{"id":19230,"date":"2016-11-10T23:38:36","date_gmt":"2016-11-10T15:38:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/randomrepublika.com\/?p=19230"},"modified":"2016-11-11T16:24:50","modified_gmt":"2016-11-11T08:24:50","slug":"where-to-go-yogyakarta-the-land-of-the-forgotten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/randomrepublika.com\/where-to-go-yogyakarta-the-land-of-the-forgotten\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Go: Yogyakarta, The Land of the Forgotten"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Upon setting foot in the enigmatic town of Yogyakarta<\/strong>\u00a0(often loosely called Jogja\/Jogjakarta<\/strong> by locals), I felt a strong sense of idiosyncrasy. What seemed to be an utterly beguiling Javanese region in Indonesia remains to be displaced over\u00a0time \u2014 stuck in its enchanting 16th century culture; enamored by its long and winding traditions.<\/p>\n

A town where modernity seemed to have been thrown to oblivion, as it has been overshadowed by its\u00a0glorious, sparkling past.<\/p>\n

Reminiscing about Jogja now, I can’t help but hear constant harmonious gongs in my head. Jogja, after all is perfect tapestry of traditional music and dance. At one point you will find yourself engrossed with an old lady’s\u00a0melodious voice singing the verses\u00a0of the fabled\u00a0Ramayana;<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0the next few hours you will probably find yourself embracing the sophisticated rhythmic ritual steps of Kraton’s<\/strong>\u00a0Srimpi\u00a0<\/em>dancers; and most likely\u00a0the next day\u00a0\u2014 you wake up chasing after the elusive dance of the sovereign\u00a0morning sun, probably naughtily hiding behind the majestic blue Borobudur<\/em>\u00a0clouds.<\/p>\n

At 3:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning at the 9th century-built\u00a0Borobudur Temple<\/strong>, I was anything but awake. The strong Javanese coffee I bought at the temple grounds didn’t help to\u00a0rouse me either \u2014 I was physically there, but not really there<\/em>. When sunlight finally loomed over the beautiful stupas of Borobudur, I regained my senses back.<\/p>\n

The world’s largest and most important Buddhist temple, Borobudur houses\u00a0over 500+ Buddha relics\u00a0alongside 72 stupas\u00a0encircling the whole complex. With both Indonesian and India’s Gupta-inspired art adorning the temple, Borobodur\u00a0was said to have been abandoned in the 14th century after the rise of Islam in Indonesia and was only later re-discovered in the 19th century by the British\u00a0invaders.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Crisscrossing the roads of Yogyakarta, we scrambled in search for good food. Our tummies indulged in gluttony, enjoying local dishes such as the variations of the\u00a0nasi\u00a0<\/em>(rice),\u00a0<\/em>the sweet-and-savory gudeg <\/em>(cooked jackfruit), and the gourmet version of their instant noodles\u00a0– <\/em>the bakmi\u00a0(meat noodles).<\/em> I’ve always been a fan of Indonesia food, but Javanese now probably is more than special in my list.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Aside from music and food, Yogyakarta also boasts a myriad of philosophies mixed with world and local religions that are deeply ingrained in their communities. Although a big population consider themselves as\u00a0Muslims, other unorthodox superstitions\u00a0such as\u00a0worshiping the dead, the rocks, and the seas,<\/em>\u00a0still remain intact in some people’s\u00a0present way of life.<\/p>\n

In Indonesia’s cradle of civilization, Yogyakarta’s allure is as complex as its beauty\u00a0and as enriching as its culture.<\/p>\n

YOGYAKARTA ITINERARY: <\/strong><\/span>How we spent our\u00a0three (3) days in Yogyakarta, Indonesia<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Friday: <\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"things-to-do-day-1-in-yogyakarta-indonesia\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Flight from Singapore to Yogyakarta (via AirAsia) — Lunch at a local eatery — Check In at the Hotel (Dusun Jogja Village Inn)<\/a> — \u00a01-hour Massage — Buffet dinner at Gazebo Garden Restaurant — Ramaayana Ballet<\/em><\/p>\n

Saturday:<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"things-to-do-day-2-in-yogyakarta-indonesia\"<\/a><\/p>\n

3:30 a.m. Sunrise Tour of Borobudur Temple — Pawon Temple — Mendut Temple — Prambanan Temple — 1-hour Massage — Dinner (local bakmi eatery)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Sunday:<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"things-to-do-day-3-in-yogyakarta-indonesia\"<\/a><\/p>\n

10 a.m. at Kraton — Water Castle — Bought seafood from the market — Depok Beach for lunch (we asked the restaurant to cook the seafood we bought from the market) — Parangtritis — Check In at New Hotel (Gallery Prawirotaman Hotel)<\/a>\u00a0— Dinner at Warung Bu Ageng<\/a>\u00a0(Jl. Tirtodipuran)<\/em><\/p>\n

Tour Operator:<\/strong> Mr. Suprapto (mobile: +62 856 2876044 \/ email ad: discoveryogyakarta@yahoo.com)<\/em><\/p>\n

Tour Package Rate: <\/strong>IDR 5.300.000 \/ SGD 550 for 2 pax (inclusive of entrance to temples and car services, excluding food)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Watch glimpses of our holiday in Yogyakarta:<\/strong><\/p>\n