After unpacking from my trip in Yogyakarta, I realised that most of my dirty clothes are covered in either volcanic ash or sand. If my clothes could talk, they would probably say “Phew, what an adventure!”. They have seen it all on this trip: noisy markets, mountains, beaches, and many more. If you expect a relaxing, slow paced trip then Yogyakarta is not the place for you. Just like it’s locals, Yogyakarta is bold, resilient, and adventurous, not exactly a place for the faint-hearted.
I tagged along with a few friends on this trip and they are absolute history buffs. Steeped in rich heritage, culture, and mystical believes, Yogyakarta proved to be the perfect place for them. Therefore, temple tours to Candi Prambanan and Candi Borobudur is a must. Each temple has its own unique features to be explored, so we walked and even climbed a few kilometers to cover the elaborate temple complex. Luckily, I brought along my favourite Jazri Riada tops because they are light, comfortable, and cool. Plus, no sweat marks in photos because they evaporate sweat too!
Jazri Riada is made for exploring! I brought along my both of my favourite colours.
Candi Borobudur is best viewed during sunrise. To get to the viewing point, we had to do a short hike up Punthuk Setumbu. The view at the top is all worth the work out.
The famous Candi Borobudur. I can recall some of these pictures from my secondary school textbooks.
Candi Prambanan. As opposed to the Buddha influences in Candi Borobudur, this temple is actually a Hindu temple.
Besides temples and historical sites, Yogyakarta is also well-known for its natural attractions. It’s diverse landscape ranging from volcanoes, mountains, rivers, and beaches proves to be a giant playground for outdoor enthusiasts. However, since we are pressed for time, we managed to squeeze in a volcanic tour around Mount Merapi which is still an active volcano, and sunset by Parangtritis Beach.
One of the many active volcanoes looming ahead. Powerful, omnipresent, and highly respected by the locals.
A trip to Yogyakarta will not be complete without a trip to the volcanic site. This is still an active volcano so the tour will not take you directly to the active site.
You need to rent a jeep and a guide because most roads are not accessible by cars.
In Malaysia, sandy beaches are usually white (if not polluted). However, Parangtritis beaches have black sand because of the surrounding volcano.
I wish I brought along a swimsuit!
Sunset by the beach
At the end of this trip, my mind lingers to a popular quote that goes “Travelling is the only thing that you buy to make yourself richer” and I can’t help but to agree with that saying. Yogyakarta has left me with a deeper appreciation for other cultures, Mother Nature, and God’s almighty powers. So, where will my next adventure be?
Until next week,
The Weekend Runner.
