EVERYDAY IS JOGJA

Hospitality of Jogja

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:08:00 +0000

Mystery of Ancient Gebang Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:48:00 +0000

This temple is located in the village of Gebang, Wedomartani, Ngemplak, Sleman is still a mystery. Gebang temple was established with the background that has not been confirmed. But this temple is hinduistique found by residents in November 1936. Hindu known sign of Lingga, Yoni, and Ganesha statue, which is one of the hallmarks of a Hindu temple. The foot has a high proportion and without relief. This temple was built in the period is estimated to be older (± 730 - 800 F).

Temple Gebang is not special, just a square-shaped size of 5.25 mx 5.25 m by 7.75 m. higher In the body of the temple there is one room with a direction to the east which there Yoni. North and the south side of the situation in the blank. In the west there is a space that is filled with Ganesha statue that sits above a Yoni to the north. While at the peak there Lingga that cushion above the lotus. Lingga only form of the top, namely the form of a cylinder. In the roof there is also a small room that shaped cavity space above the temple.

Apparently, in addition mysterious temple Gebang also neglected, the area is able to become one of the objects of interest and tourism potential. Gebang temple remains one of the ancient sites that have historical value and should be its existence. But for the lover of solitude, this area may be suitable, because it is still very thick with the rural atmosphere of quiet and far from pollution.

Gebang area of the temple full of mysteries become destinations for your vacation-oriented, but there is also a good idea if you know the game that other cultures besides coloring Yogyakarta Prambanan or Borobudur, so that together we are able to appreciate and preserve the culture of Yogyakarta, which is very diverse.

So, welcome to jogjakarta...

ref: apakabarjogja.com

Wedang Secang

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:55:00 +0000

Domination in the various beverage brands with high dominance supplements, beverages traditional secang apparently saving benefits higher. Besides improving stamina, the drink is also believed to be able to overcome flatulence, colds and to make the body warm.

In the village, spice plants, as the material basis of making the drink secang easily found. Crops that had become the reason for Europeans colonize in Indonesia, can grow in the fertile around the house, just scrub.

How to make syrup secang also not difficult to thin. Material is also very easy to get. Such as ginger, clove, cardamom, secang bark, plant stems and sere.
In addition to basic materials easily found, how to drink any gathering is not hard. After quoted from the garden, raw materials, spices are to be washed clean. While waiting to be cleaned, while in the cooking water to boil, all materials included.

To give color does not need to use coloring substances. But using the bark of secang. After the skin secang entered into the boiling water, then do not need to wait long time. Stew of spices can be strained.
With the traditional beverage is ready to secang presented in the form of warm or cold. But it will be far more favor when presented with a warm, still conditions.
Although not setenar drink-drink brand at this time, drink enough interest secang many domestic and foreign tourists.

ref: apakabarjogja

Tugu Railway Station

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 02:11:00 +0000

Tugu Railway Station that started to function as a train-stop in 1887 turns to have tourism potential. You can enjoy the grand, old building architecture; observe locomotive details, old crane and exotic twilight.

It is likely no other railway station that is located as strategically as Tugu railway station. It lies in the center of Yogyakarta city, close to traditional and modern shopping centers; it only takes a little time to reach five-star and budget hotels and it is close to some tourism objects. One other thing that most people neglect is that this station turns to have tourism potential because of its characteristic building and more than a century of its age.

Tugu railway station started to serve transportation need since 2 May 1887, around 15 years after Lempuyangan station, another railway station in Yogyakarta that is located to the east of Tugu station. The construction of Tugu station was part of the efforts by the Dutch government by that time to distribute crops in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Passengers service from this station as one of the oldest railway stations in Indonesia began to function since 1 February 1905 and the first out-of-town line was to Surakarta that was built in 1899.

Starting as a small station, now Tugu station becomes one of the biggest railway stations in Indonesia. With 6 train lines, this railway station serves transportation from almost all big cities in Java. More than 20 train departures and arrivals - economy class, business and executive ones - occur everyday. There are various options for train types and time departures to go to a certain city.

Being built during the Dutch colonial time, the architecture of the building is so close to European nuance. Getting down from the train, you will directly notice it from the big doors in brown color and the high roof accentuated with robust walls painted in white. You can enjoy the original shape of the building from the front view. The building looks so great with big entrance and two high roofs sheltering two platforms on the north and south sides of the main building.

Unlike other big railway stations that function as a place for transit, Tugu railway station still preserves its function as a place of train maintenance. For the reason, you have an opportunity to wander about the corners of the station to see technician activities and to trace the oldness of this railway station. Some of the workers know well about the history of this station so that they can be good sources of information.

If you walk to the west part of the station, you will get to the place for locomotive maintenance. You will admire details of components in a locomotive. You can even observe the lower part of a locomotive since there is a ladder that enables you to reach the lower part of it. An old, black train monument can be another object to enjoy.

Walking a little bit to the south of the place, you will come to an area where compartments are maintained. You can see them from distant through the iron fence painted in blue-white colors. Looking above, you will see a train part that is located on top of a yellow tower. That part that has been utilized since the Dutch time is a crane that functions to connect train compartments. When you walk to the north, you will see workers cleaning the trains.

If you arrive in the afternoon, take your time to stand in between line 4 and 6 and look westwards. Beautiful scenery of the dusk will be seen on bright days, combined with railways that look like lines and finally end as a dot. The train crane and singing street musicians complete the exotic scenery of the dusk.

Then, you can start your tour in Yogyakarta after you are satisfied to enjoy the beauty of this railway station. You can travel by pedicab to go to Yogyakarta Sultan's Palace and to buy bakpia - special cake of Yogyakarta - in Pathuk. For farther travel, you can travel by public bus or taxi. If you want to go shopping directly, you just need to walk along the Malioboro Street that is located right to the south of the railway station.

ref: yogyes.com, skyscrapercity.com

Alun-Alun kidul (The South Square)

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:06:00 +0000

Alun-Alun Kidul (The South Square) symbolized by a calm elephant offers a tour package to calm someone's heart down, to warm nighttime with ronde and bajigur beverages and to get blessing through Masangin.

