The Best of Jogja & Lombok ~ Jogja!

As I was questioning the Hub about the signs in the Bahasa Indonesia language around the Arrival Hall, a thunderous rumble suddenly sounded from behind, we turned around and to my astonishment, the Air Asia plane that we had just alighted from was merely meters away, engines on. By now we could also feel the impact of churning air from the close proximity of the gigantic machine. This was a totally new experience for me, at this little airport at Yogjakarta, in short Jogja, as the locals call it. More surprises greeted me after we cleared immigration and went to collect our luggage. The belt was only about 5-6m in length, even shorter than that of a sushi belt. One of our friends could not find her luggage. We assumed someone must have taken the wrong one, after searching for it among the many bags and cases strewn on the floor. Finally after some time, we spotted it. Apparently that person had realised that he/she taken the wrong luggage and abandoned it on the ground.

Phew we were finally out and Xplorea Indonesia's Vega received us with much warm hospitality and presented us with some really nice souvenirs. She saw us to our guide and driver as we began our adventure of our Best of Jogja and Lombok holiday, the highlight being a trek on Mount Rinjani in Lombok.

I had wanted to experience the Borobudur very much after reading about it, as well as Lombok, which was referred to as the undeveloped Bali, not excluding it's majestic mountain Rinjani which boasts such an unbelievably breath-taking view. As such I requested a customised itinerary combining the best of both.

As we settled into our minivan that was to take us to our first stop -- LUNCH!-- our guide introduced us to Yogyakarta (also known as Jogjakarta), and her earthquakes in recent years. We really prayed that we would not get to experience it during our holiday! Our guide asked if this of ours was a graduation trip...  Haha, we were extremely happy to learn that we appeared to be twenty years younger!

Prambanan

Prambanan was the next stop after a good lunch. It was scorching hot by then in the afternoon. I wish there was more explanation on the different temple structures, which our guide could not explain in detail, except that involving the legend of a princess.

In brief, Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple ground in Indonesia and is a UNSESCO World Heritage Site. Its temples were dedicated to the Hindu Gods of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

For  a detailed explanation of Prambanan, refer to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prambanan

I hope that one day I could visit it again and gain more insights into the various temple structures and their historical and heritage values.

Explanatory boards on the structures of Prambanan.

   

Ruins after the earthquake.

           

More ruins.

We exited the complex from another side and took a long walk in an open area that serves as a recreational park around the complex. There was a mini zoo of deers in an enclosure. At the end of the walk is a tourist "market" resembling those in Bangkok. It sold all sorts of souvenirs and knick knacks, as well as some snacks stalls around.
We were then brought to sight-see the local crafts such as batik and silver ware -- typical shopping kind of tour program --- which did not interest us...

We spotted these beautiful chickens outside some tourist shops.

Finally, it was time for our dinner. Dinner was at a rather special restaurant that appeared somewhat like on a rooftop. We chose to dine al fresco. The food was not bad and was later told that it was Balinese cuisine. After dinner we checked into our hotel -- the Cavinton Hotel. We would need to wake up at 3 am the next morning, to reach Borobudur in time to catch the legendary sunrise, as raved by many.

Borobudur

As usually so, I could not sleep well when I was expected to wake up extraordinarily early the next day. We met up at the lobby near to 4am and started our way to catch the Borobudur Sunrise. It seemed like a very long journey while we caught up with our sleep in the minivan. We passed through some remote villages before reaching a very nice resort like hotel lobby to collect our tickets.

It was very chilly and we put on our jackets. We collected a torch each, a sticker pass and off we went on a very dark path that supposedly led to the entrance of the Borobudur complex for the sunrise spectacle.

Directional board. Spot the bright moon! (Photo credit: The Hub)

This sign shows you the different gateways and how one should circumambulate the structure.

Soon we reached the foot of a flight of steps that would lead up to each terrace of the Borobudur.
It wasn't easy to climb up the steps as it was really pitch dark other than the moon, which appeared especially bright as contrasted to the pitch blackness around.

I suddenly saw some motion in front and below of me. My torchlight shone light on a frog jumping away...

