Indonesia - Java - Yogyakarta

In Yogya, the society lives in peace and has typical hospitality. We went around the road and there were many kind people who will just show you the road and explain other things with good hospitality and sincere smile. But one must be caution with the people who tried to sell you batik or painting because these people are mostly known as the people who cheat the tourist by selling the fake and bad quality of handicraft or batik with a ridiculous high price.

Malioboro street was heavy with the traffic, souvenirs shops, delman (horse carriage) and becak (people carriage). Price of food is slightly expensive along the road of Malioboro. At day time, the place was busy with the carriage food stall but when the night down, the carriage will be replace with the food served on the floor (called as ‘lesehan’). Normally most of the places will sell almost the same kind of food such as fish or chicken grill, some local foods and Chinese foods.

Keraton (Sultan Palace) & Art Center

Historically, Yogyakarta was a sultanate. The governor of Yogyakarta until now has always been Sultans of Yogyakarta. The place is not too far from Malioboro street and still used as a real palace. We walked from the hotel to Keraton and paid Rp. 3,000 for the admission. Keraton is a really simple place by looking at the design and the architecture. Nothing much that we can see there but with the ticket price above, you can get a good guide to show you around the place and tell you historical things around the Keraton. After the Keraton, as recommended by the guide, we went to the art central. This is just a house which used for storing and showing art / painting. We went by becak which only cost us Rp. 3,000 to the place. The place was cozy with a lots of painting with different size and price. If you are interested to buy some batik painting then this is the good place to visit. The price is start from the small painting which cost Rp. 25,000 till the big painting which can cost millions rupiah. They will show you they way they wax and wash the paint to get the better background of the painting.

Nothing much we can do around Yogyakarta city except than going around under the sizzling weather and see the busy street of Malioboro.