Fun Yogyakarta Trip with Myanmar Friends! (A Travel Note)

 Gloria and Friends, The Magnificence 8 (from Myanmar)

Let’s make this world more beautiful through travelling, my friends. Let’s spread good words, goodness, kindness, and compassion to all human beings. Let’s try the best for living harmony just like the old Javanese Phrase ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ which means ‘Unity in Diversity’.

I got special guests last month, a small group of Myanmar travellers (Gloria and Friends). Their first trip 2 years ago was in Bromo and Ijen, East Java Province, Java Island – Indonesia. Then for this year, they decided to come to Yogyakarta! So happy.

We shared many things about travelling, about Indonesia and about Myanmar of course. Did you know? Myanmar (Kingdom of Pagan aka Bagan) and Indonesia long time ago had special relationship (Buddhist Brotherhood), especially in the Syailendra Buddhist Empire (Sumatera and Java Islands). 

The Shwedagon Pagoda of Myanmar

Yeah! It was long time ago (around 8^th – 10^th Century). For me, learning history is searching our identity so that we can find similarity for living in harmony. Wanna know our trip? Here we go!

Day 1

1. Prambanan View from Rama Shinta Garden Restaurant

The juices from this restaurant are amazingly fresh! Rama Shinta is a perfect place inside of Prambanan Park for watching the magnificent temple from the west side. Super recommended! The best time to get the best photos is 12.00 pm – 04.30 pm. 

 

2. Candi Plaosan aka Candi Kembar (The Twin Temples)

 

After lunch in the delicious restaurant (Kali Opak), we went to this 9^th Century Buddhist Vihara (Monastery) just located in the northeast of Prambanan. 

3. Candi Ijo for Sunset

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the sunset but happy was a must! Nature is unpredictable just like our life sometimes. Who knows exactly about the future? But, optimism and positive thinking are important. When you are traveling, just enjoy! The last was leg massage!

Day 2

1. Candi Sambisari

This 9^th Century Hindu temple is dedicated for Shiva and inside of the main temple, you can see Lingga and Yoni as the symbol of fertility in Hinduism. You will find small statues for Durga , Ganesha , and Agastya. The best time to visit this temple is in the morning to get natural lighting from the sun. 

2. Breakfast in Spot Riyadi

Spot Riyadi is the special spot for looking paddy field and Prambanan from the hill and of course you need high resolution camera for this. Ayam Penyet from the café was so delicious! Very good for relax a while and drinking coffee. 

3. Candi Prambanan and Candi Sewu

 

Here it is 9^th Century Prambanan temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the largest Hindu Compounds in Indonesia. It is the highlight destination in Yogyakarta after Borobudur, the Buddhist temple. Don’t skip Candi Sewu where located in the northern area of Prambanan. 

 

Candi Sewu

 

4. Pantai Timang and Lobster Package (Lunch)

Lobster Time!

Pantai means ‘Beach’ in Indonesian. Pantai Timang is a very famous for extreme activity in Yogyakarta. It is located in the southeast of the city. The Gondola attraction was established since 1997 for harvest the lobster farm. Then, it became for attraction after the TV Program ‘My Trip My Adventure’ famous in Indonesia. It was more popular after the Korean TV Program ‘Runningman’ visited this beach. 

Day 3

1. Borobudur Sunrise and Bukit Dagi

 

Aksobya Hill

 Dagi Hill

Wake up early morning is never been easy for everybody but Borobudur is famous for sunrise program. We got the sunrise but a little bit late and the view surrounding was amazing. Borobudur in the morning is stunning, less people, and perfect for walking around. The most important relief here is about Life of Buddha Gautama (Lalitavistara). 

 Bhumi Samboro Buddhoro (Borobudur)

Borobudur is Indonesian pride especially for people in Java Island. It is 8^th Century Buddhist temple made of 2 million block of lava stones, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, one of ancient world wonders (nomination list but not top 7), and the single largest Buddhist Temple in the World (Guinness World of Records since 2012).Don’t skip Bukit Dagi for different angle of photography). 

2. Candi Pawon , Candi Mendut, and Mendut Buddhist Monastery

After lunch in the Borobudur Nirvana Restaurant (Javanese Cuisine – Buffet), we visited Candi Pawon (another Buddhist temple) and Candi Mendut . Candi Mendut was built by King Indra and represented Hinayana – Mahayana Buddhist Traditions with 3 Buddha Rupam (statue) such as Buddha Sakyamuni (in the middle), Boddhisatva Avalokitesvara or Lokesvara (in the left), and Boddhisatva Vajrapani (in the right). 

Don’t forget to enter the Mendut Vihara (Buddhist Monastery). In the Vihara there are so many different styles of Buddha Rupam (Javanese, Thai, Khmer, Korean, Japanese, Bayon – Angkorian, Sinhalese, Chinese, and so on) especially the Catur Mukkha or 4 Faces of Buddha. You will see the Hindu Guardian Statues of Dwarapala (Javanese and Balinese Styles). 

3. Merapi Volcano Tour and Malioboro Street

Merapi is the most active volcano in Java Island. After eruption on October 2010, this volcano is famous for off road trip. The last, we walked to Malioboro Street for shopping a little bit. 

Day 4 

 Action!

1. Goa Jomblang ‘The Light of Heaven”

Inside Jomblang Cave 

 Express yourself inside!

Before entering the cave 

 

Need team work and watch your steps!

 One by one for photo spot  

The universe was in our side at that time because we got amazing and memorable trip in this cave. Thanks for the nature and mother earth. We got simple lunch boxes after the adventure trip. Then, we went to Pancawisata (Pindul Tour Operator) for proper lunch, fresh and delicious homemade . 

2. Goa Pindul and Kali Oya

 

Before entering the cave

Pindul and Kali Oya are famous attractions for tubing. The Javanese word ‘Kali’ means ‘River’, not The Goddess of Death like in Hindu Mythology. First, tubing in Pindul Cave and then in the Oya River until sunset. The trip was over. The next day was just transferred out to the Yogyakarta Airport.

Oya River

Like what I’ve wrote in my previous stories, I have to finish my ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) project as soon as possible. Myanmar was on my bucket list since 2 years ago. So, this Myanmar Group was a sign from the universe. They came to Java 2 times! I am really appreciated it. 

Thanks for The Supreme Entity; The Source of Enlightenment on the entire galaxy because I have one best friend has the same desire to travel to Myanmar next year! On January! So this year, we must work very hard and saving money for this project. Wish us luck my readers. Thank my Myanmar friends! Hope we will travel again in the future for different trip, in East Indonesia for example. May The Lord Bless Us. Amen.

 

See you again in the next trip, guys!