The steps could be pretty steep, nonetheless it was not that taxing as soon we reached a dome that seemed to be the highest point. There were already many sunrise greeters around and each tried to settle for the best vantage point, sitting on the structures and around the Buddha statues as well.

Some faint colours of dawn in the distant. The moon above, and spots of lights from the torches climbing up.

More and more people gathered around and we waited for about an hour before we saw some glimmer of dawn in the horizon.

And gradually, dawning rays emerged, inching slowly from behind the mountains of Merapi.

All around us were snapshots to capture the views and the astounding surrounding scenery where nature meets with culture and history.

After witnessing the sunrise, we walked around the complex, now that light has shown on this magnificent place.

Borobudur is constructed of nine platforms, symbolizing the three realms of Buddhist cosmology, the highest, where we had gathered for the sunrise view being the highest realm. Buddha statues are erected inside bell-shaped stupas around the highest realm.
The construction of the monument is such that the reliefs carved on the terraces go from the most intricate on the lower levels (signifying man's desires ,etc) to the simplest and barest form of nirvana where emptiness lies. Pilgrims to the site will usually follow a path from bottom along corridors and staircases leading to each higher level platform till the top. However, for this sunrise trip, we had climbed up to the highest first, then follow each level down.
By the time I had reached the lower "realms" time was running out and I did not have the luxury of time to examine the beautiful reliefs carved on the walls.
Borobudur has really captured my heart. It has such a rich history and meaning to it, which I couldn't relish on my first visit. I wish to return again, this time has a pilgrim, taking my time to circumambulate and inspect the work properly.

For more detailed information on Borobudur, refer to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur

The highest Stupa.

Buddha statue.

Stone carved reliefs.

Broken statue.

Stone carved reliefs - some parts do not match after restoration.

The sun was shining brightly when we reached the base of the monument. Looking back in awe, we reluctantly left the place. However, it took us longer to reach the hotel lobby where we had first gathered hours earlier - our guide, having not been in this line for too long, lost the way back. We had to ask several people for directions.
We finally met up with the driver, and each of us received a small sarong as a souvenir.

Mendut Temple and Mendut Monastery

Our next stop enroute to our hotel for breakfast after the sunrise experience was to Mendut Temple. The Pawon Temple was on our itinerary too. But I did not know why we did not visit it... and I only realised so after I have reached home from the entire trip! Interestingly, the Borobudur, Pawon and Mendut Temples were built apart from one another other on a straight line.

Mendut is a 9th Century Buddhist temple. We had to walk past a nicely landscaped garden, and a row of souvenir stalls to reach it.

On the temple ground was a signboard explaining information about the temple. We had to climb up a flight of steps to reach the chambers housing the Buddhist statues. It looked like a less touristy spot and some ruins that have not been restored on the temple could be found on the surrounding grounds below.

Before we left, we visited the Mendut Monastery, which was the beautiful landscaped garden we saw earlier.

A path leads to the back of the garden where a stupa and statue of Buddha stood.

The lily pond near the entrance.

We walked around the well maintained monastery ground and discovered some shrines and prayer halls.
After this we went back to our hotel to get breakfast, only to be told that they have finished serving breakfast!
It must be close to 11 am by then. We told them the reason for turning up late for breakfast and they kindly let us in to get whatever that was left on the buffet table.
Breakfast was not fantastic, but we managed to fill empty stomachs starved since wee hours. We then went up to wash up and have a short rest before meeting at the lobby again to continue sightseeing for the day.

Sultan Palace Kraton

In the afternoon, we visited the Sultan Palace of Yogyakarta. A palace guide was there to bring us around but he only spoke Bahasa Indonesia so our guide had to be the translator.

There were displays of the traditional Javanese costumes through the eras and some cultural activities representations. The current Sultan (king) of Yogyakarta resides here with his family. We were only allowed to visit up to the hall. Beyond the walls that introduce more of the interior of the palace requires another kind of pass.

After the short tour of the palace, we were pleasantly surprised to be brought to have our lunch at a restaurant with a nice ambience. It was just located at the back of the Sultan Palace and we were told that we were actually eating some "palace food"! Wow!

Entrance of restaurant.

The food was served in individual sets exquisitely and the dessert was really nice!

