The Puppet Museum

This museum is located at southeast of Yogyakarta, is is about 7 km to the east from the city on Jl Wonosari. Built in early 1990, and consists of 4 parts, they are The Puppet & Mask Museum, The Java Architecture Museum, The Indonesia Culture Museum, and The Museum of Forest Plantation.
The Puppet Museum has a good collection of at least 22 kind of puppets made from leather, wood, cloth, paper, and human doll. The mask collection consists at least 8 kind of different mask to be used in either dancing or ritual purposes. Not only the collection of puppet and mask from Indonesia, but it also houses the collection from China, Japan, Thailand, USA, India, Italy, and Austria.

It is also exhibiting clothing collection to be used in the stage  performance of human dancer in either Ramayana or Mahabharata epic story.

Affandi 'The Master'

Affandi Museum is just located at Jalan Solo, at the west bank of the river of Gajah Wong, where you could enjoy at least 300 paintings by Affandi himself. He is a famous and very talented person in painting who has a unique way to do his paintings, using only his fingers.
He never attended the arts school, his talent is a gift from God, since he was very young, where he uused to express his ideas through his paintings. When he got an idea he will then put it in a canvas using his fingers on his hands, just like a person on 'trance', and he will finish his job very soon.
Most of his paintings are 'ultra expressionist', probably one of the only small numbers of painters of this kind in the world.
He was a simple man, always wearing a T-shirt and 'sarong', a Javanese style clothing for leisure time. His great talent inherited by his daughter Kartika, who now become the owner of the museum as well as the curator

The Royal Wedding

The old centuries ceremony which is actually the harmonic combination between Islamic and Hindu, influenced by the Javanese Royal Family culture, will be accompanied by the mystical sound of Javanese percussion orchestra or 'gamelan' reverberated throughout the sprawling ornate Yogyakarta Sultanate Palace, where the royal wedding was held last time.
Both the bride and the groom dressed in specially designed and made motif batik clothes, then a special traditional dance which was created by the late Sultan himself long time ago, also performed by nine female dancers from the royal family who is still virgin.
According to the wedding committee, at least two tons of various flowers primarily roses of different colors and jasmine utilized during the ceremony.
To allow the resident of Yogyakarta to witness this rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Royal Coupled , there was also a parade featuring horse carriages which was pulled by six horses, where the bride and the groom crowdaround surrounded the palace.

wedding

The Javanese Keris

The traditional pointed weapon of Javanese which always brought everywhere in the past times especially by Javanese nobel where it could also show the social status of the owner. This culture
predicted start in the VIth century, and then spread to allover Indonesia and surrounding countries included Malaya (now Malaysia), the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodge. The name and terminology of the keris itself was founded in Java in the year of 824, but the oldest keris was discovered in Magelang Regency, Central Java in the year of 500.
The length of the keris is ranging from 35 cm to 50 cm and also depending upon from where it was made. It is also consiidered as " a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity " by the UNESCO and this declaration was base upon not only the historical value but also the fact that the tradition of Javanese keris is actually a living culture, which is still exist until today, and have both special and unique status in the Javanese society.

Centre of handicraft

For wood carving, the centre is located about 30 km southeast of Yogya at Bubung, lies on a hilly area with fresh air, where almost the villagers are wood carvers who make masks, statues, and typical Yogya bridal statue, called 'Looro Blonyo'. They also offer a classical love story mask dance.
Bamboo handicrafts village is centered in Tietoadi, Sleman, it's about 8 km west of Yogyakarta, where visitors could get the products directly from the craftmen or perhaps you want to learn how to make it, they're reday and happy to teach you all.
Wrought iron makers center is located about 60 km east of Yogya, at Gorotan village. They produce old style lamp, ornamental iron works, garden furniture and other made ot order works.