Those who had lived in Yogyakarta will never forget friendly nuance of the South Square. With your friends at college, you might have sat in one night on the mat spread close to stalls around the square while discussing your tasks or talking about popular juniors in campus. You might just have a chat with your neighbors or your colleagues when you stayed in Yogyakarta while enjoying the sweet, hot ronde or bajigur beverages.

The South Square is an area at the back part of the Sultan's Palace that you can reach southwards from Wijilan, the central place for purchasing of Gudeg as special food of Yogyakarta. Symbolized by a calm elephant, the South Square is the balance of the North Square that is so busy. For the reason, the South Square is considered the resting place for the gods. It is clear now that the area functions as the place for people to calm their hearts down.

The area begins to be busy at five o'clock in the afternoon. Food and drink sellers began to erect tents and to prepare their food and drink to be sold. When night comes, you can begin enjoying the food and beverages. You can try traditional beverage called ronde containing peanut, fruit of sugar palm, and rounded dough of rice flour filled with palm sugar that are poured with hot, light ginger-taste liquid. The price is quite cheap, only at 2,500 Indonesian Rupiah.

In addition to ronde, you can try the so-called bajigur beverage. It is similar to ronde with strong taste of ginger but its thick liquid is made from coconut milk, coffee and syrup of palm sugar. It contains slices of bread, coconut and fruit of sugar palm. These hot beverages are the best choices to expel the coldness of night while chatting with your friends.

When you are hungry, some choices of dishes are available. Baked corn, baked banana or baked bread are good companions for ronde or bajigur drinks. The corn is spread with margarine and chili sauce before it is baked while the banana is spread with chocolate that will melt when it is baked. Baked bread is available in various tastes. All of them are simply delicious!

If you want to eat rice, it will come with some side dishes such as fried chicken, grilled fish and fried tempe. Those are all common side dishes you can find in most restaurants in Indonesia. However, if you include the nuance of the South Square into its ingredients, the cuisine becomes so special. Served in cross-legged arrangement, most of the food and drink are offered at affordable prices. You will be satisfied with spending 5,000 Indonesian Rupiah only.

Then, you can try an attraction called Masangin, namely walking through two banyan trees in the middle of the square with your eyes being closed with black cloth that is available for rent at 3,000 Rupiah. The belief says that those who successfully do it will get unlimited blessing. However, do not try to peep since you will enter to other world so that it is difficult for you to return to the real world!

Please ask the person who has been renting the black cloth for thirty years, namely Mr. Albertus Harjo Suwito, anything about Masangin. He will explain that renting black cloth is not merely a business for him but it is an effort to preserve the culture and belief of the past community. The ritual of going through between two banyan trees is not mystical but it is means of saying our prayer to God. The answering of the prayer will depend on one's belief.

At certain occasion, you can see leather puppet performance in Sasono Hinggil Dwi Abad, the building that is located adjacent to the South Square. You have to prepare yourself to enjoy the nightlong performance. You can also see the troops of Yogyakarta Kingdom are preparing themselves before joining the Grebeg ceremony (to commemorate the birth of Muhammad). They gather in this square before the ceremony and then march to the North Square at the ceremonial day.

At day, you can also enjoy different situation of the South Square. You can see the elephants of the Kingdom in its stall or children playing football in the afternoon. Antique things are also sold around the square.

ref: yogyes.com

BERINGHARJO

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 07:59:00 +0000

Beringharjo has been functioning as a trading place since 1758. Now, it offers more merchandise, ranging from batik, traditional snacks, Javanese herbs, to Buddha effigy costing hundreds thousands.

Beringharjo market becomes part of Malioboro that is worth visiting. This market has been center of economy activity since years ago and its existence has philosophical meaning. The market that had been renovated several times symbolizes stages of human life that is busily engaged in its economy fulfillment. Furthermore, Beringharjo is also one of the 'four in one' poles (consisting of South Square, Sultan Palace, North Square, and Beringharjo market) symbolizing economy functions.

The area where current Beringharjo market lies used to be forest of banyan trees. Soon after the foundation of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Kingdom, i.e. in 1758, the area was used as a place for economy transaction by the people of Yogayarkta and its vicinities. Only hundreds years later, namely in 1925, the transaction place had a permanent building. The name 'Beringharjo' was given by Hamengku Buwono IX, meaning that the place where banyan tree (bering) used to grow is expected to bring welfare (harjo). Now, tourists define this place as an enjoyable shopping place.

The front part and the western part of the market are the right places to find delicious traditional snacks. At the north side of the front part, you will find round brem (a kind of snack made from the extract of fermented tubers) that is softer than that of Madiun city and krasikan (sweet cake made from glutinous rice and palm sugar). In the south part, you will find bakpia cake filled with mung bean that is sold warm and wet snacks such as hung kwe and nagasari. Meanwhile, at the back part, usually they sell durable snacks such as ting-ting made of caramel mixed with peanut.

If you want to buy batik, Beringharjo is the best place because of its complete collections; ranging from batik cloth to batik clothes made of both cotton and silk materials, with the prices ranging from tens thousands to a million. Collection of batik cloth is available in west and north parts of the market, while batik clothes collection is available almost everywhere in the west part of this market. In addition to batik clothes, the west part of the market also offers traditional clothes: surjan, blangkon, and sarong both woven and batik printed ones. Sandals and bags sold at reasonable prices are available around the escalator of the west part of the market.

Stepping upstairs to the second floor, you will smell the aroma of Javanese herbs. Herbs such as turmeric that is usually blended with tamarind to produce special drink and temulawak to make bitter drink for medication purpose are sold here. Spices such as ginger (to make ronde drink or merely to be baked, boiled and mixed with crystal sugar) and cinnamon (to enrich the flavors of such drinks as ginger drink, coffee, tea and sometimes to substitute chocolate in cappuccino).

