Merapi Volcano

The internally giant smoking Mount Merapi is one of the active volcanoes found in Indonesia, presenting its peaceful and sleepy dense forest. Beyond this, there lies a vast deserted land with its deep and steep valley spread out among the mountain hills where sibilant pines and wild grass make out the dominating vegetation, all presents a very exciting panorama. During its resting time of volcanic activities, it will enable those who have

much interest in mountaineering to have fun and to make them more acquainted with the flora of its tropical rain forest. From the observation post located on Plawangan hill that can be reached through the forest resort of Kaliurang, you will see the incredible sights of molten rocks oozing over the rim, sometimes accompanied with hot lava pouring out regularly and leaving a long trail of smoke.

Mount Merapi is 2.920 m above sea level with an average temperature of about 10 degrees Celcius and a difference in temperature between noon and night of 15 - 16 degrees Celcius. At present this resort is provided with an out standing and modern Golf Course, which is setting on 800 meters of sea level. This 18 holes, par 72 course is opened to the public and located only 30 minutes from the city of Yogyakarta.

Monument of March 1st

Monument 1 Maret is located on Jalan Panembahan Senopati, next to Fort Vredeburg and was erected in commemoration of the total offensive on March 1, 1949 (Serangan Oemoem 1 Maret ), when the Indonesian guerilla fighters succeeded within 6 hours to reoccupy Yogyakarta, again st the Dutch colonial. This event, known as " The Six Hours in Yogyakarta " (Enam Jam di Yogya ), commanded by Kolonel Soeharto. Both parties were brought to the Round Table Conference ( KMB ) in Den Haag.

Sambisari Temple

The temple, which has been restored recently, is located some 12 kilometers east of Yogyakarta, on the north of the main road between Yogyakarta and Solo. Sambisari temple is very unique, it lies 6,5 meters bellow the ground level. It was erected in the 10th century. Because of the eruption of mount Merapi in 1006 the area surrounding the temple covered with volcanic material.

Kaliurang Mountain Resort

Kaliurang lies at the foot of Plawangan hill on the southern slope of mount Merapi, some 28 km, north of Yogyakarta. This is a refreshing holiday resort for those seeking refuge and tranquility amidst the lush green tropical splendour.

As a mountain resort Kaliurang offers accommodation facilities - villas, bungalows, inns as well as recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts and playground. Many people visit Kaliurang, especially during the holidays. Young people, like boy scouts, enjoy going there since the town provides camping sites and places for mountaineering. Those who like mountain climbing can climb the Merapi Mountain from Kaliurang.

One can stay overnight in Kaliurang then start, very early in the morning, climbs the Merapi via Kinahrejo village to descend again at noon.

When the weather is clear, a spectacular sight of the panoramic view that covers the surrounding forest of Plawangan and Kaliurang, and the rolling green country side that fades into the distant misty horizon of the blue Indian Ocean can be seen easily. The best time to view the mountain is shortly after sunrise (before 09.00 o'clock ), when the early morning light starts lifting up the shroud of mist around its peak.

Malioboro

Malioboro is well known for walking and shopping very popular among Indonesian and international tourists. Spread the station Tugu Sultan in place, Malioboro is 2 km long and home to hundreds of shops and street stalls offering different types of handicrafts. Several places Malioboro are as follows:

• Pasar Beringharjo (Beringharjo market), Jalan Pabringan 1, Yogyakarta 55122 (north of Fort Vredeburg), +62 274 515871, 561510. Literally means inclined land, Beringaharjo is the biggest traditional market in Yogyakarta. Vendors sell many types of goods, ranging from basic household items (vegetables, fruits, meat) to many types of handicrafts. Haggle furiously.

• Mirota Batik (opp Beringharjo Pasar), Jalan Ahmad Yani 9, Yogyakarta 55122, +62 274 588524, 518127, 547016. The large family-owned store offers many crafts, not only in Yogyakarta, but all part of Indonesia.

• Dagadu (ground floor below Malioboro Mall). Offers contemporary funny t-shirts and souvenirs that revolves around Yogyakarta culture.

If you move a foot is not your thing, you can surf on the pedal power called trishaw becak, or horsecart Andong.

Warning: If Yogyakarta is safer than Jakarta, it is not free of Pickpockets. Most of the time, Malioboro sidewalk is crowded, take standard precautions to protect your property.

