KLEWER MARKET

As the biggest batik market in Indonesia Klewer Market shouldn't be missed, especially for travelers who love to shop. Ranging from thousands rupiahs batik cap (stamped batik) cotton shirt to millions rupiahs silk batik tulis (written batik) can be found.

PASAR KLEWER
North Alun-Alun Complex
West of Kasunan Surakarta Royal Palace
Solo, Central Java

KLEWER MARKET

The Legendary Batik Market

 As people said, during the colonial era Klewer Market was a train station. People also used this place to sell merchandises to the train passengers; therefore, it was called Slompretan Market. The word slompretan comes from slompret (means trumpet) because the departing train’s sound is almost similar to the sound of the trumpet blown. Slompretan Market was also thronged by merchants who sell their textile products such as batik. These merchants sold their batik by carrying them on their back/shoulders and the batik looked dangling (klewer). Later, this market is well-known as Klewer Market - dangling market.

In 1970s, this market was renovated into a huge two stories permanent building. This market accommodates two thousand kiosks and the buyers would feel more comfortable to shop because of the wide stairs giving more open space.

The Cheap Textile and Batik Wholesale Center

 Walking along its wide aisles, from one block to another block, various kinds of batik clothes as if persuade you to buy them. From kebaya (Javanese traditional woman cloth), fabrics, formal clothes, to batik shirts, house dress, beautiful blouses and kids clothes. Not only Solo Batik, this market also provides batik collections from Banyumas, Pekalongan, Madura, Yogyakarta, etc. You will easily find both the stamped batik for thousands rupiah and written batik which is way cheaper than the one in boutiques/stores. Bargaining skill is the most important thing to get the best price. Most of the kiosks also sell wholesale for cheaper price instead of buying in retail.

Go to the second floor, you will find various kinds of textiles, from school uniform, shirt, jacket, ties, cotton fabric, and silk. The unique thing is, there are tailors in this market, ready to sew the fabric you bought into your dream cloth in less than a day.

Tired of shopping and walking around this textile market, you can go to either the front or the side of the market. Various kinds of food stalls are not only ready to be a rest place, but also the place to enjoy various kinds of traditional food. Nasi Pecel, Nasi Liwet, Tengkleng, Dawet, Gempol and many kinds of food and drinks are ready to relieve your thirst and hunger.

Tips for taking care of batik

To maintain and taking care the beauty of your batik, there are some tips for you:

    Avoid washing your batik by washing-machine and detergent. Wash it with your hand, use either shampoo dissolved with water or body-soap.
    Dry it under the shade without pressing it before. Avoid drying under the direct sun light. Let it dry naturally.
    Foil your batik with another cloth before ironing. Avoid the direct heat from the iron.
    Avoid spraying cloth fragrance, softener, or perfume directly on the batik.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 09.00 a.m. to 04.30 p.m.

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MUSEUM BATIK DANARHADI

UNESCO has decided Batik as one of Indonesian heritages. Museum Batik Danarhadi is the best and the most complete antique batik museum in the world. It possesses more than ten thousand pieces of batik fabrics, one of them is Snow White Batik.

MUSEUM BATIK KUNO DANAR HADI
Jl. Slamet Riyadi 261 Surakarta
Phone:
+62 271 714326

MUSEUM BATIK DANARHADI 

The Most Complete Antique Batik Museum in the World

 Batik has become a part of Indonesian cultures since hundreds years ago. This coloring technique uses wax to prevent the fabric from the other colors. On October 2, 2009, UNESCO decided that Indonesian Batik is one of the world heritages. Motivated by his love to Batik Haji Santosa Doellah, the owner of Batik Danarhadi, has been collecting many batik from all over the places. Until this time, his collection has reached more than ten thousand pieces of antique batik; six hundreds of them are exhibited in Museum Batik Danarhadi.