This is also the right market to hunt antiques. The center of antique goods is in east part of the third floor. There, you can get old typewriter, helmet made in 1960s with the front part of which is mica as high as one's nose and some other items. On the same floor, you can get used items of good quality if you want. Various kinds of good quality used imported goods such as shoes, bag, and even clothes are sold at much cheaper prices compared to the original prices. Of course, carefulness in choosing is needed.

After completing your going around in the market, it is time for you to explore the area around the market with not less interesting offers. The area at the north of the market that used to be popular as Chinese Kampong is the most popular place. You can find oldies cassettes of musicians in 1950s that are rarely found in other places at the most expensive price of 50,000 Rupiah. Besides, there are Buddha effigies in different poses costing 250,000 Rupiah. For collectors of old money, they can get the ones from various countries, even the ones utilized in 1930s.

To quench your thirst, special cold drink of Yogyakarta, namely cendol ice, is the right choice. This cold drink from Yogyakarta has richer flavor than the ones from Banjarnegara and Bandung. The contents are not only cendol (jelly-like substance made from glutinous rice but also cam cau (jelly-like substance made from cam cau leaves). Other drinks you can try are young coconut ice with palm sugar and the drink made from turmeric-tamarind and rice-great galingale mixtures. The price of the drink is cheap, namely 1,000 to 2,000 Rupiah.

Even though the market is closed at 05:00p.m, the dynamics of the merchants does not stop by that time. In front of the market, there are still many food sellers offering many kinds of special food. Martabak with various fillers, the sweet terang bulan mixed with chocolate and peanut, and the delicious klepon filled with palm sugar are sold every evening. At around 06:00p.m. until late at night, there is usually gudeg seller who also offers special cuisines of cow skin and variant of stir-fried vegetables with chili. While having your meals, you can listen to Javanese traditional music or have a talk with the seller who will address you friendly. It is just complete!

ref: yogyes.com, farm1.static.flickr.com

Panggung Krapyak

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 07:40:00 +0000

It was told that Krapyak area, which is now located to the south of Yogyakarta Kingdom, was a dense forest. There were various kinds of wild animals, one of them was deer or in Javanese language it is called menjangan. It is not surprising that this area was used as a place to go hunting by the kings of Mataram

Raden Mas Jolang who was called Prabu Hanyokrowati, the second king of Islamic Mataram Kingdom and the son of Panembahan Senopati, was one of the kings utilizing the Krapyak Forest as a hunting place. In 1613, he got an accident while hunting and died here. He was buried in Kotagede and was named Panembahan Seda Krapyak (that means the king that died in Krapyak Forest).
The other king who was fond of hunting in Krapyak Forest was Pangeran Mangkubumi (Sultan Hamengku Buwono I). He constructed Panggung Krapyak 140 years after the demise of Prabu Hanyokrowati in this forest. Panggung Krapyak is a historical sign telling that Krapyak area was functioned as a hunting area in the past. If you are interested, you may visit the place by going southwards as far as 3 kilometers from the South Square or Alun-Alun Kidul, passing through Plengkung Gading and D.I Panjaitan Road. When you get there, you will see Panggung Krapyak in the middle of the street.
The architecture of this building is unique. Each side has one door and one window. The door and the window are without shutters. The base of the door and the window is square while the top part is arch as the design of the doors and windows of a mosque. In front of the door, there is one stair in the form of half-rounded.
Panggung Krapyak is divided into two floors. The ground floor functions as an entrance while the first floor functions as a hunting place. The two floors were connected by a wooden ladder that could be positioned in southwest and southeast parts of this building to enable the king to ascend it. Now, the ladder is not available so that we cannot access the first floor.
This building describes the comfort that the king obtained, even when he went hunting. The high building provides feeling of comfort and secure for the king; he should not have to worry to be attacked by wild animals while looking out the targets. The first floor is also a secure, wide, open place that is bordered with hollow walls of medium height. There might be the roof on the building but it disappears now.
In addition to functioning as a hunting place, some people tell that Panggung Krapyak also functioned as defending post of the Kingdom. From this place, the movement of the enemies from south direction could be detected to tell the Yogyakarta Kingdom if there would be an attack. Some soldiers were on guard in this post.
To the east of the stage, there is a pond that local people call it umbul. Unfortunately, the condition of the pond is not that good.
Visiting Panggung Krapyak means visiting one of the important buildings of Yogyakarta Kingdom. Panggung Krapyak is located in the imaginary line of Yogyakarta, connecting the Merapi Mountain, Tugu Jogja, Yogyakarta Kingdom, Panggung Krapyak and the South Ocean.

ref: yogyes.com

Gadjah Mada University

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:07:00 +0000

The Gadjah Mada University (Indonesian: Universitas Gadjah Mada or UGM) is the largest university in Indonesia in terms of student population.[1] It is also one of the oldest universities in the country, founded on December 19, 1949; although the first lecture was given on 13 March 1946. The name was taken from the name of Majapahit's Prime Minister, Gajah Mada.

UGM is located in Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. It has 18 faculties, 73 undergraduate study programs, 28 diploma study programs, and a graduate program of 62 study programs ranging from Social Sciences to Engineering. It has approximately 55,000 students, 647 foreign students, 2,240 employees, and 2,273 lecturers.

When founded, UGM had 6 faculties: the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, the Faculty of Law, Social and Political Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Letters, Pedagogy, and Philosophy, the Faculty of Agriculture, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

From 1952 until 1972 the Faculty of Medicine was split into two separate faculties, the Surabaya branch of the Faculty of Law, Social, and Political Sciences was established, and the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training was integrated into IKIP Yogyakarta.

During its initial years, the University used the buildings and other facilities belonging to the Kraton of Yogyakarta (sultan Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX's palace). The university gradually established a campus of its own in Bulaksumur. The university is now has an area of 3 square kilometres.

