thank you nicely! (hey,cigarretes are bad for you!)

 Since I had the overpriced ticket I had a free welcome drink at the lovely sitting area. The sunset viewing would have been an eye pleasing experience but then we had to go see Prambanan.
Back at Prambanan I had a little fun with some illusion photo taking!