[pinholecam] Ticket to Yogyakarta

[pinholecam]

#52

Street market at night #1, Wonosobo, Dieng Plateau

The roads down to Yogja is unlit by road lamps and its very dark by 6.30pm, like 8pm here but darker due to the absence of lights.
So traveler beware if you have concerns about being on the road in such conditions.
No reflector strips on the road too.
Think of some of the small roads in M'sia (non highway) and you might get an idea.

We stopped at Wonosobo for a quick dinner by the roadside stalls. (photos #52, #53)


#53

Street market at night #2, Wonosobo, Dieng Plateau

Perhaps planning a stay in Dieng village or Wonosobo might be a good idea for more street shots and a chance to get some good sunset/sunrise shots.
More research on accommodation and locations for sunrise/sunset needs to be done though.
I'd think having someone who speaks Indonesian will certainly help a lot.


#54

Rumah Boedi Pavillion, Yogyakarta

Stayed in a small place (Rumah Boedi Pavillion).
Rate per night was S$65.5 (via Agoda) for a twin room. Additional bed was RP 150,000 per night.
Its a cosy place and near Manohara street.
Place is clean, toilet/hot water/air-con/TV all worked fine.
Wifi is free and surprisingly good enough for me to dial home via Skype.

Its located within a side street though, and it can be a bit creepy wandering around the street at night (poor lighting is everywhere)>
Make sure to travel as a group for safety, though I did walk around alone at night and in the daytime.
I won't recommend to do it at night just to be on the safe side.

[pinholecam]

Day3 - Yogyakarta and Street Photography

#55

Lady in an alley, Yogyakarta

Day 3 was a "wind down" day. By now, everyone was a bit jaded by ancient temples and a bit tied from tight schedule and lack of sleep.
The plan was simple.
Street/Candids/people and landmarks in the city.

I woke up early, so I walked around alone from about 6.30-7.30am, looking to document some people shots.
Overall, I think its pretty safe.
I did not see any hoodlums or dangerous looking person loitering around the areas I walked.
The standard precautions apply of course. (ie. be aware of the place/people around; don't venture beyond what is comfortable (alone); avoid walking on the road or walk against traffic to prevent snatch theft.




#56

Street tall selling drink, Yogyakarta

This seems rather common. The locals and trishaw riders were seated in this small stall for the daily brew.



#57

To market, to market, Yogyakarta

Trishaws are a common form of transport.

[Supersimon27]

Wonderful thread . U make people want to explore Indonesia more

[pinholecam]

Wonderful thread . U make people want to explore Indonesia more

Simon, thanks
Pentaxian trip 2013??


I too marveled at what I saw from the recent CS presentation on photo opportunities in Indonesia.
Sometimes, I find that I try to look far to exotic places when in fact they are all 1-3hrs flight away.

[Daoyin]

And sometimes it is right at your door steps.

[Dan]

Yes, there's many place in our neighboring countries which we don't even know....

Simon, thanks
Pentaxian trip 2013??


I too marveled at what I saw from the recent CS presentation on photo opportunities in Indonesia.
Sometimes, I find that I try to look far to exotic places when in fact they are all 1-3hrs flight away.

[pinholecam]

And sometimes it is right at your door steps.

Yes, there's many place in our neighboring countries which we don't even know....

Very true.
Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, etc, ppl from western countries need to spend time and money to travel to these 'exotic' locations.

[pinholecam]

#58

Old lady vendor, Malioboro St, Yogyakarta

First stop of the day was Malioboro St, specifically Pasar Beringharjo which is supposed to be a market selling all sort of stuff from fruits to batik clothing.
Just before this, I managed to get some shots of the streets I passed before reaching Beringharjo.

It was about 8.15am when we arrived (a Sunday). It wasn't that crowded since the shops along Malioboro St were not open yet.


#59

Scene at a food stall, Malioboro St, Yogyakarta



#60

Morning 'breakfast', Malioboro St, Yogyakarta

[pinholecam]

#61

Opening store, Berinharjo Market, Yogyakarta


I might be wrong here, but Berinharjo Market was not what I thought it was.
I had the impression of a wet market area packed with candid shots opportunities as well as some local foods to try (ie. food being sold by hawkers; selling of meat; killing of chicken, that sort of thing)
Instead, Berinharjo Market is a multi-story shopping arcade. Sort of like our Rochor Market (though I might not have explored the large place enough to find the 'market' part).
First floor sells mainly clothing (batik style), electrical stuff on another level and so on.
Most of the 2nd floor and up were closed, since I think their business would be more for afternoon and night time.

