MOTOR BIKE TOURS IN JOGJAKARTA Come and enjoy some of the best motorcycle road riding in South East Asia. Ride with us and we are going to show you Indonesia the way nobody else will. We have captured Indonesia's emerald green rice paddies of jogja, the magnificent volcano of Merapi, the scenic winding road to Dieng Plateau, Sukuh & Cetho Temples, and the ancient Borobudur temple into our motorcycle touring itineraries. Our escorted motorcycle tours are one of a lifetime. We are well organized, the routes carefully planned and beautiful scenic views and invigorating roads are a pleasure for a touring motorcyclist. Our tours ranging from daily ride from the city tour to the exotic yet charm island of Java. All escorted motorbike tours are limited to a minimum of two and maximum of five motorcycles to keep group sizes small. Comfortable hotel accommodations and truly unique culinary experiences will spice up your motoring holiday. On our tours you'll be introduced to lesser known, yet superb back roads with hardly any traffic while you will enjoy companionship and freedom from most touring hassles without taking the fun or adventure out of motorcycle touring. Tours start and end at the point where indicated on each itinerary and of course it's all customizable and flexible to suit your traveling needs. Our base at the Surabaya - East Java Province, not so far from Juanda International Airport of Surabaya which mean it's so central to Jakarta on the west or to Bali on the east, beside East Java itself has plenty of natural attractions like Mt Bromo & Ijen Crater.

OJEG TOUR, SAME-SAME BUT MORE FUN

Car & Motorcycle Driving License You can drive in Indonesia on an international driver's license. In the US, there are only two agencies that can issue valid US IDPs. Other organizations issuing them are not issuing official US State Department sanctioned permits. Now, that is not to say that Indonesian officials will know this or won't accept the other permits. For International Drivers' Licenses issued in the US, consult the following information source - AATA. On the other hand you can obtain an international driver's license in Indonesia which is valid in other countries around the world. One Day License for Tourists The Indonesian government is starting a new process of "1 day licensing" for foreign visitors. You have to pay somewhere around Rp 100.000 - Rp 150.000 and they'll take your photo and issue your temporary license in one day. The cost of the license varies according to the length of validity (months, year, etc). Fuel & Spare Parts In recent years the price of petrol has leapt substantially at irregular intervals. At the time of writing it costs Rp 4.500 per litre. There are numerous petrol stations around the larger towns, but out in the villages they can be difficult to find. Small roadside shops sell small amounts of petrol; look for 'yellow coloured bottle' with a bensin sign or reads press ban (tyre repairman). There are issues saying some of the petrol from those stands are mixed with kerosene (lower in quality). It's best to refill whenever you see a petrol station (pompa bensin) Car Hire The price of car rental will vary according to both location and vehicle. Indonesia has regular car-rental agencies in the large cities such as major cities in Java (Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, etc), where a rental costs around US$100 per day. It's generally cheaper to hire a car and driver for Rp 350.000 - Rp 500.000 per day. In most cases, the price includes unlimited mileage, but you supply the petrol. If you are group travelers in Java, renting a minibus can be a particularly good deal. The minibuses are comfortable, are go-almost-anywhere vehicles, and can take up to six people plus luggage in comfort. Car or minibus rental, including driver but excluding petrol, costs Rp 450.000-Rp 700.000 per 12 hours. Check our price list on this site for your reference. Toyota Avanza 5 Seater Toyota Kijang Inova 7 Seater Kia Pregio 9 Seater Isuzu Elf 11 Seater For bigger group you should consider to rent below buses : Small Tourist Bus (Up to 19 Persons) Big Tourist Bus (Up to 30 Persons) Motorcycle Hire You'll find that motorcylces are readily available for hire throughout Indonesia although Bali is still the easiest way to find one. In Bali they can be rented from around Rp 30.000 per day, but in most places the locals rent out their own motorcycles to earn a few extra rupiah. Rental charges vary with the type of bike and the lengthe of hire. The longer the hire period, the lower the rate; the bigger or newer the bike, the higher the rate. Motorcycles are almost all between 90cc-125cc, with 100cc the average size. You really don't need anything bigger; the roads are rarely suitable for fast speeds. Indonesia in general is not a place to learn how to ride. The main highways are hectic, especially in Java & Bali. Combined with all the normal hazards of motorcycle riding, narrow roads, unexpected potholes, buses and trucks that claim road ownership, children who dart onto the road, and much more. Take it slowly and cautiously around curves to avoid hitting oncoming traffic - this may include very large and heavy buses, buffalo, and children. Keep to the back roads as much as possible where riding can be much more pleasurable. You need to have a licence, especially to satisfy 'travel insurance' in case of an accident - though you'll rarely need to show it except if you're driving without a helmet and caught by the police. Some travel insurance policies do not cover you if you are involved in an accident while on a motorcycle. Check the small print.this trips not only driving you to some destination arround. This trips also a journey to some places, wheres no on books tour.

MOTOR BIKE AND CAR RENTAL

Car & Motorcycle
Driving License

You can drive in Indonesia on an international driver's license.