Mount Merapi

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:02:00 +0000

Mount Merapi, Gunung Merapi in Indonesian language, is a conical volcano located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. Its name means Mountain of Fire. It is very close to the city of Yogyakarta, and thousands of people live on the flanks of the volcano, with villages as high as 1700 m above sea level.

Although smoke can be seen emerging from the mountain top at least 300 days a year, several eruptions have caused fatalities. Hot gas from a large explosion killed 43 people in 1994, mostly in the town of Muntilan, west of the volcano. Another large eruption occurred in 2006, shortly before the Yogyakarta earthquake. In light of the hazards that Merapi poses to populated areas, it has been designated as one of the Decade Volcanoes.

Merapi is the youngest in a group of volcanoes in southern Java. It is situated at a subduction zone, where the Indo-Australian Plate is sliding beneath the Eurasian Plate. It is one of at least 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire – a section of fault lines stretching from the Western Hemisphere through Japan and South East Asia.[1]

Typically, small eruptions occur every two to three years, and larger ones every 10-15 years or so. Notable eruptions, often causing many deaths, have occurred in 1006, 1786, 1822, 1872 (the most violent eruption in recent history), and 1930—when thirteen villages were destroyed and 1400 people killed by pyroclastic flows.

A very large eruption in 1006 is claimed to have covered all of central Java with ash. The volcanic devastation is claimed to have led to the collapse of the Hindu Kingdom of Mataram, however there is insufficient evidence from that era for this to be substantiated.

Merapi continues hold particular significance for the Javanese: it is one of four places where officials from the royal palaces of Yogyakarta and Solo make annual offerings to placate the ancient Javanese spirits.

ref: wikipedia.org

GUDEG

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:51:00 +0000

Gudeg is a traditional food from Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia which is made from young Nangka (jack fruit) among other things, boiled for several hours with palm sugar, and coconut milk. Additional spices include garlic, shallot, candlenut, coriander seed, galangal, bay leaves, and teak leaves, which last imparts a brown color to the dish.

It is also called Green Jack Fruit Sweet Stew. Gudeg is usually served with white rice, chicken, hard-boiled egg, tofu and/or tempeh, and a stew made of crispy beef skins (sambal goreng krecek).

ref: wikipedia.org, id.88db.com

The Great Borobudur

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:42:00 +0000

Borobudur attracted attention in 1885, when Yzerman, the Chairman of the Archaeological Society in Yogyakarta, made a discovery about the hidden foot.[42] Photographs that reveal reliefs on the hidden foot were made in 1890–1891.[53] The discovery led the Dutch East Indies government to take steps to safeguard the monument.

In 1900, the government set up a commission consisting of three officials to assess the monument: Brandes, an art historian, Theodoor van Erp, a Dutch army engineer officer, and Van de Kamer, a construction engineer from the Department of Public Works. In 1902, the commission submitted a threefold plan of proposal to the government. First, the immediate dangers should be avoided by resetting the corners, removing stones that endangered the adjacent parts, strengthening the first balustrades and restoring several niches, archways, stupas and the main dome.

Second, fencing off the courtyards, providing proper maintenance and improving drainage by restoring floors and spouts. Third, all loose stones should be removed, the monument cleared up to the first balustrades, disfigured stones removed and the main dome restored. The total cost was estimated at that time around 48,800 Dutch guilders.

The restoration then was carried out between 1907 and 1911, using the principles of anastylosis and led by Theodor van Erp.[54] The first seven months of his restoration was occupied with excavating the grounds around the monument to find missing Buddha heads and panel stones. Van Erp dismantled and rebuilt the upper three circular platforms and stupas. Along the way, Van Erp discovered more things he could do to improve the monument; he submitted another proposal that was approved with the additional cost of 34,600 guilders.

At first glance Borobudur had been restored to its old glory. Due to the limited budget, the restoration had been primarily focused on cleaning the sculptures, and Van Erp did not solve the drainage problem. Within fifteen years, the gallery walls were sagging and the reliefs showed signs of new cracks and deterioration.[54] Van Erp used concrete from which alkali salts and calcium hydroxide leached and were transported into the rest of the construction. This caused some problems, so that a further thorough renovation was urgently needed.

Small restorations have been performed since then, but not sufficient for complete protection. In the late 1960s, the Indonesian government had requested from the international community a major renovation to protect the monument. In 1973, a master plan to restore Borobudur was created.[28] The Indonesian government and UNESCO then undertook the complete overhaul of the monument in a big restoration project between 1975–1982.[54]

The foundation was stabilized and all 1,460 panels were cleaned. The restoration involved the dismantling of the five square platforms and improved the drainage by embedding water channels into the monument. Both impermeable and filter layers were added. This colossal project involved around 600 people to restore the monument and cost a total of US$ 6,901,243.[55] After the renovation was finished, UNESCO listed Borobudur as a World Heritage Site in 1991.

location: magelang, central java
ref: apakabarjogja.com, vagabondish.com

KERATON (SULTAN'S ROYAL PALACE)

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:26:00 +0000

This Javanese Palace was, and still is, the centerpiece of Yogyakarta and for the Hamengku Buwono Dynasty. Originally designed and built by Hamengku Buwono I (circa 1776), it is an outstanding example of elegant, classical Javanese architecture. The Keraton has a North to South orientation and is made up of a series of Bangsal (halls) which are venues for Gamelan, Dances and Wayang (puppet) performances, as well as spacious courtyards, pavilions and domiciles.

The north to south orientation is quite important inasmuch as the Palace, the Tugu and Mount Merapi (see below) are all in a perfectly straight line. This axis is believed to be blessed and in olden days the Sri Sultan used to concentrate his mind along this axis before making an important decision.

You will undoubtedly notice a number of elderly, elegant, reserved and dignified men in traditional batik and Javanese headgear (Blangkon). These are the royal retainers, whose family service to the Sultan goes back many, many generations. These days they are responsible for maintaining the palace and its exhibits, collecting entrance fees and enforcing proper tourist decorum. They consider themselves privileged and act accordingly.

