Kotagede Mataram, Yogyakarta

Entrance to Kotagede

Kotagede Mataram in Yogyakarta is an old kingdom. What is left of Mataram kingdom today are some walls with an old mosque, bathing place and royal graveyard.

Visitors are allowed at the mosque and Sendang Selirang (bath place) but must observe strict rules to visit the graveyard.

Gopura

Come here to see the architecture, carvings and the fish in Sendang Selirang.

  I went into the Sendang not knowing what to expect. The bath place have separate sections for men and women. After checking out the women's side, I backtracked to find my partner and went a few steps towards the men's side before realising that perhaps I was not allowed in there :p

  According to legend, Panembahan Senopati wanted to perform ablution before praying but there was no water. Since Panembahan Senopati has magic, he stomped his feet 3 times and a spring was created.  

Graveyard Visiting Hours

1000 - 1300 Monday, Thursday & Sunday

1300 - 1600 Friday

Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and fasting month (Ramadhan)

To visit the royal graveyard, visitors must wear traditional clothes which can be rented at the office. No headscarf for women. Only kain jarik (like batik) and tube tops (kemben). Men must wear the Javanese suit with kain jarik and blangkon.

When I visited, there were some people drawing one of the gopura. Mosque was semi-closed for renovation. Staff were not very chatty so you should hire a tour guide to help you understand the place better.

Monggo Chocolate, Yogyakarta

Chocolate Monggo Factory

Jl. Dalem KG III 978,

Purbayan Kotagede, Yogyakarta

Phone # : 62 (0274) 710 2202

Email : info@chocolatemonggo.com

Operating Hours

0800 - 1700 daily

Confession: I didn't want to go at first. I thought it will be one of those substandard and overpriced souvenir chocolate.

  I was wrong.

Luckily, Yono convinced me to drop by Monggo Chocolate factory. I didn't get to visit the factory because it was already late in the evening but I ended up buying lots of chocolate!

The staff were all friendly and helpful. They offered samples for tasting to help you decide what to buy. My favourite flavours are Caramello and Praline. 

  They also have weird flavours like durian and chilli. Unlike many other disasters of fusion flavoured chocolates, Monggo did theirs very well and I thought the taste were... unique. Definitely a treat! 

You can use credit card to pay for your purchase. The price was fair at IDR 288400 (less than RM100) for that whole lot up there. 

  For more info, visit their website.

Huma Ribs, Steak & Shake, Yogyakarta

Huma Ribs, Steak & Shake

154, Jalan Gedongkuning Sel.

Yogyakarta.

Our nice driver took us here after the restaurant I wanted to go to was closed for the day. I like the place! There was only 2 other tables occupied, the place was spacious and breezy.

Based on their website (not sharing it here bcoz I hate the song!) they have several other outlets so you can check which one is the nearest to you.

Taste - OK

Price - IDR 62500 for 2 pax

Ambiance - Park-style tables and benches. Not very comfortable but it was okay for me.

Vanilla Milkshake

Cold Teh Botol <3<3<3<3<3

Our server was friendly and helpful. I'd recommend for you to try this place if ever you get tired of local food :)

Taman Sari, Yogyakarta

Taman Sari

When you visit Taman Sari or the Water Castle, do not miss to see the Sumur Gumuling mosque and Gedhung Kenanga as well. The 'water castle' used to be one big complex but the one most tourists will see is the bathing pool. 

Operating Hours : 0900 - 1400 

Entrance Fee : IDR 13000 per adult

Parking Fee : IDR 5000 

Hire a guide who can show you around. Although you can see the bathing complex on your own, getting around the maze of village can be quite a challenge. You might be able to find Gedhung Kenanga but finding the underground Sumur Gumuling mosque was tricky!

Usually the (local) guide will not set a rate. You decide how much tips to give.

The guide I hired explained did not know much about the historical value of the complex but he was very good at getting around. He took me back to the front gate using a shortcut when I told him that I was in a hurry :)

Read more about Taman Sari here so you'll know about the story of the complex better than the guide ;)

Entrance to tunnel towards Sumur Gumuling mosque

Place for imam and muezzin

The restored Gedhung Kenanga

Keraton Yogyakarta

Keraton of Yogyakarta

The palace is a must-see in Yogyakarta. Check what time is the cultural performance for the day and go slightly earlier to get a good seat.

Operating Hours : 0800 - 1230 (except Friday & Saturday, 1100)

Other than the cultural performance, there was nothing much to see and since the palace is still in use, some areas are forbidden to visitors. Therefore I strongly recommend not missing the cultural performance.

I was lucky that I got to enjoy 4 dances during my visit. It was on a Sunday so you can schedule your visit on that day as well. However, there was so many visitors, I couldn't find the entrance to ticket counters. Turned out, the small lane got blocked by a bunch of makciks!

Sonobudoyo Museum, Yogyakarta

Sonobudoyo Museum

Operating Hours : 0800 - 1530 (Saturday - Thursday)

0800 - 1400 (Friday)

Closed every Monday and public holidays

Admission Fee : IDR 5000 per adult

Parking Fee : IDR 3000

The museum is situated across the field from Keraton of Yogyakarta. It was almost empty when I visited. Expect to spend less than 2 hours here as you should get to view everything with no interruption from others.

You can choose to hire a guide but you should still be able to understand if you go around on your own. I thought the labels were pretty good but go ahead if you want an in-house guide.