Kraton Complex

The Sri Sultan's palace or Kraton encompasses the main palace, Sultan's residential, two Sultan's grounds, and large residential area where sultan servants used to reside. Notable attraction in Kraton complex are:

• Kraton Yogyakarta. A calm yet elegant Javanese heritage that consists of two separate entrances: the Main Court (Pagilaran & Siti Hinggil), and the Residence. The Main Court showcases the grandeur of Sultan's monarchy, while the Residence is more homey while still exhibiting the royal family's luxurious lifestyle. Open 8.30 AM to 1 PM daily, on Friday the attraction is closed at 11 AM. While the guide is part of the entrance fee, they might expecting tips. Some guide might offer extended trip to sultan's servants batik workshop, this is a scam as they only bring you to a regular batik shop with steep price. It's a good idea to refuse their offer politely. Rp 12500 (foreign tourist price) or Rp 5000 (Indonesian tourist price), Rp 1000 extra for a photo permit (price as of June 15, 2008).

• Sultan's Carriage Museum (Museum Kereta) . This museum houses Sultan's horse-drawn carriages, including two beautiful carriages imported from the Netherlands and known as Golden Carts (kereta kencana).

• Taman Sari, Jalan Taman, Kraton Yogyakarta 55133. Also known by the Dutch name waterkasteel (water castle), this is a partly ruined complex built as a pleasure garden by the first Sultan in 1765. One of the bathing pools was dedicated to the sultan's harem, and he had a tower overlooking the area so he could take his pick. Entrance fee does not cover the guide, who will expect tips. Open 9 AM to 3 PM daily. Rp 7000 for entrance, Rp 1000 for a photo permit (price as of June 15, 2008).

• Siti Hinggil Selatan. This somehow-muted palace is rarely used for formal occasion. You can catch a shadow puppet performance during weekend night.

• Alun-Alun or the Sultan's ground. There are two Sultan's grounds: Alun-alun Utara and Alun-alun Selatan or the northern and southern Sultan's ground, consecutively. If you are lucky, you can see the Gerebeg Maulud parade during Prophet Muhammad's birthday.

• Masjid Gede Kauman, one of the oldest and largest mosque in Yogyakarta. Located on the west of Alun-alun Utara, this mosque was where the Sultan performs his religious rites and ceremonies. Non-muslim visitors should wear decent clothing. It may be a good idea to ask the mosque authorities prior to entering the mosque due to some rules that must be abide.

Yogyakarta city was built with deep philosophy: the city was designed so that the main elements of the city forms a imaginary line. This straight line starts from Parangtritis on the coast, to Kraton Yogyakarta, to Tugu Monument, and finally to Mount Merapi. This represents Sultan's strong relationship with the guardian spirits of Mt. Merapi and the beach of Parangtritis.

Kotagede

Kota Gede in Yogyakarta is a very important place and is suspended as remains of a complex called Kraton housing in the palace of King and other important buildings. However, it was the end of the 1500s, that Kota Gede, a place of the palace.

Kota Gede is famous for the many legends and myths engulfing prices. There are many important stories in terms of Kota Gede and all these legends have contributed largely to the popularity of the place. The location is currently still a Royal graveyard and there are few remains of the wall in place for all tourists, preserved to come and see.

What is Kota Gede now?

Kota Gede actually inside the suburb of the city of Yogyakarta. The workers were given for advertising during the two Indonesian independence in 1940, and also in subsequent years. In Kota Gede actually Royal boy and the place is noted for the many grave dug within the inner depths of the grave.

In Kota Gede be considered a grave physical manifestation of "silsilah" or records of offspring or generations that follow. In Kota Gede supported by showing Kunci who is employed by the two palaces in Yogyakarta and Surakarta. The place is a cemetery of Mataram kings who were very popular during their time. It is attracting city called Penembahan Senopati and the amazing tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir. The bodies were buried in the graveyard and there is old, called "Watu Gilang".

Particularites regarding Kota Gede:

All those wishing to visit the cemetery or graveyard can only come here dressed in traditional clothing. All are advised to adhere to the dress code. Kota Gede has some strict rules to be followed as far as discipline and decorum are affected. In the cemetery is open on Mondays from 10 and closes at 12am sharp, while for other days as Friday of the cemetery is open from 1.30pm and again closes at 4pm sharpness. In Kota Gede cemetery also has pods on the premises where the turtles. This turtle is considered by many to miraculous by some supernatural powers.