"Yogyakarta" Yogyakarta by catkin

Yogyakarta Travel Guide: 729 reviews and 1,847 photos

A few years ago whilst planning our summer holiday to Singapore and Bali, I came across Yogyakarta by chance whilst browsing the travel brochures. When I read what Yogyakarta had to offer, I thought wow that sounds great, I have to go there. My husband Gary was rather bemused when I suggested a three-day extension to Yogyakarta and his first response was-where?.
Not a place either of us had come across before, Yogya, as it is affectionately known, is a city in central Java backed by an active volcano, Mount Merapi.
The magnificent Buddhist temple of Borobudur and the Hindu Prambanam are both readily accessible from Yogya and both have to be seen.
We had a terrific guide, Ikbal, whilst in Yogya, who gave us an insight into the culture and lifestyles of the locals and the history of the place itself.

The first record of a Thomas Cook excursion to Java was in 1909 when it formed part of a three month personally conducted tour. At that time the island was know as the Garden of the East and visitors were conveyed there from Singapore by luxury steamer-a journey taking 40 hours-nowadays around 2 hours.

Iqbal and my husband Gary

Iqbal and my husband Gary at the Pranbanam temple complex.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:Fascinating

Last visit to Yogyakarta: Jul 1999
Intro Updated Jan 3, 2004
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Reviews (7)

Batik Things to Do (4)

We saw quite a lot of the local handicrafts while in Yogya including a Batik factory and a silver factory. Batik designs... more travel advice

Prambanam Things to Do (4)

Built between the 9th and 10th centuries Prambanam is an imposing Hindu temple complex consisting of more than 220... more travel advice

Borobudor Things to Do (4)

Situated about 24 miles from Yogya, Borobudor is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It was constructed between AD... more travel advice

Becak Transportation (1)

Becaks are three wheeled pedicabs and can be found on just about every street corner in Yogya. The locals use them for... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
Silverware

Local Customs (1)
Use your right hand

Travelogues (1)

Written Jan 4, 2004

5 photos

Borobudur

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Comments (5)

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blue_sky04 May 25, 2005 at 6:41 PM

Nice page, Carole! Hope you can make another trip to Indonesia and visit other beautiful places around the country:-) BTW, I like the pics of your golden retriever. Sorry that Blue has gone ~ Fenny
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RoyJava May 12, 2005 at 2:27 PM

Great to read you've visited Yogya,... a historical as well spiritual place, thanks for share, greetzzz RoyJava
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kenyneo Apr 19, 2004 at 7:41 AM

Lucky you ..when I was in Bali it was so rush ...that any extension is not possible at all. Borobudur is awesome, its really nice browsing you page ....bravo Carole !!!
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olja1234 Feb 1, 2004 at 12:12 PM

This is absolutely an excellent page. Stunning photos and interesting reading made it - perfect.
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belgianchocolate Jan 5, 2004 at 5:36 AM

counting down the days now for my next travel to Indonesia...pitty those birds mostly are illigal captured. frank