The Yogyakarta Palace; The Museum of Javanese Culture

Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat,  today  known as  Keraton Yogyakarta or  Yogyakarta Sultan's Palace is the center of Javanese culture living museum in Yogyakarta special province. The palace is not just a place to live for  king and his family, but also a center of Javanese cultural development, as well as the spirit of the culture. In this place tourists can learn and see how Javanese culture continues to live and preserved. This Keraton has been built by Prince of Mangkubumi in 1755, a few months after the signing of the Treaty Giyanti. Despite hundreds of years old and was damaged in the earthquake a few years ago, the building remained standing with sturdy and well maintained.

Some tourists  from  Canada, America, and  Australia and Europe Country are all in silence listening the song of "tembang macapat", they occasionally seen taking pictures. "Tembang macapat"  that sung in the Java language by the servants of keraton may not be understood by most foreign tourists, even  for some local tourists, but that does not mean they can not enjoy it.

Visiting the Sultan's Palace will provide valuable experience as well as impressive. There are two entrances to the keratin, the first in Tepas Keprajuritan g (front North Square) and in Tepas Pariwisata /Tourism (Regol Keben). There are many things that can be seen in the Sultan's Palace, from the activities of the servants of keraton who are doing the job or see the collection of Keraton. Collections are stored in glass boxes that are scattered in various rooms ranging from ceramics and glassware, weapons, photographs, miniatures and replicas, to various types of batik and the diorama of the  manufacturing process. In addition, tourists can also enjoy the performing arts with a different schedule each day. The show was started of people puppet (wayang wong) , macapat, leather puppet  (wayang kulit)show, and java traditional dances. To enjoy art performances travelers do not need to spend additional costs. If you are lucky,  coming on Tuesday,  you can watch the festival of  "jemparingan" or archery style of the south Kemandhungan Mataraman. The uniqueness of this festival is that all participant is required to wear traditional Javanese clothes and shooting their archery  in a sitting position

Jamasan, The Old Horse Drawn Carriage Washing Tradition in Yogyakarta Kingdom

Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat or Keraton Yogyakarta is the official palace of the Sultanate Ngayogyakarta. It is  located in the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This Kingdom has officially become part of the Republic of Indonesia in 1950, the Keraton or the royal palace still serves as a residence of sultan and palace households are still running the imperial tradition until today. This palace is now also one of the tourism attractions, cultural tourism in the city of Yogyakarta. Some part of the palace complex is a museum that holds various collections of the empire, including a variety of gifts from the kings of Europe, replica of weapon heritage, gamelan and  chariot (horse-drawn carriage).

A unique tradition held every year  in Yogyakarta, the ritual of chariot washing. The tradition, known as "jamasan" is done every month of "sura" (one month in the Javanese calendar). Thousands of citizens followed this ritual, because they believe that the water used to wash chariot has a special powers, especially those related to health. Since morning, people from different regions have come to  the location of jamasan , two chariot are washed, the “Kanjeng Nyai Jimat” (the main chariot) and Kanjeng Kyi Wimono Putro.

This chariot made by Portuguese in the mid 18th century and was a gift from the Governor General of the Dutch in Batavia, Jacob Mossel for the King Of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I . It  used as the main train starting from Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I  to Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono  IV and now this chariot is put into the museum because the age.

Don’t forget to check your schedule of your visit to Yogyakarta, who knows you can witness this unique tradition.

The Virgin Waterfall of Sidoharjo

This waterfall is located in the village Sidoharjo, District. Samigaluh, Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta. The distance is about 5 miles from Dekso traditional market. If your journey come to Yunior High of Islam Religion (MTs Sidoharjo), turn left and then you will pass the uphill road, and must go through the  path on the edge of fields and woods. During the journey to Waterfall you can enjoy the panoramic countryside. Say hello to the friendly farmers along the way. And enjoy the mountain breeze and the melodious singing of chirping birds.

Sidoharjo waterfall has a height of 75 meters, the water flow is quite large, beautiful wall with overgrown vegetation, green forest typical. If you love photography, then this is a beautiful sight to be a very interesting natural object . Not a lot of rocks at the base of the waterfall. This waterfall is perfect for you,  nature lovers, and for those of you who want to travel to relieve stress from work, in this place you will find the convenience of proximity to nature is so refreshing mind. The air is cool, the birds singing, the trees and plants are natural fresh green, and of course beautiful waterfalls extraordinary all that is offered at the Waterfalls of Sidoharjo.

Even if you are lucky to see the beautiful waterfall besides you will also find a long-tailed monkey clinging to the cliffs. This waterfall has a name yet, Communities around calling it a "waterfall" of it. Even more interesting, this waterfall as unspoiled natural man that is still the situation. We do hope some days, with a good promotion it will be the most visited tourism object in Yogyakarta.

