Visiting Jogjakarta for the ...times!

Note: Oh my God, how come is my travel blog disappeared from here??? I've had actually written so many words and they all disappeared! Just one click. Gone forevah. Gosh, I should rewrite it again (sadly, I forgot to copy it first)? Seems like there's no other options, isn't there :-(

Okay, I actually have been thinking that that I must have been a royal prince or ,at least, a noble man who once lived and ruled in Jogjakarta centuries ago because I could never resist the temptation to visit this lovely centuries-old city and I always have had this certain kinda supernatural feeling whenever I am in Jogjakarta. Is it because its 'energy' somehow in-sync with mine? or is it because its mystical aura fits me well? Oh well, talkin about supernaturalism here :-) But anyway, I admit that I soooo love Jogjakarta that I have visited the city more than 10 times ever since I was a kid (back then it was travel with my parents or with school trips) -- not to mention the work trips to the city.

And I'm always longing to return. As I grow old, I know the right word to describe it in javanese, "ngangenin" :-D

Naturally, when my friend asked me to come over for a weekend short break to Jogja (what can I say? I only got 3 days), I immediately said YES (in capital). Especially given the fact that weeks prior to my departure were fou!

Taking an overnight Agro train from Jakarta (AC, with reclining seat, blanket & pillow available, safe & sound) I arrived very early in the morning at Jogja main train station near Malioboro, and then headed straight to the campus of University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) to visit a sunday morning market. I'd never been there before; in fact, I never knew about it at all until my friend informed me that this market has been a new interesting attraction for people living in Jogjakarta for a few years now.

So I simply agreed to go there the moment I got to Jogjakarta. As for breakfast, well, no worries, because my friend assured me that I could find a variety of local foods there :-D

University of Gadjah Mada, one of the oldest, & most famous university in Jogjakarta (and in Indonesia for that matter) has been referred to as 'people campus' for decades, and so, an additional like this morning market did fit in with the environment. And hey, the market was surprisingly good! Occupying  a few area inside the campus, one could satisfy his/her need to shop and to eat all at the same time. From clothing, bag, shoes, colorful sandals, housewares, to underwear, you could be tempted even just to see what's on display. Whereas food stalls provided delicious varied local staples that were so so affordable.

Cheap! No wonder, all of this has made this market a must-go for Jogjakartans to spend their sunday morning. No lazy sunday morning here :-)

After spending a few hours there walking around and observing the activities (including brunch), I decided that I should visit Taman Sari, an ancient royal bathing palace because I actually had never been there! I didnt know why I didn't visit it back then.

Since it's located near Keraton Jogja, where the reigning Sultan & his family live, that meant I had to take a bus from UGM first and get off at Malioboro area and then take a becak from there (Becak is a must when you're in Jogja, along with Andong). It was a short ride, and voila, here I was at Taman Sari.

One of the previous sultans built the palace as a some sort of recretional water park for his wives & family centuries ago, so it wasn't merely used for swimming.

Too bad when I got there, the water was drained from the pool. However, it was still indeed beautiful - after years of renovation under UNESCO's aid & supervision, the palace is back to its beautiful form. 

Nobody else were there visiting that afternoon, so I felt as if I was given the whole complex to explore on my own. Taking some pictures here and there starting from the gate, clicks, clicks, and more clicks before taking a short walk to the not-yet-fully-renovated building nearby. 

This one, I felt was more mysterious and tempting to explore. Ruins of bricks were scattered everywhere. Met a very old man there who worked as a keeper & guide and he became my own guide for the next 1,5 hours there, explaining the history of the building and why this area was built like this, that one built like that, often slipped in Javanese language. Luckily although I'm not that fluent, I could comprehend it and speak a bit. It was great to be accompanied by him and even more to see his still being active at such old age. Anyway, I always believe that when you meet an old man/woman, whoever they are, you are suddenly becoming more open to them after a few minutes of conversation. And I thought, yes, it did happen with him. What started as a rather formal conversation between a tourist and a guide became an informal one,  and to some extent allowing us to share some of our personal matters to each other like his age, family, how many kids, and especially his life story.

Speaking of the building, I think what makes it more interesting was that it was built with the protection for the Sultans in mind should any sudden attack from the colonialist army arose (note: the palace was built when the dutch colonialists still occupied Java).

Naturally it was completed with escape tunnels as well as some of misleading ones & fake rooms & doors to confuse whoever came inside. Legend has it that there used to be one specific door which when you opened it, you'd get into another tunnel leading to South Sea. But, sorry, only Sultans were allowed to enter. So mystical.

Apart from the history (and mystical)-rich story behind it, Taman sari complex has another purpose nowadays; believe it or not, many pre-wedding photography took place here. Yes, for many Indonesians (not just those living in Jogjakarta), Taman Sari complex is one of the famous pre-wedding locations. And why not? the overall complex provides such beautiful backdrop for such purpose! Just ask for your photographer :-D Plus, on top of the building you can see Jogjakarta and Mount Merapi from a 180degree view, weather permits.

I bade farewell to the old man and left the Taman Sari with new perspective and pictures and memory of him. Glad I made the visit this time.

But wait, I didnt want to go home yet and thus I went to the Museum Kareta by becak. Again, it was only a short ride from Taman Sari. The museum houses the royal horse-carts dating from centuries ago and many of them are still in use until today for several important occasions held by Keraton. Refurbished & repaired in Europe! I wondered how it'd be like to be sitting inside it.

Overall, it was interesting. Especially I felt that they also emanated a mystical aura. Thats why I love visiting Jogjakarta & the Keraton & its surrounding premises :-)) Anyway, I spent a few hours there gaining more historical details with a guide until it was about to close.

The next few hours were spent wandering around with becak and I decided to have dinner at a warung Mie Godok near Keraton Jogja (Javanese hot noodle soup) which my friend recommended. It opens only in the evening and is famous among Jogjakartans, and I could tell from the crowd inside the warung and outside, where people sat on some tiker maps on its yard enjoying the noodle soup. Couples, friends, and families gathered for the same objective. Many came by their motorcycles and cars to get their noodles and bring them home. Or if they saw that they couldn't get any seat inside the warung nor sit on the tiker, they would just stay inside their car enjoying their meals.

  And why not?  the Mie Godok was delicious & tasty. It's so local and uniquely Indonesia.