I'm Officially In... My Yogyakarta Era!

Another plane, another hotel and another destination! Yogyakarta became my third stop during my Indonesian summer adventure! Diponegoro, who? I did stroll along Jogja's famous 'Jalan Malioboro' to see what all the tourist hype was all about? A former Dutch fortress? 'Taman Sari' served 'Sultanate Realness!' I had help around that idyllic site. Beef rendang or no? I did taste! 

Moving on was becoming a theme, I had not seen a bottle or can of Bintang Lager since I was onboard my Garuda Indonesia flight to Jakarta! Arriving at Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta International Airport early, I gave myself permission to take it as slow as I needed to! Did I find a can of Bintang? Yes, I did at a trusty 'WHSmith!' I wanted to arrive on that travel day and reset, I had allowed two full days for that sector of my trip! Departing on-time, I was apprehensive about sitting down because my injury had nowhere near healed. The flight was less than two hours from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, a short enough flight but not long enough to be in pain, I remained in my delusional era! The new airport had been built by the coast, it took me over 75 minutes to reach my Malioboro Street hotel. My hotel wasn't the one but aside from the lack of features, the location was immense, the action was a few seconds away by foot! The first evening was relaxed, I had some issues with my residential trip to iron out, I shook it right off! 

Waking up bright and early the next morning, I had found a certain energy but knew I needed to be realistic with my movement. I was undecided about breakfast, but I went for toast and tea alongside Malioboro Street. Pedestrianised after a certain time, it was a very picturesque and chaotic street at the same time. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I noticed that there was a certain buzz about this famous connecting street. I was learning about a certain fellow named, 'Prince Diponegoro' who opposed Dutch Colonial Rule. It was giving 'Jose Rizal' but that Filipino hero didn't need a royal title! Batik crafts and fashion stores lined this popular street, none of things mattered to me because I was there for the place not the products. Sober, I was able to traverse this street with any headache, I was actually enjoying that street more with a clear head. The horse-drawn carriages were questionable but they were the normal thing in Yogyakarta, I only had my western animal rights head on my shoulders! A Dutch Fortress? Ja! 

Had the penny finally dropped? The next port of call confirmed that Indonesia receives its highest amount of foreign tourists from the Netherlands. When I thought about this, it made sense because their Colonial past in Indonesia made a lot of sense. Returning to the scene of the crime? No, that's when Aussies visit England! I saw 'Fort Vredeburg Museum' from the corner of my eye as I walked further down Jogja's Malioboro Street. I wanted to entertain that former scene of Dutch firepower, I was intrigued! In the 1760s the Sultan at the time loaned a piece of land to the Dutch leader of North Java for a fortress to be built, that was a whole choice! Established not long ago the land had been acquired, 'Fort Rustenburg' became to be Yogyakarta's 'resting fortress', aptly named or in bad taste? It wasn't such a hooray for Holland when this fortress was destroyed in 1867 by an earthquake, I am sure 'Dipoegoro' must've had words with 'Mother Nature?' This relic as an educational moment, the museum opened in 1992. 

The conversion seemed natural after reading, history could not be changed but it felt the story would educate. I needed to buy a ticket? No, I wasn't mad because usually I have everything so planned, it was fine to pay those Rupiahs for access. The fortresses main facia was imposing, it was giving an exclusionary kind of energy! I respectfully walked right in, clocking those cannons they could never during 2025! I wasn't mad because the British had had nothing to do with this remanent! I wasn't bothered about the exhibits, they were closed because it was still early in the day, I was not going to mess about with the nice weather, sitting in the central 'Keep' felt right because they had free charging points. Those period Dutch arches were pleasing, it was a European feature but I had no guilt because like I said, the British had nothing to do with any of it! Making connections? Of course, I wanted to challenge Java's ultra strict stance against the 'fruity!" Heading back to my hotel, that quick walk back would kick off the next part of my day! 

Not all of my day would be spent along Malioboro Street, I had made it back to my hotel, all 20 steps! Meeting a new friend was essential because the guiding wouldn't commence until the following day. 'Ardi' who I shall call him because my happy chappy come-guide! He arrived at my hotel on his moped but after my go-kart collision days previous I said, I would meet him at 'Taman Sari' by Grab car! A former royal garden of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta? I do think! Stepping into gorgeous complex of darling structures, I wasn't paying attention to the history of Taman Sari because that 'beautiful garden' had many hidden secrets that even my new friend didn't tell me! We walked and I took photos, I was shocked by the beauty of this walled oasis, it certainly was like a little secret and I wasn't mad about that! I wasn't ready for the water, those forming bathing pools were giving opulence, move over 'Roman Baths' because Taman Sari shined bright! Those terracotta tones were giving me holiday vibes with those blue skies above! 

Reading is what?! Fundamental! I was shocked to find out the Sultan had many concubines who all lived at Taman Sari, the regal pool that I had passed was a bathing area for those concubines! It's kind of giving modern day polygamy? Maybe, so! Taman Sari had hidden meanings and depth, I was here for it all! Leaving that central area, I was able to see a series of shaded walkways, people were living in small character filled houses, if it was anywhere else they would've been flashy coffee shops! The character and history kept the same theme, I was happy with that! My new friend had to deal with a call, it was giving 'high drama' and I had done enough work with my own! I was on holiday and didn't need to pay any mind to drama, whatsoever! Ardi needed to go to work, we said goodbye to each other, pledging to reunite the following evening after my temple tour! That chance encounter was sweet, something told me it was going to get sweeter. It was a different energy, I never use that APP for good, it was decent. 

Yogyakarta knew that I was saving my energy for Bali, I still wanted another beer because I had heard alcohol was easier to find in certain tourist focussed areas? Yes! Adri had told me about 'Jalan Prawirotaman'. Freshened up, I headed near Jogja's 'Tugu Monument' onto that cooler street away from the Halal everything I had already seen before! I had travelled far, it was another Grab job, those cars were super cheap and got the job done. Upon getting out of the car, I was fronted by the sunset, that Jogja street didn't presented any Batik creations and for that I was happy to see another side of the city! Batik, I'm just not sorry! I ordered a large Bintang Beer with the beef rendang, I wanted to refuel with a hearty meal and potentially catch a few drinks. My meal was absolutely delicious and the vibe was just right, it was actually such a treat to find a beer! I had gone to some really dry places, staying sober kept me on track but when you're on your holidays though! My evening meal brought a shed load of the right flavours, a true success!

I did find a bar to have one or two beers in, I had an early start so had purposefully didn't take a lot of cash out with me! I paid for one drink on card and another in cash, I knew what I wasn't about to have the next day! A hangover! No, way! I minded my own business but an American started talking to me, it started out as an innocent chat with their successes overseas, I listened. Then to only realise he supported Netanyahu, those with half a brain don't tolerate that mess. I returned to my hotel for the best nights sleep because the day had been full on. Yogyakarta made me feel that I was on my holidays, I kept it moving and relied less on the bandages but iodine and fresh air was a must! I glad that I was able to indulge in a little drinking during that first proper day in Yogyakarta, my schedule kept me busy enough to not get messed up! Sharia Law isn't my thing but you know I like to be kept in line from time to time! My Borobudur tour would require an early start, I wasn't like I was in Thailand! Would Yogyakarta get better? Yes, she did! 

Taman Suri... Not Those Baths! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure