Learning to Love Yogya and Prambanan Temple
Heavy furnitures with hidden dongeng carved deep decorate the walls of the hotel. Even the menus are laminated with batik. I am served a refreshing blend of lime, ginger, and pineapple juice infused with honey. Paddy fields whisper secret nothings blown by warm Javanese wind, while classic Malay tunes from P. Ramlee’s time play softly at the background. After a 1.5 hours morning flight from Kuala Lumpur to Yogyakarta, I must say the latter is doing a good job at rocking my soul swiftly like a local lullaby. But after checking in and having a good tour of what’s to be ‘home’ the next few days, I book a taxi to Prambanan Temple that is a 30-minute drive away. I suggest you do the same. But first, stay.
Cost – taxi both ways: Rp120,000 / RM40
Stay
Here’s what you need to know: Yogyakarta is the kind of place where accommodation plays a huge part of your vacation, so it is necessary to choose a good resort. My choice, d’Omah, is affordable, interesting, friendly, complete, and overall perfect. Be ready to receive visits by beautiful avian friends (including a peacock)!
d’Omah Hotel
Jalan Parangtritis, Yogyakarta.
Check-in: 2 p.m. Check-out: 12 p.m.
Prambanan
Must-Visit temples here are: Candi Lara (most famous), Candi Siva (the tallest), Candi Sewu (the 1000 temples).
You will be given a construction worker’s hat which you must put on at all times and a piece of batik cloth to wrap around your waist; regardless of what you wear. I sign up for a local guide to understand the history of this heritage better.
Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cost: Rp 162,000 / RM54. Tour Guide: RM24