Wicker work products are made in Moyudan, 12 km west of Yogya where visitors can learn how to amke a simple wicker. Whie glass painting arts can be found at Muntilan, whiich featured either Rmayana epic or Islamic themes. It's close to the Borobudur Temple.
Copper goods are produced in Cepogo village, Boyolali, about 60 km north of Yogya, just below the volcanic mountain of Merapi. They produce pots, pans, home accesories, lighting fixtures, sculptures etc. While terracota, pottery, and all about earthenwares are produced in both Bantul, about 10 km south of Yogya and Klaten county, about 30 km east of Yogya.
Gold and silver craft can be found mostly in Kotagede the southpart of Yogya, where you could get a lot of variety products of silver and gold while visiting the old city of Yogya villlages with its
specific architectures and life style.
Bon voyage !

Cultural Villages

These villages are located around the centrum of Yogya, i.e. the Sultan Palace, where each village has its own uniqueness to offer to visitors, like the architecture of the buildings, the daily life and activities of its people, such as farming, animal husbandry, and cultural activities , including traditional dancing performances and arts exhibitons.




Some ot them are, Tembi Village, located about 8 km south of Yogya, where visitors can stay in a home stay runs by villagers and enjoy traditional performances and art exhibitions.
Kebon Agung Village, it is located 17 km southeast of Bantul Regency, where visitors can observe farmers' daily activities like cultivation and animal farming, they also offer traditional performance and food festival as well.



Sleman Regency has Tanjung Village, located 10 km north of Yogya, where visitors can enjoy the Javanese hospitality while feeling the sense of living in a village inside the 200 year old traditional Javanese home. You might learn how to do rice farming or duck shepherding as well.

The River of Code

Unlike The Thames in London, The Seine in Paris and The Tibre in Rome, the Code river is not just a river which cuts through the city, it is actually a home, a community of the poor, who have nowhere to live and stay in a formal living spaces. Most of them are migrant workers, included an ex criminals, buskers, pickpockets, pedicab drivers, even prostitutes, and perhaps many more unusual positions, you just name it.
It also become a centre of activities and life as well where despite of the dark grey-brown with buoyed rubbish, they use the water of the river to bath and wash the cloth. Miraculously, they're well so far, thanks God ! (probably not yet get the disease, who knows ?).
This community also contains some small scale industries, like tofu home industry, and herbal traditional medicine makers. All of them exist here, people who escape from social expectations and mostly have unconventional jobs.
Everything has its own good and bad side, and the Code river might be the ugly side of the city of Yogya, where you won't go fishing here, will you ?

Cave exploring

Here in Yogya and surrounding areas in Java, caves means magical and mystical as well, where many of them have been used for religious purposes for centuries, and still continue then.
For those who would like to explore, Yogya offers caves accessible to all of you which have a variety
purposes. Beside for recreational adventures and ecological as well geological, historical and scientific data, caves play an important role and both cultural and social heritage.
In a hilly areas of Menoreh, about 9 km northeast of Borobudur Temple, there is a famous cave named Sendang Sono , it's a sacred cave for Catholics where you may find a statue of Virgin Mary in the hillside. To be there, you have to go through a narrow trail as the "Crucifixion Path", to reach the Holly Spring, where water is taken to the Virgin Mary to be blessed. It's believed that the water can heale diseases, purify soul, and bring peaces to all people.

At Dieng plateau, beside the eight Hindhu Temple from 8th century, it might be the oldest in Java, surrounded by boiling mud volcanoes, colored lakes, sulphur outlets and undergrounds channels, there are at least three caves, i.e. Semar Cave, Sumur Cave, and Jaran Cave. Inscriptions dating to 1210AD have been found here.
About 35 km south of Yogya, located in a densed hills of Menoreh there're at least two caves, believed to be the Royal food storage and also a battlefield as told in the Ramayana Epic, which can only be reached by crawling. Sumitro Cave known as the place where the Mahabharata hero medication place, where a lot of people who still believe the magical power of the caves do meditation to gain for fame and fortune.
Selarong Cave located in Bantul Regency, 13 km south of Yogya, which was used for guerilla warfare zone by one of the National Hero of Indonesia, Prince Diponegoro (1825-1830) during the fight against the Dutch colonial government.



