Posts about Local life

All about local life

Prawirotaman, a tourist village in Yogyakarta

Prawirotaman has been long known as a tourist village in Yogyakarta.

Back in the 70s, Prawirotaman was originally home to wealthy batik merchants. The area was known for traditional Javanese batik workshops, batik traders supplying markets in Yogyakarta and beyond, and large traditional houses owned by batik entrepreneurs. This early economic success made the neighborhood well known locally.

Get a batik workshop tour here.

When Indonesia began receiving more international backpackers in the 1970s, many batik businesses declined due to industrial productions. Then residents adapted by converting batik houses into guesthouses and opening small travel agencies and cafes. Because of this shift, Prawirotaman became known as Yogyakarta’s backpacker hub, especially popular with European travelers.

Sunset Prawirotaman — Sunset on Prawirotaman

Since then, Prawirotaman are famous for budget accommodations and guesthouses with international social atmosphere. Local people call it as ‘kampung bule’ (foreigner village). The other reasons why they love to stay here are because it’s close to major tourism destinations in the city like Sultan’s Palace, Water Castle and some cultural sites. Its relaxed environment but easy access to attractions is ideal for backpackers.

Ramadhan, a month of street food festival

Ramadhan is a perfect time to hunt for street food festival at every corner Here are some famous spots to hunt for Ramadan culinary delights in Yogyakarta.

Kampung Ramadhan Jogokariyan

The Jogokariyan Mosque, located not far from the well known Prawirotaman street (maps) has long been renowned for its leadership, serving as a model for many mosque administrators in Indonesia. They come to learn about good and modern mosque management.
Jogokariyan Mosque in collaboration with local residents, regularly hosts the Kampung Ramadhan Jogokariyan (KRJ), a food festival held before breaking the fast for the whole month. Hundreds of people from all over Yogyakarta come daily to seek out delicious, authentic culinary delights, some of which are only available during Ramadan.

Pasar Sore Ramadhan Kampung Kauman

Kauman (maps), the birthplace of Muhammadiyah, the second largest Islamic organization in Indonesia, has its own unique Ramadan traditions. Pasar Sore Ramadhan Kampung Kauman is one such tradition enduring in Kauman. Located not far from Malioboro street, the festival is packed with visitors hunting for takjil (breakfasts).

From the entrance gate to the end of the alley, vendors display a variety of snacks. Kicak and Songgo Buwono are some of the typical snacks available at the Kauman Ramadan Afternoon Market. Kicak is a sweet sticky rice dish. Songgo Buwono, on the other hand, is a cream puff pastry filled with egg, shredded chicken, lettuce, and pickles.

Kotagede

Kotagede is the birthplace of Yogyakarta before it was moved to its current location in the city. There lies the kings’ graveyard and the oldest market in Yogyakarta. It has become one of the best spots to hunt for takjil with abundant sellers by the streets. You can have a Kotagede tour combined with Prambanan and Plaosan temple.

What tourists need to know about Ramadhan

Ramadhan is coming shortly and some of you might be wondering what difference will be going during the holy season. Indonesia as the largest Muslim population in the world celebrate Ramadhan as the month of prayers and fasting. Here are some things you need to know as tourist about activities during Ramadhan.

More activities at the dawn and dusk time

Fasting starts at dawn (Subuh) time around 4:30 am. People have to do sahur (eat) before subuh prayer kicks in. In some areas especially villages, some kids go around the neighborhood with loud sound (percussion etc) to wake people up. Some people go out to find and eat at warung (local food seller).

When fasting about to end at the dusk time (maghrib) around 6:30 pm, many seasonal street food sellers line up by the streets waiting for people to buy for their fast breaking. Read about Ramadhan, a month of street food festival.

Some food sellers (warung) and shops change their operational time

Due to the change of the activities of the people as well as the employees, some warungs and shops change their opening and closing time. You will still find some of them open during your lunch time, especially shops like Alfamart or Indomart.

Huge people movement at the end of Ramadhan

Idul Fitri at the end of Ramadhan is a huge celebration for all muslims. It is the most important time to meet families, neighbors and relatives for asking for forgiveness as the important part after one month of fasting. So, it will be difficult to get public transportation since they are fully booked long before the date. It will also be difficult to find open warungs, shops and other public facilities during the first and second day of Idul Fitri. However, some big malls and stores may open after 1 pm on the first day.