From Batik Kraton, Batik Belanda, until Batik Tiga Negeri

 A tour guide greeted us friendly and accompanied us in one and half hour museum tour. The first gallery displayed the collections of Batik Belanda (Holland Batik), in which most of them are sarong, with the pattern dominated by flowers, leaves, animals, particularly birds and butterflies. Batik Belanda came in bright colors such as red, green, orange, and pink. There were pictures of Dutch wearing batik hanging on the wall.

The second gallery displayed Batik Kraton (Royal Batik) from Surakarta, Mangkunegaran, Yogyakarta, and Pakualaman palaces. The patterns of these royal palaces batik are almost the same, only some modification and the way to wear it that make differences. There is also a kind of batik called Batik Tiga Negeri (Three Countries Batik). This batik was colored by red, blue, and brown colors in three different places. The red color was done in Lasem, blue in Pekalangon, and brown in Solo.

The other collections are Batik China, Batik Java Hokokai (batik influenced by the Japanese culture), Batik Pesisir (Kudus, Lasem, Pekalangon), Batik Sumatra, Batik Saudagaran, Batik Petani, Contemporary Batik, and many other kinds of batik. One of the most attractive is Batik Cirebon. Beside the influence of China, this Batik had wings patterns showing the influence of Hindu culture from the Old Mataram Kingdom.

Something that we shouldn’t miss is the special collection of this museum. There are antique batik collections with unique patterns inspired by the folktales or legends. One of them is Snow White pattern. This batik was made by patterns depicting the Snow White story. The story started when the stepmother mother was told by the mirror that Snow White is the most beautiful woman in their country. It made her angry and threw Snow White to the jungle. The motif was continued by the story of Snow White’s life in the jungle with seven dwarfs, eating the poisonous apple, and meeting a prince who wakes her up from a long sleep. Snow White Batik was designed by an Indo-Dutch woman during the mid of 19th century. Despite that, the process of making was still done by Indonesian people. Besides, there are some batik with a pattern depicting the stories of Hans and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and even the Diponegoro War.

One Stop Batik Shopping

 The tour guide also took YogYES to the back of the museum. The atmosphere was suddenly changed. The elegance of the exhibition rooms was changed with the dynamic manufacturer atmosphere. In that big room without any partitions, hundreds of people worked in batik making process, from the very beginning until the finishing process. If you want to learn more about this technique, this museum offers the workshop packet of one color hand-painting batik in 5 days.

Done with the antique batik collection and the complicated batik making process, our eyes were pampered by the beautiful batik collection of Danarhadi. Formal shirts, beautiful gowns, pillow-sheet, and many other products can be bought from here. Museum Batik Danarhadi uses the concept of One Stop Batik Shopping and becomes the shopping paradise for batik lovers.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 09.00 a.m. to 04.30 p.m.

Ticketing
Domestic visitor: IDR 25,000
Foreign visitor: IDR 25,000
Student: IDR 15,000

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SUKUH TEMPLE

ukuh Temple is one of the most interesting temple in South East Asia. It is full of erotic ornaments. Another unique thing is the shape of the temple looks like a Mayan pyramid from the Middle America. Unfortunately, this temple is still less-known.

CANDI SUKUH
Dukuh Berjo, Desa Sukuh
Kecamatan Ngargoyoso
Kabupaten Karanganyar

SUKUH TEMPLE - The World's Less

Known Erotic Temple

Unlike the world famous Khajuraho Temple in India, not many people know about Sukuh Temple. Don’t blame yourself. Even many of Jogja people do not know the existence of this temple. It probably because of the location, hidden on the slopes of Lawu Mountain in the elevation of more than a thousand meters above the sea level. From Tirtonadi bus station, you can take a Solo - Tawangmangu bus and get off in Karang Pandan, continued with taking a minibus to Kemuning and then an ojek (motorcycle ride) to the temple. If you decide to drive your own car or a car rental, it should be a 2000 cc diesel car or more, so that you can go through some steep grades.

