Yogyakarta
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Cees
24 Juli 2012 | Indonesië, Yogyakarta
Yesterday [23jul12] we have visited Borubudur and candi [= temple] Mendut. I don't think I have to elaborate about Borubudur. It was interesting and impressive. From there I could see Gunung [mountain] Sumbing west of the vulcano Merapi. On the one side of Gunung Sumbing there are tobacco plantations but on the other side there were sugar plantations. A distant ancestor of me was called 'Lord of Sumb[r]ing' for he owned a lot of sugar plantations
Candi Mendut, although much much smaller than Borobudur, was equally impressive. The quality of the stone carving was perhaps higher ... Next to the temple was a bhuddist monastry. The monks make a living by carving stones of an extremely high quality. The garden of the monastry was full of very special and beautiful statues [picture of the skinny Buddha]. Most people seem to skip this but in my opinion it is well worth a visit.
On he way we saw the lava rivers of the eruption of the Merapi in 2010. The people use the lava stone for carving statues [ao Buddha's] or making cobek and ulekan[pestle and mortar] or ... The people accept the vagaries of nature and make the best of it.
The rest of the day we spent at the swimming pool. Early in th evening we went shopping at Jalan Malioboro [shops generally do not close before 9 pm]. After some protesting of our stomaches we looked for a place to eat. We had dinner in the Legian Garden [corner Jalan Malioboro and Jalan Perkawilan, 2nd floor, entry in Jln P up stairs]. There was a choice between western, asian and local dishes. The assortment in each categorie however was limited, but so were the prices [4 pers. Idr 330K=$35 or €29]. We went back to the hotel by becak [2 person bicycle taxi with one manpower]. Betty and the kids wanted that but the colonial caracter of exploiting people did not make me feel ok. On the other had, you're giving someone the opportunity to earn some IDR's. I did not find it very comfortable [a becak is made for asian butts not for our well fed western butts] and hardly faster than walking. An andong [horse and carriage] seems to be a better and more comfortable choice and also cheaper [price is per carriage and not per person].
Today [24jul12] we went to the kraton [fortified palace of the sultan of Yogyakarta]. If you don't want to be annoyed by people trying to sell you something, wait in the shadow of the left tree; there is a sign with the words "Dilarang berjualan" meaning selling is prohibited. A guide showed us around and told us everything about the kraton and the sultan and his ancestors. It was very nice and interesting; a must do. I can not repeat what the guide told us but the sultan wears 2 caps: he is the only hereditary Governor in Indonesia in that quality he will walk behind the president, on the other hand, in matters of tradions he is the sultan and the president will walk behind him. Besides the entrance fee and photography fee one is expected [not obliged] to discretely pay the guide a tip of Idr 25K.
Close by there is an underground mosk surrounded by a sort of desa [village]. I made some pictures for I think my collegue Mehmet (wie kan mij z'n email op mijn gmailaccount sturen?) will be interested. The mosk was not underground for safety reasons. I did not grasp the explanation of our guide. It had something to do with some myth about a sultan marrying the queen of the south sea and she could not bear the sunlight.
I also saw a sign 'Taman Sari' referring to the waterpalace of the sultan.That was also the name of the newspaper founded by my grand uncle of which he was editor till his demise.
Next was a visit to a batik factory [Plentong, jl. Prawiro Taman]. Nice to see the process of making batik. Although prices were very high, my wife could not withstand a silk batik shawl. But generally one will get a better buy elsewhere. Thereafter we visited a silver factory where the typical Yogyakartan filegrain silver was produced.
We had a light lunch at Sekar Kedhaton [28 jl Tegal Gendu] The owner was a daughter of the sultan and the ambiance was promising. The lunch was ok and the service was, how shall I put it, risible in a way. The waitress seemed to only recite some text she had learnt by hart and alsway ended with: "Oh, very nice. Yes, thank yooo". When she came at our table to ask how the meal was, I was tempted to say "It sucks" for I was sure she would reply: Oh, very nice. Yes, thank yooo;-) We found it overpriced.
