Extended stays in abbreviated cities: Yogya and KL

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Yogyakarta (Yogya) and Kuala Lumpur (KL)

After leaving Timor and one night in Bali, I arrived in Yogyakarta, a new city for me! Yogya is the heart of Javanese culture, known for its dance, puppets and batik, and I've been looking forward to visiting for a long time. Lucky for me, I also found a room for the very right price of 20,000 Rp (US $2.50) a night.


The first day I headed to the Bird Market and saw, among birds, bats, geckos, bunnies, snakes, and ants with eggs for sale. I also checked out the Watercastle ruins and mosque. While the area is now dry, the tunnels that the Sultan's family originally used to reach the Watercastle continue to be used by the public.


Then I stopped by the Sultan's Puppet Maker's workshop and learned all about Javanese leather puppets from Bobbi. His passion and knowledge about puppets and complete indifference to sales charmed me completely and made our conversation one my favorite moments in Yogya.


The next morning was an early start to get to Borobudur, the famous Buddhist temple built in the 9th century and rediscovered in 1814. It's a huge structure, six square levels topped by three circular ones which have Buddha statues covered by bell-shaped stone stupa. The path up the temple represents ascension through Buddhist cosmological worlds and narrative relief panels are carved in the walls along the path.


After that I walked to Candi Mendut, a smaller temple that has 3 Buddha statues on the inside, representing body, speech and thought. Visiting the temple is said to foster your liberation of each of these things. At least this is what the sign said (in English! The only English sign in Yogya!) but I have found nothing on the internet confirming this. I was practically the only one there so I rested beneath a huge banyan tree next to the temple and was shortly joined by two kids who swung from the tree Tarzan-style.


The next day I wandered around the Kraton (Sultan's palace) and saw a puppet show. After I returned to Jalan Sosrowijayan (the backpacker street), I sat down for some salak aka snake fruit with the money exchange guy across from my hotel. He filled me in on Sultan IX's mysterious death and the current anxiety about Sultan X's lack of sons. He has 5 daughters.


Monday, Mar 31, I flew into Kuala Lumpur and landed in Alvin's posh condo. Since then I've been soaking up hot showers and delicious food, and enjoying the company of Alvin and his fantastic friends. KL has always been one of my favorite cities and an oasis of comfort and convenience. Tonight I am off to dinner with AIESEC friends. And tomorrow I'll be catching up with an old high school friend. This weekend I may head out to Penang or the Cameron Highlands or I may just enjoy KL's nightlife. I leave on Tuesday to fly to Vientiane, Laos. Laos will be my first new country on this trip!

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Photos

Rice Harvest
Near Borobudur, walk on the way to Candi Mendut via Candi Pawon.

Borobudur Buddha
Buddha statue in stupa atop Borobudur

The Puppet Maker
The Sultan of Yogya's Puppet Maker, Bobbi, and two of his creations.

Snake at Bird Market
Python for sale at Yogya's Bird Market

Ants and Eggs at Bird Market
Ants and their eggs for sale as bird food. Mmmm... escamoles!

2 Volcanoes
Morning view from Borobudur

Kids at Candi Mendut
The kids who kept me company under the banyan tree near Candi Mendut

Buddhist Enlightenment
Me, illuminated at Candi Mendut

Comments

[Lauren]

so amazing
I am loving your blog - what an amazing time. I can't wait for more entries - keep having a wonderful time!

[Marcus]

Borobudur is simply amazing
It's a nice experience you have, i wish to travel there too. The borobudr buddha is lovely. :) How many days you spent there?