Naked Relief and a Headless Statue

It is not really a big complex located on a terraces land. Instead of right in the middle, the main gate was built on the right side. There were some reliefs on the gate. A tall stone steps took YogYES to the front of the main gate, but there was a chain preventing visitors to go inside it. To go to the second terrace, YogYES had to walk around through the right of the gate. From this spot, the reliefs can be seen clearly. There was a relief of Garuda (a large mythical bird appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology) gripped a dragon with its legs. What interesting are there were reliefs of some naked people! It is just surprising since Indonesia is a country with strong norms and values. In addition, temple is identical with a spiritual building to worship God. Peeking inside the gate, there was an offering of flowers and incense on the floor, near a relief of lingga and yoni in a chain circle.

Walking closer to the main temple, there was an adult waist-high stone stage on the left. A stone tower stood on the stage and was beautified by (again) erotic reliefs of some naked people. One side of the tower was carved a horse shoe-shape relief with two men inside. Many people believe that this symbolize a woman womb. The left man is the symbol of badness and the right man is the symbol of the goodness. A small temple stood in front of the main temple. Walking to the right, there was a headless statue (Gupala). This statue is holding his "spear" which seemed too big for his body size, un-proportional. Wow!

The Mystery of a Truncated Pyramid

Another interesting thing about Sukuh is its different architecture. If the other temples were built in a shape symbolizing Meru Mountain, Sukuh has a very simple trapezoidal shape. Built on the XV century just years before the collapse of Majapahit Empire, this temple looks more like Mayan Pyramid from Middle America. Is it possible if two different tribes in two different continents build buildings with almost the same shape and architecture? Or was there any influence from Mayan in the process of Sukuh’s construction?

Many theories had risen trying to solve the mysteries. One of them said that Sukuh was built in the time when Hindu cultures diminished. As the impact, it was built using the concept back to the pre-historic Megalithic culture. Another theory said that the temple shape is a part of finding Tirta Amerta (the eternal-life water) story in the book of Adiparwa, the first sequel of Mahabharata. A cut pyramid symbolizes Mandaragiri that was cut the peak to swirl the ocean, looking for Tirta Amerta which can give eternal life for whoever drink it.

There are still many mysteries and questions about Sukuh Temple. You are not just taking a walk on the cool mountain slopes enjoying a beautiful ancient architecture of the last temple built in Java. Wandering around looking for story traces and pieces of ancient history evidences will be a challenging and un-forgetful experience.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 08.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m.

Ticketing
Domestic visitor: IDR 2,500
Foreign visitor: IDR 10,000

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MUSEUM MANUSIA PURBA SANGIRAN

angiran has been listed as one of the world heritage sites by UNESCO. In this site, thousands of fossils, which are almost half of early man fossils in the world, have been found.

MUSEUM MANUSIA PURBA SANGIRAN
Desa Sangiran, Kecamatan Kalijambe, Kabupaten Sragen

MUSEUM MANUSIA PURBA SANGIRAN

A Journey across Time to the Early Man Period

Sangiran Early Man site, around 56 square kilometers, is located 18 km away to the north of Solo. There was no difference when you enter this area. Local resident’s houses, schools, and small forests looked similar to the other areas. However, when you walked farther, you would find houses functioned concurrently as pre-historical relic souvenir shops.

After 45 minutes riding motorcycle, YogYES arrived in Sangiran Early Man Museum. The museum which lied on the 1, 6 hectares of land was differently built on the hill with unique design and turned up to the hilltop. We had to walk around the slope of the cliff to go to the first exhibition room. The first exhibition room, located in a cave which is renovated by concrete walls, was picturing the birth of the Earth, teeth and skeletons fossils, pre-historical animals’ bones, and human evolution diorama, as well as diorama of samples of early man activities.