The activity and people on the first floor did provide for an interesting walkabout and photo session though.



#62

Old lady, Berinharjo Market, Yogyakarta




#63

Drink seller at the entrance, Berinharjo Market, Yogyakarta

[pinholecam]

#64

Old lady doing some sewing repairs, Malioboro street, Yogtakarta


Malioboro St is some 2km of shops and activity. The shops vary from old shop houses to modern malls (Macdonals, Cafe and all).
There are lots of souvenir shops here. A Yogja T-shirt is about RP 10,000 which is less than S$2.
Typical haggling is 50% off and work on from there.




#65

Relaxing Sunday on the street, Malioboro street, Yogtakarta



#66

Going through the days inventory list, Malioboro street, Yogtakarta



#67

Stall on the pavement selling lotek/tauhu goreng, etc, Malioboro street, Yogtakarta

[pinholecam]

Kraton
Sultans Palace

#68

Portrait of a Sultan's guard/attendant, Kraton, Yogyakarta

The Kraton is the Sultan's palace. Its open to the public and pretty crowded with tourists and locals by the time we got there (11am).
Entrance fee is RP15,000 with an additional RP1,000 for a camera.
I suspect that one can place the camera in the bag and pass off as 'no camera' to avoid the fee, since its not checked/asked nor is there a special pass for it. But its just a few SGP cents.

This is a 2 century complex
(from about 1756) measuring about 14,000 m² in size, the complex was completed back in 1756 with a mix of western elements within a Javanese palace architecture.

I won't mince my words here and hope what I say won't cause offense.
This is basically info for the tourist.
Honestly, I find that there isn't much 'GRAND'/ 'Big Ticket' items to photograph and see.
If one is to come with a preconception that its some sort of Versailles or Forbidden City, prepare to be disappointed.
Architecture is not as grand or Javan (maybe that notion to me is corrupted by nice Javan resort hotels ) as I'd expect and items on display are old legacy clocks/flasks/kitchenware from colonial times.

That said, prepare to soak in the joyful mood of the locals visiting this place and the unique odds and ends of a foreign land and there is still lots to see and photograph. Which is what I did.
BTW, entrance fee is only ~$2, so don't fuss over it and enjoy it for what it is.


#69

Colonial (Dutch/British) style mix in architecture, Kraton, Yogyakarta



#70

Javan styled architecture (behind a side gate entrance; bird cage in the middle), Kraton, Yogyakarta

[pinholecam]

#71

Portrait of an old guard, Kraton, Yogyakarta



#72

Elaborate designs on the palace ceiling, Kraton, Yogyakarta



#73

Inside the Sultan's Photo/Painting gallery, Kraton, Yogyakarta

[hjbyeo]

JK, now then I noticed all those photos in FLICKR site, is here in CS! Way to go man ... great shots all round. Wonderful reportage as well! This has to be our next location.

[pinholecam]

JK, now then I noticed all those photos in FLICKR site, is here in CS! Way to go man ... great shots all round. Wonderful reportage as well! This has to be our next location.

Thanks.
Perhaps we can try Indonesia as outing #2 if time/opportunities allow.
I'm eagerly waiting for the China trip as suggested by FW.

[pinholecam]

Taman Sari (Water Castle)

Taman Sari (Water Palace) is a site of a former royal garden.
It is very near the Kraton, probably 5mins away by car.
Built in mid 18th century, the Taman Sari had multiple functions, such as a resting area, a workshop, a meditation area, a defense area, and a hiding place.
Only the main bathing complex remains with the rest of this once large area being built over by settlements.
Rp 7,000 for entrance, Rp 1,000 for a camera.

#74

Main pool; Taman Sari; Yogyakarta

This is the main pool. The watch tower in the distance overlooks 2 pools, where one was dedicated to the Sultan's harem and he would take his pick from this tower.
(tidbit : The current Sultan has only one wife btw)


#75

"Rear" entrance; Taman Sari; Yogyakarta

The "rear" entrance was once the actual main entrance to the Water Castle and had a stream, dock and boat (long gone) leading to it. Now it leads off to the village that has overtaken the surround area. If one is to step out of this gate, there is a network of tunnels and rooms, including an Escher-like series of interlacing staircases over what looks like a disused well. Too bad I did very little reading on this place before hand, and missed these.
Perhaps the future traveler who sees these notes can benefit.