After some shopping we went back to the hotel where we enjoyed an opulent and copious dinner. Great kitchen.
What we're going to tomorrow we don't yet know
Candi Mendut, although much much smaller than Borobudur, was equally impressive. The quality of the stone carving was perhaps higher ... Next to the temple was a bhuddist monastry. The monks make a living by carving stones of an extremely high quality. The garden of the monastry was full of very special and beautiful statues [picture of the skinny Buddha]. Most people seem to skip this but in my opinion it is well worth a visit.
On he way we saw the lava rivers of the eruption of the Merapi in 2010. The people use the lava stone for carving statues [ao Buddha's] or making cobek and ulekan[pestle and mortar] or ... The people accept the vagaries of nature and make the best of it.
The rest of the day we spent at the swimming pool. Early in th evening we went shopping at Jalan Malioboro [shops generally do not close before 9 pm]. After some protesting of our stomaches we looked for a place to eat. We had dinner in the Legian Garden [corner Jalan Malioboro and Jalan Perkawilan, 2nd floor, entry in Jln P up stairs]. There was a choice between western, asian and local dishes. The assortment in each categorie however was limited, but so were the prices [4 pers. Idr 330K=$35 or €29]. We went back to the hotel by becak [2 person bicycle taxi with one manpower]. Betty and the kids wanted that but the colonial caracter of exploiting people did not make me feel ok. On the other had, you're giving someone the opportunity to earn some IDR's. I did not find it very comfortable [a becak is made for asian butts not for our well fed western butts] and hardly faster than walking. An andong [horse and carriage] seems to be a better and more comfortable choice and also cheaper [price is per carriage and not per person].
Today [24jul12] we went to the kraton [fortified palace of the sultan of Yogyakarta]. If you don't want to be annoyed by people trying to sell you something, wait in the shadow of the left tree; there is a sign with the words "Dilarang berjualan" meaning selling is prohibited. A guide showed us around and told us everything about the kraton and the sultan and his ancestors. It was very nice and interesting; a must do. I can not repeat what the guide told us but the sultan wears 2 caps: he is the only hereditary Governor in Indonesia in that quality he will walk behind the president, on the other hand, in matters of tradions he is the sultan and the president will walk behind him. Besides the entrance fee and photography fee one is expected [not obliged] to discretely pay the guide a tip of Idr 25K.
Close by there is an underground mosk surrounded by a sort of desa [village]. I made some pictures for I think my collegue Mehmet (wie kan mij z'n email op mijn gmailaccount sturen?) will be interested. The mosk was not underground for safety reasons. I did not grasp the explanation of our guide. It had something to do with some myth about a sultan marrying the queen of the south sea and she could not bear the sunlight.
I also saw a sign 'Taman Sari' referring to the waterpalace of the sultan.That was also the name of the newspaper founded by my grand uncle of which he was editor till his demise.
Next was a visit to a batik factory [Plentong, jl. Prawiro Taman]. Nice to see the process of making batik. Although prices were very high, my wife could not withstand a silk batik shawl. But generally one will get a better buy elsewhere. Thereafter we visited a silver factory where the typical Yogyakartan filegrain silver was produced.
We had a light lunch at Sekar Kedhaton [28 jl Tegal Gendu] The owner was a daughter of the sultan and the ambiance was promising. The lunch was ok and the service was, how shall I put it, risible in a way. The waitress seemed to only recite some text she had learnt by hart and alsway ended with: "Oh, very nice. Yes, thank yooo". When she came at our table to ask how the meal was, I was tempted to say "It sucks" for I was sure she would reply: Oh, very nice. Yes, thank yooo;-) We found it overpriced.
After some shopping we went back to the hotel where we enjoyed an opulent and copious dinner. Great kitchen.
What we're going to tomorrow we don't yet know
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24 Juli 2012 - 22:18
Eric:
Marvelous. Oh, very nice. Yes, thank yooo.... - in particular for the gamelan picture - almost enough reason to want to go listen to a performance in person.
BTW, this whole web page layout changed around.
Continued safe journeys,
Eric
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