After spending a little over two weeks on "vacation" in the southern international tourist areas of Bali, it is a big relief to now be in Yogyakarta, the artistic and cultural capital of Java. This tranquil city is full of religious and Dutch colonial history, and has an existence independent of foreigners.
The Special District of Yogyakarta is ruled by a much-loved, tenth generation Moslem sultan, who's family lives in the raton (royal palace) next to common people in a neighborhood surrounded by thick walls (the former city walls). Our guide, a third-generation palace worker, said the sultan was "no different than everyone else", and that was why his children went to a government school with all the other kids and he flew to Jakarta on commercial airlines.
The girls and I have loved learning about Islam in Indonesia, where women wear strapless tops, minarets are shaped like lotus flowers, people are proud of the country's former female president, families burn incense and make flower garlands to offer god once a week, and the entrance to cemeteries are guarded by dragon statues.
When visiting the Taman Sari Water Castle (part of the royal houses) today, I was very much reminded of Jerash Castle, in Jordan, as well as the walled city of Jerusalem. These 250+ year old buildings had plumbing, spas, and amazing ventilation to combat the heat.
I highly recommend Yogyakarta - and I haven't been to the most famous tourist sites yet - the Buddhist Borobudur temple or Mount Merapi (the active volcano)!
Nadia
The girls and I have loved learning about Islam in Indonesia, where women wear strapless tops, minarets are shaped like lotus flowers, people are proud of the country's former female president, families burn incense and make flower garlands to offer god once a week, and the entrance to cemeteries are guarded by dragon statues.
Inside the royal palace, they beat this 200 year old drum five times a day to call people to prayer!
There are nearly as many pedi-cabs as there are cars in the city. These are part of the transport system for the public (not for tourists), as are the horse-drawn carriages. They're eco-friendly and keep down the noise pollution!
Entering the old city via the common local taxis
When visiting the Taman Sari Water Castle (part of the royal houses) today, I was very much reminded of Jerash Castle, in Jordan, as well as the walled city of Jerusalem. These 250+ year old buildings had plumbing, spas, and amazing ventilation to combat the heat.
The Taman Sari, where the royal family used to go to relax away from royal duties
Beautiful windows inside the Taman Sari
We also visited the Hindu Prambanan Temple, built in 900 AD. Over 90% of the visitors here were locals. The government is busy restoring parts of the temple that were destroyed in the big 2010 earthquake.
Sunset at Prambanan Temple
I highly recommend Yogyakarta - and I haven't been to the most famous tourist sites yet - the Buddhist Borobudur temple or Mount Merapi (the active volcano)!
Nadia
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