In the US, there are only two agencies that can issue valid US IDPs. Other organizations issuing them are not issuing official US State Department sanctioned permits. Now, that is not to say that Indonesian officials will know this or won't accept the other permits. For International Drivers' Licenses issued in the US, consult the following information source - AATA. On the other hand you can obtain an international driver's license in Indonesia which is valid in other countries around the world.

One Day License for Tourists
The Indonesian government is starting a new process of "1 day licensing" for foreign visitors. You have to pay somewhere around Rp 100.000 - Rp 150.000 and they'll take your photo and issue your temporary license in one day. The cost of the license varies according to the length of validity (months, year, etc).

Fuel & Spare Parts
In recent years the price of petrol has leapt substantially at irregular intervals. At the time of writing it costs Rp 4.500 per litre. There are numerous petrol stations around the larger towns, but out in the villages they can be difficult to find. Small roadside shops sell small amounts of petrol; look for 'yellow coloured bottle' with a bensin sign or reads press ban (tyre repairman). There are issues saying some of the petrol from those stands are mixed with kerosene (lower in quality). It's best to refill whenever you see a petrol station (pompa bensin)

Car Hire
The price of car rental will vary according to both location and vehicle. Indonesia has regular car-rental agencies in the large cities such as major cities in Java (Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, etc), where a rental costs around US$100 per day. It's generally cheaper to hire a car and driver for Rp 350.000 - Rp 500.000 per day. In most cases, the price includes unlimited mileage, but you supply the petrol.

If you are group travelers in Java, renting a minibus can be a particularly good deal. The minibuses are comfortable, are go-almost-anywhere vehicles, and can take up to six people plus luggage in comfort. Car or minibus rental, including driver but excluding petrol, costs Rp 450.000-Rp 700.000 per 12 hours.

Check our price list on this site for your reference.

Toyota Avanza 5 Seater
Toyota Kijang Inova 7 Seater
Kia Pregio 9 Seater
Isuzu Elf 11 Seater


For bigger group you should consider to rent below buses :

Small Tourist Bus (Up to 19 Persons)
Big Tourist Bus (Up to 30 Persons)

Motorcycle Hire
You'll find that motorcylces are readily available for hire throughout Indonesia although Bali is still the easiest way to find one. In Bali they can be rented from around Rp 30.000 per day, but in most places the locals rent out their own motorcycles to earn a few extra rupiah.

Rental charges vary with the type of bike and the lengthe of hire. The longer the hire period, the lower the rate; the bigger or newer the bike, the higher the rate.

Motorcycles are almost all between 90cc-125cc, with 100cc the average size. You really don't need anything bigger; the roads are rarely suitable for fast speeds.

Indonesia in general is not a place to learn how to ride. The main highways are hectic, especially in Java & Bali. Combined with all the normal hazards of motorcycle riding, narrow roads, unexpected potholes, buses and trucks that claim road ownership, children who dart onto the road, and much more. Take it slowly and cautiously around curves to avoid hitting oncoming traffic - this may include very large and heavy buses, buffalo, and children. Keep to the back roads as much as possible where riding can be much more pleasurable.

You need to have a licence, especially to satisfy 'travel insurance' in case of an accident - though you'll rarely need to show it except if you're driving without a helmet and caught by the police.

Some travel insurance policies do not cover you if you are involved in an accident while on a motorcycle. Check the small print.

Leather Puppet processing

Seeing Puppet Shadow Making Process
11 Aug 2011 Posted By Azura

Seeing Puppet Shadow Making Process

Leather Puppet Making Process


Shadow puppet is the traditional art of Indonesia, which primarily develops in Java and to the east of Peninsular Malaysia such as Kelantan and Terengganu. Puppet was created King of the Kingdom Jayabaya Mamenang / Kediri around the 10th century.

Shadow puppets as a depiction of human characters in the staging, has become one of the attractions of tourism in Yogyakarta. In English, the puppet known as "shadow puppet" which means shadow.

Talking about the making of puppets, will not be separated from the art of sculpting. In this craft, the object is carved buffalo skin as a base for making puppets. The reason why the buffalo leather is used as a base for puppet-making based more on the quality of the tough skin.

Puppet-making, especially the puppets for the show, must comply with standard that already exist. The process of making a puppet character varies depending on the size and character of the puppet itself.

Puppet Making Skin Preparation
Shadow puppets made of buffalo skin generally. Why buffalo skin? Because it does not contain much oil. Cowhide for example, has a high oil content so that the drying process can be for weeks. Buffalo skin has been dried in the sun can be directly dried after 4 to 5 days.

Buffalo newly exfoliated skin dried in the sun with a stretched position. If the weather is overcast, the whole surface sprinkled with salt water buffalo leather that does not quickly decay. Once completely dry, the skin re-soaked for one night, then dried again. Only when dried for the second time the feathers are attached to the skin scraped off with a knife.

Equipment used to make shadow puppets are sharp metal edges. Normally iron is taken from the fingers of a motorcycle. Basically, this iron from the steel used to organize or make various shapes of holes. Try to look at shadow puppets, there are many carvings are made up completely hollow.

