Wow! Good News from Yogyakarta (You Must Know!)

Barrack Obama in Prambanan Temple - Yogyakarta (www.lifestyle.okezone.com)

I live in Yogyakarta. My residence is about 15 km from the volcano but I never afraid of it. Why? You know, volcano is a part of Javanese people’s life, a part of our soul, a part of our philosophy, a part of our family, and so on. Many foreigners miss understand about us who live on this island (Yava or Java or Jawa). Javanese and Balinese have similarity about volcano. We respect volcano as a part of mother earth and as long as you understand the characters of the volcano, everything’s gonna be all right.

 Merapi view point from The Lost World Castle (new destination in Yogyakarta) www.yojalan-jalandab.blogspot.co.id 

Living on the Island of Java must understand the consequences. Volcano is “giving” life and fertility, and also “taking” life sometimes. It is all right. This is how nature works for balancing the planet especially the island of Java. For example Merapi, there are some famous tours after eruption in 2010 such as Merapi Volcano Tour, Bukit Klangon, The Lost World Castle, and Merapi World of Landmarks. Tourism was increasing in Yogyakarta especially in Mount Merapi since few years ago. Of course, as a guide from here I am so happy.

Yogyakarta got a new award by Tropicalife Magazine (WWW.TROPICALIFE.NET ) last year as one of the “5 best culture and heritage destinations in Southeast Asia”. Number 1 is Bali Island (Indonesia), Number 2 is Yogyakarta (Java Island – Indonesia), and then Siem Riep (Cambodia), Luang Prabhang (Lao), and Hanoi (Vietnam). Wow! I am so happy and then more tourists were coming to Yogyakarta until now. I am happy again. 

  Barrack Obama in Borobudur (2017), the Largest Buddhist Temple in the World (www.viva.co.id)

I remember an old article at 5^th September in 2014 that is written by “The New York Times” journalist about Yogyakarta. The title was “52 Places to go in 2014” and Yogyakarta got number 20! Here we go:

Borobudur, UNESCO World Heritage Site (www.kata.co.id )

20. Yogyakarta, Indonesia

“A volcano, a temple, a shrine and now a place to stay”

This central Java sultanate draws crowds for its proximity to be witching attractions: the monumental, wedding cake-esque Buddhist temple Borobudur, the soft-serve-ice-cream-shaped Hindu shrines of  Prambanan, and pre-sunrise hikes to summit Indonesia’s friskiest volcano, Mount Merapi. But finding a decent room has never been easy, until now. Thanks to tax breaks for hotel development, 20 new starred hotels, to complement the city’s existing 30, will open through 2015. Among them are Zest Hotel ( a Swiss – Belhotel brand) at the end of 2014 and, according to a director of the Tourism Promotion Agency of Yogyakarta, three new properties from Accor, whose brands include Sofitel and Ibis. – Sanjay Surana.

 Barrack Obama in Prambanan (2017), the largest ancient 9^th Century Hindu Compounds in Indonesia (www.lifestyle.okezone.com)

And you know, accommodation is NOT a problem anymore here! You may come to Yogyakarta as a budget traveler, luxury traveler, group, and so on. Borobudur – Prambanan – Merapi Volcano Tour – Kraton – Tamansari are classic tours here but Yogyakarta also has new destinations. Thank you for Mr. Barrack Obama who visited Yogyakarta last year. Because of him, Puncak Becici (one of Pine Forest areas) was becoming very popular destination among locals and Asian tourists. 

The list below is famous new destinations in Yogyakarta. Check it out! 

1. Pantai Timang “Adrenaline Gondola”.

Wanna be like “Running man (Famous TV Korean Series)?” or Are you “Adrenaline Junkie”? There are only 2 choices my friends, “Adrenaline Bridge” or “Adrenaline Gondola”! Hell yeah!! Don’t forget to try special cuisine from the village (Special Lobster Package).

 Action! www.yojalan-jalandab.blogspot.co.id 

2.  Bukit Panguk Kediwung (Bukit means ‘Hill’)

It is famous for sunrise (it depends on the weather) but because this hill located in Pine Forest area, after sunrise you may explore another spots for your photos!

