Surosowan Castle.

This castle was built in order to cover Banten sultanate against to the power of Netherlands. But at this time it is a tourism object. The wall still massive built around the castle. There is a traditional market in front of the gate whit many sale counters. It is look crowded and the beauty scene of the castle being decreasing. It is a very big castle, but it is look not enough manage well. While I am coming there, I must climb the Iron Gate to entry. It is about four meter in height. After climbing the gate I can reach to entry the castle. Hmm... I feel fascinate because I can see a different panorama inside the castle. There is a wide green grass and some bush. It is look like a beautiful garden and not connecting with outside activity world live. Inside the castle you can see all green that grows inside the ancient castle. There are two poles inside also, but no water anymore. In the past this is a bathing pole of The Banten Sultanate. It is a unique and exotics place to capture some photos. Look at my photos in the gallery. You can see how beautiful it is.

I think enough , and I am going through my trip to Ancient Banten Mosque.

TRIP TO BANTEN

This holyday session I have gone to Banten. It is a new province. At the year of 2000 Banten split from West Java. First, I have gone to Serang, the capital of Banten. It is a small city and still development city. I saw this city still in a fix programming city development.

After watching and looking at the center city of Serang, I am going to Ancient Banten City. This is my start point of my journey. Banten was a very famous city in the past. It was a big harbor and an international trade city in South East Asia.

I need 30 minutes to reach Old Banten, by public transportation. The old Banten city placed in Banten Gulf. In the past it was a capital of Banten Sultanate. It was a harbor that The Netherlands was come at the first in Indonesia. The harbor was called with “Karangantu Harbor”. Although Karangantu now is not a crowd and active harbor as before. It is an amazing city. We still can see the power of Banten in the past. There is an ancient castle in Banten, It is Surosowan Castle beside The Jami Mosque. ( by Joe and ajie )

Sewu Temple (Sewu=1000)

I am going to continue my travel to Sewu Temple. This complex is not so far from Roro Joggrang. I am only walking about 15 minutes to reach the temples. Sewu temples maybe was built by King Rakai Panangkaran, 746 – 784 of The Mataram Ancient Kingdome . The Sewu temple complex is the second biggest temple after Borobudur Temple.

Following the myth of the villager, The Sewu temple contain of 999 building. Bandung Bondowoso was built this complex only in a one night. It is an agreement for his proposal to marry Roro Joggrang. But he was failed. Because he could not built a complete 1000 temples. He was less one temple only. He became angry, than He spoke to Roro Jonggrang to be a statue for completing 1000 temples.

I am very interesting to this folk story. The story had been made into a film. With Minute Atmanegara scenes as Roro Jonggrang. I also want to count the temples. Is it really 1000 temple or not? As per the name of Sewu Temple. Ahh… But I am not sure the total temples are 1000 exactly. Because I was busy to make some photo capture in the artistic area, he he . In the same time, there are many people was make a pre-wedding photo session. Really this place is very good to make the pre-wedding photos session.

There is a unique historical about this temple. Sewu temple is a Buddhist temple but the temple was built by a Hindu Kingdome. This is a fact that Indonesian is a tolerant nation and people since a long time ago.

Ok…Bye this is one end point of my traveling in Yogyakarta. Don’t forget and following my next posting…… See you in Banten. By the way if you want to know more about Yogyakarta culinary pls click : culinery. (Written by: Aji and Joe )

Prambanan Temple

The day after, I am visit to Prambanan also. This temple is not so far from Yogyakarta. You can go by TransJogya bus way. It is about 3000 IDR for one-way ticket. And you can reach the temple.

This temple also called by Rara Jonggrang Temple. It is the biggest Hindu Temple of Indonesia. The location is about 20 Km of east Yogyakarta, exactly in the border of East Java and DIY province. Loro Jongrang Temple was built in Prambanan Village, in the border of Sleman and Klaten Residence.

This temple was built around 850 by Rakai Pikatan, Mataram I Kingdome, and Balitung Maha Sambu, Sanjaya Kingdome. Not long after this temple was built. The people left it and the temple beginning broke. The people move out from the temple are by war and and big earthquake.

This temple was being an icon of Indonesian tourism. With his temple as its logo. This temple always is preferred object tourism. Unfortunately, while I am coming, this temple still under reconstruction after earthquake at 27 Mei 2006 in Yogyakarta. The accident is about 5, 9 of Richter scale. Many building crack down and also many villager had pass away. The Brahma temple in prambanan was break also.

