Exploring Yogyakarta

My colleague and I went hiking at Bukit Gasing on Saturday, January 6, 2018 and were talking about going away for a holiday at the end of the month.  The following Monday we decided to go to Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta is a city on the island of Java in Indonesia.

On Saturday, January 27, 2018, after I dropped the luggage, I had breakfast strip & tea (RM8.55) at Subway for breakfast. We departed from KLIA2 at 9.35 am and arrived at Adisupjito International Airport at 11.45 am.

We were picked up at the airport and checked-in at Novotel Yogyakarta at 12.40 pm.

We were on 7th floor.

At 2.05 pm,we walked to Raminten's Kitchen for lunch.

 We had chicken rice

 and French fries.

At 3.30 pm, we took Grab car to Taman Sari for IDR20,000. We paid another IDR20,000 for the tour guide to bring us around the castle and shared the history of the place.

Taman Sari Water Castle is the site of a former royal garden of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. It is located about 2km south within the grounds of the Kraton, Yogyakarta.

We strolled along Malioboro and bought souvenirs at the market for family, friends and colleagues back home.

At 7pm, we took a cycle rickshaw (IDR25,000) to Alun-Alun Selatan Kraton. Upon arrival, we got on the illuminated pedal car (IDR50,000 for one round).

We had mineral water (IDR5,000), green tea (IDR6,500), ronde manis (IDR7,000),

jagung bakar manis (IDR7,000) and pisang bakar (IDR7,000).

We left at 9.40 pm and reached the hotel at 10pm by Grab car (IDR20,000).

On Sunday, January 28, 2018, we woke up early to catch the sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu.

We left the hotel at 4.05am. Our accommodation includes free breakfast so we collected our pre-packed breakfast from the receptionist which we pre-ordered the night before as we were going to miss the buffet breakfast at the hotel.

We reached Punthuk Setumbu at 5.05am. The entrance fee is IDR30,000. Didn't get to see the sunrise due to the weather.

We stayed there till 6.25am. We had our breakfast and bought hot tea (IDR5,000) and a durian (IDR75,000). Never had I eaten durian so early in the morning. Our next destination was Chicken Church.

The entrance fee is IDR30,000 and we paid IDR7,000 for the jeep to go up the hill.

It was a short distance so later we walked down the hill and enjoyed coconut juice (IDR15,000).

The entrance fee includes roasted tapioca.

We visited Borobudur from 8.25am to 10.55am.

The entrance fee is IDR325,000.

Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.

It is the world's largest Buddhist temple.

It is listed as UNESCO World heritage site.

Then we have masakan Padang (IDR87,000) for lunch from 11.15am to 11.35am.

At 1.10pm to 2.09pm, we went to Kalibiru. The entrance fee is IDR10,000.

The trip back to the hotel is about 2 1/2 hours so it was 4.45pm when we reached the hotel.

At 6.55pm we left the hotel by Grab car (IDR10,000) for dinner at The House of Raminten.

We ordered ayam koteka (IDR17,000), nasi bakar (IDR13,000), tempe krispi (IDR6,000), rawon (IDR19,000), es carica (IDR16,000) and wedeng sere (IDR13,000).

Left The House of Raminten also by Grab car (IDR27,000) at 8.45pm.

On Monday, January 29, 2018, we left the hotel at 8.05am and stopped for lontong & tea (IDR20,000) on the way.

Our first stop was Mangunam. The entrance fee is IDR5,000.

We were there from 8.40am to 9.30am.

Then we went to Jurang Tembelan with entrance fee of IDR2,000. We were there from 10am to 10.50am.

Third stop is Hutan Pinus Mangunan with entrance fee of IDR2,500.

We entered one of the Rumah Seribu Kayu

but not the Rumah Hobbit.

We were there from 11am to 11.30am.

It was such an amazing view.

We left Hutan Pinus at 12pm.

Before we went to Timang Island, we stopped at the restaurant at 1.40pm to pick the lobsters.

At 1.55 pm, we took a jeep ride (IDR350,000) and reached Timang Beach at 2.15pm.

We paid IDR200,000 to get on the gondola across the ocean to Timang Island. Another way to go across is by walking on the bridge (IDR100,000). We left the island at 3.35pm and reached the restaurant at 4.30pm.

We had 6 lobsters

tauhu, tempe

and ulam (IDR550,000).

Left at 5.20pm for our last stop of the day, Pinus Pengger. The entrance fee is IDR5,000 and we were there from 7.20pm to 8pm. It was dark and raining so didn't stay long.

Can't resist the chocolate cake as we passed by the hotel restaurant so bought one piece :)

On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, we left the hotel at 4.35am and reached Mount Serapi at 5.36am. The entrance fee is IDR450,000.

We had our pre-packed breakfast before we continued our journey at 6.57am.

We visited Museum Mini Sisa Hartaku from 7.20am to 7.33am.

We also visited Batu Alien from 7.35am to 7.45am.

We had breakfast at Rumah Makan Bonda Merapi from 8am to 9.13am. 

We had es (IDR37,000), nasi goreng telur (IDR14,000),

Indomie goreng telur (IDR14,000)

and sate jamur (IDR14,000).

We visited Candi Plaosan with entrance fee of IDR3,000 from 10.13am to 10.45am.

We were at Candi Ijo from 11.15am to 12.10pm. The entrance fee is IDR5,000.

