“THE GATEWAY TO THE WORLD OF ART , CULTURE AND DIVERSITY”

Jogjakarta is a charming city offering exotic beuty and cosmopolitan comforts. Still headed by a royal family,Jogja boasts a rich cultural heritage. Jogja people continue to embrace traditional values and philosophies. Indeed, Jogja is the epitome of a harmonious blend of the old and new, the traditional and modern. Art and handicrafts in Jogja are the very manifestations of aesthetics inspired both by fashionable designs as well as classical Javanese motifs.

Boasting a wide range of attractions and accomodation, Jogja meets the needs of all, from luxury travelers, adventure – seekers, religious pilgrims to low – budget backpackers.


(From : Jogja AD, 25 Desember 2007 – 7 January 2008)

JOGJA HANDICRAFT VILLAGES

There are over 75.000 handicraft makers in Yogyakarta Special Province producing everything from key chains furniture. Although the stalls on Jlan Malioboro and in Pasar Beringharjo sell many of these locally made products, day – trips to the villages where the originate provide a look at the workers in action and ajaunt into the countryside, leaving the noise and traffic af Jogja behind.

Chatting with the crafts people and shop owners is also a plus, as is seeing how the village folk live and work. There are no mechanized factories here, just lots of people doing whwt they know how to di with the product available in their areas. An traditional bonus is that money spent goes directly to the villages not to middleman who buy for shops in the city, and prices are lower, too! Many shops sell their goods abroad, so quality is of international standar.

Pasar Seni Gabusan Bantul
A large, modern marketplace set up to display the work of area craftsman : pottery, batik, natural products, stone carving, home furnishing and much more. Across the road is performing arts theater and visual arts exhibitionvenue. Jl. Parangtritis Km 9,5, Bantul. Phone (0274) 367959, 7882049, 7490553; Fax : (0274) 367959, Email : pasarseni_gabusan@yahoo.com

Manding Leather Handicrafts Village, Sewon – Bantul
Manding villages is located 11 km south of Keraton on the road to Parangtritis beach, many leather craftsmen sell their products in shop lining both side of the main street, such as jackets, shoes, bags, and belts as well as leather accessories like picture frames and home décor items. If you speak a little Indonesian (or your guide driver does), the friendly shopkeepers might you to see their workshop. Most of the products are made for export to western countries.

Pundong, Bantul
Home workshops produce and sell earthenware pottery : vases, serving dishes, candle holders and other home accessories.

Kasongan Pottery Village, Kasongan – Bantul
Kasongan is located 6 km south of Jogja and produce earthenware as plates, bowls, and home decorations. Visitors can browse in the many shops and showrooms along the main street and see the pottery – making process while chatting with the villagers. On one side of the road, shop are still the old ones carrying the pottery Kasongan was known for before the earthquake of May 2006 : souvenir items as wll as natural crafts (curtains, blind, placemats), stone vases, as well as garden furniture. Many shop on the other side of the road damaged in the earthquake have been rebuilt and now have more designer items : large pots, stone Buddha sculpuures, natural crafts and other goods of export quality. There also lamp shops on this street. There is something for everyone in Kasongan; practicallyeverything you can find in Jogja’s Pasar Beringharjo without crowds.

Sendangsari – Krebet Batik – on – Wood and Wood Carvings Village, Pajangan – Bantul
Sendangsari – Krebet village is located 12 km south of Jogja via Jalan BAntul and produces a variety ao batik – on – wood and carved items, such as wooden mask, jewelry cases, small animals, sculptures and accessories, some with a natural varnish finish and others using a batik finish. Theya are inexpensive and prices vary according to the quality and complexity. Visitors can also participate in making bati – on – wood and wood carvings while staying in area home stays. Bring a guide to translate if you don’t speak Indonesian. Villagers hold a traditional mertibumi village cleansing ceremony every September. Contact Persons : Pondok & Kedai Krebet Homestay, Phone (0274) 7485223, 7455663, 0818260763, or Sanggar Punokawan Pajangan, Pak Putut, Phone (0274) 7481242, 0816685501, 081328821611. Bringing along an Indonesian speaking guide is a good idea.

Giriloyo Batik Village, Imogiri – Bantul
Giriloyo is located 22 km south of Jogja on the road to Imogiri and has its own very uniqe batik style. Visitors may try creating batik tulis (hand – drawn batik) with a canting (the tool used to distribute the wax) and stop in at Joglo Ciptowening Batik Museum, a nice little museum rebuilt after the May 2006 earthquake with funds from Holland. In May 2007, in order to bring attention to their work, Giriloyo villagers conquered a national record for making longest batik in Indonesia, 2.000 meters. Contact ; Phone : Pak Agus Basuki, (0274) 6557238 or Pak Nur Ahmadi, 08175475794. Email : batik_wukirsari@yahoo.co.id

Wukirsari Leather Pupets Village, Imogiri – Bantul
This village is well – known locally as tatah sunging leather puppets craft center. Yatah sungging is a special technique to make and paint leather puppets on leather.

