Most Filipino travelers would go to nearby countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau (Visa-free country) but very few would go to Indonesia. Most Filipinos would only know Bali and Jakarta but little did we know that Indonesia has so much to offer for all types of travelers.

In July 2016, I got invited by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia together with 50+ other South East Asian bloggers and influencers to travel around Indonesia for 12 days.

I extended my trip to Jakarta for 3 days and was not able to do so much because of the traffic jam. Few from our batch went to Yogyakarta and seeing their amazing photos made me want and eager to go back to Indonesia and visit Yogyakarta.

Luckily Last January 2018, I was able to go back to Indonesia, had a 4-day trip to Jakarta with AirAsia and finally extended my trip for another 4 days just to see the wonders of Yogyakarta.

I always wanted to visit temples and palaces in this region and finally, I did. Let me share with you where we stayed in Jogja and few things we did for 4 days. Also, we get to experience some local food in the region.

Book your stay here 

The 101 Hotel Tugu is situated very close to the famous Malioboro street in Yogyakarta. This stylish hotel offers 110 Deluxe Room with balcony and 10 Deluxe Room with direct pool access, 24 Deluxe Merapi Room and 6 Junior Suite.

What I love most about our Suite room is we have direct access to the hotel’s swimming pool and the buffet breakfast spread they offer to their guest.

We also experienced an affordable buffet dinner for only 15 USD good for 2 pax. It was a promo at that time and we didn’t skip the chance to save money and eat a lot, lol. That night, there was an acoustic band who serenades us and other hotel guests.

 The hotel lobby shows Javanese modern style.

We stayed in a twin-bedroom with pool access

I also love the idea that the bath gel and shampoo are in a dispenser and we don’t have to call the reception to always bring us extra toiletries.

I just started the Keto diet during this week and I failed! Who can resist rice porridge, muffins and so much egg for breakfast?

The hotel also has its in-house bar located on the 2nd floor, gym, pool, wide-range of food in its in-house restaurant.

Jalan Margoutomo No.103 (Mangkubumi)
Yogyakarta 55232 – Indonesia 
p. +62 274 2920 101
f. +62 274 2921 101
e. reservation.tugu@the101hotels.com

Check-In Time: 2:00 PM
Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM
Hotel Currency: IDR (Rp)

The entrance for Borobudur at sunrise is much higher and because Kenneth and I are on a very tight budget we decided to go to Borobudur after sunrise. We didn’t expect this flock of tourists during this hour and to our surprise, there are a lot of students visiting the temple.

It was like a school field trip so having that picture-perfect at the temple is very difficult and you really have to be extra fast to take a snap or else someone will pass thru your camera shot.

Both Prambanan and Borobudur are UNESCO World Heritage.

This is my most anticipated part of our trip to Jogja, though I cannot make a superb art thru painting or drawing, I have this passion and appreciation for Batik. And I was so happy to finally experienced and learn the history and Batik making.

All I know is that Batik is an art on a piece of fabric but the real meaning of Batik is patience. Yes, it takes HUGE patience in making your Batik masterpiece. From sketching to embossing the wax, to washing, dying drying, repeat it several times until you finally see your artwork from the cotton fabric.

Here at the Batik Leksa Ganesha, you can purchase Batik fabrics from 300 PHP to thousand of pesos worth of Batik art.

Entrance Fee: 50 PHP / 1 USD

Camera Fee:   50 PHP / 1 USD

We did not have any tour guide here so we did not know much of the story and history of the palace. However, if you want a tour guide, a fee is only 2.50 USD / 150 PHP.

For 50 PHP you can have a Chicken Satay or a Mi Goreng.

 

Photo credit to Kenneth of www.kennethsurat.com

 

I think the best pasalubong you can give to your family is unique and real Batik. For as low as 150 PHP up to thousands of pesos, you can purchase a simple Batik to an extravagant art made from Batik.

But because I sell clothes online and I make my own skirts and kimonos, I purchased few Batiks in Hamzah Batik. It’s an air-conditioned store that sells Batiks, was for Batik making, local delicacy, and many other Indonesian arts.

Let us enjoy life and travel. Do not skip visiting Indonesia on your next trip. I guarantee you that your experience will be as wonderful as mine.