Solo Yogya trip (Day 2)

Day 2

-30th April '07-

..the adventure continues. (click here to read on Day 1's sharing)

Early in the morning, we woke up to catch an early train to Yogyakarta from Solo. We intended to catch the earliest train available but I guess sleep is still more a little more important. But anyhow, we managed to hop on to a morning train. We bought our tickets, which cost only 7,000 Rp per person. Train is indeed a cheap way to get by. While waiting for the arrival of the next train, we had our breakfast at a stall outside. We took Soto for our breakfast, which cost only 3,ooo Rp per bowl. The Soto is a bowl of soup with some rice, bean sprouts (tauge), and sliced meats (beef). Tasted quite alright but not really filling. There's a whole stretch of food, mostly fried stuffs, for you to add on to your bowl though. Some advice; if you happened to order tea, please remember to ask them to reduce the sugar or else order a plain tea. Those people are super genorous when it comes to sugar. [Rate: 3 stars]

Upon arrival at Yogya, we walked to Malioboro street, which is sort of like one of their main and busy street. From there we took a 'becak' (a.k.a 'beca' in Malaysia language or trishaw in English) to Metro hotel. The ride was quite some distance but we only got a bargain fee of 2,000 Rp which is only equivalent to RM0.80!!! With bags, luggages, and two butts that the seat can fit, for a distance about 3 or 4 km, for only 80 sen?! I can't believe I offer that little to this guy. By far, he is the cheapest trishaw ride we got. A trishaw ride can be cheap but have to be very careful because once they spot you as a foreigner, the price can be much more costly. So, it is good to roughly know the price range (ask the locals..i mean those with a trustable look) before hiring a trishaw. Set a limit to how much you can give and discuss with them. With all the trishaws and 'kereta kuda' lining up along the whole Malioboro street, it is not hard to get one with a reasonable price.

We settled for Hotel Metro. It was nice and cheap compared to others. The tourist information counter operator at the train station tried offering an arrangement to get us a place in that hotel. Not a bad idea, but it is cheaper if you go there by yourself to get the room.

After settling in the hotel, we hired another 'becak' to tour around Yogja. He first brought us to some commercialised tourist spots like the Batik place, Yogja T-shirts centres, and souvenirs shop, which is not our main interest. And just beside a souvenir shop, there is a bird market. They sell all kind of birds and bird foods. Oh, they even sell bats there. We spotted one weird and creepy looking bird which is not caged. The owner went and pook the resting bird and it went staring at us with a creepy look. By the way, they have also put up a big banner saying that this market is free from bird flu.

(a.) Soto for breakfast

(b.) Yogyakarta's train station

(c.) The backpacker me ;)

(d.) Malioboro street @ Yogya

(e.) Batik making

(f.) This is the bird I am talking about

And then finally, we were brought to some real tourist spots. Our first destination was Keraton, the place where the Sultan lives.

The Keraton. The royal family are really still staying inside, but we are not allowed to go to that area.

After a guided visit at the Keraton, we had Bakso at a stall outside. It was nice. It is somesort of noodle with balls; I mean fish balls kind of balls. One thing we learnt from this lunch is that, never eat at any place without checking at the price first. Alot of them charge a slaughtering price to tourists. It may not be very expensive to you, but eating at such a price in that place is expensive. We tend to go for places where they put their prices up. It is far safer that way. Anyway, I really love Bakso. Should try one! [Rate: 4.5 stars]

After our lunch, we told the trishaw guy we would like to visit Taman Sari, the royal's bathing place or something like that I think. Then he brought us through some places with papaya trees, and went through housing areas like this...

..before reaching to an abandoned like site. I think that is the old Taman Sari.

The old Taman Sari. And the dark guy is my trishaw guy for that day ;)

And this is the new Taman Sari, I think. Quite a majestic look from outside. It is a water park. We did not go in though.

The famous Nasi Gudeg street

At night, we were brought to eat Nasi Gudeg by our trishaw guy. One cute thing you can see in Indonesia is that if you see one selling coffin, the whole street/ area will be selling the same thing as well. And here we are at the Nasi Gudeg street. haha. It was quite alrite. Just pick any of the one shops there, they all sell the same thing. [Rate: 3 stars]

run

Father's hand

A father's hand toils day and night,

knowing nothing but to provide;

A father's hand is like a cane by our foot,
guarding each step we take;


A father's hand may almost always seems tough and 'hard',
but a father's hand too has a gentle hold that says,
"It's ok, daddy is here"

..and that's my father's hand. Love you, daddy! Happy Father's Day!

Q&A of the day

Dissapointed? YES

Angry? MAYBE

Cheated? KIND OF

Frustrated? YES

Faith? LOSING

Assurance? INSECURED

Tired? duuhhh... YES la~!!

Fed up? VERY

Hope? NO COMMENT. I'm seriously speechless now.

Hoping to? Get away or get lost or something. Ah, I don't know.

Wrong choice? Tell me it's not. Please.



And that pretty much sums up my state now. Do you have anything to say?

Nothing worth reading

NOTE: This entry has NOTHING worth reading

I must admit that I am a nocturnal mammal. I have nothing specific that I have to do or want to do at this hour. I am just reluctant to sleep. Oh well, just slap me,..hug me,..drunk me,..sedate me,..drown me,.. *ramble*ramble*ramble,..

Nothing worrisome. Drunk or drowned? Does not matter. It's physiologic. Just let me be.

waiting...

* waiting under the moonlight *

goodbye, aunty

Not too long ago I heard that one of my friend's mom was diagnosed with leukemia, it was a rather shocking sad news; and that was around last year's christmas. She was a nice, sweet and loving aunty.

And today, I just got to know that she has already peacefully left last month. May you rest in peace, aunty... and may God bring comfort to those who's grieving for you.

so far...

Have you ever felt that you have

gone so far that what if, maybe,..

you know,..that kind of fear that you

might just touch the end-point

anytime and yet you have gone so

far that you can't afford to

turn back now...?

Is this what people termed as the fear of losing? I wonder. The race is yet to finish. The journey is yet to end. But this feeling is mounting horrendously in me...

dream home...

My friend and I went for a drive around Kepong today. It was a rainy day and we went round few housing estates, chit-chatting in the car. One of the places we went was Desa ParkCity. That place is so awesome!!! It gives you the instant thrill that makes you go, "Woww~~...!!!".

Filled with serenity and tranquility all over, it is a place that makes you feel like living.

my dream home...

Will I ever own one?... when it cost about six or seven hundred thousand plus?! :'(

I really hope I could. Not for me alone, but for my dearest grandma and parents...they deserve this.

note: pictures are all taken from web

Chat with God

Got this from an email quite some time ago. Though it is not new year now, it is yet an enlightening and meaningful chat to read thru :)


God : Hello. Did you call me?

Me: Called you? No.. who is this?

God : This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.

Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

God : What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Me: Don't know. But I cant find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God : Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

Me: I understand. But I still cant figure out. By theway, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God : Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

God : Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?

God : Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God : Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty..

God : Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God : Diamond cannot be polished without friction.Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God : Yes. In every terms, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why cant we be free from problems?

God : Problems are purposeful roadblocks offering beneficial lessons (to) enhance mental strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading....

God : If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside,you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

God : Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

God : Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have togo. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?

God : when they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be onthe side of the truth.

Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I cant get the answer.

God : Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God : Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

God : There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start the New Year with a new sense of inspiration.

God : Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve; not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.