Bubung Wood Carving Village, Patuk – Gunung Kidul
Bubung village is located 30 km southeast of Jogja. Almost all of the villagers are wood carvers who make masks, loro bonyo (Javanese bridal couples), and ststues. This villages lies on beautiful hill with fresh air. The villagers also friendly Javanese hospitality and classical epic mask dance, a love story about Prince Panji Asmarabangun and Princess dewi Candrakirana. Other interesting sites is Bubung village are Watu Joglo cave, and Mouth Nglanggeran. Contact :
(0274) 7497438 or 081329002837.

Garotan Wrought Iron Making Village, Semanu – Gunung Kidul
Located 25 km north of wonosari or 60 km east of Jogja is Garotan village, well known for its wrought iron makers. They produce beautiful Dutch – style lamps and garden furniture, as well as other ornamental iron works.

Wickerwork Villagers, Sumber Rahayu, Moyudan – Sleman
Located 12 km west of Jogja, hand – woven wickerwork is the main product produced in the following villages. Visitors can learn how to weave simple wickerwork while having a nice chat with villagers. Gamplong wickerwork village, Sumber Rahayu, Moyudan – Sleman. Contact persons : Pak Purwadi or Pak Suryono. Phone : 08164261486, 061328711529. Sangubayu Village, Sumber Rahayu, Moyudan – Sleman. Contact person : Suwardi, Phone : 08164267457.

Antique & Reproduction Furniture, Contemporary Designs
While much of the fine furniture for export is actually made in JEpara, in northern Central Java, many exporters also have workshop in Jogja. There are showrooms in the following areas :
- Jl. Tirto dipuran – old furniture as well as antique, curios and artifacts from throughout Indinesia.
- Jl. Imogiri – 10 or more furniture shops
- Ring Road Utara – workshops and show rooms along both sides of the road.
- On the road to solo past Klaten are many showrooms.

Silver & Gold
Kota Gede, practically a suburb to the south of Jogja is best known for its silver shops, but also produces gold jewelry. Local shoppers advise the small shops located along both sides of Jl. Mondorakan, Kota Gede’s main street.

(From : Jogja AD, 25 Desember 2007 – 7 January 2008)

JOGJA REGULAR TOURIST ATTRACTION

Sonobudoyo Museum
Jl. Trikora No. 6 (North Square of Sultan Palace) Daily Puppet Show : 8.00 – 10.00 pm
Lembaga Indonesia Perancis
Movie screening. Every Monday 15.00 pm and Wednesday 19.00 pm. Can check agendas at www.lipjogja.blogspot.com (French & Indonesian).

Kinoki
Jl. Suroto 20 Kotabaru. Open daily 3 pm – 12 mid night. Closed 20 th every month. Can check agenda at www.agendakinoki.blogspot.com (Indonesian). Movie screening every night at 7.30.

Keraton (Sultan Palace) Jogjakarta
Wayang Orang Ballet – Pagelaran Bekasan Wayang Orang. Performance of wayang ballet and the Keraton sacred dances (Bedhayana, Klana Gagah, or fragments of the Ramayana or Mahabarata epics). Every Sunday 09.30 – 12.00 noon at the Bangsal Sri Mangenti Pendopo (meeting hall) at the Keraton.

Gamelan Orchestra – pagelaran Karawitan
Performances of Javanese – Mataram style composisition on yhe Slendro and Pelog gamelan sets. Every Monday and Tuesday 10.00 am – 12.00 noon at the Bangsal Sri Manganti Pendopo (meeting hall) at the Keraton.

Wooden Puppets – Pagelaran Wayang golek Menak
This wayang show was created by Ki Trunadipura from Surakarta (Solo). The Menak story was inspired by Persian Islamic epic but has been converted to Javanese or Maduranese characters.

Pagelaran Uyo – Uyon Bekasan
Performance of a fragment of the Gagrak Ballet using the yogyakarta style of dance accompanied by Javanese gamelan and song. Every Thursday 10.00 am – 12.00 noon at the Bangsal Sri Manganti Pendopo (meeting hall) at the Keraton.

Javanese Poetry – Pagelaran Maospat
Javanese poetry recital taken from the Kawedanan Hageng Punokawan Widya BUdaya books and letters, which describe the history of the Mataram Kingdom. Every Friday 09.00 – 11.00 am at the Bangsal Sri Manganti Pendopo (meeting hall) at the Keraton.

Leather Shadow Puppet show – Pagelaran Wayang Kulit
Every Saturday 09.30 am – 1 pm at the Bangsal Sri manganti Pendopo (meeting hall) at the Keraton.