The Beauty of Three Waterfalls in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is centre of Java culture. One of this special province in Indonesia  is a  is rich in tourist attractions. It has alot of  intersesting object of tourism. In three previous posts, we have discussed the Coast travel, Travel and Culture Jogja, this time we take a look at some other natural tourist destination.
.

The Waterfalls since ancient times humans have attracted  admiration. . The dynamic beauty of the water falling from a height has become an interesting object. The higher the fall of the water, the higher the value of a waterfall.

Surely, waterfalls in Yoga is not as good as waterfalls in  America which is a large waterfall on the Niagara River that were at the international border between the states of the United States, New York, with the provinces in Canada, Ontario. We know that, Niagara  waterfall is very wide and most popular in the world. Howerver waterfall in Yogyakarta retains the uniqueness that distinguishes the other waterfall, so that tourists who come to this City of Gudheg will take the time to visit and enjoy its beauty.

There are three beautiful waterfalls in Yogyakarta that you should visit.
1. Waterfall Sidoharjo
2.Waterfalls Grojogan Watu Jonggol
3.Waterfalls of Sri Gethuk

Let's Enjoy and Explore Wonderful Yogyakarta, and Keep Healthty on Your Travelling!

Sekaten, The Old Religious Tradition of Yogyakarta

If you want to visit Yogyakarta, it would be better to check your plan to the e event schedule  of Sekaten.  Witnessing Sekaten you will see a form of cultural tourism of privileges province, Yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta as one of the Old Kindom that still survive in the territory of Indonesia  Country has many cultural uniqueness. One is the tradition of Sekaten.  Sekaten is a tradition that still continues to be preserved by the people of Yogyakarta . It  has strong historical roots.

Kingdom of Yogyakarta which is a continuation of the Mataram kingdom is the kingdom of Islam in Java. As the Islamic  empire, the influence of Islamic culture  influenced the customs and traditions of the community, including Sekaten.  Sekaten derived from the word "syahadatain" or two sentences creed that a strategy of "guardian" in the spread of Islam in Java, so it can be said that the historical roots of the tradition has lasted long enough. Ceremony of Sekaten been through various transformations, but the tradition has become a cultural event that determines the privilege of Yogyakarta.

Sekaten celebration is an annual event to mark the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday commemoration that begins with "Miyos Gongso" (procession issuing two gamelan Sekaten Kyai Guntur Madu and Kyai Nogo Wilogo of Kraton Kraton to  Gede Mosque.

Then Gamelan will be played in Sekaten ceremony for one  week. Then proceed to "Kondur Gongso" (procession return gamelan Sekaten Kyai Guntur Madu and Kyai Nogo Wilogo from  Mosque Gede back to Kraton.

This religious and cultural activities is an effort to preserve Javanese culture that has a high value. In this event there is also entertainment attractions such as wayang kulit performances, musical performances and tauusiah religion, art parade, keroncong parade, ketoprak parade, parade of religious art and Islamic fashion parade.

Don’t miss this even.

Gudeg Rice and Other Special Food of Yogyakarta

If you have ever been to Jogja, Nasi Gudeg probably already familiar to you. Gudeg is typical rice of Yogyakarta. You may find this rice in other areas in Indonesia, but people will still think that Nasi Gudeg is rice belong to Yogyakarta.  Actually not just culinary Jogja Gudeg.  There are also some culinary that  always become  favorite aime for tourists. Some of them even bring such a feeling of wanting to try it again. Of course, this feeling arises for us who have never tasted  before and after a period of time no longer eat it again.

Some Special Foods of Jogja are:

Kipo. Kipo

It is the is typical food  of Kotagede, small and wrapped in banana leaves.  Skin kipo green with brown sugar filling. Dough wrapped in banana leaves that have been given contains palm sugar then grilled over cobek.Harum pandan and supple skin of a savory glutinous rice flour mixed with the sweetness of sugar. 

Sego Pecel.

"Sego" is the Java language for rice, vegetables certainly pecel with peanut sauce. This simple dish is always able to make the audience longing to eat again. The key is in the peanut sauce. Sego Pecel (Jogja people often call SGPC) Bu Wiryo could be one of the places to eat to enjoy sego pecel. Its location in the complex still Gajah Mada University (UGM) and has existed since 1959.

Gudeg.

Ggudeg is always arouse our appetite.  It was a legit with a savory blend of coconut milk. Young jackfruit cooked with coconut milk for hours until thick and discolored. To the point, if you do not have time to eat, gudeg was wrapped to be a souvenir. It is  often purchased to take home  and usually can be durable if wrapped with kendil or clay jug.

