7 Hours Solo Travel to Yogyakarta Part 2

 7 Hours Solo Travel to Yogyakarta Part 2

 

0 Km of Yogyakarta 1

0 Km Yogyakarta crossroad is surrounded by several classic buildings. Those buildings have been built and designed by Dutch architects with European Architectural design. Those buildings have been a silent witness to Indonesian history for decades, since Dutch colonial era until now. Even though the buildings were more than a half of century old, its construction still sturdy and also the authenticity still well preserved. FYI, those buildings are still functioned as government office, museum, post office, bank, etc, but they have to maintain the buildings authenticity and not allowed to change the buildings construction.

Actually, those buildings are some of heritages of Dutch colonial era which are those authenticity designs were intended for historical and architectural education purposes. The magnificence of several classic buildings attracts every tourist to use them as a photo or video backgrounds like wedding photography, landscape photography, vlog content, etc. But it’s fine, as long as they didn’t ruin or damage any facilities around this area.

 

0 Km of Yogyakarta 2

Continue to my journey. From 0 Km Yogyakarta crossroad, I continued to walk toward the South to the Keraton Kesultanan Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Royal Palace). It took 10 minutes to walk through 150 meters from 0 Km Yogyakarta crossroad. Before arriving at Keraton Kesultanan Yogyakarta, I had to walk through the Alun-alun (Square) of Keraton Yogyakarta. FYI, in the past, Alun-alun of Keraton Yogyakarta was a Keraton Yogyakarta’s courtyard that was used as a parking area for royal guests. But now, this place is used as a tourist destination because sometimes this place is allowed to be used for public events.

 

0 Km of Yogyakarta 3

 

Unfortunately, when I was there (at 5.10 pm), the Alun-alun was quiet enough. There was no event, just a few street food sellers on the edge of the Alun-alun. It’s okay because it’s not my expectation. Besides that, there was a beautiful twilight sky view above the Alun-alun that impressed me. FYI, if you are lucky, events in the Alun-alun are sometimes held on Saturday or Sunday during the day (8-12 am) or at night (7-10 pm).

 

Alun-alun Keraton Yogyakarta 1

 Alun-alun of Keraton Yogyakarta became famous because there were 2 large Beringin trees that have grown in the middle of this place. Those trees was believed by the local people as a natural gate to the royal palace and some people believed that it’s a connecting gate to the “unseen” palace in another world. I walked through those trees to the Keraton Yogyakarta. Unfortunately, I was late, Keraton Yogyakarta was closed for visits about few hours ago. So, I just took some photos from the front side of the building.

 

Alun-alun Keraton Yogyakarta 2

Keraton Kesultanan Yogyakarta is used as the Governor’s residence and office, but some places are open to the public visits for tourism purpose (9 am – 2 pm). After took some photos, I took a rest in front of the Palace and I was looking for other tourist destinations. FYI, many tourist destinations such as museums, Keraton Yogyakarta, and other classic buildings in Yogyakarta are open from 9 am to 4 pm, so there were many places that I couldn’t visit.

 

Keraton Kesultanan Yogyakarta

 

After resting for 30 minutes, I remembered a place. It was Gedhe Kauman Mosque which is actively used by Muslims to worship. That place was not far from Keraton Kesultanan Yogyakarta, it only took about 50 meters by walk for 10 minutes. Why did I visit there? Because, it is one of the historical buildings in Yogyakarta which also has beautiful design. So I went to visit it and took some photos over there.

At Gedhe Kauman Mosque, I saw a lot of muslim tourists who wanted to worship there. I also saw some non-muslim tourists, they just took some photos there. After that, I took some photos without bothering their worship activities, because the worship was being held. So, I only took photos from the front of the building. FYI, That mosque is open for tourist visits but we must show a respect to them by dressing properly. That place is not open for public visits if worship be held.

Masjid Gedhe Kauman

 

After captured some photos at Gedhe Kauman Mosque, I felt hungry. So, I wanted to buy a traditional Yogyakarta food. Yogyakarta also become famous for culinary tourism, because there are so many traditional foods, such as Gudeg, Sate Klathak, etc, but Gudeg is the most familiar food there. Besides that, I’ve tried Gudeg a few years ago and I really miss the Gudeg taste. FYI, Gudeg is the main course that includes rice, jackfruit, kikil, boiled eggs, and other delicious side dishes. It tastes sweet dominantly with a little savory and spicy. You can easily find several restaurants or street foods that sell Gudeg here with affordable prices. At that time, i chose to eat Gudeg around Malioboro street because I didn’t have any reference for the best Gudeg in Yogya and its location wasn’t far from Gedhe Kauman Mosque.

At a mini restaurant that sells Gudeg on Malioboro pedestrian street, I didn’t have chances to take some photos of Gudeg because the place was too crowded by visitors. I had to wait for a while to get Gudeg. But, the way to order Gudeg was simple enough, first, I ordered 1 standard portion of Gudeg, then I chose a few side dishes that I like, the cashier calculated total price of food, and finally I paid it.

The activities on Malioboro pedestrian street increase around 6-10 pm, especially at places that sell food and beverages. Furthermore, every sunset occurs, decorative lights start to light up which enhances the cheerful and relaxing ambience of Malioboro pedestrian street. Besides that, local peoples also visit Malioboro to release their fatigue after work, that’s the reason why the amount of visitors is increasing.

 

Malioboro Street at Night 1

 

After my stomach was full, I also really wanted to try one of Yogyakarta’s authentic coffee, called “Kopi Joss” (Joss Black Coffee). Kopi Joss is Yogyakarta’s traditional black coffee that brewed by full-immersion process which is added with small chunk of burned wood charcoal in a serving-glass as a boiler. After the coffee is served, stir the coffee first until the coffee brewed perfectly, then wait until the water temperature is ready to drink. Fun fact, it was named Kopi Joss because when the coffee brewed using burned charcoal, a physical reaction occurs and it sounds like “josss”. You can drink it at street coffeeshop called “Angkringan”. The Angkringan I visited was still at Malioboro street. Not only Kopi Joss, Angkringan also sell various delicious snacks or side dishes with affordable prices.

At that time, the Angkringan wasn’t crowded by visitors and felt comfortable to relax. Didn’t suppose that my transit time was 2 hours left. Furthermore, at that time many tourist destinations were closed for visits. I thought that I was quite satisfied for this journey. And then, I decided to spend time at the Angkringan to took a rest and talked with other visitors.

 

Kopi Joss Black Coffee

After that, I walked for a while on Malioboro street to captured last photos of the situation at night. Finally, I returned to Yogyakarta’s train station to end this journey and I had to go back to Jakarta. However, there were many unlucky situation in this journey still made me satisfied and happy. It seems I have to come back here sometime.

 

Malioboro Street at Night 2

Yogyakarta Train Station

I gladly to recommend you to visit Yogyakarta. If you want to visit Yogyakarta, please come in the morning around 8-9 am because the weather is good and many tourist destinations are open for visits, so you can explore more satisfied. Prepare your money cash in Rupiah (IDR) because almost payment transactions are in cash. Find out your destination informations on digital maps, so your travel is more efficient. Don’t be shy to ask to local people because they are kind and hospitable to tourists, even though their English is not good enough.

That’s my story of 7 hours travel in Yogyakarta. I hope this story can inspire and present useful information for you. See you on the next journey story. Support us by follow, share, and comment our posts. Have a nice day. Thank You.

Yogyakarta Train Station 2

7 Hours Solo Travel to Yogyakarta Part 1