In most all caves you will find faunas which are different, like bats, swallows, which produce nests favored by Chinese to be an expensive gourmet soup.
Whoever are exploring caves and regardless of the reasons, they should be careful not to damage cave walls and fragile formations, which take centuries to build. The ecology and the life population should not be disturbed.
Please appreciate and preserve them for many purposes, since they preserve many values of hidden worlds.

Cave Diving

It actually is not for family fun holiday, since it needs an experience, special equipments, and not to mention a brave heart. Extreme adventures can be found at Pegunungan Sewu, Gunung KIdul Regency, where a chain of some 50.000 karsthills perforated with fast caverns, fissures and underground streams, which stretched about 85 km along the south beach of Yogya by The Indian Ocean.
It's named a World Natural Heritage Site in 1994 by The International Union of Speleology 'the exploration and study of caves'. The scientists also discovered nearly 500 caves and tracers of ancient life as well, and concluded that there was a settlement here in The Mesolithic Period (10000 yrs ago ).



Even an Hippopotamus fossil were founded here in Sengok Cave.
For spenlukers, Jamblang Cave and Grubug Cave in Gunung Kidul will be very challenging and thrilling \, since the first chamber to visit is about 75 m drop by rope, after reaching the floor, you will follow the tunnel leading to stalactites and stalagmites as well to a second chamber.
At the bottom of the cave, about 125 m drop, is a rapid river which is heading to the great ocean, The Indian Ocean, where the imaginary Princess of The South is living in her eternal palace.

Running and Trekking

Try to find out the timetable and the locations as well to joint the activities of Hash House Harriers Club, where you can run in the recreational parks with a tract at Kopeng or Kaliurang.
Or, if you want to satisfy your wild imagination by trekking and climbing the mountains and enjoy the mystical volcano of Mount Merapi and view from a close distance.
You can chose whether gazing at spectacular lava views or visit the observation point for a closer view, or probably just take a stroll through friendly villagers and thousands variety of plantations and chat to local villagers.
After all it's your choices ! Have a nice day !

rafting

Yogya has at least three area rivers to do this activities for those who love challenges and enjoy spending times to tame wild rivers in a breathtaking scenery and surrounded by mountains. For beginners, try Elo River just close to the Borobudur Temple, or Progo River for advanced rafter, and Serayu River for more adventurous rafting experiences. Have a good day guys !

The Merapi Volcano

It just like a smokey sleeping giant, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, camouflaged in a sleepy and tranquil forest. Beyond this, you would find a vast stretches of deserted land laying deep in the steep valleys trailing amongst the hills.The pines and wild grass are the dominant vegetation.
During the resting time between the volcanic activities, a lot of hikers, nature lovers, environmentalists climb and observe the mystical and magical mountain to feel and experience as well the magical pulling power and enjoy the abundance of both flora and fauna, and also the natural beauty.
Watch the Merapi from the observation point at Plawangan, reached via a forest trail from Kaliurang to see the incredible views of molten rocks, bubbling mud and hot lava pouring forth and leaving a long trails of smoke. You might visit Trumpon Point to find out children park, running track, and artificial lake.

Fishing:
It is an activity which can give you an opportunity to be alone and contemplate as well far from the noisy city life, enjoy the tranquility of nature, spend the relaxing and privacy time with friends or family. In Turi and Cangkringan villages you might satisfy your needs to fish and to taste fishes in freshwater ponds provided by restaurants, which would prepare your caught fishes into a tasty food.
Or you might visit the beach of Wedi Ombo, it's about 40 km south of Yogya to get the fishing place for sea fishes. It's a wide bay with white sands and has a slope gently, surrounded by lime stone hills. It has a very relaxing atmosphere where the rythm of the waves together with the refreshing wind make the sound of tranquility.
You could also enjoy the sunset scenery both from the hilly areas or from the shore

Where to go & What to see ?

