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Yogyakarta - pre-travel post
Yogyakarta is a bustling town of some half a million people and the most popular tourist destination on Java, largely thanks to its proximity to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. The town is a hub of art and education, offers some good shopping and has a wide range of tourist facilities. The climate is similar to Jakarta, so we'd better get used to the rain, and it's sure be sticky weather with temperatures are in the high 20s. Rooms can be found from 85,000 rupiah. The best way to get around is by horse cart or trishaws.
There are some great examples of colonial architecture here, there is a Dutch fort located just in front of the presidents palace called Benteng Vredeburg. You can also see some prime examples of Javanese architecture, just visit Kota Gede, the ancient capital of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom. It now hosts the famous "silver village", home to many silver workshops, and a great place to buy custom jewellery. It's quite a large area, so you may need to hire transport to get around.
Alternatively you could visit the Sultan's pleasure garden, Taman Sari. The complex is partly ruined, but still charming. Towards the back of the complex is the original entrance to the pools, which used to be a small dock connected to a long-since-vanished river; a bit of snooping beyond this entrance will get you to a back street, where one can freely visit a fascinating network of tunnels and rooms, including an Escher-like series of interlacing staircases over what looks like a disused well. The guides usually expect tips, and it's 7000 rupiah to enter. plus 1000 for a camera permit. Open 9am to 3pm.
Alternatively you could visit the Sultan's pleasure garden, Taman Sari. The complex is partly ruined, but still charming. Towards the back of the complex is the original entrance to the pools, which used to be a small dock connected to a long-since-vanished river; a bit of snooping beyond this entrance will get you to a back street, where one can freely visit a fascinating network of tunnels and rooms, including an Escher-like series of interlacing staircases over what looks like a disused well. The guides usually expect tips, and it's 7000 rupiah to enter. plus 1000 for a camera permit. Open 9am to 3pm.
If you're looking for something to do on the weekend, you could visit the Siti Hinggil Selatan to catch a puppet show in the morning or evening. Entrance to the palace is free, and although it is all in Indonesian, you can come and go as you please.
For something a bit more fun, play Masangin at South Alunin (Sultans Square), In the game, the participant is blindfolded and must pass between two ancient ficus trees, apparently it's harder than it sounds, but I'll give it a try. Also you can go rafting at Elo or Progo river.
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