| Java YOGYAKARTA The cultural heart of Java, lies between 2 of Java's most potent mystical symbols - Mt. Merapi, the still-active volcano and sacred mountain in the North and bordered to the South by Indonesian Ocean, home of the "Queen of the South Seas". The grateful old city of YOGYAKARTA or 'Yogya'(pronounced JOG-ja) is, with SOLO, one of the only 2 traditional court centers remaining in Java's heartland. Personally I think it was a big and noisy city with a lot of traffic and pollution. Sosro, like the book says, is the place to be for cheap accomodation (or even in general) and you do not stay there until you have a good reason. But than again it is a very cheap city where you can make good bargains. Everything is based on tours and it is very difficult to get out of Yogya for a cheap price. Weather you visit the temples by yourself our you pay for the transport-tour (5USD) to the 2 temples in 8 hours is a choice for you to take. You will be hassled a lot by people who want to show you their BATIK-gallery...It is your choice to go and have a look or not; they are not pushy if you do not want to buy anything. - Borobudur (entrance: 6USD) - Prambanan(entrance: 6USD) The open-teatre in Prambanan to see the Ramayana Ballet is an beautiful experience as you have the temple on the background. The prices are between the 3 until the 10USD. Transport return will cost you another 3USD. When you would need new glasses, or an optician (believe me, it can happen); Here is a place where you have good prices, fast 24hour service, and nice people : OPTIK SUKSESS Jl. Gandekan Lor # 90 (near Sosro) And if you would pay them a visit, give my love to Ari. If you move on to Cemoro Lawang (Bromo) they will try to sell you all the same tour around the 15USD (17euro), while you can take an economi train in the LEMPUYANGAN station to Probolingo for 0.5USD. The train leaves at 06.20am and you will arrive around 05.00pm. The train is clean, not over-crowlded and the people are very nice and social. PROBOLINGO When you arrive there by train, the 'becak'-drivers will be waiting for you to bring you to the busterminal, telling you there are no buses...there are! Just walk outside the gate and the yellow buses will come. The drive to Cemoro lawang is around 1USD. CEMORO LAWANG - Mt. Bromo BANYUWANGI SURABAYA |
 |