Bird watching:
Some endangered species, like the orange headed eagle make their nests on the souhtern slope of the volcanic mountain of Merapi. While several species of egrets and herons make their home in Ketingan county.
In Plawangan, scientist already listed about 96 bird species, some of them about 26 species are endemic, even some are endangered and hard to find and to see as well, like the Javanese Hawk Eagle, orange spotted bulbuls, and red breasted parakeets.

Properties/used things for sale in Yogya

A two storey, three years old, Euro classic style house, just a stone's throw away and beside the mystical Hindhu Temple of Prambanan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

It has 600 meter squared land and 250 meter squared two storey building as well, with three bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a helper room, 3 car garage, a lot of fruit trees.

Fully furnished and all included. Interested ? Just walk in and bring nothing but your suitcase.
You can have it, and own it ,and buy it, the price is good enough, guarantee a very best price.

Please mail to omarbravas@yahoo.com


A cozy home just about 750m south behind the zoo of Yogyakarta, it has 255 squared m land and about 175 squared m building, equipped with three rooms, two bathrooms, one godown, two fruit trees, 2 car garage, fixed phone, 1300 watt electricity, fully renovated and fully furnished
and all included, so just come bring your suitcase and a cheque payable to the owner, and it's yours ! Guarantee best and rock bottom price ( sold ).
Are you interested , contact : omarbravas@yahoo.com



Two pairs Bally manshoes, 40, black (Italy), brown (Switzerland), good conditions (95%), Billblast man jacket, green, waterproof, L, 90%, creamy , women jacket, wool, 90%, two pieces Rayban sunglasses, John Lennon style , golden frame, and precious metal classic style, both in good condition, 95%, contact : tom_boulder_co84@yahoo.com.




A classic Mercedes Benz, 1977, 2300, dark grey, excellent condition, leather seat, sport grill AMG, sport velg AMG, 4 head rest, 90% tires condition, for sale, guarantee cheap price,
please contact : tito_ortiz1347@yahoo.com

The Puppet Museum

Also known as the Wayang Museum, it is located about 7 km east of the Yogyakarta Zoo. It has about 22 kinds of puppets made from leather, wood, and hard paper. Beside that it also has 8 kinds of mask collection.
The collection including puppets and masks from Japan, China, Thailand, USA, India, Austria, and Italy. The museum also houses a complete colllection of costumes which wore to perform a 'human wayang' on stage, also both leather and wooden equipment to perform a show, and a short of either leather of wooden puppet performance on demand.

The Prambanan Temple

The UNESCO world heritage listed temples of Prambanan, is believed to be the most beautiful and attractive Hindu Temple in the world. It has eight shrines, where three of them dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.The main temple of Shiva rises to a height of 130 feet and houses the statue of Shivas's consort, Durga.


The temple's walls are adorned with a beautiful relief depicting the story of Ramayana. It was built between the VIIIth and Xth century AD. The Ramayana Ballet is performed at the open air theater during the full moon from May to October every year.





On your way from Yogyakarta to the Prambanan Temples, you might visit Sari Temple and Kalasan Temple, and after you finished with the Temple of Prambanan, still, you may explore your curiosity to visit the artistic and beautiful temple just a stone throw away to the north and east i.e the Sewu Temple and the Plaosan Temple.


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Bon voyage !

The Borobudur

It's massive stupa which took 8 years to restore, Borobudur is absolutely the most impressive and famous Buddhist monument of the world, located at top of a hillock overlooking lush green fields and distance hills, rises to seven terraces or about 40 metres above the ground.


The walls of the Borobudur are decorated with 1500 superbly sculptured reliefs extending over 6 km. It was built in the VIIIth century and took 75 year to finish. Close to the Borobudur lies Mendut Temple and Pawon Temple, which are supposedly an integral part of the Borobudur.

