I’ve came across one interesting article By Maree Peters that talks about his 6 months stay in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Check his culture shock out at http://www.acicis.murdoch.edu.au/hi/shock.html .

Dixie
What do they serve here,
Various western and asian dishes.
Address: Jl. Gejayan No. 40b Selatan Selokan Mataram
Price range: $4-10
Phone: +62 274 560745, +62 274 560746
Url: http://www.yogyes.com/dixie

BALE RAOS
What do they serve here,
Bale Raos is the only restaurant that serves the favorite cuisines of Sultan Yogyakarta (The King of Yogyakarta).
Address: Jl. Magangan Kulon No.1 Kraton Yogyakarta (Close to Pasar Ngasem)
Price range: IDR 5,000 - IDR 35,000
Phone/Fax: +62 274 415550
Url: http://www.yogyes.com/bale-raos

Sagan Resto
Sagan Resto, Seaffod Resto & Lounge comes with the concept of Oriental-Malay seafood from fresh and alive sea creatures, combined with the riches of Indonesia seafood spice, offers a particular taste.
Address: Jl. Colombo No. 35 Karang Malang, Yogyakarta
Phone: +62 274 550293 (hunting) ext-104
Url: http://www.yogyes.com/sagan-resto

I came across this hotel through the internet and i found it very very pleasing. If you’re looking for a decent place to stay in Yogyakarta, this is a place you should consider. But be warned that it’s slightly pricey as their room rates ranges from 60 USD - 648 USD ( presidential suite ). The hotel is javanese style architectured.

Malioboro shopping arcades and Keraton is in walking distance, while Merapi Volcano, famous Buddhist and Hindu temples, Borobudur and Prambanan is not far away from the hotel. Adisucipto airpot is only 15 minutes away. You can also find Tugu Railway station nearby the hotel.

Check out their website for more info http://www.jogja.pphotels.com

If you are in the mood for cross-cultural experiences, Yogyakarta is the right place to be! As the heart of Javanese culture, there are many festivals lined up throughout the year.

If you visit Yogyakarta either December, January or February, you’ll get to experience the Greberb Syawal Ceremony. A celebration by the Muslim, often at the end of Ramadhan (fasting) month.

Garebeg Besar is a Muslim festival celebrated with splendour and show in March. This festival is held to commemorate Idul Ad’ha which is also the Muslim Day of Sacrifice.

A sacred ceremony held to clean and purify the ancient heirlooms such as royal coach, keris (dagger) and lances. Siraman Pusaka held in April every year.

A ceremony called Labuhan Ceremony is to celebrate the birth of Sultans of Yogyakarta - held at Parangkusomo beach (West of Parangtritis). It’s often done with a royal touch by ‘throwing’ food, cuts of fingernails and the hair of the Sultan into the South Sea as an offering to Kanjeng Ratu Kidul (The Goddess of the South Sea).

Waisak Day is celebrated by Javanese on every 20th May of the year to remember birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. The celebration takes place at Mendut Temple and Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist monument.

Sekatan ceremony is held in the month of June, this one week long celebration is to honour the birth of Prophet Mohammed. Performance of traditional Javanese dances and folk songs are abundant during the celebration.

Yogyakarta Arts Festival is really something you shouldn’t miss! It is held annually in the month of June and July - the art festival offers wide range of traditional dances, music and puppetry performances.

Photographs are courtesy by Cosmic Favorite. Check out this website for more!

Generally, ya means yes and tidak means no. If you need help, Tolong is the word. Terima Kasih means thank you, while welcome is Kembali. If you’d like to apologize, you can say Maaf. Permisi in the local language means exucse me. If you wanted the cab driver to wait for you, just tell him Tunggu sebentar ( Just a minute ). If you’re wondering whether or not you are allowed to take photographs, you may ask Bisa saya potret (May i take a photo)? If in any case that you may face a little difficulties in communication, you may want to jot down these few sentences that may help you alot.

I (don’t) understand: Saya (tidak) mengerti
Do you speak English: Apakah anda bisa berbicara Bahasa Inggris?
Does anyone here speak English: Ada yang bisa berbicara Bahasa Inggris?
I can only speak a little (Indonesian): Saya hanya bisa berbicara sedikit (Bahasa Indonesia)
How do you say… in Indonesia: Bagaimana harus mengatakan…dalam Bahasa Indonesia?

