Yogjakarta Pt 4 - Breathtaking Prambanan

1 Dec 2014

On the afternoon of 1 Dec 2014, we headed to the Prambanan World Heritage site.  We spent almost 4 hours at the temple site as we were amazed by its structure and grandness.  Simply awesome. I think I will just let the pictures tell the story.

Information board

The location map and temple complex

Entrance point

The remaining candis

Beautiful deco

The ruins

Inside one of the candis - each has its own deity

One of the candis

A salutation to the gods

The size itself is awesome

Ruins after the earthquake

The stone carvings depict strories of Ramayana

This is a must see for all.

Yogjakarta Pt 3 - Jeep-ride to Mount Merapi

1 Dec 2014 

On the same day, 1 Dec 2014, we decided to head to Mt Merapi village to see the damage done by the Oct 2010 volcanic eruption, When we were heading towards the place, it started to rain.  And so, we almost changed our mind about the jeep-ride as our driver told us that the mountain may not be visible on a cloudy day.  We waited out the rain for a while at the foot of the hill where the jeep service is located.  But the boys were already excited after seeing the jeep.  So we decided to go up the moment the rain turned to drizzle.

At the jeep station

The ride

The price for the hiring of the jeep was Rp300,000 which is about MYR90 for a 2-hour ride.  The jeep is open hooded so the driver encouraged the boys to stand for a better view.  They enjoyed it especially when the jeep got more and more bumpier.  It was very cold all the way because of the drizzle but we asked the driver to keep the hood open.

At the village museum

Local villagers sell souvenir stones at the museum

The first stop was the village museum where a collection of
household items and many other stuff that were destroyed by the volcanic ash are displayed.  It seems about 350 people who lived on the slopes of the mountain in villages died during the eruption.  

Displayed at the museum - the actual photo when the volcano erupted

Somebody's motorbike after the disaster

The many stones in the area

The next stop was the final stop where you supposedly get the best view of Mt Merapi. Unfortunately, due to the rain that morning, the whole area was cloudy and misty.  We could hardly see the outline of the mountain.  But we spent some time there just looking at the soil and stones. The boys collected a little black sand in a bottle for memory and a few odd-shaped stones too.  After that we had our lunch at the food stall - instant noodles.  It tasted so good up there as the soup was hot and spicy just what we needed on a cold day.

The weird formation

One of the strangest formation that followed the disaster.  The shape of a human face with tears flowing.  The driver said the stone is 'keramat' meaning sacred.

The photo shoot

Part of the package is a photo-shoot with the mountain as background.  To jump with a pole. The above is without a visible mountain but still,  Harish posted for the shoot.

The not visible mountain

A village house after the eruption

TIPS:
If you are with children, go for the Jeep Lava Tour - the ride is fun!!!

Yogjakarta Pt 2 - Amazing Borobudur

1 December 2014

On 1 December 2014, we visited the world famous Buddhist monument, Borobudur.  This was part of our one-day itinerary which also included visit to Mount Merapi and Prambanan Temple.  I have done a separate post for each of these places. 

One of many stupas

Signage

Earlier on, the day before to be exact, after checking rates for hiring of car and driver at our hotel, we decided to opt for the contact person recommended by our shuttle van driver.  The hotel staff was helpful enough to call the person and act as our negotiator.  In the end, we settled for Rp350,000 for a 10- hour tour.  The hotel has its own drivers but the rate quoted by the hotel was higher at Rp450,000.

 Borobudur monument lay-out map

Buddha seated atop the hill

The driver picked us up at our hotel at 8am.  We had our breakfast at the hotel before going on that long drive to Borobudur.  Borobudur temple is located in Magelang some 42km from Yogja city.  It took us an hour to reach the site. 

The boys at the stone carvings that depicts Buddha's life story 

We then proceeded to the International Counter to purchase the entrance tickets. We bought the combo package for Borobudur + Prambanan for Rp 1,080,000.  A million rupiah! which is about MYR300 for 2 adults and 2 children.  It's half-rate for children.  You need to show your passports when buying the tickets.