The Keraton itself houses an interesting variety of historically significant objects - from the Antique Royal Gamelan, to Royal Palanquins (glass enclosed conveyances for the Royal family that carried on the shoulders of up to 16 bearers) and original oil portraits and photos of the ten Sultans and their wives and children.

Somewhat surprisingly, the palace is also home to approximately 20,000 people who live and work in the Keraton even today. Many of these residents sell souvenirs, snacks and soft drinks to the many tourists who arrive daily.
Hours: Daily 8:00am to 2:00pm (Fridays 8:00am to 1:00pm). Closed on all National holidays.
Entrance Fee: Rp. 2,000.- (Rp. 3,000.- if you want to take pictures).

ref: yogyakartahotels.com, tasteofjogja.com

MELIA PUROSANI

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:15:00 +0000

Hotel Overview
Luxurious without being overly large or pretentious, the Melia Purosani is one of those hotels that, as soon as you arrive, you feel at home. Rooms are of ample size, tastefully furnished and well appointed with all the amenities discerning travelers require.

5 star / 299 rooms
Rates: Deluxe US$ 79.00 / Grand US$ 85.00 (include breakfast)
One of Yogyakarta's favourite and most luxurious hotels, the Melia Purosani couldn't be better located. Situated at the corner at the corner of Jl. Suryatmajan and Jl. Suryotomo in the midst of the historic district of Yogyakarta, Melia Purosani gives you easy access to and from anywhere in Yogyakarta and is just a city block from Jl. Malioboro, the city's main shopping street and within easy walking distance to the Keraton. Staff is professional, warm and friendly.

The staff is professional and courteous but not intrusive. And the Melia Purosani has a good range of dining and entertainment options available. All in all, with the service and facilities on offer the Melia Purosani is excellent choice for those looking for good value for money in a luxury hotel in the heart of historic Yogyakarta.

Room Description
All individually controlled air-conditioned rooms in the Melia Purosani feature in room safe, en-suite marble bathroom with tub & shower, minibar with refrigerator, IDD telephone, satellite and local television with in-house movies, coffee/tea making facilities and hairdryer. Handicapped rooms are available upon request.

Notes:
All Rates Include 21% Gov't Tax & Service Charge. No Hidden Charges.
* Rate includes breakfast.
Rates quoted on single / double occupancy basis (1 or 2 persons per room per night).
Rates subject to change without prior notice.
Extra bed: US$ 30.00 nett/night including breakfast.
Check in: 02.00 pm / check out: 12.00 noon.
Credit Cards: Master Card, Visa.

Family policy:
Children 0 - 12 yrs old sharing parent's bed - Stay free

Hotel Facilities
Safety deposit boxes
Swimming pool
Shopping Arcade
Beauty salon
Kid's Club
Gymnasium
Massage
Spa and sauna
Business centre
Meeting facilities
In house medical clinic

Hotel Services
Currency exchange
Baby sitting service
Tour & travel desk
Limousine & taxi service
Postal service
Laundry & dry cleaning
In house doctor

Restaurants & Bars
Pub Med
Live bands
Open: 07.00am - midnight.

Soka Lounge
Cocktails and entertainment
Open: 11.00am - midnight

El Patio Coffee Shop
Asian & International cuisine
Open 24 hours

Ching San Chinese Restaurant
Cantonese & Szechuan cuisine
Open: 05.00pm - 11.00pm

Parangsari Restaurant
International cuisine
Open: 06.00am - 11.00pm

location: malioboro

ref: yogyakartahotels.com

Ibis Malioboro

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:57:00 +0000

For those wishing to be right in the heart of Yogya's historical district on the famous Jl. Malioboro the Ibis Malioboro couldn't be better located. Sitting atop Malioboro Mall, Yogya's largest, most fashionable shopping centre, the hotel is mid way between the rail station & Keraton, putting you within walking distance to anywhere.

Rates: Superior Rp 490,000 (include breakfast)
3 star / 147 rooms
Connected to the beautiful Malioboro Mall giving you direct access to all the excitement & attractions on Jl. Malioboro right at your doorstep, Ibis Malioboro puts you right in the heart of Yogyakarta's historical area with all the value for money that Ibis is known for worldwide. For anyone who wants to be on Jl. Malioboro at a reasonable rate and in a more modern setting the Ibis Malioboro is the place

Rooms are, like all Ibis hotels, neat as a pin, tastefully decorated and comfortable. Service is polite, friendly and professional. In addition to an Italian themed restaurant in the lobby there is a internet cafe to keep you connected.

Room Description
All individually controlled air-conditioned rooms in the Ibis Malioboro feature tub & shower bathroom, international direct dial telephone, satellite and international satellite television and coffee/tea making facilities.

Notes:
All Rates Include 21% Gov't Tax & Service Charge. No Hidden Charges.
* Rate includes breakfast.
Rates quoted on single / double occupancy basis (1 or 2 persons per room per night).
Rates subject to change without prior notice.
Extra bed: US$ 20.00 nett/night including breakfast.
Check in: 02.00 pm / check out: 12.00 noon.
Credit Cards: Master Card, Visa, Diners, JCB, BCA.

Family policy:
Children 0 - 12 yrs old sharing parent's bed - Stay free.

Hotels Facilities:
Safety deposit boxes
Swimming pool
Drugstore
Fitness center
Meeting room

Hotel Services:
Currency exchange
Taxi service
Laundry & dry cleaning
Internet access
Postal service
Doctor on call 24 hours

Restaurants & Bars:
Room service: Available 24 hours
Cake Shop: Open: 9.00am - 9.00pm
Kokila Bar: Open: 8.00am - 1.00am
La Table Restaurant:International cuisine
Open: 24 hours

Location: Malioboro
ref: yogyakartahotels.com

KOTA GEDE

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:29:00 +0000

What is now the Kota Gede district of Yogyakarta is in fact the original capital of the Mataram kingdom, the great 16th century Muslim kingdom which held sway over most of Java, until the Dutch arrived. The city was founded by the first sultan of Mataram, Panembahan Senopati, in 1582. Not much of the old capital remains, but Senopati is buried in the graveyard of a very old mosque deep in the small back alleys of the old city.