Making Process
The first thing to do is copy an image or pattern that already exists. After that cut according to shape. Ready-made patterns consist of several parts. Parts are installed first hand. On hand there are two connections: the upper arms and elbows. How to connect it with a small screw made of buffalo or cow horn. To move the arm used stems blackish color that is also made of buffalo horn.


If you notice, there are a few golden-colored shadow puppets. Gold color was obtained from the leaf, gold color paper taped. Another way is to dibron, painted with a powder that is melted. Puppet using prada result is much better because the color is much longer.

One of the craftsmen puppet owned by Sub Palace is the father Sugeng. He started the business about 20 years ago. Sugeng father puppet gallery is located at Taman Sari tourist environment. Gallery which also serves as a house, save a variety of puppet characters of his work. The gallery was frequented by foreign tourists who want to know about puppets and how to make it. Remembering the father of artificial puppet Sugeng only sold in the gallery alone, tourists can see and buy at once to get the information you want known.

Source : www.kidnesia.com

CULINARY TOUR

Culinary Tour Wherever we go on a vacation it seems like it’s not complete enough without trying the specialty local food, let alone a holiday or a vacation is almost always identical with tasting the famous local food from the place that we visit. With our tongue that is spoiled by delicacy seasoning and traditional ingredients, our full stomach will raise our good mood to travel around the tourism sites. If you want an unforgettable culinary tour, you must be willing to hunt the famous specialty local foods and fulfill your curiosity about its taste at one time. Jogja, a little town with its famous, unique and rich culture, Kraton is also offers foods that in a kind of way representing the beauty atmosphere of this town. Through a plate of worldly famous Gudeg Jogja, a portion of Nasi Blawong; the favorite food of Kraton Kings, and traditional market snacks such as Gethuk, Klepon, Geplak, and so on, there’s no way for not visiting restaurants and food stalls like Gadri Resto, Bale Raos, Pasar Ngasem, etc. Taste the Kraton’s hereditary recipe and enjoy the warm ambience of Jogja! Enjoying The Unique Taste of Legen Print The word Legen might sound unfamiliar to some people. This is considered quite normal because there are only few people selling legen. Legen is a kind of traditional beverage made from getah manggar or coconut's flower. To get legen, tie a bunch of coconut's flower and cut its edge. Getah which comes out from it then is stored in a bumbung or bamboo. This is repeated every morning and afternoon. In one period, you can usually get a half amount of legen in a bumbung. A glass of legen is usually sold for about 1000-1500 rupiahs. Legen tastes sweet and is best served cold. Bale Raos, The Unique Restaurant With The King's Cuisine Print With a vision of preserving a culinary and cultural asset using the various traditional foods of Kraton Yogyakarta and in turn promoting this image to tourists and locals alike the restaurant Bale Raos was established. Bale Raos is a unique restaurant with a unique menu providing alternative cuisines to both Jogjanese and tourists alike. Bale Raos is the only restaurant that serves the favorite cuisines of Sultan Yogyakarta, from HB VII until HB X. All the ingredients of the cuisine are made from traditional spices and concoctions. Bale Raos provides several different menu options. As Appetizer there are Tomat Soup (HB IX favorite menu), Timlo Soup (HB X favorite menu), Lidah Soup, Red Bean Soup, etc. As the Main Courses there are Sayur Klenyer (HB IX favorite menu), Daging Lombok Kethok (HB VII-IX favorite menu), Semur Ayam Panji (HB VII favorite menu), Semur Piyik (HB VII favorite menu), Gecok Ganem (HB IX favorite menu), Dendeng Ragi (HB IX favorite menu), etc. Read more... The Pleasant Taste of Traditional Foods Print If one day we go sightseeing to traditional markets in Yogyakarta, we will many times catch sight of a lot of traditional foods offered by the vendors in that market. Those traditional foods we often call jajan pasar. If you get a glimpse of the appearance, you might think that those traditional foods are not interesting, but if you have tasted their pleasant taste, you will get a feeling of surprise upon the taste. Their tastes which are produced by basic foodstuffs and spices are indeed unique. The most important thing is that jajan pasar doesn’t contain any artificial substance that will hazard our health. We could find jajan pasar almost all over the traditional markets in Yogyakarta, particularly in Kecamatan Kraton. They could be found in a traditional market called Ngasem, or much more familiar called Pasar Ngasem. Even though Pasar Ngasem is well known as pasar burung (birds market), there is also an activity of buying and selling goods as we also find in traditional market where the vendors sell various things too, such as fishes vendors, foods vendors, furniture vendors, flowers vendors, etc.