The entrance fee for international visitors, only for Borobudur as at 1st Dec 2014

Stone sculptures

Borobudur was built 300 years before Cambodia's Angkor Wat, between AD 750 to 842 by the Sailendra dynasty.  The temple complex was built on several levels around a hill like a pyramid. 

The many stupas

An explanation on one of the reliefs in Bahasa Indonesia

While the lower levels tell us stories on the life of Buddha sculpted on the stones,  the upper levels contain the stupa.  Each level represent the progression of the soul, as you ascend, you are supposed to leave behind layers of ego, desire and materialistic thoughts.  Well this was what our guide told us - guide fee Rp100000 (MYR28).

Think we found a secret underground passage

Stairways leading up to the stupas

How would I describe Borobudur?  Simply amazing, this is must see for all. 

TIPS:

1) Try to go in the morning - it is cooler and you can avoid the afternoon sun

2) Go for the combo package (Borobudur & Prambanan) as it is cost-saving.  Ticker per person for an adult is about MYR75-MYR80.  It has been increasing every year.

3) The guide service will only be useful if you come prepared with many questions

4) Expect to spend at least half a day here - keep the other half for Prambanan.  Rushing through in 2-3 hours will not do the place justice.

5) The package includes visit to the museum.

6) Be prepared to do lots of stair-climbing.  Those with weak knees may find the climb difficult but there are railings to hold on. 

Yogjakarta Pt 1 - Malioboro Street

On 30 Nov 2014, we reached Yogjakarta in Central Java at about 10.00 am after an overnight bus journey from Bali.  The bus dropped us at its company office  located in a shoplot in town.  As soon as we got off the bus, many passengers rushed to the toilet at the office including us as the last toilet stop was the previous night, 10.00 pm.  Though there was a toilet inside the bus, I never once saw anyone actually using it.  Anyway getting off the bus was a relief.

Busy Malioboro Street - vehicles, horse carts, trishaws, bikes etc

Horse cart on street - a tourist attraction

While waiting for the shuttle pick up to our hotel, we had coffee at a food stall nearby.  We instantly noted the difference in prices between Yogja and Bali.  If we had had that same coffee in Bali, it would have been double or triple the price.  Most of the food items were priced cheaper.  Soon we were hurdled into a shuttle van together with our bags and headed straight to our hotel.  While chatting with the van driver, we got a contact for van for hire. The van driver called his contact via his mobile and got us a quote for a one day tour to Borobudur and Prambanan.  We kept the contact number but did not commit to the tour just yet.

Yogja-styled bus stop - covered room and elevated for easy boarding 

Malioboro's landmark - the railway track that runs across the town

We reached our hotel, located just 15 minutes walk away from the famous Malioboro Street. We could not check in as we were early but the hotel staff allowed us to store our bags in their office.  This suited us fine and so, we went for a walk in town to look for food. 

The trishaw guys - happy that we gave them some business

Fried tofu with spicy sambal - one of the items we had during our Yogja stay

Food was plenty but I couldn't risk the kids eating street food at open food stalls along the walkway, at least not right away.  So while N had his food at a street food stall, the kids and I headed straight to McDonalds in Malioboro Street. The McD outlet was located in a shopping mall, can't remember the name of the mall.

The 'lesehan' restaurant that we patronised 

Dining Yogja style

Malioboro Street reminded me of Chow Kit Road in KL.  Petty traders, food stalls, budget hotels, street bazaars, busy streets etc.  There was plenty of food to suit our budget.  We were amazed at the night scene in Malioboro Street as the horse carts, trishaw rides and 'lesehan' dining become more visible and alive.  Lesehan is a unique way of dining where locals sit on matted floor with short legged-tables in the middle.  We tried it and it was not too bad. 

Night scene - Malioboro

We tried Yogja's famous nasi gudeg, rice served with chicken, lamb and mashed jackfruit. While eating, we were entertained by street singers including a ladybog with the most mesmerising voice.  People can donate money to these singers if they want to.

Nasi gudeg - the orange stuff is mashed jackfruit

Nasi lemak Yogja-style - quail eggs in sambal morning breakfast at the hotel

Yogja is the place to be if you want to buy shorts, t-shirts, souvenirs, sarong, etc as prices can be bargained.  Definitely cheaper than KL.  On our last night in Yogja, we took the horse cart ride.