a birthday trip

Awi (my husband) asked what i'd like as my birthday present this year.
I suggested a short trip to Yogyakarta after reading an article about it in Elle Decor Indonesia. So glad he agreed to it because it turned out to be one of the best trips we've ever done. 

To say Yogyakarta is an interesting place is an understatement. It surpassed my expectation in offering some of the most interesting sightings, yummiest foods and friendliest people.

To make this post slightly different than the usual, i'm gonna try to describe each place we visited in 140 characters max. (a la twitter of course). Okay, here we go:

Candi Borobudur
The most famous of all temples. Don't forget your sunblock and be prepare to sweat.

Prambanan Temple
I'm not ashamed to admit that we just circled around it in our air-conditioned car. It was just too hot. 

Ullen Sentalu

This place is truly remarkable. I was blown-away by the look, the atmosphere, the architecture and the history of the Javanese themselves. We had lunch at the restaurant Beukenhof and a visit to the shop before leaving the place.

Taman Sari Water Castle 

This one's also not to be missed. The remnants of this place shows just enough of how grand this place used to be. I cant help feeling like i was in an Indiana Jones movie being here.

Kraton Yogyakarta

The rooms where they display the photos remind me of a Buddhist funeral homes, due to the porcelain walls.

Malioboro

Long stretches of shops but the only place worth-mentioning here is Mirota Batik.

This is NOT your regular shop. It has everything from batik cloths, home decors, re-productions of antiques to souvenirs. Also a show of batik-making and a mini opera (starring the owner himself as a woman named Raminten!).

I saw a pair of "geta" (japanese wooden sandals) here for 39rb, whereas in Asakusa (Japan), they're selling for 200rb! Seriously if i had visited this place on my second day there, i would have saved myself from going to Triwindu market in Solo (where the so-called antiques are overpriced).

Tegel Kunci Factory

Totally drooling over them.

Kasongan

I only shop at "Natural Home Deco" shop in this area, but that was because i hadn't been to Mirota Batik.

Lir Shop

This is the gallery of Miy from the picnicgirl. My curiousity got the best of me and i just had to see the place. She was very friendly and gave me a copy of the first Magic Fingers Syndicate 's zine for free :) Looks like we'll meet each other again at Tobucil's Crafty Days this May!

Solo

I was disappointed to find out the famous nasi liwet Lawang Sewu only open at 11pm (how many people eat at midnight, seriously?!) so we only visited the Keraton, Triwindu market, Roemahku Hotel and Serabi Notosuman. Not that impressed.

Thanks to the suggestions of our guide/driver, Bambang, we also visited:

Bakpia Pathok 25 Factory  

it's next to the Tegel Kunci Factory and who can resist fresh-from-the-oven bakpia?

Gudeg Djuminten 

I like the fact that it's not overtly sweet. And i cant get enough of krecek (cow skin)!

Mbah Brewok / Spoleno Art Space 

its a gallery/cafe where they recycle timbers for dining tables, doors, etc - love it!

Progo Dept. Store  

Why buy secondhand enamel kitchen wares at Triwindu market when you can get the brand new ones for a third of the price?

Monggo Chocolate

You actually had to make an appointment first to see how they make the chocolates, we ended up just buying them to be eaten on the road bring as souvenirs.

to see more photos, click here

Now, i can't wait for another adventure! Thank you Yogya!