Prambanan Loro Jonggrang Complex

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If Borobudur is a Buddhist temple, Candi Prambanan is a Hindu temple. Personally, I think Prambanan is better managed that Borobudur. The complex has more facilities and therefore, you will easily spend a whole day here.

Opening Hours

0730 - 1730 daily

Admission Fee : IDR 252000 per adult (foreigner)

Tour Guide : IDR 100000 for 1 hour (optional)

Tour guide- optional but highly recommended!

We hired a tour guide from the counter next to ticket counter. Our tour guide spoke fluent English and was knowledgable (I quizzed him and he did NOT make things up).

Smaller candi that are waiting to be rebuilt

One of the apit and vahana temples

The Shiva temple is the tallest among the Trimurti temples. The other two are Vishnu and Brahma temples. Right across the Trimurti temples are the vahana (the deity's "vehicle") temples - Nandi (bull) for Shiva, Garuda for Vishnu & Hamsa (swan) for Brahma.

   The chambers in Shiva temple houses statues (of):

Shiva Mahadeva 

Agastya

Ganesha

Durga Mahisasuramardini

A vahana temple houses statue of either bull, garuda or swan

Aside from being the venue of the Ramayana Ballet show, there are a few other smaller temples and sanctuaries nearby. You can get a shuttle or hire bicycles from here to see the other temples.

Playground

Museum

Fee for audio visual show

Audio Visual Room

If you are in Jogja, please spend at least a day here and another day in Borobudur. Don't rush and try to pack them in one day.

Manohara Resort, Borobudur

Welcome drinks & chilled towels upon arrival

Manohara Resort

Borobudur

If you plan to see sunrise at the Borobudur temple, the most convenient way is to stay in this hotel. You won't have to wake up too early for the drive from town to Borobudur. I woke up 20 minutes before the appointed time, checked the weather, got dressed and went to reception counter to register myself for sunrise tour.

  Since I hired car during my stay in Yogyakarta, getting to this resort was easy. Alternatively, you can take the public transports going to Borobudur. The resort is located within the Borobudur Complex because it doubles as Centre of Borobudur Study. 

  I booked my accommodation via Agoda. Package included breakfast for 2 persons, 1 time video showcase on Borobudur and unlimited access into Borobudur during normal hours.

Booking - Easy via multiple platform including resort's own website

Rate - Good value. RM269.76 for 1 Bedroom Apartment King Bed (2D1N)

Location - Good for easy-access to Borobudur

Dining - Good food, fair price

Service - Excellent

Overall <3<3<3<3 of 5 

Well-equipped room

Private Balcony with View

View

I was too lazy to go out for dinner and so we ordered room service. It didn't take long to be delivered to the room and the food were all delicious!

Banana with cheese <3<3<3<3<3

Forgot the name but it was delicious! <3<3<3<3

 

Fried gurami with white rice (not in pic)

Total dinner = IDR145500 only

Breakfast

Complimentary breakfast is from 0600 to 1000 at the Witarka Resto. The tea/coffee and light snack for Borobudur Sunrise package is also served here I believe.

Buffet style- Indo & American cuisine

Breakfast view

Even though Manohara Resort is far from Yogyakarta town, I recommend staying here for at least one night so you get to explore Borobudur, including the museum, etc. to your heart's content. Being able to access Borobudur at my leisure, then seek refuge from the hot sun in the cold hotel room before going out to explore the complex again made the stay more than worth it.

  Remember to watch the complimentary video presentation on the day of your arrival (check coupon on timing) for introduction to Borobudur!

Waroeng Steak and Shake, Yogyakarta

Waroeng Steak and Shake

Find the outlet near you in their website here.

I went to the one in Jalan Pandega Karya. It is a 2-storey with parking behind the building. Parking fee was IDR 2000

Lemon Tea and Chocolate something :P 

Chicken Steak <3<3<3<3

Taste - Good

Price - IDR 72000 for 3 pax

Ambiance - Casual restaurant

No Smoking :D

A good and inexpensive option in case you want to have Western food in Jogja ;)

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.