Indonesia is the largest archipelago and fourth most populous country in the world.The country is geographically situated between the Australian and Asian continental mainland and divides the Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator. Consisting of five main islands (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi (Celebes), and Papua), 30 smaller archipelagos, the country is made up of a total of 17,508 islands of which around 6,000 are inhabited across 33 provinces. Indonesia stretches 5,150 kilometres from Sabang in the western most tip of Sumatra to Merauke in Papua to the east. Its capital city is Jakarta, home to more than eight million people. Climate The east monsoon from June to September brings dry weather, while the west monsoon from December to March, a transitional period in-between, are interposed by occasional rain showers. Even in the midst of the west monsoon season, temperatures range from 210 C (700 F) to 330 C. (900 F), except at higher altitudes, which are substantially cooler and less humid. Language and dialects There are more than 483 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. These belong to the 350 different ethnic groups comprising the nation’s population. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language, written in the Roman script and based on European orthography. 51 National Parks A unique marine biodiversity hotspot, the Wallacea region has 28,000 species of flora, ranging from tiny rare orchids to the giant Rafflesia flower and 3,500 species of fauna, including the endangered orangutans of Borneo and Sumatra, the giant Komodo lizard, the one-horned Javan Rhinoceros and the tigers of Sumatra. Cuisine The staple food of most of Indonesia is rice (‘nasi’ in Bahasa Indonesia). Rice is eaten with an endless choice of side dishes and condiments, usually consisting of a vegetable dish, a meat/fish dish and some form of spicy paste or sauce. Indonesia is a haven of luscious tropical and sub-tropical fruits and vegetables all year round. Local fruits include the durian, rambutan, mango, mangosteen, star fruit, jackfruit, sawo (Sapotaceae) and duku (Meliaceae). Coffee and tea are served everywhere and at any time from restaurants to warungs or stalls. Robusta and Arabica are popular varieties of coffee, and are generally brewed directly in hot water without filtration. Black, green and jasmine-scented tea is widely consumed throughout the country. That Indonesians are hospitable people is a fact that is reflected in the way they conduct their affairs and relationship with others. City of Yogyakarta - nickname: City Gudeg
o Food: Gudeg, geplak, tiwul, GAPLEK, gatot, bakpia, yangko, peanut brittle, apem,
o Drink: Ice Dawet, wedang round, wedang secang, drink rosella, wedang ginger, wedang bajigur beverages.


Happiness are made for those who share with other and therfore we created to fulfill yours. From the finest ingredients of our family home made receipes, we offer you directly a personal celebration, passion, taste, and delicious.

BATIK COURSE

OVERVIEW Take a short course in batik making for a fun, hands-on introduction to one of Indonesia's most famous crafts. You'll visit a traditional batik workshop, observe the intricate techniques and then, under the guidance of a local artisan, create your own batik from start to finish. This excursion is fabulous for travelers of all ages and creates a one of a kind souvenir of your Java experience. PROGRAM DETAILS Depart in the morning at 09.00 AM or afternoon at 13.00 PM and visit a traditional batik factory to be introduced to one of Indonesia's most famous crafts. Not only will you learn about the ancient techniques and observe skilled craftsmen, but you will also have the chance to create your own batik. Start from scratch, making a design, applying wax and mixing your own dye. Your creation will be delivered to your hotel after drying. PRICING: Please contact us. Our Services Include: Transportation with driver by private air conditioned vehicle Service of English speaking local guide All entrance fees and activities as mentioned Our Services do not Include: Other meals than mentioned Other services than mentioned Personal travel Insurance Gratuities, personal expenses, drinks, and other items. Other services not clearly indicated in the Package Inclusion above

LEARNING WITH MUDDY

GOOD TO KNOW HOWS TO PLANT PADDY RICE

Rice is difficult to grow in your backyard, but it’s worth knowing how to grow rice, in case you want to experiment with rice farming. In Asia, it’s frowned on to waste even a single grain of rice, because that would dishonor the farmers, who have to spend many hours a day in the difficult maintenance and harvesting of rice. Watch any samurai movie and you’ll see how rice is treated as sacred by farmers, raiders and ronin alike.

Growing rice in your own home may not be quite so sacred to you, but if you’re going to farm rice, at least learn how to do it right. Even then, your rice production might not yield enough to serve a family meal, unless you grow buckets upon buckets of rice plants. Rice production requires space and soil, which might account for why the land is so sacred in those movies, too.

Learn how to grow rice so you can appreciate the labor-intensive and time-consuming process of rice growing. Keep in mind before you get into this that you’re buying into a significant amount of work.
Rice Options
How to Grow Rice

How to Grow Rice

There are different types of rice to consider: paddy rice, deep-water rice, rain-fed lowland rice and upland rice.

Paddy rice growth is controlled by the farmer, whereas deep-water rice grows near river and other water banks and depends largely on the weather.

Lowland rice thrives in monsoonal regions where ridges are built into the land in order to retain water after the rain. Upland rice is grown in areas of frequent rain on slopes.

Most people grow home-grown rice in large buckets of water, with little dirt and a whole lot of sunlight.
What You Will Need to Grow Rice in Your Home

One upside to rice farming is that growing rice doesn’t require many materials: it just takes a long time to grow and harvest. Usually, your local grocery store’s unprocessed long grain brown rice, such as basmati and jasmine, can be grown in your home.

If you’re especially worried about how your rice will turn out, purchase rice seeds from your local nursery or gardening supply store. Planting rice also requires soil or dirt. Finally, you will need large, clean buckets in which to grow your rice.
Growing Your Rice
How to Grow Rice

How to Grow Rice

Put 5 to 7 inches of soil in each bucket (slight larger than 1 hand deep) and place one handful of rice on top of the dirt. Cover the dirt and rice with water so that the water rises about two inches above the top of the soil. Keep your bucket or buckets in a sunny area, so the rice can thrive in a warm, sunny climate.