Why Indonesians like to take photos with you?

Why Indonesians like to take photos with you? You might be surprised that people come at you asking for photos especially in Borobudur and Prambanan. You become like a celebrity here. Why do they do that?

It is because they who are mostly from outside Yogyakarta rarely meet foreigners whom they see merely on TV and movies. So having an interaction with foreigners is such a memorable experience that will last long in their memories.

If somehow you think you don’t like it or have had enough of it, just politely say no or “maaf” and they’ll be fine.

Enjoy Indonesia! Enjoy Yogyakarta!

Tips to ride a motorbike in Yogyakarta

Ride a motorbike in Yogyakarta can be fun and challenging at the same time. Yogyakarta used to be called as city of bicycles in the ’80s and ’90s, and now it can reasonably be called as city of motorbikes. So riding a motorbike is pretty challenging due to some reasons.

Firstly, we ride on the left lane like in Japan, UK, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia. For you who live in a country drive on right lane, you may need some time to adjust yourself.

Secondly, some Indonesians don’t really go with the rules. You need to watch the road restlessly and be aware to anything that may come unexpectedly. You can surely blow your horn in this case, while most of the time Yogyakarta people don’t usually do this.

Thirdly, Yogyakarta has beaches like Timang beach and mountains like Merapi which means there some uphill roads. This takes more skill to ride a motorbike, especially when you go downhill. A manual clutch or semi manual motorbike is better than a scooter since it has reliable engine-brake to help you reduce the speed when descending. Last but not least, you better have your driver’s license ready.

Must-try delicacies in Yogyakarta

These are must-try delicacies in Yogyakarta that will enrich your taste palate recommended by jogjatripper.

Gudeg

Gudeg is the most famous typical food of Yogyakarta, even people nickname Yogyakarta as the city of gudeg. This dish is made from raw jackfruit, cooked in thick coconut milk for few hours until the coconut milk is absorbed to the jackfruit and its color turns red. It tastes savory and a little bit sweet. This dish is usually served along with steamed rice, duck eggs and opor ayam (chicken curry). There two types of gudeg : gudeg basah (‘wet’ gudeg with a bit curry which is served fresh) and gudeg kering (dried gudeg which is purposedly taken back home on long travel).

Would you want to learn to make local delicacies? Get a cooking class here.

Bakpia

Bakpia is the most-wanted specialty gift from Yogyakarta. The sweet treat is from green bean mixture, and wrapped in thin flour crust. Now bakpia comes in various flavors from cheese, milk, chocolate, pineapple, and many more. Many well known bakpia sellers stay in Pathuk, an area near Malioboro. So bakpia pathuk becomes popular to hunt for this sweet treat.

Brongkos

The main ingredient of brongkos is beef. Cooked with coconut milk, sweet soy sauce, ginger, lemongrass, galangal and chili, brongkos tastes sweet and alternatively spicy. Brongkos always comes with rice. For the best Brongkos, go to Warung Handayani.

Pecel

Another must-try on the list is Pecel, a dish made of various vegetables dressed with spicy peanut sauce. Pecel is just like salad, but the vegetables are cooked and the sauce dressing is usually spicy (so you must say not to use chili if you don’t like it). Spinach, green bean and bean sprouts are cooked in boiling water, drained and served with spicy peanut sauce.

Kopi joss

Java island used to be strongly related to coffee (kopi). They serve local brew strong and black, traditionally on burning charcoal then put it on your glass. Wondering how it tastes? It’s unique and delicious! The charcoal draws out the acidity.

Kopi Joss Lik Man who has been selling kopi joss since 1940s is the one you should try.

Becak : the forgotten public transport

People widely used becak everywhere in Indonesia, especially during 80s and 90s as one of the main public transportations. Throughout South and East Asian countries it is also known as bike taxi, tricycle, trishaw, bikecab. Initially it was all human-powered pedaling, while now it’s becoming more rare to find. Most drivers are now using modified motored.

Traveling with it is fun. You sit in front being able to enjoy the view comfortably with the air breezing through your face. However when raining, you tall fellas should squeeze your body because the its foldable roof is not high enough for you.