Ah, Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta.

What's in your thought when it comes to this romantic city?

I moved to Yogyakarta from Jakarta to get my bachelor degree last year. At my first year here, I think I couldn't be more thankful than seeing Merapi Mountain every morning and strolling the homely-romantic road at weekend to relieve the stressful days as a student. Eventually, my long-lost friend, Laily is taking her degree on Bandung which is we can visiting each other and do some little city tour.

So it was Laily who visited me on April this year, sadly, that time was when i got busy with all my sediment profile (my task) and we just looked up some usual-tourist thing like Midodaren Beach, Baron Beach, Taman Sari, and Tempo Gelato.

Laily at Midodaren Hill

Baron Beach, Fresh Water Source

Me at Baron Beach

Simply Taman Sari

Surprisingly, she came back later this month to visit me in Jogja. For the first plan she wanted us to go hike Mt. Prau but because one another things we finally just explore Yogyakarta, continuing our first little tour on April.

Day 1

She came to Jogja by bus from Depok since I got here by train 4 days earlier (I hiked Mt. Sumbing by the way go check the blog!!!). I was using Mataram train from Pasar Senen to Lempuyangan. For the accommodation, we stayed in my room so it was hotel free, thanks to me, hehe.

The first day, considering my condition after hiking a mountain, so we decided to go at noon. We were going to a sunset point at Bantul, that was Paralayang Hill, Watugupit, Parangtritis. It took 1 until 2 hours drive from my place, Sleman. It is 40 km away on ramps, paved road. We got there exactly before the sun set. We hiked up a small hill with stairs, choose a comfy place, sat, and enjoyed the moment. Although it was so windy and a little bit cloudy, we could still enjoy the shy-purple yellowish-sunset.

Sunset at Paralayang Hill

After that, we had a dinner at 'Nasi Goreng Sapi depan Notaris' somewhere at Kotabaru, Lempuyangan.

Day 2

On the next day, early in the morning, we were north-ing to Kaliadem, Merapi Mountain. Not to see the sunrise, but we tend to see Merapi at it's finest hours, at 7 - 9 AM. We drove for about 45 minutes through 26 km fine road. Right after we parked our vehicle, we had to hike, a little hike, just about 5 minutes and then, there you go.

Remember, at this time Mt. Merapi is on 'Waspada' Level, which means that we have to stay at 3 km radius from the carter for safe zone. And guess what? we had an opportunity to witness it releasing sand avalanche.

Me with Mt. Merapi

Dry Flowers at Kaliadem

After had some fun with Merapi, we go to the city and visited the Taman Sari Water Castle, again. We, especially me, fell in love with this place, oh just look at the architecture! As usual (Laily and I had been on this place 3 times!!) we just strolling around and took pictures as much as we can. We continued our historical walk to Warungboto Site, at Umbulharjo. It was a small site, but not so overshadowed by Taman Sari. So beautiful.

At Warungboto

We closed our day by eating gelatos!! This one could be my forever favorite (Since I love gelatos more than anything).

Day 3

On the third day, we woke up in the morning and rushed into Kebun Buah Mangunan or simply a sunrise point hill. It took 44 minutes by motorcycle. After seeing the beautiful sunrise right above the Oyo River, we decided to took breakfast at nearby restaurant. There were Soto and Indomie (Soto is my forever favorite, too).

Flowers at Kebun Buah Mangunan Sunrise view

Me at Kebun Buah Mangunan Sunrise view

After that, we go to Selopammioro, Imogiri, Bantul to see the Oyo River a little bit closer. Then we rent a kano and allowed to kanoeing wherever in that place since there were no other tourist. The river was not so tide. I mean we can see the fish swimming there. Then we met some local children playing at the river bank and we played together.

Laily go kayaking at Oyo River

Me, kayaking at Oyo River

Next, we went to Wediombo Beach, and that was the most tiring trip overall because we had to drive for about 2 hours from Imogiri. The road was so windy because it is the Pantai Selatan road. We had a snack at Sundak Beach before continuing the trip. We reached Wediombo right at the noon. We walked south for the famous billabong. Unfortunately, the tide was too high and the billabong not showed up yet. We waited there and I took a short nap!

The Wediombo Beach

Me at the Wediombo's Billabong

Finally, we found the billabong and took several pictures then go. Before it came to dark, we visited a famous tourist attraction, it was Bukit Bintang, Gunug KIdul. We saw the sunset and shortly after that, the city lights popping up.

The last day, we go to my favorite Soto restaurant, it is Saoto Bathok near my place and end our journey at Malioboro Street we went there by Trans Jogja. We did a short walk and tasted the Sate Ayam, then I walked Laily to Yogyakarta Train Station since I have to stay there for several occasions.