Typical dry Gudeg  contains duck egg, kampong chicken, and “sambal krecek”.  Because of the bestselling, daytime often gudeg in this place is over. 

Sate Klathak.

First time enjoying satay klathak, should not be surprised by the appearance of satai skewers that looked hideous. Yes, the spokes of a bicycle made of iron used as skewers. Sate Klathak could be found in Bantul. The meat used is usually a young goat meat that has been seasoned with salt and a little pepper, no extra soy sauce and other seasonings. So simple but instead issued fresh original taste of mutton.

Yogyakarta Beach, Another Alternatives For Traveller

Yogyakarta is one province of Indonesia. It located on the southern island of Java, so Yogyakarta beaches facing directly into the Indian Ocean. This province has a lot of cultural tourism, but in Yogyakarta there are so many beautiful beach too. The most famous beach is Parangtritis.




Yogyakarta, or sometime called Jogja has four regencies and one city. Two of them, Yogyakarta and Sleman regency that has no shore. While Bantul, Gunung Kidul and Kulonprogo District has exotic beaches are ready to be explored. Here the list of beaches in Yogyakarta we should visit . But some are beaches within walking distance to other beaches. If we have me, we must visit the beaches that are nearby.Make sure you spend the beaches in one regency in a day.

Parangkusumo Beach
You will feel the mystical aura on the beach. It is very close to Parangtritis Beach. It is located in Bantul Regency. Some people believe that an affair of love story as well as the agreement between Panembahan Senopati, the founder of the kingdom of Mataram, and Nyi Roro Kidul the Prince of Ghost Kingdom in Indonesian Ocean. It is why, there is mystical aura on this beach.
Every year, there is a ceremony of “Labuhan Alit “on the beach. This ceremony is dedicated to Nyi Roro Kidul. But recently, the ceremony is more aimed to attract tourist as a cultural tourism agenda. And one more thing, on the day before Nyepi, the beach is also used as a ceremony of Melasti by Hindu religion.

Depok Beach
This is the beach for culinary lover, especially if you are fond of seafood. The beach is actually already get famous, known by tourist. Its location adjacent to Parangtritis, both in Bantul. Because it is in place of market fish, so you can easily find the fresh to buy. Even seafood stalls are ready to process the fresh fish. We can taste the grilled fish, squid, or shrimp processed in a low price.
Kukup beach. Gunung Kidul paradise of white sandy beaches. One of these is beach Kukup. People called Kukup beach as "Tanah Lot" it Yogyakarta. The nickname is reasonable. Because at the edge of the beach, right on the meeting between the sand beach and the sea, there is a large rock.
Because in the upper ocean, tend to stay away from the beach, then a bridge was built. Visitors can get to the middle of a large rock with climbing the bridge. On the rock of a cottage break is also available for visitors who want to see the beautiful panorama Kukup beach.

From Yogyakarta, Georgetown, Kinabalu and Ipoh

Yogyakarta’s  government and the government  city of Georgetown, Ipoh Kinabalu  agreed to cooperate in tourism. Such cooperation would increase the number of foreign tourists visitis to those four cities.
In addition, by working together like this, between the four cities; Yogyakarta, Georgetown, Ipoh and  Kinabalu Malaysia, they  can learn  and provide input for the development of the tourism sector so that it can thrive and support each other.

Agreement will then be followed up with a request for approval to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.

While Georgetown Mayor Dato 'Ismail Patahiyah said, Yogyakarta and Georgetown have their advantages and disadvantages in the field of tourism. So by signing  this agreement, both cities will  work together for the better results.

"The Cities working together has been very strong, through this cooperation the four cities can help each other," he said.

The mayor of Kinabalu Madingkir Abidin said that Yoyakarta have advantages in tourism compared to other cities in Indonesia. Cultural tourism is the advantage of Yogyakarta. Therefore, Kinabalu  one of city in Sabah must  learn a lot in Yogyakarta about  this Cultural Tourism. He added that because of  Kinabalu has a wealth of tropical forests and marine tourism it  relies on the "eco tourism" as main product of tourism.

Malaysia Tourist Arrivals in Yogyakarta is quite high, even tourists visiting Malaysia was ranked third after the Netherlands and Japan the most visited Yogyakarta. Besides traveled cultural and culinary tourism in Yogyakarta also has potential is quite large. And to further increase tourist visits to Yogyakarta, or to Georgetown, Ipoh, Kinabalu and it must be considered to make additional direct flights from Yogyakarta to Kuala Lumpur.