Short 'Luscious' Gateway to Jogjakarta

What do you remember when u hear “Jogjakarta”? Gudeg? Malioboro? I’m sure that it’s more than that. Yap! Jogjakarta is a "never ending city". Every its side has a story, something interesting (at least for me). I’ve visited the city several times and I will visit in the near future as well. Don’t know why I’ve never been bored , I always find something new. A few weeks ago is the last time I visited the city (since I write this post). I visited there with Maura, yes, she's my best senior high school partner. In the middle of college chaos, we plan the itinerary. We had a similiarity at that time that brought us to the same destination, we were stress to face the thesis stress. So here we go, i'll tell you the story and bring you to our a-few-days-without-thesis world.

FIRST DAY

We went to Jogjakarta by train from Surabaya. The price was Rp 94.000. We arrived in Jogja about 13.50 pm. Well, we didn’t plan anything for today. So, we just went to the hotel. First of all, i have a duty to tell y'all about place where i stay during this trip. It gave me a very good impression. You know what? The hotel was very cute and I couldn’t handle it anymore. Actually it was not a ‘hotel’ but kind of Bed and Breakfast (B&B). A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast. It was named Rumah Kita with modern vitage theme. Well, I calles it as a ‘house’ because the place was so cozy and I bet u’ll feel like u’re home when u’re there. It was located in the middle of city but far away from crowd. They named their room with the name of Indonesia Islands, just like Misool, Sumba, Selayar, dll.

 

At first I was confused why there were so many ‘bule’ here, because Maura was in a hurry when looked for the hotel. It was a long weekend so a few budget hotels was full booked. Apparently we lived near the 'bule' area, they were Tirtodipuran and Prawirotaman. It was recommended for someone who loves traveling. Okay, back to what we did in that day, we decided to take an afternoon stroll arround the 'square'. We walked towards Malioboro until the monument of Jogja. We did not use any transportation because we just wanted to enjoy every corner of the city. Along the way, we catched inspiration and something interesting. The one that hit me most, there was a man who sat on the roadside waiting for sunset while painting. 

SECOND DAY

Yeay, we started the real journey today! In the morning, we visited 'Alun-alun' again for coming to a cultural ceremony, Grebeg Maulud. We were so lucky because when we were planning the trip, we didn’t know anything about the event. At first, like i said before that we didn't plan anything so well. We just bought the tickets to Jogja, and here we are. Well, Grebeg Maulud is an annual event that hold every year to remind the maulud of Prophet Muhammad SAW. The ceremony beginned with  a parade of Keraton soldiers who came out complete with special weapons, banners and musical instruments. At the end of the event, Gunungan (the food shaped like mountain) has always been the hallmark of Grebeg Maulud brought out and contested by the locals.

*i'm sorry for the bad photo, it was so crowd i couldn't take photo closely and detail 

After we were satisfied enjoy the event, we went to somewhere far. We went to Sleman, we visited Ijo Temple, Breksi Cliffs and Ratu Boko Temple. Well, the struggle was real. I guessed itsn't too recommended traveling during the rainy season. But who's afraid?! As long as the rain were waterdrops, just take it easy. So we were keep crashing rain riding a motorcycle. First, we visited the Ijo Temple. The admission price was Rp 5.000. Actually the temple was so so, but it was located in a highland and it was a rainy season so we got a very beautiful view with amazing fogs.

Second, we visited Breksi Cliffs. There was not official admission price, just pay it sincerely. Well..i was a little bit disappointed but, then again, it was rainy season. I saw the cliffs on Google and it was white and clean, so pretty. But the reality was not. Like I said before that “it was rainy season”. Maybe I was just too prejudiced. But i found something different that amazed me much. I found "a shadow of Roro Jonggrang" in the midle of beautiful view.. Well, it was the most beautiful view i've ever view during my trip in Jogjakarta.

And then we continued the journey. The third place we visited was Ratu Boko Temple. Tthe admission ticket price of this temple was the most expensive compared to other places in that day. At first, our intention visited this temple was look for the beautiful sunset. But the universe said no. Fortunately we were still entertained by the beautiful clouds. (Well, i'm not a good photographer but believe me, the reality was so amazing).

THIRD DAY

I tell you one more time that I didn’t plan the itinerary well so in the third day we went around the city. Our first destination was Taman Sari Water Castle. I bet that it was a big mistake to go here in holiday time. The only thing we see was only people. Well.. Then we tried to interpret the meaning of the journey. It was alright to met people everywhere, but the biggest mistake we made in that day was walking around the castle without knowing its history. So we just looked arround and observed the detail of its building and the surrounding village. Turns out that the village was so interesting! The society was focusing on creative areas such as art, creative clothing, etc. I guess i got more inspiration from the village than its water castle, right?

After that, we decided to had lunch in Bale Raos Restaurant. Located in Keraton complex, it had the beautiful traditional javanese architecture. The restaurant was recommended by our host, Mbak Tya. “It has the best Bestik Djawa in town.” she said. And ya, she didn't lie. Turns out that this menu was often serve for Sri Sultan Hamenku Buwono IX. Well, is it cool when you eat the same food with the king? :p And in the end of this day we visited to Keraton and relaxed around Tirtodipuran street.

FOURTH DAY

Sadly that we were going home today:( We went back by Bus. Oh my God, the bus was bad but It was very fun! We sat in the front row and the driver drove the bus badly. It felt like in every 5 seconds you go right, and then you go left. But it was very fun-tastic to closed the trip:)

Well, overall was awesome! Just like Ibn Battuta, a nominee Beroc Maroccan, said:

Travel; It keeps you silent, then turns you into a storyteller.

Well, I'm not a true traveler. But I like to do a lot of great trips! It made me feel very good. Because when you go somewhere, you discover so many new and interesting things to tell. You see the world turning, you talk to strangers, you do something different, etc. So do not forget to take time to create a journey and create your new great experience!