Here is the 2nd day of our JAVA-BALI-GILI circuit that we will devote entirely to Yogyakarta tour.

We will visit the 3 must-see sites of the city: the Kraton, the Water Palace, the bird market.

Everything is done on foot from our Guest House. The only concern for the bird market… but I will explain it to you at the end of the article.

WHAT TO SEE IN YOGYAKARTA: The KRATON

Let's start with the KRATON (count 1 hour of visit): I went there on a Wednesday morning, the day of the puppet show. Nice but for 10 minutes maximum because otherwise you will get bored ... I advise you to take a look behind the scenes: all the musicians who are behind because they are in traditional costumes and play instruments unknown to the world westerner: Magnificent!

The “Palace” in itself is not WOW! but it deserves a little visit. It is a complex surrounded by white ramparts consisting of the Sultan's Palace (built in 1755) and museums, mosque, school ...

Admission is chargeable: 15 RP or approximately € 000.

WHAT TO SEE IN YOGYAKARTA: PUPPET FACTORY

You will surely be accosted (but very nicely) to visit a puppet factory. This is a good opportunity to get in touch with the locals, so feel free to accept, it takes 15 minutes but you will be greeted like royalty and you will appreciate the artisanal and traditional work of these artists.

WHAT TO SEE IN YOGYAKARTA: The WATER PALACE or TAMAN SARI

Then I visited the WATER PALACE ou TAMAN SARI which is a 10-15 minute walk west of the craton. The site (2 large pools) did not charm me more than that… on the other hand a man who did not look like an official guide, suggested that we continue the visit with him and there it is something else! He told us the history of his city, showed us underground passages, the city's complex pipes, walked through the surrounding alleys. And did not ask for anything in return. This is the selfless kindness of the Indonesians and more particularly of the Javanese!

Please note: Visits end at 15:00 p.m.

Admission is chargeable: 7 RP or approximately € 000.

WHAT TO SEE IN YOGYAKARTA: The bird market

The bird market is a little out of the way and very poorly signposted. Suddenly, on foot it took us a long time to get there (more than 1 hour). And on arrival, our impressions: BOF ...

And for the return: no taxis on site and rickshaws are dangerous given the traffic on the main avenue ...

In short, if I had known, I would not have done.

Free admission.

Restaurants at YOGYAKARTA

• For the midday meal, Labina advised us The Water Castle Café: Very close to Water Palace but you have to look well ... I advise you to ask a local to find the restaurant because it is in a very complicated alley to find. Very good and inexpensive (3 Euros per meal).

• In the evening, I tested thee VIA VIA: JL Prawirotaman 30 T: +62 274 386557 Labina ordered us an Uber and it took us 20 minutes to get there. Price of the race: 5 Euros (we were 5 or 1 Euro each) Very good and reasonable prices (5 Euros for the meal): I liked the products (fresh and mostly organic) but less the atmosphere because too many tourists… However, I recommend all the same.

 

WHAT TO DO IN YOGYAKARTA: Unusual activity

Very close to the craton, there is a large lot which forms a beautiful square where you can walk around. In the evening, wrecks of cars transformed into pedal cars and revamped with multicolored electric garlands surround this square and await customers. I strongly advise you to do as the locals do, for example rent a little ladybug, put on the music and have fun like children walking around the square singing!

It's magic and it's a unique way to end the evening at YOGYA.

Take a look at the video: Typical evening

Read more on my DAY 3 article:

DAY 3 BOROBUDUR AND PRAMBANAN