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]