THE UNIQUENESS CITY OF YOGYAKARTA

Yogyakarta (which is often spelled and called in different ways such as Jogjakarta, Yogya, or Jogja for short) is Indonesia in miniature. When visitors come to inhale the air of Yogyakarta, they feel like they have lived. Yogyakarta has been best described as a Never Ending Asia, Java's cultural heart, the soul city of Java, or planted in the fertile heartland of Central Java, (it is) the cradle of great Javanese empires... the capital of ancient kingdoms, medieval empires and modern revolution and an engaging melange of style and moods.

Yogyakarta or simply Yogya, is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. Located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram., from which present day Yogyakarta has inherited the best of traditions.

The average daily temperature range between 26 degree and 28 degree Celsius with its minimum 18 degree C and maximum 35 degree C respectively. Average humidity is 74% with its minimum of 65% and maximum 84% respectively.

The city is divided into 14 districts (kecamatan). 1. Gondokusuman 2. Jetis 3. Tegalrejo 4. Umbulharjo 5. Kotagede 6. Mergangsan 7. Ngampilan 8. Danurejan 9. Kraton 10. Wirobrajan 11. Pakualaman 12. Mantrijeron 13. Gedongtengen 14. Gondomanan.


Kepatihan Danurejan
It was the Dalem (mansion) and office of the Patih (Sultan's Chief Minister) during feudal (colonial time). The official name of every Patih of Karaton Yogyakarta was Danurejo, So the building is locally known as Kepatihan Danurejan, now is the office of the Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region, located North of Beringharjo Market.

Stasiun Tugu  

The main railway station with its colonial style located north of Kepatihan , south of Tugu. It is a very convenient station with regular connections to Jakarta, Solo, Semarang, Surabaya and other cities in Java.


Tugu
 

Tugu monument in the past

A monument stands in the crossroad of Jl. Malioboro and Jl. Sudirman. It has a symbolic meaning for the meditation and it is one of the magical line of Yogya, consisting of (south to north); the South Sea, the Karaton Yogyakarta, Tugu and Mount Merapi.

Tugu monument in the prese

The Yogyakarta Special Region lies approximately 7 South of the equator line and is bathed in tropical; sunshine along the year. Having a tropic climate the daily atmosphere feels a little bit hot and humid. These are only two seasons along the year, the wet or rainy seasons and dry monsoon. Usually the wet seasons begin at September and lasts about August.
Generally there is no rainfalls from may to August and there fore the atmosphere feels hot and humid on the day and cool in the night and early morning. The monthly rain falling Yogyakarta varies between 3mm and 496mm in which those above 300mm take place during the month of January up to April. The heaviest rainfall usually occurs in February while the lowest commonly happens between May and October Average annually rainfall is about 1,900mm.

Museum Sonobudoyo
This museum, founded in November 1935 and designed by the Dutch architect Kersten, is built in traditional Javanese architecture. It exhibits weapons, leather and wooden puppets of wayang theater, masks, statues, textiles, curios and old Javanese gamelan instruments. The museum is situated on the northern side of the city's main square in front of the Sultan's Palace. 


Kotagede 

Welcome to Kotagede

Silver handycraft

Kotagede, about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, is a neat little town which was once the seat of the mighty Mataram empire. In this old palace town with its walled-in houses, the graves of the first rulers of Mataram are still to be found. Since the 1930s, however, Kotagede has become famous for being the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by andong, the four wheeled horse-drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car.
There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver being transformed into beautiful works of art known as Yogya Silver.
Silver handycraft itself is a hereditary culture that used to actually craft gold. Over time, finally silver handycraft that many in the interest, so the craftsmen prefer to process the silver. Until now, the silver from Kotagede been exported to foreign countries, especially Eropa.The very popular jewelery type is the type of filigree, that the manufacturing process is very complicated, because the silver first processed into a very fine silver thread.  If you go to Yogyakarta, dont forget to visit Kotagede, go to the showroom from simple to very luxurious as HS Silver, Tom Silver, Silver or Narti Ansor Silver


Affandi Museum

Affandi Museum

On the main road between the airport and the city stands the Affandi Museum (1907 - 1990) in a lush garden next to his peculiar private home on stilts. He was Indonesia's foremost impressionist painter who built a private museum for his own paintings and of those of his daughter Kartika. Affandi's grave (died in May 1990) lies in the backyard next to the museum.

THE LEGEND OF YOGYAKARTA

Yogyakarta province is one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia. The city came into being in 1755, after the division of Mataram into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, the wayang kulit leather puppet theater and other expressions of traditional art will keep the visitor spellbound. Local craftsmen excel in the arts of batiks, silver and leather work.
 In the middle of south Central Java lies the magical region of Yogyakarta, the cradle of Javanese culture and tradition. In the north the volatile, Mount Merapi – the Fire Mountain with captivating physical beauty stands vigorously guarding the surrounding nature.

