In and around Yogyakarta...

Kraton

Kraton

Batik making

Taman Sari

Taman Sari

Quiet alleyways

Nasi Gudeg

Borobudur

Borobudur

Salak Pondoh

Mount Merapi

Prambanan

Sendang Sriningsih

Monggo Chocolate factory

Becak ride

Kotagede

If you haven't been yet, you really should go. So many wonderful sights to see...

Milas Restaurant, Yogyakarta

If you are visiting Yogyakarta make sure you have at least one meal at this restaurant. Firstly, the setting is both calming and relaxing with the gazebos placed in a nice garden with a fountain and pond. Then the menu has a good selection of healthy organic vegetarian food. There are also juices and herbal teas. I tried the guacamole, which was delicious and full of flavour, the singkong goreng, crispy and cut up like chips and served with spicy sambas chilli. Then there were some deep fried vegetables, lightly fried and crispy and finally the Milas salad which came with cheese, apple, cashew nuts and lots of other vegetables. I chose the vinegarette dressing which was really good. The whole meal was very satisfying and healthy. 

I wish there was a restaurant like this here in Jakarta because if there was I would make it my second home. Sitting in that garden and hearing the trickling water and feeling the wind on my face was really something I could get used to...

Fave Hotel, Kusumanegara, Yogyakarta

Found myself with a few days off for Chinese New Year and decided to head back to Yogyakarta, a favourite haunt of mine. Booked a couple of nights at Fave Hotel situated at Jalan Kusumanegara. Fave hotels are generally known for their value for money and this one was priced at Rp. 415,000 without breakfast for a standard room. It did seem a bit steep but it is a public holiday weekend and generally everywhere will be more expensive.

High points : Clean bright room, small but nicely furnished. Clean sheets and towels. Flat screen tv with 60 channels. Swimming pool. Friendly staff.

Low points : Distance to the centre means public transport must be used to get everywhere. Breakfast charged at Rp. 50,000 per person. Food and drinks charges relatively high in comparison to other food outlets in the city.

Generally I was quite content with my two day stay and would definitely recommend the hotel if you don't mind taking taxis (about Rp. 20,000 a trip) to get into the centre of things.