Check your water levels regularly and add water, if necessary. When your rice plants grow beyond 6 inches, increase your bucket level to 4 inches above the top of the soil. Let the water slowly evaporate over time, so that your plant has room to grow and be harvested.

When your plant transforms from a green to a gold color, it’s a signal to harvest the rice. Your plant has to grow for approximately 4 months, before it can be harvested.

After you harvest the rice, wrap up the stalks inside a newspaper and let them sit in a warm place for a couple of weeks. Remove the shells from the rice and let the rice simmer in low heat.
Why Grow Rice?

Learning how to grow rice is a valuable long-term activity for you and your family. Don’t try planting rice in your own yard, because it’s not recommended, unless you have a large field and can afford to lose the space. Rice is grown in small floods of water, because these floods keep rice naturally moist, without needing constant irrigation.

The combination of a great deal of water and warmth from the sun help develop the rice plants and cause rice to mature faster than it otherwise would. Growing rice in a few buckets let’s you control water and sunlight, without you having to worry about maintaining the actual terrain.

Growing rice on your own or with your family teaches everyone about the patience and art of rice-growing, as well as teach you to appreciate the wide variety of food available to you on a daily basis. Once you and your family have studied how to grow rice, go back and watch Akira Kurasawa’s Seven Samurai, or if you have kids, consider the anime based on the same story, Samurai 7, now that your appreciates how much time and trouble goes into rice production.

CAVING EXPLORING IN JOGJA

GOA JOMBLANG CAVING, Exploring the Treasure of Vertical Cave Category : Sport & Adventure GOA JOMBLANG CAVING, Exploring the Treasure of Vertical Cave The journey to get to the bottom of Goa Jomblang (Jomblang cave) are indeed exhausting. Vertical steep path to reach the bottom of the Jomblang Cave requires bravery, especially for first timers. The cave horrible history indeed scares the local people. Many eerie stories come along with it. However, when we reached the bottom of the cave, all the fatigue and fear will be replaced by a sense of awe of the beauty of Goa Jomblang. Jomblang Cave is a vertical cave characteristics which diametrically 50 m wide with vertical sides varies between 60-80 meters. Because getting enough sunlight, at the bottom some trees grow exuberantly like an underground forest and on karst wall grow shrubs. When we reach the bottom of the cave, we can take a rest for a while in a cubicle from natural phenomenon. After sort resting, explorers can continue the journey by tracing the tunnel that connects the Cave Jomblang with other vertical cave named Grubug. The tunnel is quite wide with a length of about 500 m. Is not difficult to pass the tunnel because there is a stone passageway. The both of cave is a cave that type of combination of vertical and horizontal cave. If we can reach the bottom of Grubug at 01.00pm, the views of the sun through the eternal darkness at the bottom of the Cave Grubug would be so amazing. The ray has touched a number of stalactites and stalagmites formed by dripping water over thousands of years. Sunlight broke into the mouth of Grubug cave and one large stalagmite cave located at the bottom. On the north side of the huge stalagmites, there is the river flow that comes from Kalisuci. Goa Jomblang and Grubug located in Semanu district, Gunugkidul Regency, 50 km southeast Yogyakarta, about 10 km from Wonosari (the capital of Gunungkidul regency). We suggested To reach Jomblang cave with use private transportation vehicle or motorcycle and will take about 2 hours drive from the city of Yogyakarta. Location of the cave was in middle of field rice by the way is quite challenging with rocks along the road to the location of the cave. Text : Stevan Mandagi Photo : Hindrawan

Leather Puppet Tour: Performance and Production

Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet), the Masterpiece of Javanese Performance Arts

When you spend the night in Yogyakarta while enjoying leather puppet show, it will feel vivid. The melodious rhythm of the gamelan in harmony with the voice of the female singers will not let you fall asleep. The story presented by the dalang as the puppeteer as well as the storyteller will bring you into being one of the characters in the story. You will soon learn the greatness of Javanese culture in the past.

Leather puppet show is a performance art that has been more than half a millennium of age. Its presence has its own story, in relation with the entrance of Javanese Islam. One of the Wali Songo or the nine pious leaders who spread Islam in Java created the puppet by adopting Wayang Beber or Beber Puppet that grew during the triumph of Hindu-Buddha. Such an adoption was done since leather puppet had been attached to Javanese people so that it became the proper media to spread Islam, while Islam prohibited plastic arts. Consequently, leather puppet was made in order for people to be able to see shadow.

Leather puppet show is done by the puppeteer who is also the storyteller who is possibly considered the best entertainer in the world. All the night, he plays all the characters of the leather puppets forming human characters made from buffalo skin decorated with motif as the product of leather carving. He has to change the voice character, switch the intonation, produce humor and even sing. In order to make the atmosphere vivid, the storyteller is assisted by musicians who play gamelan - the traditional Javanese music instruments - and the female singers called sinden who sing Javanese songs.

The total characters in leather puppet show number in the hundreds. The puppets that are not played are stuck in banana stem that is placed close to the storyteller. While being played, the puppets will look as shadow from rear view of the white screen in front of the storyteller. The shadow is created by the light from the oil lamp placed at the upper rear of the storyteller that is cut off by the puppets being played on the screen.