Mount Merapi

 This gigantic volcano, sometimes dangerous with its eruption and lava spitted from its crater, but at the same time gives tremendous fertility to the land. That's the reason why the farmers – inhabitants living in its slope do not want to leave their ancestor's place of birth. They have a mystical relation with Merapi to live in harmony with 'the rulers' of the mountain to keep them safe and peaceful.
It disclosed that the name Jogja, instead of Yogyakarta or Yogya, is used as a promotion to market Yogyakarta since Y is a difficult alphabetical start for most international audiences -both reading and spelling. While Jogja is easily pronounced as JOG-ja, even JOG could be used as nickname.

Yogyakarta is known for its silver work, leather puppets used for shadow plays (wayang kulit), and a unique style of making batik dyed fabric. It is also known for its vivid contemporary art scene. Yogyakarta is also known for its gamelan music, including the unique style Gamelan Yogyakarta, which developed in the courts.

Water Castle

Built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I just west of the kraton, part of this pleasure garden and castle is at present no more than an intriguing collection of ruins, pools, arches and underground passages enclosed by massive walls, however, the central courtyard with the nymph-baths has been restored.

 The Water Castle is located in the older part of the city within walking distance from the Bird Market. A number of batik workshops line the avenue leading to the pleasure garden's entrance.



 
Imogiri

Imogiri is the official cemetery of the royal descendants from Yogyakarta and Surakarta. The royal graveyard is located on a hilltop, reachable by 345 stone steps leading to it.
Imogiri is about 17 kms southeast of Yogyakarta and easily accessible by bus or car. The tombs are built within three main courtyards.
Entry into the smaller courtyards housing the tombs of the princes is allowed only on Monday 09.00 - 12.00 or Friday 13.00 - 16.00. Traditional Javanese dress has to be worn, which however can be hired on the spot at a modest fee. The cemetery is closed during the Moslem month of Ramadhan.

Stairway to the cemetery

TRAVELLING TO BALI ISLAND

Spiritualism is not a heritage of any one person or religion. Every person has a little or more of spiritualism deeply in them. Whether you are the seeker of spiritualism or just an ordinary person, the City of Bali brings out the hidden instincts of spiritualism from you. Bali is a beautiful Indonesian island. It is an embodiment of Balinese Hinduism and is thought of as one of the sacred places for followers of Balinese Hinduism. If you want to feel spiritually strong and want your soul to rejuvenate then travelling to Bali is a great idea. You will easily find discount hotel deals in Bali if you just get through some of the famous travel blogs available online.

Bali is a place characterized by ancient art; painting, dancing and many more. There are many places in Bali that you wouldn’t want to miss when you are there for your holidays. “Ubud” is the center of Balinese painting and has a collection of traditional as well as modern art. Ubud has many small hotels near it offering many affordable hotel deals. Other attractions include Kuta, Nusa Dua, Tanah Lot, Batubulan, Gianyar, Pura Besakih and terraced Rice paddies.

Kuta is one of the most flourishing tourism resorts. It is the best place to view the beautiful, heart touching scenes of sunset. Many affordable hotel deals can also be available at nearby hotels in Kuta such as Kuta Sea view Boutique Resort &Spa. The most popular hotel deals are provided by Puri Saron Seminyak Hotel & Villas, Legian Beach Hotel, The Kayana Hotel, Santika Beach Hotel and discovery Kartika Plaza hotel. They also favor their customers and tourist by giving discount deals on many offers. You can find wide variety of hotels ranging from luxurious to affordable ones.

People all around the world interested in visiting sacred place would love to travel all the way to Bali to have the privilege of seeing Pura Besakih. For the followers visiting this temple and other nearby temples in Bali is like doing a special pilgrimage. If you view it from the mountain, the sight created is not only impressive but also striking. They stay there for not a day but for more than a week. If you are one of them then finding a good accommodation is really important but don’t worry by doing little browsing, you can easily book a hotel room or a suite within your range and with the best hotel deals and you can also earn the opportunity of getting discount on different deals.

Pure Besakih

You can also surf on net and find different travel blogs written by people who have great knowledge about these places. Such travel blogs will make your trip easier and more convenient for you. There are some well known travel blogs websites and national geographic. These travel blogs have all the information related to your desired city and will help you find the best discount hotel ,hotel deals and best places to shop and enjoy your trip to your utmost.
For traveller on budget, you can save cost of calling back to your home country by using calling card or phone card. Happy travelling!