If you want to greet in local language,
Good morning: Selamat Pagi (before 11am)
Good day: Selamat siang (noon to 2pm), Selamat sore (3pm-6pm)
Good evening: Selamat malam (after dark)
Good night: Selamat tidor (to someone who is going to bed )
Goodbye: Selamat tinggal (to the one staying behind), Selamat jalan (to the one leaving)
How are you: Apa kabar?
I’m fine: Kabar baik
What is your name: Siapa nama anda?
My name is…: Nama saya…
Where are you from: Anda dari mana?
I am from…: Saya dari…

Quick conversation tips you would want to know when you’re on a Shopping Spree!
What is this?: Apa ini?
How much is this?: Berapa harganya?
I’d like to buy: Saya mau beli
No, I don’t want to buy: Saya tidak mau beli
I don’t like it: Saya ngak suka
May I have a look?: Bisa lihat ini?
Another one: Satu lagi
Give me discount: Bisa kurang lagi harganya?
Too expensive: Terlalu mahal

Hi all, I thought I could share with you readers on what’s the best and what’s the ins and outs of the cuisines you can find right here in Yogyakarta. Well, essentially Yogyakarta’s food has been known to be of a very sweet nature. The locals living there loves sweet dishes and it has always been such since the times of their fore fathers. However, as time flew by and due to the great influx of other communities into this cultural place, many local dishes are beginning to evolve and mixed around with other food cultures making it very unique and special.

For example, the must have dish whenever you’re in the area would definitely be the Gudeg which is predominantly a very sweet dish with lots of chickens, eggs and jackfruits served with rice. This is a hot favourite among the locals and you must never miss it.

Other than the Gudeg, there are other dishes which are unique in its own ways. For example, the Ayam Goreng Mbok Berek which is essentially a dish of fried chickens with a mild garlic flavouring topped with coryander and crunchy crackers. This is definitely not a sweet dish and one that’s unique in this sense.

Other than this, there are others such as the Nasi Langgi which is essentially rice served with many other types of dishes. This could be something like a Malaysian Mixed Rice or Economy Rice.

If you’re looking for snacks, you could try the Kipo, which is actually made of tapioca dough filled with sweetened grated coconut.

You could also try the Bakpia, which is made from sweetened green bean paste wrapped with thin dough pastry. Of course, the most famous Bakpia is called the Bakpia Patuk which is usually sold at Pathul Street.

If you are health conscious and are looking for fruits, look no further as there is this dish called Es Rujak or Rujak Es Krim which is essetially a fruit salad made from mangos, papayas, apples, pineapples, cucumbers and etcera mixed with palm sugar, lime juice, salt, chillies and ice cream.

Apart from these, there’s the Jadah Tempe.. which is quite interesting because it is a sandwich of rice cakes and sweet bean cakes.

Interested to know what others have to share about their travel experiences in Yogyakarta? Then, you shouldn’t miss some of the blogs below:

original image from http://www.batikdesigns.org/yogyakarta/parang-barong.php

Batik has been a very popular in Indonesia as a form of art and also popular souvenir among tourist. In Yogyakarta, Batik is widely sold as souvenirs to tourists. Sadly, as it’s popularity is rising, it is became commercialize and gradually fake Batiks are getting more and more too.

Many fellow travelers have come across various scams regarding this issue. Some were offered fake Batik that they claimed to be original and some came across Batik shops that claimed to be Government funded Batik Research Centre. Other than that, sometimes they were diverted to certain Batik store by anonymous person. This especially happens nearby Kraton Palace.

Read these links to know more:
- http://java.uluwatu.org/html/keraton/pagelaran.shtml
- http://realtravel.com/yogyakarta-journals-j6700020.html
- http://www.talesofasia.com/indonesia-yogyakarta.htm

How to avoid all these scams? I think the best way is to learn to distinguish Fake and Genuine Batik. Or maybe buy only when you get to see them making the Batik in front of you.

Does anyone know how to distinguish between fake and genuine Batik? Do feel free to share with us your experience, tips, or somewhere you can get genuine Batik.

Yogyakarta Map

Please click image to view large.

Yogyakarta map was created to help people who plan to visit Yogyakarta. From map, visitor can get the information about how to go to the travel place, where can they stay at night, where can they find for eat and drink, where to get transport and other. It will make travel more easily.