Next we were at Gumuk Pasir from 1.30pm to 2.25pm.

We enjoyed coconut juice (IDR12,000) before we left the Barchan beach.

We had late lunch at Spesial sambal (IDR112,200) from 3.20pm to 4.30pm.

We were back at Novotel at 5.10pm and took this shot of sunset from our room.

On Wednesday, January 31, 2018, before we checked out, we finally had breakfast in the hotel.

We left the hotel at 8.39 am and reached Adisupjito International Airport at 9.01 am. The flight took off at 12.05 pm and reached KLIA2 at 3.25 pm.

Do I regret coming here? No.  Would I be coming again? Probably no...

Till next week, still enjoying the lunch treats :)

Lunch at Two Sons Bistro

Two Sons Bistro has 2 outlets in Klang Valley. Last Sunday, April 8, 2018, we went for lunch at their outlet at Starling Mall. Its business hours are from 10am to 11pm.

We ordered detox juices (RM13). Mine is celery, apple and lime while my friend had cucumber, apple and spinach.  We also ordered avocado toast and meatball spaghetti but was informed that they are not available.  

We ended up with butter & garlic mushrooms (RM20) ~ white button mushrooms sauteed in a butter, garlic and basil sauce ~ 

spicy prawn linguine (RM32)

~ creamy and spicy sauce topped with tiger prawns ~

Belgian waffles (RM26)

~ golden brown tender waffles with a crisp coating topped with Chantilly cream and berries accompanied with maple syrup and ice-cream ~

Location ~ quite a distance

Seating ~ indoor

Food presentation ~ standard

Taste ~ a bit salty

Price ~ expensive

Service ~ slow and didn't even understand our request to serve the waffles after we finished our main course.

Coming back? ~ not here

Till next week, grateful for the lunch treats by colleagues recently :)

Lombok Getaway

Lombok is an Indonesian Island east of Bali and west of Sumbawa. It's always been my dream to go to Lombok.

On Thursday, March 29, 2018, left home at 5.15am and reached KLIA2 at 6pm. Had breakfast at Plaza Premium Lounge at Level 2 next to L8 Gate. It was a tiny one with rows of seats, very limited food and beverage to offer. Had orange juice and croissants, 

also ordered dry noodles and hotdog. Definitely not worth paying for. Lucky I got free access.

Departed from KLIA2 and arrived at Lombok International Airport at 11.35am. 

Didn't book a ride from the airport so was harassed by a few who offered rides. Managed to get the airport taxi. Left the airport at 12.05pm and reached Sunsethouse-Lombok at 1pm.

Checked in but the room was not ready so had lunch at their beachfront restaurant and bar.

Ordered grilled snapper served with rice and mixed vegetables (IDR100,000) and melon juice (IDR37,500). 

Later the friendly staff came to the restaurant to inform that the room is ready.

I had 60 minutes traditional body massage (IDR100,000) in the room at 3.45pm.

Normally massage is performed at the huts outside but I choose to do it in the room which is more comfortable.

Walked along the main road for a while. Dropped by a convenience store. There are hotels, accommodations and restaurants along the road.

At 7.30pm, ordered nasi+lalapan ikan+es teh (IDR20,000) and cah kangkung (IDR8,000) at Rocket Chicken for dinner. 

It was raining heavily that night.

On Friday, March 30, 2018, had breakfast at the beachfront restaurant and bar.

The driver came early so we left at 8.55am. First stop was the waterfalls. There are 4 waterfalls with 1 jumping spot. Didn't take up the full package as the other 2 waterfalls are further with more hiking. Paid IDR160,000 for the package which includes the ride up the hill (IDR35,000). Left at 11am.

At 11.50am, visited a weaving place where they let you wear the traditional costume and take photos wearing it.

Left at 12.18pm for the next stop, Ud, Berkat Sabar Artshop. It is where they make ceramics. Learned to make one item and got to bring it back (IDR5,000). 

We were there from 12.40pm to 1.14pm. I bought a few souvenirs there (IDR400,000). I had lunch at 2.05pm at RM. Bintaro Jaya Lombok. 

I had nasi putih (IDR5,000), ayam bakar taliwang (IDR50,000), pelecing kangkung (IDR10,000) and melon juice (IDR15,000). There was a service charge of IDR8,000.

Finished lunch at 2.45pm and decided to stop at a few souvenirs' shops. Stopped at the first, second and fourth shops and left empty handed. Only managed to buy souvenirs at the third shop, Sasaku Supermarket Oleh-Oleh. We were back at the hotel at 4.25pm. 

On Saturday, March 31, 2018, walked along the beach from 6.35am to 7.15am.

I always enjoyed walking on the beach listening to the sound of waves and watching the sun rises.

At 8.45am, I had breakfast at beachfront restaurant and bar till 9.45 am.

Walked over to Rocket Chicken for lunch from 2.15pm to 2.50pm. Ordered Geprek 3 set lunch ~ nasi, dada geprek and teh botol (IDR19,000).

Enjoyed the hotel's complimentary afternoon tea with snacks from 4.05pm to 4.35pm.

On Sunday, April 1, 2018, I had breakfast at the beachfront restaurant and bar from 6.53am to 7.17am. 

Checked out

and left for the airport at 7.23am.

Till next week, so happy that I had this relaxing trip :)