What is now the Kota Gede district of Yogyakarta is in fact the original capital of the Mataram kingdom, the great 16th century Muslim kingdom which held sway over most of Java, until the Dutch arrived. The city was founded by the first sultan of Mataram, Panembahan Senopati, in 1582. Not much of the old capital remains, but Senopati is buried in the graveyard of a very old mosque deep in the small back alleys of the old city.

The small streets and alleys around the mosque and graveyard can be quite charming to walk around in. There's a slower pace to life here despite the modern times.

Today, the Kota Gede area is better known for its many silver shops. You don't have to go far from the graveyard of the first sultan to find a large silver factory. These can be quite nice, but the prices are not as good as Bali.

ref: asiaforvisitors.com

VREDEBURG FORTRESS

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:20:00 +0000

Benteng Vredeburg is opposite Gedung Agung. It was built in the year 1765 by the Dutch during the colonial domination against the cannon shot from the Sultan's palace.

Its function was to protect the residence of the Dutch Residence. This fort is also surrounded by a moat which still can be seen at present. The fort is rectangular in shape with bastions on the four corners and ramparts which enable the Dutch soldiers to walk around and shoot from.

From the base of the cannon on the southern rampart, one has a good view of the Sultan's Palace and other historical buildings and busy traffic around these places. The fort is within walking distance from the centre of town.

ref: acicis.murdoch.edu.au, jogjatourism.com

PRAMBANAN

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:10:00 +0000

Reputated as the biggest and most beautiful Hindhus Temple in Indonesia, and locally known as Roro Jonggrang. Excursion to Prambanan temple complex-the most beautiful Hindu temple then proceed to Solo visit to the Mangkunegaran's Palace, Triwindhu flea-market. Continued drive on to Sukuh temple located on slope of Mount Lawu and surrounded by beautiful sceneries. Also visit to Cetoh temple.

Yogyakarta is the most popular tourist destination on Java. Famous for its rich heritage, cultural performances such as gamelan music, classical dance, shadow puppet shows, can be enjoyed daily.
It is also a good base for day trips to 2 of the world's most impressive archeological sites - Borobudur & Prambanan Temple complexes. Yogyakarta also has excellent budget food & accommodation options and has been a travelers favorite for many years.

ref: indonesia-tourism.com, jakartajavakini.com

BAKPIA

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:04:00 +0000

Bakpia is a food that was made from the mung beans mixture with sugar that was wrapped in previous flour be roasted. In several areas in Indonesia, food that was felt sweet if being eaten this was known by the name of pia or the cake pia.

The contents bakpia could adapt with the consumer's wish including being brown, cheese, the green fish basket, and the black fish basket.

Bakpia that was enough to be known by one of them to come from the Pathok area, Yogyakarta.

For who has try it, don't say what delicious it.

reference: apakabarjogja.com

BATIK SEMARANGAN

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:58:00 +0000

Last June, I had the chance to visit Semarang with my family on holiday. We stayed over in Semarang and took a car trip to Jogjakarta and Borobudur. I visited Semarang a number of times, but never had a chance to take a look at the batik industry there. It is often that when we speak of Batik, then we automatically refer to Solo, Pekalongan or Jogjakarta, never quite thought of Semarang as one of the Batik center.

However, Rens Heringa and Harman C. Veldhuisen, in their book Fabric of Enchantment: Batik from the North Coast of Java, suggested that between 1845 and 1867, two women also developed hand-drawn batik in Semarang. They were Mrs Van Oosterom, who was of mixed Dutch-Javanese origin and was born in Salatiga, and Mrs Von Franquemont, who was of German-Dutch origin. Both lived somewhere in Ungaran Hill. Their batik was later known as Prankemon batik.

So while I was in Semarang, I didnt want to pass the opportunity to visit the Semarang batikers. One afternoon, my mother in law took me to an area in East of Semarang where there is a small village with batikers community. That afternoon I was introduced to what one calls Batik Semarangan. My mom in law showed me a couple of houses that actually run home industry in batik making. Then we stopped by to small batik house which we found thru the direction of the a local living in the area.

That was where I met mba ZIE, she was busy talking to a couple of her clients in her humble home when we entered and she greeted us. I sat down and right away went through the pile of batiks that was in the table. Then my eyes stopped at this one brownish monochromatic batik sarong. I thought this batik was different in nature compared to the ones that were on the pile. This sarong has “tumpal” (or head part) that represents picture of ”Tugu Semarang” (Semarang Monument) lined up vertically. Then back part of the batik sarong has gorgeous drawings of phoenix birds and flowers with a repeated Semarang monuments as border, very unique indeed.

Mba Zie, the batiker told me that the sarong was done using natural dye, so she used natural coloring using plants and fruits extract. She also mentioned that Batik Semarangan is known to have theme that revolves around Flora and Fauna. Well, I guess there was no turning back, I just knew I wanted that batik sarong. So I decided to purchase it and bought a couple of other batik clothes for my mom. So what do you think of my new collection?

reference: apakabarjogja.com

GAMELAN

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:21:00 +0000

A gamelan is a musical ensemble of Indonesia typically featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings, and vocalists may also be included.

The term refers more to the set of instruments than the players of those instruments. A gamelan as a set of instruments is a distinct entity, built and tuned to stay together — instruments from different gamelan are not interchangeable.

The word "gamelan" comes from the Javanese word "gamel", meaning to strike or hammer, and the suffix "an", which makes the root a collective noun.

