svendoveva: Yogya

After four days of visits (included visa renewals!!), Yogyakarta has become our favorite town. Capital of Indonesia during the National Revolution (1945-49), it has always been the center of resistance against the Dutch colonialism. Around 1 million of people lives here, in a mix of traditional art and culture (batik, ballet, drama, music, puppet shows), traces of Duch colonialism and modern malls. People are cheerful and relaxed, always smiling. Contrary to what the guide says, we have never been assaulted by dozen of locals pretending to sell us their batiks or other products. Actually, they never insist. If you say "Tidak, terima kasih", they just smile and feel impressed by your fluent Indonesian, letting you the way and wishing good luck!!

Traditional dances at the Yogya kraton (residence of sultan & family, it includes a peaceful village of around 25000 people)

..after the show..

It seems that sultan's father was a close friend of BP...and scout as well!!

Inside the kraton, we visited the Taman Sari, called "Water Castle". Originally, Taman Sari consisted of an large artificial lake with islands and pavilions (now occupied by a settlement) and a complex of pavilions and pools. It contains an old Mosque as well (very simple and intimate, with a central yard giving light to the interior Mosque corridors). This latter area is well preserved, and you can glance around the rooms where the sultan used to wear his trunks or choose a girl amongst his wives..

Central yard of the Mosque located inside the Taman Sari.

Jalan-jalan (means "having a walk") inside the Taman Sari area..

The Bird Market is usually recommended by touristic guides. However, it is easy to guess that here you'll find a range of birds kept in very poor conditions (tiny cages,..), chicks colored by some too chemical shampoos for the fun of (ingenuous) kids.

The best you can visit around Yogya are the Prambanan 9th-Century Hindu temple and the Boroburu 8th-Century buddhist temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sunset at Prambanan temple

The Sewu buddhist temple, located inside the Prambanan archeological park, has been largely damaged by earthquakes.

Local tourists (largely the majority!) take a picture of western tourists exactly as they do with the archeological finds Here, Sven took a picture of them at the same time.. X)

Lunch break in a particularly delicious and generous warung!!! Among the specialties, caramelized seitan, fried tahu (tofu), soya sprouts..

Borobudur is amazing. Incredible construction, made of six square platforms (decorated with thousands of relief panels) topped by three circular platforms. The main dome is surrounded by around 70 Buddha statues seated inside a perforated stupa.