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On my three days accompanied Erik, a trip to Yogyakarta became special after a few times visited. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency hotel which has an incredible design and ambiance. For example, the pleasurable artificial pond with two romantic gazebo in temple form and artificial Borobudur temple ornaments on each side as well. Hence, we also could find these ornaments and even a small temple in every corner of the hotel. Moreover, we may swim or just a walk through a touch of Yogya’s decorations and ornaments in variety pool that have a unique shapes. The hotel also provides golf yard facilities for visitors whom wants to play golf.

Yogyakarta (some people call Yogyakarta, Jogjakarta, Yogya or Jogja) is one of many famous cities in Indonesia for its historical and cultural heritage that will be felt when we are seeing this city by public transport such as rickshaws (becak), bicycles, horse-drawn carriage (andong) or even walking. In addition, besides Keraton (castle/ palace), the center of Mataram Kingdom (1575-1640) which is still functioning in the real sense until now, and Malioboro as Yogya’s artery, that filled with handicrafts from all over the city, we also could find a variety of interesting things just by walk. Such as Dagadu (one of Yogya’s t-shirt’s brand) factory, various art museums or galleries, resident houses with a unique shapes, cafes with also unique shapes and its menu as well. Besides full of cultural heritage with its artistic atmosphere, Yogya is also known as a city that has a variety of special and delicious foods. Like gudeg (the famous food in Yogya), traditional cakes like bapia, kopi joss (coffee), various herbs drinks, etc.

Some other places we found during our walk are Tamansari (water castle) or a castle garden (not far from the castle) and then the Alun-alun Kidul (South Square).

Tamansari (water castle) is a royal park or a rest house of Sultan (Yogya’s king) and his family. It’s located in the village about 0.5 km south of Sultan Palace (Keraton). It was surrounded by an artificial sea (like Venice in europe) so it’s located in the middle of the island. Nowadays it has turned into resident township. The architect of this building is the Portuguese who named Demat Tegis which made the building has a mix impression of very strong European architecture with the symbolic meanings of Java which stills retained.

On the other side, Alun-alun Kidul (South Square) is the area behind the Sultan’s castle compound that can be reached by walk to South from Sentra Makanan Khas Gudeg Wijilan. Symbolized by a calm temperament elephant, Alun-Alun Kidul is a balancing of Alun-alun Wetan (North Square) which has a noisy character. Therefore, Alun-Alun Kidul is considered the palereman (rest) of the Gods. And obviously for every people, now it becomes a ngleremke ati (reassurance) place.

Here, at the alun-alun kidul, we tried Masangin attractions; we have to pass through between two Banyan trees in the middle of the square with eyes covered by some cloth. The story said, if a person could walk through the trees with their eyes closed and not askew or hit something they will receive immeasurable blessings. Do not ever try to peek, because according to some sources if you do you will entering another world. You’ll find this place in a quiet or transitory world and hard to come back to reality again. You simply hire a black cloth for IDR 3000.00 to try it, but then we just used my scarf. Because Mr. Albert Harjo Suwito who made the alun-alun Kidul as a place to make a living for 30 years gave us a special offers; all just because we have been waiting for him for about 1 hour :).

He said the rituals through two Banyan tree as called Ngalah Blessing is not superstitious, but a means to deliver the petition to the Lord. Granted or not depends on the power. After second times failed, finally I succeeded to go straight through between two trees. Whether coincidence or not, what I asked become true; married to Erik and taking my master degree

In addition, if you want to explore Yogya further more, the city as known as “Never Ending Asia” also has many thousands-of-years-old temple which are relics of the kingdoms of antiquity, among them is the Borobudur Temple which was built in the 9th century by Sailendra dynasty. Indeed, Yogya has beautiful panorama that can be enjoyed along the way to the temples or on the temple itself. Rice fields surrounding countryside with Mount Merapi appeared as the background can also be enjoyed. Unspoiled beaches easily found at the south of Jogja.

We hope to come back again to visit Yogyakarta, a city filled with friendly smiles and lots of extraordinary art and culture.