KWARU BEACH, BANTUL, YOGYAKARTA

Culinary tourism in Kwaru Beach

Kwaru beach

Kuwaru beach located in the village Poncosari, Srandakan Bantul district, it is not as famous as the beach Depok, Parangtritis. Though not yet famous, but now has begun to be visited by tourists. But don’t worry, this place still can give you wonderful vacation. we can enjoy the waves south coast of java island, or just walking around enjoying sunset. Many traditioan restourants are also available varied seafood menus. One thing that make Kuwaru defferent from other beaches in Bantul, in Kuwaru we can enjoy the beach breeze while dining or relaxing in the shade of pine trees, this trees is reforestation efforts by kuwaru residents since about six years ago

Being able to provide food preparations fresh from the catch of fish in ocean, so natural that it recently became one of the culinary alternative for families. Tourists can buy the fish in Kwaru beach and cooked at restaurants located around the beach Kuwaru.

family gathering

In this place the visitor can enjoy seafood shrimp under fir trees, as well as to see first hand the beauty and the southern ocean waves and sea breeze sufficient remedy.
Even on a holiday weekend or long holiday ensured thousands of tourists come to this Kuwaru Coast, both to enjoy sea food and also just see the sea while you take shelter under a pine tree shrimp.

To cook a prepare meals ready to eat, the cost is calculated perkilo for cooked fish. Usually the shop owner charged in the range of Rp 5,000 to Rp 10,000/kg to cook fish with a variety of flavors suit the tastes of tourists. Even the cost is already included rice, chili sauce and vegetables. For the tuna sold in the range of USD 14.000/kg, Rp 10,000/kg tuna, squid Rp 32,000/kg, and shrimp Rp. 35,000/kg.

Beside those culinary food, there are also another things that we can enjoy, such as : ATV riding, swimming pool for kids, and you can buy a lot of traditional souvenir there.

National Parks in Borneo

National Park Vacation At Borneo's Mesilau Nature Park, An Alternative To Kinabalu National Park

Mount Kinabalu

One of the most popular Borneo destinations is undoubtedly Kinabalu National Park, where Mount Kinabalu resides. Each year, thousands of visitors visited Kinabalu National Park for either a refreshing National Park Vacation to escape the hot tropical sun and catch a glimpse of the highest mountain in South East Asia, or to conquer the mystical Mount Kinabalu.

Nevertheless, for a unique National Park Vacation in Borneo, you must make sure that you drop by at the lesser known Mesilau Nature Park, which is just about 30 minutes by road away from Kinabalu National Park. From Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo, it only takes approximately 2.5 hour drive to reach Mesilau Nature Park.

Mesilau Nature Park

Mesilau Nature Park is located within the vicinity of Kinabalu National Park on the Pinosok Plateau near Kundasang town. The stretch of the road from Kundasang town to Mesilau Nature Park, which is about 2,000 metres above sea level, is extremely steep and winding. However, the road condition has improved immensely in recent times, which makes the ascending ride a breeze.

On the way, you will surely be captivated by the spectacular views of the Kundasang valley with terraced hill slopes planted with highlands vegetables, and parts of the scenic beauty of the Kundasang Mount Kinabalu Golf Course, a challenging 18-hole golf course for avid golfers, undeniably, the highest golf course in South East Asia.

But once you get to Mesilau Nature Park, you will notice that the place is more natural and "virgin" than the now "commercialized" Kinabalu National Park. As the Park lies at the base of Mount Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu will look even more spectacular with a sheer wall of granite towering a few thousand meters from the virgin forest floor and ending in jagged peaks. This breathtaking sight is aptly called the Mesilau Pinnacles.

To experience the best of what Mesilau can offer, you will need to spend a night or two at the eco-friendly Mesilau Nature Resort, which is nestled amongst the trees at the foot of the mountain within the Park. The Resort itself is amazing since it was carefully planned and built to blend into its natural surrounding.

The chalets are on slopes surrounded by trees with the full view of the Mesilau River flowing below. And for food, the Kedamaian Restaurant is famous for its piping hot steamboat, and barbecue dinners, which makes it a good excuse to stay overnight.

Mesilau Nature Park is also the starting point for the alternative and more challenging route up Mount Kinabalu. If you are of an adventurous kind, do trek the route up to a kilometres or two even if you are not planning to climb Mount Kinabalu. Since the Mesilau Summit Trail is relatively newer and less crowded than the old summit trail, your chance of encountering (tamed) wildlife is also brighter.

One prominent feature of the route is the seemingly abundance of orchids (Rhododendrons) and pitcher plants. The world’s largest pitcher plant, the “Nepenthes Rajah”, is recorded to grow in abundance here. For most visitors, a less taxing guided nature walk around the Park is recommended. It will leave you with lasting "natural" memories.

Mesilau will not fail to enchant you with its cool temperate climate (temperatures vary around 17-21 degree Celcius during the day and 10-15 degree Celcius at night) and serene surroundings as a truly astonishing nature’s paradise. Mesilau Nature Park and its Resort is an ideal venue for relaxation or retreat.

The bio-diversity of the flora and fauna found here makes Mesilau a haven for naturalists. It is one of the best locations in Borneo for an unforgettable National Park Vacation.