History of Gamelan

The gamelan has an old and mysterious origin. Apparently it predates the Hindu-Buddhist culture that dominated Indonesia in its earliest records, and instead represents a native art form. The instruments developed into their current form during the Majapahit Empire.[1] In contrast to the heavy Indian influence in other art forms, the only obvious Indian influence in gamelan music is in the Javanese style of singing.[2]

In Javanese mythology, the gamelan was created by Sang Hyang Guru in Saka era 167 (c. AD 230), the god who ruled as king of all Java from a palace on the Maendra mountains in Medangkamulan (now Mount Lawu). He needed a signal to summon the gods, and thus invented the gong. For more complex messages, he invented two other Gongs, thus forming the original gamelan set.[3]

In the palaces of Java are the oldest known ensembles, the Munggang and Kodokngorek gamelans, apparently from the 12th century. These formed the basis of a "loud style." A different, "soft style" developed out of the kemanak tradition and is related to the traditions of singing Javanese poetry, in a manner which is often believed to be similar to performance of modern bedhaya dance. In the 17th century, these loud and soft styles mixed, and to a large extent the variety of modern gamelan styles of Bali, Java, and Sunda resulted from different ways of mixing these elements. Thus, despite the seeming diversity of styles, many of the same theoretical concepts, instruments, and techniques are shared between the styles

reference: Music in Java: History Its Theory and Its Technique (1949) edited by Jaap Kunst, ISBN 90-247-1519-9. An appendix of this book includes some statistical data on intervals in scales used by gamelans, wikipedia.org

MAKING A BATIK

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:13:00 +0000

Melted wax (Javanese: malam) is applied to cloth before being dipped in dye. It is common for people to use a mixture of beeswax and paraffin wax. The beeswax will hold to the fabric and the paraffin wax will allow cracking, which is a characteristic of batik. Wherever the wax has seeped through the fabric, the dye will not penetrate. Sometimes several colours are used, with a series of dyeing, drying and waxing steps.

Thin wax lines are made with a canting needle (or a tjanting tool), a wooden handled tool with a tiny metal cup with a tiny spout, out of which the wax seeps. Other methods of applying the wax onto the fabric include pouring the liquid wax, painting the wax on with a brush, and applying the hot wax to precarved wooden or metal wire block and stamping the fabric.

After the last dyeing, the fabric is hung up to dry. Then it is dipped in a solvent to dissolve the wax, or ironed between paper towels or newspapers to absorb the wax and reveal the deep rich colors and the fine crinkle lines that give batik its character. This traditional method of batik making is called Batik Tulis (lit: Written Batik).

The invention of the copper block or cap developed by the Javanese in the 20th century revolutionised batik production. It became possible to make high quality designs and intricate patterns much faster than one could possibly do by hand-painting. This method of using copper block to applied melted wax patern is called Batik Cap (pronounced like "chop").

Indonesian batik used for clothing normally has an intricate pattern. Traditionally, wider curves were reserved for batik produced for nobles. The traditional cloth has natural colors (tones of indigo and brown) while contemporary pieces have more variety of color.

Javanese batik typically includes symbols. Some pieces may be mystic-influenced, but very rarely used for clothing. Some may carry illustrations of animals.

reference: wikipedia.org

BATIK

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:06:00 +0000

Batik is both an art and a craft, which is becoming more popular and well known in the west as a wonderfully creative medium. The art of decorating cloth in this way, using wax and dye, has been practised for centuries. In Java, Indonesia, batik is part of an ancient tradition, and some of the finest batik cloth in the world is still made there. The word batik originates from the Javanese tik and means to dot.

Batik has been both an art and a craft for centuries. In Java, Indonesia, batik is part of an ancient tradition, and some of the finest batik cloth in the world is still made there.

Contemporary batik, while owing much to the past, is markedly different from the more traditional and formal styles. For example, the artist may use etching, discharge dyeing, stencils, different tools for waxing and dyeing, wax recipes with different resist values and work with silk, cotton, wool, leather, paper or even wood and ceramics.

reference: batikguild.org.uk, wikipedia.org

HISTORY OF WAYANG KULIT

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:41:00 +0000

Wayang is a generic term denoting traditional theatre in Indonesia. There is no evidence that wayang existed before Hinduism came to Southeast Asia sometime in the first century CE. However, there very well may have been indigenous storytelling traditions that had a profound impact on the development of the traditional puppet theatre. The first record of a wayang performance is from an inscription dated 930 CE which says "si Galigi mawayang," or "Sir Galigi played wayang". From that time till today it seems certain features of traditional puppet theatre have remained. Galigi was an itinerant performer who was requested to perform for a special royal occasion. At that event he performed a story about the hero Bima from the Mahabharata.

Hinduism arrived in Indonesia from India even before the Christian era, and was slowly adopted as the local belief system. Sanskrit became the literary and court language of Java and later of Bali. The Hindus changed the Wayang (as did the Muslims, later) to spread their religion, mostly by stories from the Mahabharata or the Ramayana. Later this mixture of religion and wayang play was praised as harmony between Hinduism and traditional Indonesian culture. On Java, the western part of Sumatra and some smaller islands traditionalists continued to play the old stories for some time, but the influence of Hinduism prevailed and the traditional stories either fell into oblivion or were integrated into the Hinduistic plays.

The figures of the wayang are also present in the paintings of that time, for example, the roof murals of the courtroom in Klungkung, Bali. They are still present in traditional Balinese painting today.

When Islam began spreading in Indonesia, the display of God or gods in human form was prohibited, and thus this style of painting and shadow play was suppressed. King Raden Patah of Demak, Java, wanted to see the wayang in its traditional form, but failed to obtain permission from the Muslim religious leaders. As an alternative, the religious leaders converted the wayang golek into wayang purwa made from leather, and displayed only the shadow instead of the figures itself. Instead of the forbidden figures only their shadow picture was displayed, the birth of the wayang kulit.

The figures are painted, flat woodcarvings (a maximum of 5 to 15 mm thick -- barely half an inch) with movable arms. The head is solidly attached to the body. Wayang klitikcan be used to perform puppet plays either during the day or at night. This type of wayang is relatively rare.