Waiting sunrise! www.dakatour.com 

3. Hutan Pinus Mangunan (Hutan means ‘Forest’)

Another area of Pine Forest! Take as many pictures as you can and show off to your social media!

https://www.lazone.id/inspiration/inspiring-place/hutan-pinus-mangunan-di-jogja-bagaikan-di-luar-negeri-3~c75392?q=aikan

4.  Hutan Pinus Asri (Bikini Bottom Spot). Are you a fan of “Spongebob Squarepants”? 

 www.sobatjogja.com

5.  Puncak Becici (Barrack Obama’s favorite forest). One of Obama Destinations in Yogyakarta!

www.yojalan-jalandab.blogspot.co.id  

6.  Rumah Seribu Kayu & Wisata Batu Songgo Langit. This area also good for soft trekking and has very good spots (Hobbiton Houses, Huge Lava Stones, and Windmill on the top of the hill). Prepare your stamina!

 www.kabarwisata.com 

7.  Hutan Pinus Pengger  

 www.pakettourjogja.com 

8.  Jurang Tembelan (Jurang means ‘Cliff’)

 https://beautifulplaces2017.wordpress.com/2016/12/06/beautiful-places-jurang-tembelan-kanigoro-mangunan-bantul-jogjakarta-indonesia/ 

9.  The Lost World Castle. “Great Wall of China” in Yogyakarta + Volcano? Oh yeah!!

www.yojalan-jalandab.blogspot.co.id  

Don’t think too much my friends, if you wanna travel to Yogyakarta, just pack and go!

JALAN-JALAN KE CHIANG MAI (A Travel Note)

       "Wai" in Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai - Thailand (Taken by Sofyan Yudianto)

A friend of mine, Halim Karnadi is traveling to Chiang Mai today. Suddenly, I remembered my journey 2 years ago in Chiang Mai too with Sofyan Yudianto, my best friend from Banyuwangi – East Java. Ah, Chiang Mai…you know, even until now I never forgot all the experiences in this unique city. Here, I’ve felt the true smiling of Thai people. Bangkok for me too crowded but here was more relax, slower life, and had many coffee cafes. What a lovely place to explore guys! Life is traveling my friends, life is journey, and you may choose what kind of destinations you love. 

 

Buddha Rupam (Chiang Mai Style), taken by Sofyan Yudianto

I believe if there are no coincidences in this world. All things in this universe are connecting each other especially all creatures on this planet that we called Earth. Not only human being but also dogs, horses, cows, tigers, fishes, and even insects, trees, grasses, bushes, and any kind of plants have connections. The Source of Life is connecting all of us. And, all cycles for human being are a part of Law of Natures. This is consequences living as a human. To increase our awareness about life, there is one method that I love called “traveling”. 

 Chiang Mai is known as a Kingdom of Tiger

Chiang Mai adalah kota terbesar kedua di Thailand dan memang belum sepopuler Bangkok atau Phuket. Phuket itu seperti Pulau Bali –nya Indonesia, Bangkok ya seperti Jakarta, dan Chiang Mai itu lebih mirip seperti Yogyakarta. Banyak kemiripan dari sisi historis, kerajaan masa lampau, keramah-tamahan orang-orangnya, seni dan budaya yang masih banyak terjaga, perlawanan terhadap penjajahan asing sehingga tidaklah mengherankan antara Yogyakarta dan Chiang Mai terjalin hubungan khusus yang disebut “Sister City”. Bukan dengan Kota Solo lho ya? No offense my friends from Solo but this is the fact! 

 

Yogyakarta and Chiang Mai are "Sister City"

 

Bisa-bisanya kontributor sekelas Majalah Destinasi Asia (Cover-nya Sandy Aulia) menulis hal yang keliru soal ini. Dimana itu sisi obyektif-nya? Opini pribadi yang gak berdasar dari nara sumber dijadikan referensi tulisan. Tapi ya sudahlah, gak penting untuk dibahas. 

Sebagai warga Yogyakarta, sungguh nista diri ini kalau jalan-jalan ke Thailand tetapi tidak mampir ke Chiang Mai. Apalagi, Chiang Mai memiliki seni dan budaya sendiri yang unik serta berbeda dengan yang lainnya. Seni dan Budaya Lanna yang bersumber dari Kerajaan Lanna dimasa silam tetapi masih terjaga tradisi-tradisinya hingga kini. 

