Top 10 Things To Do in Jogja
#1 Sunrise or Sunset at Borobudur Temple
It’s a bit expensive (IDR
350.000/person for sunset: price as of Dec 2018) but totally worth the price.
You’ll get to experience the tranquility of Borobudur Temple with only a few people
lingering around you. Unfortunately, on our last sunset visit to Borobudur Temple on
Dec 2018, the guide told us that more and more people (too many people) are interested in this
sunrise and sunset packages. Thus, the experience is becoming less magical :P
my sunset visit on Dec 2018: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2019/05/borobudur-sunset.html
my sunrise visit on Dec 2008: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2008/12/sunrise-borobudur.html
#2 Try riding the 'odong-odong' of Alkid
Unleash your inner child
and try the ‘odong-odong’ at alun-alun kidul (southern city square). When the
night comes, this place is filled with odong-odong. You can choose whichever
you want and drive it around the square. I went there in 2017 with my two
colleagues, payed IDR 40.000 for one round. It was very amusing and satisfying
:D we giggled along the way.
#3 Try sate klathak
One of the famous place for this kind of satay is
Sate Klathak “Pak Pong”. This place serves goat meat in many forms: sate
(satay), gulai, tengkleng, and many more. One portion of sate klathak consist
of two sticks of satay (yes, only two sticks but it has big chunks of meat on
each stick) and a soup.
#4 Try kopi joss
While
in jogja, make sure you try kopi joss (charcoal coffee). There are many stalls
offering kopi joss at night located north of the Tugu Train Station area.
You will be served a glass of hot coffee with a burning
charcoal inside. Take the charcoal out before you drink the coffee.
#5 Visit Museum Affandi
Affandi
is one of the famous Indonesian expressionist painter. You can find many of his
artworks at Museum Affandi. This museum in Jogja consist of several gallery building displaying many artworks, from his earlier sketches to his daughter’s paintings. This museum is a must visit.
You can also see Affandi's paintings in Galeri Nasional's permanent exhibition and Neka Art Museum Ubud
My experience at Museum Affandi: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2017/11/museum-affandi-jogja.html
#6 Visit Kotagede
This
charming old town area is best explored by walking. Walk through the small
streets and alleys and find many many interesting spots. Interesting spots not to be missed: an
old mosque, remains of a fortress, old cemetery, and traditional market.
I think you can skip the silver shops and just
concentrate on exploring the alleys. If you like photography and like cultural
stuff, I’m sure you’ll like Kotagede.
My visit to Kotagede: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2017/11/kotagede-jogja.html
#7 Sendratari Ramayana Prambanan
Ramayana Ballet Performance
is based on Ramayana stories and performed at night on an outdoor stage with
prambanan temple as a background. I don't know why they translate it as a 'ballet'. I think it's more like a traditional dance - theater.
Well, the 'ballet' is usually performed on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays on dry season (i.e. from May to October). You can check
the schedule here: http://visitramayana.com/reservation/schedule/
#8 Batik Workshop
At Batik Kayu Sanggar Peni (located at Desa Krebet), you can try to create your own batik motive on a wood medium using
chanting and malam (hot wax). Batik workshops usually offer the participants to
create batik on a piece of small cloth the size of a handkerchief. But At sanggar
peni, I got the chance to create batik on a small wooden mask, using chanting
and malam.
See the pictures here: http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2012/12/mbatik-desa-krebet-jogja.html
#9 Merapi Jeep Tour
One of the popular thing to do when in Jogja is to join a Merapi Jeep Tour (or Merapi Lava Tour). The
tour takes you on a jeep to see Merapi mountain areas which are affected by the
last Merapi big eruption on 2010. There are many tour operators providing this
service.
http://ritaaza.blogspot.com/2015/04/merapi-jeep-tour.html
#10 Visit the beaches in Gunungkidul area
When
you’re done exploring the city of jogja and ready for other adventure, head to
gunungkidul area and visit the beaches. There are so many of them, each with
their own characteristics. Some of the beaches also have their own instragrammable
spots. Fortunately (or is it unfortunate?) I visited some of the places before
they started to build man-made ‘instagrammable spots’.
For more Jogja travel info, please click here
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