Wayang today is both the most ancient and most popular form of puppet theatre in the world. Hundreds of people will stay up all night long to watch the superstar performers, dalang, who command extravagant fees and are international celebrities. Some of the most famous dalang in recent history are Ki Nartosabdho, Ki Anom Suroto, Ki Asep Sunarya, Ki Sugino, and Ki Manteb Sudarsono.

reference: Poplawska, Marzanna. Asian Theatre Journal. Fall 2004, Vol. 21 p. 194-202, wikipedia.org

WAYANG KULIT

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:33:00 +0000

Wayang is an Indonesian and Malay word for theatre. When the term is used to refer to kinds of puppet theater, sometimes the puppet itself is referred to as wayang. "Bayang", the Javanese word for shadow or imagination, also connotes "spirit." Performances of shadow puppet theater are accompanied by gamelan in Java, and by "gender wayang" in Bali.

UNESCO designated Wayang Kulit, a shadow puppet theater and the best known of the Indonesian wayang, as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 7 November 2003.

Wayang kulit, shadow puppets prevalent in Java and Bali in Indonesia, and Kelantan in Malaysia, are without a doubt the best known of the Indonesian wayang. Kulit means skin, and refers to the leather construction of the puppets that are carefully chiseled with very fine tools and supported with carefully shaped buffalo horn handles and control rods.

The stories are usually drawn from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata or the Serat Menak. The island of Lombok has developed its own style of Serat Menak called Wayang Sasak.

There is a family of characters in Javanese wayang called Punakawan; they are sometimes referred to as "clown-servants" because they normally are associated with the story's hero, and provide humorous and philosophical interludes. Semar is the father of Gareng (oldest son), Petruk, and Bagong (youngest son). These characters did not originate in the Hindu epics, but were added later, possibly to introduce mystical aspects of Islam into the Hindu-Javanese stories. They provide something akin to a political cabaret, dealing with gossip and contemporary affairs.

The puppets figures themselves vary from place to place. In Central Java the city of Surakarta (Solo) is most famous and is the most commonly imitated style of puppets. Regional styles of shadow puppets can also be found in West Java, Banyumas, Cirebon, Semarang, and East Java. Bali produces more compact and naturalistic figures, and Lombok has figures representing real people. Often modern-world objects as bicycles, automobiles, airplanes and ships will be added for comic effect, but for the most part the traditional puppet designs have changed little in the last 300 years.

Historically, the performance consisted of shadows cast on a cotton screen and an oil lamp. Today, the source of light used in wayang performance in Java is most often a halogen electric light. Some modern forms of wayang such as Wayang Sandosa created in the Art Academy at Surakarta (STSI) has employed spotlights, colored lights and other innovations.

The handwork involved in making a wayang kulit figure that is suitable for a performance takes several weeks, with the artists working together in groups. They start from master models (typically on paper) which are traced out onto kulit (skin or parchment), providing the figures with an outline and with indications of any holes that will need to be cut (such as for the mouth or eyes). The figures are then smoothed, usually with a glass bottle, and primed. The structure is inspected and eventually the details are worked through. A further smoothing follows before individual painting, which is undertaken by yet another craftsman. Finally, the movable parts (upper arms, lower arms with hands and the associated sticks for manipulation) mounted on the body, which has a central staff by which it is held. A crew makes up to ten figures at a time, typically completing that number over the course of a week.

The painting of less expensive puppets is handled expediently with a spray technique, using templates, and with a different person handling each color. Less expensive puppets, often sold to children during performances, are sometimes made on cardboard instead of leather.

references: Poplawska, Marzanna. Asian Theatre Journal. Fall 2004, Vol. 21 p. 194-202
wikipedia.org

THE HISTORY OF JOGJA

noreply@blogger.com (Ary) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:25:00 +0000

The Yogyakarta Sultanate, formally the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, was formed in 1755 when the existing Sultanate of Mataram was divided by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in two under the Treaty of Giyanti. This treaty states that the Sultanate of Mataram was to be divided into the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat with Yogyakarta as the capital and Mangkubumi who became Sultan Hamengkubuwono I as its Sultan and the Sultanate of Surakarta Hadiningrat with Surakarta as the capital and Pakubuwono III who was the ruler of the Sultanate of Mataram as its Sultan. The Sultan Hamengkubuwono I spent the next 37 years building the new capital, with the Kraton as the centerpiece and the court at Surakarta as the blueprint model. By the time he died in 1792, his territory exceeded Surakarta's.

The ruler Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX (April 12, 1912 - 1988) held a degree from the Dutch Leiden University, and held for a time the largely ceremonial position of Vice-President of Indonesia, in recognition of his status, as well as Minister of Finance and Minister of Defense.

In support of Indonesia declaring independence from the Dutch and Japanese occupation, in September 5, 1945, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogya and Sri Paku Alam VIII in Yogya declared their sultanates to be part of the Republic of Indonesia. In return for this support, a law was passed in 1950 in which Yogyakarta was granted the status of province Daerah Istimewa (Special Region Province), with special status that recognizes the power of the Sultan in his own region's domestic affairs. By this act, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX was appointed as governor for life. During the Indonesian National Revolution against the Dutch after World War II (1945-1950), the capital of the newly-declared Indonesian republic was temporarily moved to Yogyakarta when the Dutch reoccupied Jakarta from January 1946 until August 1950.

The current ruler of Yogyakarta is his son, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, who holds a law degree from Universitas Gadjah Mada. Upon the elder sultan's death, the position of governor, according to the agreement with Indonesia, was to pass to his heir. However, the central government at that time insisted on an election. In 1998, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X was elected as governor by the provincial house of representatives (DPRD) of Yogyakarta, defying the will of the central government. He remains the only governor in Java without a military background: "I may be a sultan," he has been quoted in Asia Week as saying, "but is it not possible for me to also be a democrat?"

Source: wikipedia.org, pariwisata2.jogja.go.id