Beside you are travel and visit this temple, you can get buy some souvenir. Begin from key hanger, miniature of temple, T-shirt etc. if you wish to buy…Don’t forget to ask reduce 50% of the price offering. Because usually they are have increase about the original offering price.
After I am feel satisfied walking around the temple. I go to Sewu Temple complex. I will write about this temple in my next posting. Don’t forget to follow my journey and my report in Juhdymagazine. Thanks. ( written by : ajie and joe )

Borobudur Temple

While visiting Yogyakarta, we will have a complete journey before we visit Borobudur temple. This temple is not placed in Yogyakarta residence. It is not so far from Yogyakarta. We can get a bus directly from Yogyakarta bus station, the ticket bus is about 7000 IDR. About 2 hours on the bus.
Borobudur area is in Magelang Residence, Central Java. Its about 40 Km in northern area of Yogyakarta. This temple was built by Syailendra Kingdome at 800 . It is a Buddhist temple.

Why I am visit to Borobudur . because this temple is the best temple of Indonesia. I am proud to have the temple, and the temple had been recorded as one of the seven world magnificient object. I am not wrong. Suppose I am consider now, How wealthy Indonesia. We have many historical object before.

The ticket entry is about 12.000 IDR. Entering to the temple complex, you can see the beautiful landscape area surrounding the temple. It is a huge and wonderful building. While you are walking around the walls of the temple. You can read relieves as a book story. The story content base on Buddhist morality. If you are confuse. You can get a guide that usually offering him in front of the gate temple. It is only need cost about 50000 – 100000 IDR.

There is some forbidden activity in the temple, like as: eating, drinking, make mess garbage, climbing at the stupas. Why? Because you will destroy a beautiful of this temple. Don’t do it pls. How do you think? Will you visit to Borobudur? Let go …..(Written by : Aji and Joe)

The Centre of Culture

Yogya is well-known as a culture centre. We can see there many artifact in around Yogja., like as: Sultanate Palace, Monument, Temples etc. As an ex-big kingdom, Yogyakarta have a high sense of art and culture…..It is not wrong if Yogja called by a centre of culture city.
Dancing Art and the other art had been well developt in Yogya. The art sense of Yogyakarta People have been applicate in their home arsitechture. They have a special home design…It is called joglo. Joglo is very famous in Indonesia. Many Famous Artist of Indonesia was born or have educated in Yogya. Like as : Affandi, Bagong Kusudiardjo, Nyoman Gunarso, Sapto Hudoyo etc.
I am proud have a trip to Yogyakarta. This is a fantastic experience. It is not wrong, if Malaysian Tourist Board choose Yogyakarta as the Prime Tourist Object. I will always missing go to Yogyakarta. I want to co memory about the beautiful ancient scene on there. Jogya is never ending Asia.
(by : juhdy and ajie )

Yogya is a complete object tourism city.

Yogyakarta city have been called as a Hero Struggle City, Student City and Education Centre City or Culture Centre City. Yogyakarta have a beautiful scenery. It make Yogyakarta as a prime tourist object
This is complete object tourism, not only as a Historical City but also as a Shopping and Culinary place. Yogyakarta with his theme “Yogya Berhati Nyaman”. We will feel home in here. Because the native people are humble and acceptable for all of you as a tourist.
I gave you a recommendation, go to Yogyakarta. For a tourism object, Yogyakarta is a complete object place. Not only for a tourism, but you can study more. Studying about his historical and the ancient kingdome before. It is interesting place, isn’t it .

How to Travel to Yogyakarta.
By plane :
You can flight directly to Yogyakarta from Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Medan, Denpasar or other city because Yogyakarta is a one gate of tourism of Indonesia. You can manage a flight as per your budget. There are many aircraft have a trip order to Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta has an international airport.

by Buss :
While you reach one city of Sumatra’s, Java or Bali Island, you can go by bus also. From Jakarta you must pay about 300.000 IDR for executive class or 150.000 IDR for economic class. While you travel by bus. You can see the Javanese scenery along your travel.

By Train :
From Jakarta, There are may train to travel you and reach Yogyakarta. From Gambir Railways station, let you choose your preferred one. If you want an executive class, please get a chair of Argo Lawu, or Taksaka. The ticket is about 300.000 – 400.000 IDR. Depend on the session. But if you prefer a business class, you can have Senja Utama Yogya or Fajar Utama Yogya to deliver you. One ticket you must pay about 120.000 IDR.
( by Juhdy and ajie)