 

Very comfortable Bus!  

Saya dan Sofyan ke Chiang Mai menggunakan Bus malam dari Bangkok (Perusahaan Sombat) dan kami ambil kelas VIP. Gila! Terasa seperti naik pesawat kelas bisnis! Space kaki yang cukup luas, ada TV LCD kecil disetiap tempat duduk (ada banyak koleksi film-film juga), selimut, AC yang dingin (Brrrr), minuman susu kedelai (merk Yeo), wafer, snacks, roti, dan seat-nya yang empuk. 

Well, dalam hal ini Indonesia lewat! Thailand has much better services and facilities for Bus. I am sorry Indonesia! You should learn more. Sebenarnya kami ngantuk berat tetapi eh ada film Thailand bagus, Heart Attack. Ya sudahlah, nonton juga sampai selesai dan kemudian terhanyut oleh mimpi masing-masing. 

 Situation inside of our bus!

Memori yang tidak terlupakan di Chiang Mai adalah karena kami dijamu oleh seorang kawan yang notabene pernah saya servis saat liburan ke Jogja pada tahun 2014 awal. Rombongan dari Rajamangala University Tecnology of Lanna. Salah satunya akrab dengan saya, namanya Nueng Nathibayapthis yang sekarang menjadi Kopi Barista Nasional di Thailand. 

Nathibayapthis Family also has business in Design and Construction (http://www.nathibayapthis.com/)
 

Seorang Kopi Barista muda dan memiliki usaha Coffee Café sendiri, Hohm Café (https://www.facebook.com/hohmcafe/ ). Dua tahun yang lalu, dia bilang ingin membuat usaha café – nya terkenal. Saya mengamati sendiri selama dua tahun terakhir betapa gigihnya dia berjuang melalui Facebook. Luar biasa! I am so proud of you Khun Nueng!

A Famous Coffee Cafe (Hohm Cafe) in Chiang Mai where belong to Nathibayapthis Family 

 

Khun Nueng Nathibayapthis dan keluarga menjamu kami direstoran dan mencoba makanan khas Lanna. Mengantarkan kami ke Wat Ched Yod, keliling kota lama Chiang Mai, dan bercerita soal menjamurnya turis dari Tiongkok (China Mainland). 

Chiang Mai Coffee from Hohm Cafe (Owner Khun Nueng Nathibayapthis)

Tentu saja, saya dan Sofyan mencoba berbagai macam kopi dari Chiang Mai di Hohm Café. Mulai dari yang rasanya dominan asam dan sedikit pahit, pahit tanpa asam sama sekali, dominan pahit dan sedikit asam, dll. Wow! We were drunk of Chiang Mai coffee at that time!. What a wonderful experiences. Juga, dapat souvenir dari kawan yang lain, Khun Taa. 

  Sofyan, Me, and Nathibayapthis Family. What a very nice hospitality! Thank you so much!

Kalau soal Candi atau Wat, di Thailand itu ada banyak sekali namun untuk Chiang Mai, yang terkenal adalah Wat Phra Singh dan Wat Chedi Luang (didalam kota lama). Lalu Wat Ched Yod diluar kota lama dan cukup dekat dengan Hohm Café serta Wat Phra Doi Suthep yang berlokasi diatas bukit. I miss traveling!

 Pay respect to the Buddha Rupam, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai - Thailand (taken by Sofyan Yudianto)

Sungguh rasanya traveling itu membuat jiwa ini mendapatkan suplemen vitamin yang luar biasa. Bertukar pikiran dan berinteraksi dengan warga lokal, berbagi pengalaman, belajar toleransi, belajar menjadi pendengar yang baik, mencoba hal-hal yang baru, dll. Sungguh nikmat tiada terperi.

 Buddhist Monk from Sangha Theravada in Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

I definitely will come back to Chiang Mai when there is a chance. Thank you my Chiang Mai friends especially to Nathibayapthis Family! May Force be with Us!

About Nathibayapthis Family

Hohm Cafe                  : https://www.facebook.com/hohmcafe/ 

Owner of Hohm Cafe  : https://www.facebook.com/prietnathi 

Nathibayapthis Group : http://www.nathibayapthis.com/

About Me

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