The Sultan Palace

The Palace is just like a city within a city, you may find not just the Sultan Palace but also the arts shop,batik paintings galleries, restaurants, museums, you name it, even the private homes.
Take a walk to the south part of the place, you'll get the Fragrant Garden or Taman Sari. This pleasure garden completed with pools and underground passageways, built in 1765.
To the southeast you will find the Museum of Independence, conmemorating Indonesia's Declaration of Independence in August 17, 1945. Museum Sonobudoyo, located just in front of the Sultan Palace, designed by Dutch architect, Thomas Karsten (1935). It exhibits old weapons, artefacts, and old gamelan instruments.


The Vredeburg Fort, to the north of the palace, built in 1765 by the Dutch as a military barracks, now become museum, which exhibits the dioramas depicting the history of Yogyakarta.
Yogya's main street and the city's tourist heart as well, the Malioboro, where you will find shops, restaurants, hotels, and various souvenir shops and tourist facilities. At night you may try the side walk restaurant serving the local food like 'gudeg', kind of Javanese cuisine, or you may try a hot sauce fried chicken. Just enjoy your time and make your day ! Voila ..... Yogya !

The Harmony

To many people, the traditional music of the Javanese or ' gamelan' reflects the same shriving for cosmic and social harmony. The music is the sound of a benign celestial clockwork, which is, slow, measured, regular, graceful,and even mystical and could make the listeners feel peaceful. Th way the music is played reflects the harmonious, decorous philosophy.
Yogya, beside the historic city, is also an ideal destination for travelers with a keen interest in history, monuments, and culture. It's also an ideal place from where you could reach easily the most famous and legendary Buddhist monument in the world, 'The Borobudur', and the splendid Hindhu temples, 'The Prambanan Temples' as well.
Yogya is located at the foot of the most active volcano in the world The Merapi, stretches to the south until the Indian Ocean or Samudera Indonesia. Here, local craftmen flourish in the batik painting arts, silver, and leather work. The gamelan or traditional Javanese music, the leather puppet theater and other expression of traditional arts are it's best. Not to mention the contemporary arts also enjoy a great patronage and progress.

Je t'aime Yogyakarta

Often abbreviated to Yogya, this cultural city includes numerous Hindhu and Buddhist temples from VIIIth, IXth and Xth centuries. This beautiful city also offers traditional performing arts such as 'wayang kulit' or shadow puppet play, the 'gamelan' a traditional Javanese percussion music and drums performed by a group of musicians in a very magical environment, and often described as the sound of the nature.
The Sultan Palace dominates the centre of the city, the ornate palace was constructed in 1755 and took 40 years to finish. This Sultan Palace of Yogyakarta might be one of the most extraordinary royal palace in the world, not only because of the historic sultanate and court still intact, but it's also open to public, so people could have the opportunity to explore and observe the daily life and culture of a classical Javanese tradition.
A lot to see inYogya, but the most intriguing places of interest are the Borobudur, the Prambanan Temples, and th Sultan Palace. To the north of the city you may find volcanoes, forest, and paddy fields, while to the south you will get the beaches, caves, and handicraft villages.




Yogya ,means the art, culture, and diversity as well. It's actually the small but attractive and charming city, which offers a lot to explore, to see, and to enjoy of course with the special and exotic beauty and also comforts.
Yogya boast a rich cultural heritage, where most people still continue to embrace their traditional values and philosophies. This city also reflects the harmonious blend of the traditional and modern through the manifestations of both fashionable and classical Javanese designs motifs of most arts and handicrafts produced here in Yogya and surrounding.
It has a lot to offer from a wide range of attractions, handicrafts made from silver, gold, leather, and many m,ore you name it. Also a lot of choices places to stay from a 5 stars hotel room to a small but comfortable and cheap pensions/home stay, from a classy food to a cheap street vendors food.
So, it matches the needs for all, no matter whether you're a luxury traveler, or a low budget backpackers, even for religious pilgrims.