Each puppet performance presents different story or act. The act variations are divided into four categories namely lakon pakem, lakon carangan, lakon gubahan, and lakon karangan. Lakon pakem is the standard story that entirely originates from leather puppet literature while lakon carangan is only the main story that also refers to the leather puppet literature. Lakon gubahan does not origin from the leather puppet stories but it uses the places in accordance with leather puppet literature; lakon karangan is entirely a free story.

The stories in the leather puppet originated from some old books such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Pustaka Raja Purwa and Purwakanda. Now, there are some books containing lakon gubahan and karangan that have been hundreds years to be liked by the society such as Abimanyu Kerem, Doraweca, Suryatmaja Maling and so on. Among the old books, Purwakanda book is most often used by the puppeteers from Yogyakarta Kingdom.

The leather puppet show begins when the dalang takes out a puppet in the shape of a mountain called gunungan. A nightlong leather puppet show in Yogyakarta style is divided into 3 scenes with 7 jejeran or acts and 7 war acts. The first scene, called pathet lasem, has 3 jejeran and 2 acts of war accompanied by pathet lasem Javanese musical composition. Pathet Sanga as the second scene has 2 jejeran and 2 war acts, while Pathet Manyura as the second scene has 2 jejeran and 3 war acts. One of the scenes that most spectators mostly wait is gara-gara that presents typical Javanese humor.

Sasono Hinggil that is located in the south square is the place that very often performs nightlong leather puppet shows. Usually, the performances are done on the second and fourth weeks, beginning at 09.00 p.m. Another place for leather puppet performance is Bangsal Sri Manganti in the complex of Yogyakarta Kingdom. The leather puppet performance in that place is done on Saturdays, beginning at 10.00 a.m. for two hours at Rp.5,000 for the ticket entrance.

Text: Yunanto Wiji Utomo
Copyright © 2006 YogYES.COM

PADDY FIELD TOURING

How a paddy-field works (Growing Oryza sativa) Winter paddy-field Winter sunset - plant-watcher's bicycle passes a paddy-field ta(nbo) (kanji) More so than any other plant I've looked at, this surely needs no introduction. As a rough guess, something like 90% of the world's population must have tasted rice (Oryza sativa) at some point, and the historical record suggests it has been cultivated for upwards of 5000 years. Despite this familiarity, to someone growing up in northern Europe as I did, the paddy-field retains a certain air of mystery - though not much that a few photographs won't clear up. *The year in pictures Bare paddy-fields - 250-degree panorama of the Kanto Plain in winter After harvest, the fields are ploughed or sometimes left as stubble for the entire winter. I suppose this is too far north to grow more than one rice crop in a season, but there is some double-cropping, using the same land first for spring-grown barley, then for rice in the summer. But in any case rice-planting happens quite late - around the beginning of June. Winter stubble Winter stubble (Tanuma, December) Flooding the paddy-field Flooding the paddy-field (Horigome, June) Preparing the paddy-field for planting is an interesting (and mucky) business. An elaborate network of channels and pipelines brings the water to flood the paddy-field and form a deep layer of soft mud, which has to be levelled so that all parts get the same treatment. As the two views above show, locations are extremely varied: the left photo, while not matching the rice terraces of the Philippines or Bali, is some way up a valley, whereas on the right we see Kato-san's paddy-field right in front of our house. This is where the frogs congregate to keep us awake on summer nights! Mud work Levelling the mud - hot work! (June) Seedlings Seedlings in their trays (June) The seedlings are grown in trays, in a sort of fibre matting, until they are ready for planting out. In the old days this job, taue, or paddy-planting, was a marathon back-breaker. Whole families were needed - Keiko remembers farming children being absent from school for a few days for it as late as the 1960s. But this has all changed, with the invention of machinery. The seedlings can be loaded from their trays into the chutes on this nifty little unit, then picking claws take successive nibbles from the slabs, scanning a bit like an inkjet printer working backwards. Planting Planting machine (June) Seedlings Young plants established (June) Then the summer. The growing plants thrive, as the sun beats down, the steamy humidity envelopes, and every agrochemical known to science is sprayed all over them. Mature rice plants (September) The Kanto Plain turns golden (September) (Full view - 400 x 400) Just around harvest time comes the autumnal equinox, when splashes of red appear around the paddy-fields. See my page on higanbana, or the red spider lily. Ripening grains (September) Higanbana (September) Finally the harvest, in late September or early October. The overwhelming part of the crop is gobbled up by miniature combine harvesters, but for the very best flavour the old-fashioned way is said to be the best. So here and there you will see the cut sheaves of rice drying on these wooden frameworks. Combine harvester Modern methods (October) Drying sheaves The old-fashioned way (October) *Language notes kome+ta Everyone knows that the Eskimos have more than six hundred words for "snow"*, so it's no surprise that Japanese has more than one word for "rice". At the top of this page I've included two kanji: partly because they are the two basic words, for "rice" and "paddy-field", and also partly because they are rather beautiful inverses of each other. Imagine a 16-segment display, of the sort occasionally used to display the complete Roman alphabet; in the figure on the right, simply imagine alternating between black+green (the "star-shaped" character for rice) and black+blue (the "grid-shaped" character for paddy-field). At any rate, these characters are extremely easy to remember, and the paddy-field character is very common in family names, so if you have a collection of business cards from a trip to Japan, the chances are that you can find several instances among them. * They don't. See Mark Rosenfelder's linguistic myths FAQ, or read Geoff Pullum's book, "The Great Eskimo Vocabulary Hoax." The word "paddy" comes from Malay padi, meaning simply "rice". Never too sure in English whether to say "rice-paddy", "paddy" or "paddy-field", I did some web research and found people describing the first of these as a terrible error. Of course there is a common usage of "paddy" to mean the field, but cowardice compelled me to go through and change every occurrence to "paddy-field". (The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (1933) for example, gives only the meaning of "rice", and uses the word "paddy-field" without giving it a definition.) Anyway, here's a list of words in Japanese. Words for "rice" (kanji) kome: the basic word for the grain, in the uncooked state. (kanji) ine: refers to the growing rice plant. (kanji) gohan: cooked rice - this word is also used to refer to meals in general. (kanji) raisu: a loan from English, but refers to cooked rice only. The distinction from gohan is delicate: I've heard claims of a menu including both gohan and raisu, where the gohan comes in a bowl and the raisu on a plate. Words for "paddy-field" (kanji) ta: the basic word, but not generally used on its own. Common in names, where it often changes to da, as in Kawada, or Ishida. (kanji) tanbo: the most usual colloquial term, as when mentioning to a neighbour that their child has just fallen in. (kanji) suiden: this is really a loan word from Chinese, but it is the standard formal term in textbooks and so on. Note: The two characters at the top of the page ("kome + ta") are not intended to be read as a single word ("rice-field"). There is no compound kometa, although this combination does occur as a family name, usually read "Yoneda". ---- © Bria

