Here is my list of things to do/see/eat in Yogjakarta and environs



The house of Raminten (Mirota Batik) at Malioboro street (or at Jl. Kaliurang)
Led by the enigmatic Miss Raminten (alter ego of Hamzah Sulaeman of the Mirota dynasty)
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamzah_Sulaeman
Seeing is believing.... but there is a great adherence to local Javanese products and specialities!
Reasonable fixed pricing and airconditioned shopping....

See his face of amazement that the House of Raminten sells any type of local souvenir under the sun



Enough choice to be spoilt



About the art of jamu



About the art of batik



Objet d'art in every shape and size



And if like my S/O you prefer to sit it all out while others shop, the house of Raminten also has a coffee shop on the 3rd floor


Malioboro street
Yogjakarta's main street full of shops and at night full of eateries
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalan_Malioboro

Some colonial facades


Street is filled both sides with shops


Malioboro street has transformed into a pleasant promenade


All souvenir stands and local sellers have their stands moved from Malioboro street to 2 new central hubs called Malioboro teras 1 + 2
Here you can browse and haggle and explore the creativity and vastness in products available

Malioboro teras 1


Malioboro teras 2

Part of the experience is also Pasar Beringharjo
The central market


Front entrance


Side entrance: the place can be a maze



Best place to pick up the Gojek motor taxi is at pasar Beringharjo


Gemah Ripah on Malioboro street
Local delicacies and exotic Javanese flavours can be found here
To eat yourself or to give away as souvenirs
https://www.instagram.com/gemahripah_jogja/?hl=en

An institution in Yogjakarta for local delicacies


Just a small sample, they have a lot of choice in crispy snacks and much more





Kripik items such as emping: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emping


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For those interested in visiting the classical historical temples / ruins called in Indonesian "Candi"
or like us like to go temple hopping to experience the Indiana Jones feeling,
may i refer to this wiki:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candi_of_Indonesia


Temple hopping route #1
combine a visit to
situs Arca Gupolo together with Candi Ijo

situs Arca Gupolo is a remote place where an intact statue of the Vedic sage Agastya still stands insitu next to a grove of palm trees, it was discovered during Dutch colonial times and has never been moved
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situs_Arca_Gupolo
And meet Agastya: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agastya
locals have told us, that as long as the Agastya statue still stands, the sage will give wisdom insights for those using sincere meditation for positive cultivation : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kejawèn
Citing folkore, it is believed that many would find wisdom if done turning to inner meditiation and to have a retraite in nature just like the ancient sages did as hermits.



The hermit sage Agastya, other meditational Buddhas are clustered around


In the near vicinity is located the Hindu temple complex of Candi Ijo
This terraced temple complex is dedicated to the triad of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
It offers spectacular views over the valley plains, so come here early at sunrise or later in the day during sunset.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijo_Temple
Above wiki link shows the photo during the dramatic play of light & dark

My less impressive pictures:


The top terrace with the main temple and the 3 perwara temples,
Actually the complex has multiple terraces on which most buildings are still in ruins waiting to be restored, 1 complete structure has been completed already serving as prototype for the others




1 of the perwara temples has a statue of Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva



The main temple has inside carvings of celestial nymphs :
Apsara: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsara



This is the amazing view from Candi Ijo towards the valley : even more spectacular during sunrise or sunset




Temple hopping route #2
Candi Sambisari with Candi Sari together with Candi Plaosan
These smaller temples are close to the Prambanan complex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambisari
a Hindu temple dedicated to the triad of Agastya, Durga and Ganesha


This temple was submerged by earth, dirt and ash from Mount Merapi Volcano eruptions


One of the few temples where access is still allowed


Closeby is Candi Sari https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sari_temple
A temple that used to be a buddhist monastery, its design was so unique that it was sent in the 1900s as a pavillion during the Paris World Fair.
Its exterior design has many carvings and although the interior is empty, it does host amazing Kala / Makara carvings in the cella.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makara
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kāla


A serene cool interior invites for meditation



The cella has intrensic carvings


Close by is Candi Plaosan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaosan
A twin buddhist temple complex

Candi Plaosan : one of two identical temple buildings

[In the past both buildings were open for visitors and still in situ in the cella are stone boddhisatvas and reliefs depicting the visit of Khmer royalty to this temple complex +/- AD850]




Exquisite details


Hall of Buddhas and Boddhisatvas
Next to the other identical temple building



Individual shrines


Try local beverage Es Dawet
Nothing beats this tasty mix after a hot day out at the temples
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawet




Or if you prefer an authentic dish from Yogjakarta, try out Gudeg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudeg
Most famous is that with the serene smile of Mrs. Yu Djum
Beware though, there are approx 13 businesses owned by her children and grandchildren so the taste could differ at each venue.
Even locals have no idea which out of all these places is the mothership with the orginal recipe





Try out Bakso Bethesda 74
An authentic roadside stall serving the most tasty Bakso soup.
Located next to Bethesda general hospital
Discovered on my first visit by motorbike, took the S/O and then the family and it became our regular stop every time we visit the region


Menu


Yummy : the whole family always enjoys a bowl or two on every visit



Fairly non descript but worthwhile!
Closes at 14H daily



Restaurant Mang Eng King
https://mangengkinggroup.co.id
Several branches exist but the one in Godean has amazing ricefields view
Superb seafood to satisfy any craving








Supermarket SuperIndo at Jalan Solo or offical address: Jl. Urip Sumoharjo No.38A
https://www.superindo.co.id
For me, the most complete supermarket in Yogjakarta city
Quality is excellent because the parent company is Dutch Ahold (Albert Heijn) and Belgian Delhaize

Clean and a lot of stock - accepts all major creditcards



So cute! Borobodur and Prambanan bread !


Survey the excavation of Candi Losari
(site of a Hindu temple dedicated to local goddess Dewi Sri)
and have a talk with the very knowledgable archaeologists on site
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candi_Losari




Try out tasty martabak
Comes in both sweet and savoury flavours
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murtabak






Artisanal made and very tasty and filling!


If your sweet or savoury tooth did not get a beating,
or your waist is still yes to more local delights,
my last suggestion is to get fresh Klepon:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klepon



Fresh hot klepon with flavoursome melt in the mouth,



Fairly nondescript stands at Jl. Solo but the the tasty treats they turn out......



The stands mostly operate from late afternoon till end of the evening






Hope these tips might be helpful and who knows...... see you at one of those food places