#76

Current "Main" entrance; Taman Sari; Yogyakarta

[oceanpriest]

Nice street shoots, JK! Wish to learn more from you

Thanks Janet.
I did like this version of the lotek the best out of the 3 times I ordered it, but I'd certainly order again if I have the chance and try out more versions.
Gudeg...sadly, a Filipino version of it (different name of course) made be turn this one down, even though it was widely avaliable.... sorry..
Bakpia, I really regret not trying this one. As OceanPriest above mentioned to me earlier in this thread.
Each time I passed a shop selling it, I was either too full or too into shooting to think about eating.
These 3 items on my must try list if I can find locally or if I go again.
Also the Soto Ayam (driver misunderstood and brought us to a vegetarian place)

Yogyakarta's foods are good and cheap, but i think Semarang's ones are nicer. The boneless milk fish and the famous lumpia semarang (similar to popiah). But yogya has more objects to shoot. Yogya even has a song dedicated to it.

Simon, thanks
Pentaxian trip 2013??

I too marveled at what I saw from the recent CS presentation on photo opportunities in Indonesia.
Sometimes, I find that I try to look far to exotic places when in fact they are all 1-3hrs flight away.

Bali?

[pinholecam]

Nice street shoots, JK! Wish to learn more from you

Yogyakarta's foods are good and cheap, but i think Semarang's ones are nicer. The boneless milk fish and the famous lumpia semarang (similar to popiah). But yogya has more objects to shoot. Yogya even has a song dedicated to it.




Bali?

Thanks for the compliment.
I think you are doing plenty fine for streets.
Anyway, mine are not good at all, just snapshots of people w/o deeper meaning nor are they funny/witty ones you see on Streets/Candids section.
Looks like I missed quite a bit of food and places (from the video)...

Bali?
Hmm.. very tempting, been thinking of this place for some time, but never had the chance to go.
See how the China trip suggested by FW pans out.
I can only afford one 3day-7wk trip from family.

[pinholecam]

Imogiri

Nearing the end of our day in Yogja, we were almost out of tourist spots to go.
We had intended to go Kotagede, but our driver Yono asked "Do you really want to look at the silverware?? " the questioning tone in his voice indicating that it was more of a place for tourist shopping of silverware or viewing the silverware workshops (ie. tourist traps ).
I decided to give it a pass and opted to go to Imogiri instead.

Imogiri is a royal graveyard complex in Yogyakarta.
It is a traditional resting place for the royalty of central Java, including many rulers of the Sultanate of Mataram (17th century) and of the current houses of Surakarta and Yogyakarta Sultanate.

To get there, you need to go up a long flight of steps.
A local joke is that 2 persons starting to count from step #1 will never end with the same number of steps at the end (too exhausted).

#77

Taking a break at mid level, Imogiri, Yogyakarta

Many locals make their way up as a form of pilgrimage, dressed in their Sunday best.
Since its a long climb up, I took the opportunity to snap photos of the pilgrims (they were too tired to avoid)



#78

Easy-peasy, Imogiri, Yogyakarta




#79

An old gentleman in his Sunday best, Imogiri, Yogyakarta

[bearpaws]

Beautiful photos!

I used to travel to Central Java, namely Solo, Semarang and Yogya for business. Your photos brought back all the nice memories and really capture the friendliness and welcoming nature of the Javanese people there.

Did you stop by this place called Losari Coffee plantation? Now its under the mesa hotel group. Mesa Stila

There is a train museum nearby and you could hire a steam train for a ride. AMBARAWA TRAIN MUSEUM - The stop of old locomotives that are still powerful

[pinholecam]

Beautiful photos!

I used to travel to Central Java, namely Solo, Semarang and Yogya for business. Your photos brought back all the nice memories and really capture the friendliness and welcoming nature of the Javanese people there.

Did you stop by this place called Losari Coffee plantation? Now its under the mesa hotel group. Mesa Stila

There is a train museum nearby and you could hire a steam train for a ride. AMBARAWA TRAIN MUSEUM - The stop of old locomotives that are still powerful

Thanks.
Too bad my travel plans was based off a mish-mash of local tour iteninaries, so I certainly
missed many more local/unique locations


Hopefully someone reading your info can benefit.
Thx for sharing them here