IJO TEMPLE, SILENCE TEMPLE

Ijo Temple, the Temple Located at the Highest Place in Yogyakarta

Going along the street leading to the southern part of Queen Boko Palace complex is such an exciting journey, especially for cultural tourism lovers. The reason is that there are so many temples mushrooming in that area. One of them that is rarely talked about is Candi Ijo or Ijo Temple; one temple of which location is the highest compared to other temples in Yogyakarta.

Ijo Temple was built in around the ninth century on a hill named the Green Hill of which height is 410 meters above the sea level. Because of this height, we can enjoy not only the temple but also natural view below such as terraces of agriculture land with its steep slope. Even though this is not a fertile area, natural view around the temple is so beautiful to enjoy.

The complex of the temple consists of 17 building structures that are divided into 11 terraces. The first terrace functioning as the yard leading to the entrance is a terrace with staircase stretching from west to east. The building on the eleventh terrace is in the form of encircling wall, eight pole phallus, four buildings namely the main temple, and three ancillary temples. The placement of the building on each terrace is based on the level of its being sacral. The building on the highest terrace is the most sacral.

Variants of painting are found since the entrance of this Hindu temple. Right on the entrance gate, there is a motif of double head giant and some of its attributes. Such motif and attributes found in Buddhist temples show that such temples are acculturation forms of Hindu and Buddha cultures. Some temples having such giant motif are Ngawen, Plaosan and Sari.

There is also a statue describing flying woman and man directing to certain side. Such description can have some meanings; first, as spells to expel evil spirit and second as symbol of unity between god Siva and goddess Umi. The unity is meant as the onset of universe creation. Different from the statues in Prambanan Temple, natural style of the statues in Ijo Temple do not lead to eroticism.

Approaching the ancillary temples on the eleventh terrace, there is a pit possible used to burn sacrifice. Right on the upper part of the pit back wall there are ventilations in the forms of trapezium and triangle. The pit reflects the Hindu community that adores Brahma, the god of fire. The three ancillary temples show community adoration to the three Hindu gods, namely Brahma, Siva, and Vishnu.

Some of the works that keep mystery are two inscriptions located in the temple building on the ninth terrace. One of the inscriptions is coded by letter F with the writing Guywan or Bluyutan meaning place for meditation. Another inscription is made of stone as high as 14 cm and as thick as 9 cm containing magic spells that are predicted to be curses. The magic spells were written 16 times and parts of them read "Om Sarwwawinasa, Sarwwawinasa." The two inscriptions may relate closely to certain occurrences in Java by that time. What were the occurrences? They are not revealed yet up to now.

Visiting this temple, you will find beautiful scenery that other temples do not have. Looking down westwards, you will see airplane taking off and landing at Adisutjipto International Airport. You see this scenery because the Seribu Mountains where Ijo Temple is located is the border of the east part of the airport. It is because of the presence of this temple that Adisutjipto Airport cannot be lengthened eastwards.

Each detail of the temple presents meaningful thing and invites the visitors to make a reflection so that the journey will not just be fun time. Great paintings without the name of the creators show life philosophy of the past Javanese community that emphasized more on moral message presented by the works rather than the creators or the greatness of their works.

