Indonesia (Yogjarkata) Feb 2009 D-4

From a group of five, we were downed to two. Today was our last day in Yogya so both of us would like to grab the opportunity to further explore the Yogya city. Most city package tours include a visit to Kraton (Sultan's Palace), Taman Sari water castle, & Taman Sari Garden, so we targeted our visit on these places today.

After our breakfast, we took a slow walk along the Jalan Marioboro towards the Sultan Palace or Kraton area. As we were early, the Palace was not opened yet so we continued our stroll to the Bird's market.

1) Bird's market - This place is about 10 mins walk from Kraton and also not far from the Taman Sari water castle. The market has a number of shops selling bird cages of different designs, colors and sizes. It was quite interesting to see bird cages hung on poles above the ground or under the roof. The larger bird cages were placed on the ground. For bird lovers, you are in the right place ! I believe there would be an annual bird singing contest in Yogya as most people here could have developed a strong interest in bird rearing or indulged in a part time hobby in this sport.

2) Taman Sari Water Castle - Next, we visited the Taman Sri water castle, which was buitt in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono. No entry fee is required. It took 11 years to complete the construction of this castle, using Portuguese architecture. After the Sultan's death and damage caused by the Java war ( 1825-1830) and an earthquake in 1876, the water castle is now in ruins. As I walked around the water castle, I could hear the sound of running water underneath the castle ! At the top of te castle, we had a panorama view of the Yogya city and Mt Merapi which was visible from a distance during a clear day.

3) Sultan Palace's Mosque - The mosque is within walking distance from the Taman Sri Garden

4) Taman Sri Garden , Sultan's bathing pool - We paid 7,500rp (Rm2.40) to enter the Taman Sri Garden. Taman Sri means beautiful garden. I took a few pictures of the Sultan's bathing pools and the front building. In the old days, the entire place was connected by underground passage ways, tunnels and canals, some of these concrete structures still exist today.

5) Underground mosque - The guide took us to visit an underground mosque, no longer a worship place but for tourists to see and admire. This underground mosque really intrigued me and I was impressed after passing a number of underground solid concrete passage ways and tunnels before reaching the central worship place. What a marvelous place !

6) Sultan's Palace ( Kraton ) - This place was full of local and foreign tourists when we visited the Kraton. Admission fee was 12,500rp=Rm4.00. An official guide was assigned to us and we were taken on a guided tour of the Palace. This royal residence has a number of courts , pavilion and gateway and the court architecture followed some Feng Sui to ensure harmony and continued succession of the throne in the royal family. I saw some interesting royal batik clothing, a great display of various precious gifts presented to the royalties by foreign dignitaries ie porcelain vases, well crafted elephant trunks etc

On the way back from the Sultan's Palace, we walked into the Beringharjo shopping center - for me it was window shopping as I had already done my buying earlier !

At around 1.00pm, we took a Trans-Yogyakarta bus (3,000rp=Rm0.90) from a green color bus stand along the Jalan Malioboro to the airport. The journey took about 45 minutes. Bye bye Yogya ! For the last 5 days, indeed we had a wonderful time here.

Our Air Asia flight to Kuala Lumpur was delayed by 45 mins and we arrived at LCCT , Kuala Lumpur around 8.30pm. By the time we reached our Subang Jaya home, it was close to 10.30pm.

" Having enjoyed my time in Yogya, my next destination in Indonesia will be Surabaya, Mt Bromo, Ijen Lake & Bali. I shall return "