(From : Jogja AD, 25 Desember 2007 – 7 January 2008)

HOTELS

Indraloka Resto & Home
Indraloka Resto & Home stay with 8 unique rooms in tropical European architechture house that was built on 1930. This home stay is near Jogja Shopping Malls, Bank, Bookshop and heartof the city. Jl. Cik Di Tiro no. 18, Jogjakarta. For reservation call (0274) 544428 or email to indraloka-homestay@yogyes.com

Rumah Mertua Small Boutique Hotel
Rumah Mertua Small Boutique Hotel with 9 comfortable bedrooms, with facilities : AC, hot & cold water, color TV, swimming pool, etc. Rates : Standar Room Rp 225.000 – Deluxe Room 299.000 Nett. We are located just outside the crowded centre, traditional village environment, right behind Hyatt Hotel. www.rumahmertua.com. For reservation call (0274) 866680.

Grand Mercure Yogyakarta
Strategically set in the heart of Jogjakarta, close to Malioboro street, the majestic building of Grand Mercure Yogyakarta is an ideal setting for disceming travellers. Capturing its colonial essence, yet providing guests with contemporary comforts, this boutique hotel offers 144 exquisite rooms, with an elegant design reflecting the ambiance of the area, each having a private balcony. Jl. Jend. Sudirman no. 9 Jogja.

Villa Hanis
Villa Hanis is newest unique boutique accommodation on exclusive restored traditional Javanese house in a 300 m2 private garden. Jl. Palagan Tentara Pelajar km 6,8 Jogja (near Hani’s Restaurant & Bakery). For reservation call (0274) 867567.


(From : Jogja AD, 25 Desember 2007 – 7 January 2008)

CAFES & RESTAURANTS

Meatshop Indoguna
Meatshop Indoguna provides Italian pasta, Switzerland cheese, french butter, Norwegian salmon, and other frozen supplies. Your culinary experience start here. Jl. R.W. monginsidi 37 Jogja. Phone : (0274) 563-617.

nJoglo Resto
nJoglo Resto is distinctive restaurant where you feel relaxing environment and uniqe athmosphere. Open Daily 7.00 am – 11.00 pm. Jl. Menukan 5 Karangkajen, Jogjakarta. Ph : (0274) 373031, 384438.

Bella Vita Contemporary Dining.
Enjoy live contemporary jazz performance while you dine with your beloved one. Jl. Sagan Kidul No 4, Jogja. Phone : (0274) 589333

Gading Resto & Cafe
Create your own pizza. Delicious Western & Indonesian foods. Jl. Prawirotaman no 9, Jogja. Phone : (0274) 6596921, Garden view.

Hani’s : Restaurant, Bakery and Deli.
The place for delicious dinner with international food in a romantic and natural environtment. Jl. Palagan Tentara (north of Hyatt) and Jl. DI Panjaitan no. 39. Ph : (0274) 374180.

Sasanti Restaurant & Gallery
Sasanti Restaurant & Gallery serving “home cooking” ; authentic Indonesian food plus Western foofd prepared for Western tastes. Jl. Palagan Tentara Pelajar No. 52A Jogja (Next door to Hyatt Regency). Ph : (0274) 6509860.

Nanamia Pizzeria
Nanamia Pizzeria serves real authentic Italian food, affordable local prize on cozy place. Jl. Moses Gatotkaca B. 13 Gejayan, Jogja. Delivery & Reservation (0274) 556494.
ViaVia Trevelers Café & Restaurant
We inspire you to trevel, discover and broaden your horizons. Jl. Prawirotaman 30, Jogjakarta. Phone : (0274) 386557.

Paprika
Paprika is decorated in classical colonial style, with a combination of Javanese and Chinese elements. Overlooking and open – air courtyard and fountain, this Asian Fusion venue offers a different feel for dinners, as the ambience is set to relax and savor Javanese culture at the same time. Meanwhile, an open kitchen showcases the chef,s talent in preparing a fusion of flavors from Eastern, Indonesia, and Western cuisine. Grand Mercure Hotel, Jl. Jend. Sudirman no. 9, Jogja.

Rumah Mertua Romantic Garden Restaurant
The restaurant is located just outside the crowded centre, traditional village environment, right behind Hyatt Hotel. We offer traditional Indonesian food for reasonable price in a romantic garden environment. Our special is the Rijsttafel for Rp 54.000,- / pax. We pick you up from your hotel free of charge (minimum 4 persons). Look for our complete menu at www.rumahmertua.com. For Reservations call (0274) 866680

The Sawah – not a restaurant – but a place to eat.
Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday (from 19.00) a different menu from the world kitchen. Choose your country through the menu calendar on our website : www.thesawah.com. Please call for bookings. Open also by request. The Sawah – Sekar – petak (near Kasongan) –phone (0274)7475794.


(From : Jogja AD, 25 Desember 2007 – 7 January 2008)