YOGYAKARTA – WHERE THE CULTURE FLOURISHED
Yogyakarta, one of the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia. This town lay right in the heart of the island of Java. A bucket from the past of great cultures have grown and flourished in this city and even some people say Obama, the American president had imitated the mindset of a Javanese king. Yes, the culture has influenced so many people because of its complex and also its glory indeed for centuries
The easiest way to reach the city is by plane. Yogyakarta has an international airport, called Adisutjipto Airport (JOG) with flights connected to several major cities around the world such as Kuala Lumpur, Chengdu, Gold Coast, Singapore and Guangzhou, and also connected with other cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Bali, Pontianak, Balikpapan, Medan, Surabaya and Bandung.
Another alternative transport to reach the city is by bus and train. Yogyakarta is connected to Jakarta via a series of executive-class trains (range 250.000 IDR – 330.000 IDR) as Argo Taksaka Train, Bima Train, Argo Lawu Train, from Surabaya such as Sancaka and also from Bandung, such as Turangga and Lodaya. Another classes are also available such as Business class (price range 180.000 – 120,000 IDR) and the economy (from 30,000 – 40,000 IDR). To reach Yogyakarta from Jakarta by bus, the standard price range from Rp. 80,000 IDR (direct bus without air conditioning) – 160.000 IDR (executive class) from Bandung (Rp.80.000 IDR – 100,000 IDR) and from Surabaya (40,000 IDR – 70,000 IDR).Yogyakarta has two passenger railway stations, Tugu railway station which serves business and executive class trains, and Lempuyangan Station which serves economy class trains. Both stations are located in the heart of the city.
The public transportation is also well established there. From airport you can easily go to the center of the city by bus (TransJogja) that have bus stop in the parking area of the airport (it costs 3000 IDR) Route number 1A will bring you from airport to the downtown (malioboro street, sudirman street and also some bus stop near the palace).
You can also go to downtown by train (5-7 times a day). The taxi costs more budget from airport to the downtown (50.000 – 70.000 IDR).
Yogyakarta known for its relaxed culture, people act gently, not in a hurry, and all clock seemed to tick slower in this city. No bell blown along the way and people always patient about the traffic even they are in hurry.
The area of the city of Yogyakarta is just 32.5 km². While the city spreads in all directions from the keraton (the Sultan’s palace). The Malioboro street is the most popular street where you can find kind of handycraft made by local people such as shirt, wood craving, and some cane work. This path is easily found, just in front of keraton as the center of universe of Yogyakarta.
Malioboro Street, Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta is also famous for its cheapness. The living cost in this city is one of the cheapest in Indonesia. You can find a complete meal for lunch or breakfast just from 5000 IDR (half dollar). But as a famous tourist destination, hotel price in Yogyakarta is quite expensive. But, don’t worry, you still can find some hostel that give reasonable price and it starts from 5 dollar pernight.
The backpacker area in Yogyakarta can be found in Sosrowijayan Street (small street in Malioboro), Dagen, Prawirotaman (south part of the city), and also Tirtodipuran. You can find cafe that provide beer, coffee and also cheap hotel in yogyakarta.
To be a concern, Yogyakarta has several kind of food and snack that almost of all is sweet. Yes, the people in Yogyakarta like to eat some sweet food. The most popular food called “Gudeg”. Made by Jackfruit that already ripe with coconut milk. Boiled in claypot with fire from wood for 5 – 10 hours until the coconut milk is fully absorbed into the Jackfruit. People eat Gudeg with white rice, spicy red soup made by beef skin, egg or chicken and some stewed vegetable. It costs about 10.000 IDR only (with egg) or 12.000 – 25.000 IDR (with chicken)
Gudeg, most popular dishes in Yogyakarta
You can also find some snack such as Bakpia, made by flour, filled by mashed green bean, black peas, chocolate or cheese. It’s a kind of delight snack that you can eat it with hot tea or coffee. Here’s also available geplak (coconut with sugar), varieties of kerupuk (crackers), lopis (made by sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves with brown sugar and coconut), and another kind of snacks.
Yogyakarta is also popular for its street food. Spreading over the city, you can find many spots of “Angkringan”. They provide wide kind of snack and drink. You can enjoy the local food street while you sit near the pedestrian alongside the street and hearing the street art music played by some artists. The price in angkringan is so cheap. It costs 500 IDR (5 cents USD) for snack such as fried soybean, tofu, and other local snack. Angkringan famous for its ‘nasi kucing’, white rice with sambals wrapped by banana leaves (1000 – 2000 IDR) that you can enjoy with kinds of satay and beverages (hot tea, coffee and ginger).
So, what are you waiting for? Just go to Yogyakarta and enjoy the pleasant experience here. The suggested stay in Yogyakarta is for 3 – 5 days and it embraces all part of Yogyakarta tour.
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