Half-A-Palace, Cat Rice and Rainbow Markets.

With half a day to explore Yogya city (the other half inevitably spent at the world’s largest Buddhist temple), this is what I did and what you can do too.

1. A quick visit to Kraton Palace

Don’t get your expectations high despite its name. This ‘palace’ looks more like a large open-air space that’s roofed with some intricate details – and that’s it. Time spent: 15 minutes.

Opens: 8.30 a.m. – 1 p.m.Fees: Rp 12,500 / RM4.Tip: REFUSE tour guides.##

2. Lunch at Gudeg Djum Wijilan

Famous for its curry jackfruit, kampung chicken, duck egg and beef scratchings composition in a banana leaf-layered-basket-of-a-plate, this stall is only a 7-minute walk (550 meters) from Kraton Palace. So if you were wondering why visit #1 when there’s nothing much to it, why not, when it’s so close to this must-eat place anyway?

Gudeg Djum WijilanAddress: 167 Jln. Wijilan, Yogyakarta.Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. everyday.

3. Explore Malioboro street

With a full tummy, walk what’s known as the ‘shopping street’ to Yogyans, which equals ‘batik land’ to me. AVOID batik sellers but if you really want to buy some, try Mirota Batik.

Beringharjo, a famous traditional market close by, is not worth the visit in my opinion. Obiviously I went there to find that out:

I left empty-handed, not sure if I should be glad or disappointed.

Around 4 p.m., visit Candi Borobudur:

4. Get to know the village d’Omah is situated / Enjoy your resort

d’Omah Hotel
Jalan Parangtritis, Yogyakarta.
Check-in: 2 p.m. Check-out: 12 p.m.

5. Try Nasi Kucing (Cat Rice) for dinner

Don’t worry, there is no cat meat in this rice! More of ‘rice for cats’, this simple meal of rice and fish flakes got its name for coming in small packets, as if it was to feed cats.

There is one near d’Omah Hotel, or you can try Angkringan Tugu (near Tugu Station), opened from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m.

For the full guide, read also: Yogyakarta Travel Itinerary (I)