Yogyakarta

If there’s one thing I struggle with when traveling it’s simply laying on a beach "doing nothing". And yeah, I do realize that I’m in the minority here…  If you ever do find me on a beach I’ll be the one who has sought out some shade, and is sitting with a cocktail engrossed in a novel or preventing my friends from dozing off in the sun by continuously interrupting. Either that or I’m in the water hopefully exploring its depths by scuba diving or leisurely snorkeling, getting so absorbed with the wildlife under the surface that I completely forget about time and place. Hence, when considered going to Indonesia it was not the postcard picture-perfect beaches of Bali that was calling. And when I came across a website which described Jogyakarta as “a modern blend of the ancient and the arts” – that was all it took for me to book a ticket and a few nights in a hostel.

Over my week in Jogyakarta I had many wonderful experiences, mainly thanks to many incredible people I met there. I visited UNESCO heritage Buddhist and Hindu temples. Hitched a scooter ride with locals (sorry mum) to get to remote black sandy beaches, where I had my pick amongst the catch of the day at a local fish market which was then bbq'ed and served up on the beach. Had an evening out at the Indonesian ballet, where a Hindu love story unfolded in front of my eyes accompanied by Indonesian instruments and singers, as well as mesmerizing costumes. Experienced my first ever earthquake sitting on the hostel rooftop, which occurred only a few miles away, with its epicentre on the exact beach I visited earlier that day! Got an introduction to Batik fabric painting and design, both for clothing and art purposes. Ate to my hearts content and got lost around town where I was met by curiosity and smiles.

An artist taking me through the intricate and laborious process of Batik silk painting over a cup of tea

Soto Ayam (chicken soup) and deliciously over-sugared tea from a street-food cart after a day of getting lost on purpose

The streets came alive with food stalls like this at night

Beautiful cutie-pies!

Very early sunrise from hillside overlooking Mount Merapi, an active volcano that erupted only days after I left.

Borobudur, a Buddhist UNESCO Heritage site from the 9th Century

Ruins at Prambanan, a Hindu UNESCO Heritage site, following a large earthquake in 2006

So hot most visitors had to hide under umbrellas for shade!!

Lunch almost served!

Black sanded beach

Rice fields went on forever as we made our way out of the city

Family outing, not uncommon to see up to 7 people on one bike!!