Very refreshing cucumber salad with peanut butter dressing.

Soup

Main course of mixed brown and white rice, fried fish, chicken and prawns.

Delicious chocolate pudding dessert!

Taman Sari Water Castle

After lunch, we visited a very interesting place known as the Taman Sari which was a former royal garden site for the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. We were guided by an English speaking man, who told us he used to be a former servant of the Sultanate. 

As we were told, Taman Sari was a relaxation place for the ancient kings and their families and we were showed the so called "swimming pools" or bathing pools of the royal family.

There used to be three pools - one for the queen and concubines, one for the children and another that was in private, for the kind and the woman he had selected after he observed them and picked the chosen one to bathe with him for the day.

The guide told us that in the olden days, the water was spring water channeled from natural sources.

The tower from where the king would observe his wives and children.

Changing rooms.

The steep flights of steps that the king climbed on to the top of the tower.

To peep through the window.

The Hub posing as the "king".

The king's private pool with the chosen wife to bathe in.

After which they might proceed to the resting bedroom beside it.

Later when I read up on this place, I learned that Taman Sari was actually a lot bigger than what we have visited. Some of the connecting areas have already been destroyed or ruined or taken over by settlements. There were supposed to be a few gates and entrances to this royal site.

        

           Some gate-like structures with ancient ornamental designs.

Another old gate that used to lead to somewhere...

    

The map/plan of the entire royal estate.

We were led to exit from another side of Taman Sari, walking though a small path which was lined by houses. Not sure if this was an actual part of the royal garden turned settlement.

For more information on Taman Sari Water Castle, refer to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taman_Sari_(Yogyakarta)

Last Evening on Yogjakarta

Our guide thought that it would be interesting to take us to a pet market, where we could see all sorts of "pets" being sold - different kinds of birds and their mealworms, iguanas and other lizards, fishes and the sort. We walked around for around 30 minutes. Upon entering our minivan, I knocked my knee against the leaned down front seat - Ouch! - I prayed that it would not get too bad for my trek two days later at Mount Rinjani.

Half way on our journey to the Malioboro Street in Jogja, our guide decided we should try the horse carriage for a short distance to reach there!

I was a little resistant as I could not imagine nor bear the horse (sometimes only one!) nor horses to take our weights of a few adults. Throughout the horse driven ride, I held tightly to the Hub's hand, fearing for the little jerks (motions that I sometimes get afraid of) and hoping that we quickly stopped and reached. The road we travelled on was super busy and the horses could stay on their lane calmly! I told myself not to ever ride in a horse carriage again. Finally we came to a stop at a roadside and our guide pointed the way to cross over to Malioboro Street where we could do some shopping. Our horse carriage had earlier passed by the famous shopping street where we saw many shops and stalls selling fashion, and more horse carriages lining up alongside! He also gave us directions on how we could walk back to our hotel, located about 15 minutes away, after we were done.

Our guide paying the horse carriage keepers. (Photo Credit: Cheng)

We decided not to go shopping but to walk back to our hotel for rest, considering the fact that we had to awake very early the next day to catch our flight to Lombok. We walked back, following his directions and passed by a 7-11 like shop which we did our only shopping in Jogja - snacks, tidbits, ice-cream and pantyliners! 

The Hub went to swim a little in the very little pool in our hotel and the ladies went for massage. I did neither as I was still having light period, lounging by the poolside while the the Hub swam and exclaiming the water to be super cold! The Hub later had the massage therapist come to our room to do his massage and we had our dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Goodbye Jogja

The next morning was another early morning. We needed to check out and catch our flight to Lombok, transiting through Bali. Our breakfast, consisting of buns and croisssants were packed by the hotel as it was too early to serve breakfast.

Our guide had told us that Yogyakarta has so much more to offer and see just that our stay was too short. He had shown me some interesting places to visit the day before.

After a super long wait at the airport and fanatically long queues that gathered only minutes before gates closing, we managed to catch our Lion Air flight to Bali.

See you again Yogyakarta, I would like to come back and explore more of you the next time!

Transiting in Bali.

And our Best of Jogja and Lombok Holiday continues in Lombok.....