HOTEL MURAH DAN NYAMAN

HARMONY INN YOGYA

Alamat: Jl. Parangtritis, Gang Sartono (West Of Prawirotaman market), Yogyakarta 55143 Indonesia
Phone: (0274) 387 135
Koordinat GPS: S07 49 11.0 E110 21 58.3

Harmony Inn Yogya adalah salah satu hotel terkemuka di kelasnya. Hotel ini menawarkan lokasi yang strategis, tidak jauh dari Kraton, Purawisata dan Malioboro. Hotel ini memiliki 25 kamar yang nyaman dengan fasilitas AC, TV, telepon, air panas dan dingin, kolam renang. Harga kamar: Rp 200.000 (Data diperoleh Januari 2012, harga dapat berubah sewaktu-waktu)
HARMONY INN YOGYA

SILVER COURSE

MAKE YOUR OWN SILVER STUFF This course takes you go to Kota Gede, renowned for its silver industry since the 1930’s. The area looks like a maze of small streets filled with silver workshops and beautiful houses of the merchants. Many workshops can be visited to see the jewelry making process. But wouldn’t it be nice to make your own ring? We found a family of silver smiths with over 20 years of experience, who are willing to share their skills with you. Your professional teacher will guide you through the exciting process of making your own original ring or pendant. For at least 3 hours you will be in touch with the artisan in you while hammering, heating and polishing the silver. When? every day from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. maximum 5 persons reservation minimum one day in advance Price: 150.000 RP per person including transport, materials and your final result ncl)

History of Kotagede

A different shade befalls upon Kotagede's street sides in Yogyakarta. History notes that Kotagede once was the colonist's central administration, although present reality has shifted this image into a serene, suburban retreat suitable for quiet travelers. Especially at nights, Kotagede sparkles as a symbol of old days excitement of an artistic city such Yogyakarta rendering perfect pictures of modest society who loves to get together and befriend with anyone.

The reminiscent of Dutch reins splashes accent European dash on humble Javanese houses. Here and there, silver artisans boast their meticulous crafts - forged with heart as they put it. If you are into fancy glamour and glitz, this setting is rather somber and down-to-earth, authentically made for anyone, not just for elitists who indulge affluent pamper.

To the north sets a lonely road between traditional Yogyakartan houses called Joglo, which emits rigid wooden closures on moldy auburn bricks. Often you might notice, several homes function ambivalently as either a pleasant respite after a long day and a gallery to expose scintillating silver handicrafts, like a mini silver carriage paired up with chained galloping stallions glistening as you peek through the display glass. Furthermore, there is one quintessential feature Kotagede perennially nurtures. Inducing one's fond since the very first sight, the native's impeccable politeness to every stranger is definitely rare and precious property. Their graceful smiles are, indeed, as similar as how these brownish-beige complexions run their fingers on silverwork; all is derived from sincere, genteel hearts.

The merrier crowds converge on the south of Kotagede. Pasar Gede (Gede Market) invites chatty housewives on one side, while the Royal Graveyard intrigues curious visitors who are looking for triple "s" success, strength, and safety. The second venue is actually Kotagede's focal point if ever getting into cemetery does not raise one's Goosebumps.

One thing for sure, you need to dress up, literally, to penetrate into this burial complex. Batik shirt and sarong are a must, complemented with blangkon, a knotted batik-cloth cap, for the gentlemen. Before finally arriving at the sovereigns' graves, there are approximately 720 tombs waiting for you passing. Sweating under the scorching sun is out of the question, but after you recite a prayer at the entrance and in front of the Royal graves, you may take a bath in Sendang Saliran (special bathing quarters). Sendang Kakung is for men and Sendang Putri is for the other gender. Rumor has it that the water runs in the bath may cure illnesses and shower prosperity to innocent believers. Well, refreshing subsequent to encountering mystical tombs is surely worthwhile.

If you are already blessed and refreshed, it is time to savor something sweet and be replete. Kotagede's Sate Karang (Juicy Beef Satay) is legendary. The succulent, grilled beef doused in sweet soy sauce is served with a bowl of pandanus-scent steamed rice. Add little spicy touch of kocor sauce, which is mostly used to seasoning fresh fruit salad. One bite crumbles the luscious meat under your palate part by part so that there is no hidden taste lingers on the slim-stick skewers. The black soy sauce seeping into the meat core unravels a mixture of sublime gratification that leaves you addicted for another satay to order. On the side of your plate, Kipo, rice flour stocked with sweet coconut grates, dares you for a nibble. You may think afterwards that Yogyakartans should have put "sweet" as their foods' middle name; nevertheless, Kipo is relishing snack for a bite or two. And for the drinks, do order a glass of Beras Kencur. Again, rice is the basic material, squashed together with galangal and stirred in hot mineral water. The result is blurry-yellowish beverage that juxtaposes sweet and bitter on a first quench yet is totally vigorous.

The silverwork, Royal Graveyards, new bathing sensation, and utterly sweet dishes may linger in your memory still as you haul you luggage for a return to hometown. But Kotagede is more than just a nice few day experience to enjoy. It is a safe haven for peaceful dwellers, a contender to utopia where everybody is a true friend to seek and greet with happiness. Live through a different getaway this time in a humbling setting of Kotagede, Yogyakarta.