Exit from the first exhibition room, visitors should climb the stairs to go to the second exhibition room located on the top of the cliff. In this room, visitors would be able to see various numbers of pre-historical men’s skeletons from various periods and places, mammoth’s leg bone, pre-historical cow’s skeleton, various kind of weapons, fossilized stones, etc.

A Key Site to Study the Human Evolution Theory

Sangiran early man site was discovered in the 1930s, when Gustav Heinrich Ralph von Koeningswald, a Germany anthropologist, discovered early man fossils in Sangiran. The excavations and the discovery of fossils in this place supported the theory of the human evolution from a monkey man to a present man. At least 5 different men fossils types were discovered. This discovery was amazing and became the most important key to the development of human evolution theory. Sangiran became the site contributing almost 50% of early man fossils discovered in the world.

Not only early man fossils and the pre-historical life, they also discovered ocean fossils, revealing the theory that Java Island was lifted from the sea millions years ago. In the 1980s, scientists were shocked by the discovery of a complete 4-meter mammoth fossil. This fossil is stored and exhibited in Bandung Geological Museum. Because of these greatest contributions to archaeology, anthropology, geology, and sciences, UNESCO listed Sangiran as the world heritage no. 593 on December 5, 1996 in Merida, Mexico. After the announcement, the early man museum was built to store and exhibit the discovered fossils.

Puluhan kios berjajar di depan museum, tempat para penduduk setempat menjual suvenir dan cinderamata khas peninggalan pra sejarah, mulai dari benda-benda yang diklaim sebagai tulang dan gigi manusia ataupun hewan purba, patung-patung dari tanah endapan dengan serat daun tumbuhan purba, hingga aneka kalung, gelang dan perhiasan dari batu-batu kali dan kayu fosil. Terdapat juga gardu pandang dimana kita bisa menikmati pemandangan hampir seluruh area situs Sangiran.

Many souvenir stalls stand in a row in front of the museum, where local people sells various kind of pre-historic relic souvenirs, ranging from souvenir claimed as bones and teeth of pre-historical human and animals, statues from sediment soil with fiber of pre-historical leaves and plants, to various necklaces, bracelets and accessories from river pebbles and fossilized woods. There is also a view point where we can admire and enjoy the beauty of Sangiran’s scenery site.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 08.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m.

Ticketing
Domestic visitor: IDR 3,000
Foreign visitor: IDR 7,500 

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SURAKARTA HADININGRAT PALACE

As one of the Javanese cultural sites, Kasunanan Surakarta Palace is still standing firmly as monument of glory of the old Javanese culture with a charming touch of Europe.

SURAKARTA HADININGRAT PALACE
Baluwarti Village, Kliwon Market District, Surakarta

SURAKARTA HADININGRAT PALACE

Old Javanese Palace with European Touch

Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace or later known as Kasunanan Surakarta Palace has been standing since hundreds of years ago. This palace is the "successor" of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom. After several times moving the palace from Kotagede, Pleret until Kartasura, pemberontakan kuning or the yellow rebellion by Chinese forced Mataram to move its palace to the village of Sala. Internal conflict and the Dutch intervention then divided this kingdom into Kasunanan Surakarta and Yogyakarta Sultanate in 1755 through Giyanti Agreement.

YogYES's journey began from the north gate of the palace, Gladag Gate. The gate is guarded by two statues of Dwarapala armed with cudgels. Down the road shaded by old Banyan trees on either side, YogYES arrived at the North Square. Like the typical style of an old town, Kasunanan Surakarta Palace is located in the same complex with the Square and the Great Mosque. A big Pendapa (traditional Javanese building) stands just across the square, while the main palace building is behind the Pendapa. Inside the main building, there's a museum that used to be an office complex in Pakubowono X reign. The museum is divided into nine exhibition halls contain various kinds of objects and heritage relics of the palace, traditional art diorama and the royal wedding ceremony complete with variety of equipments.

A narrow passage connected the museum with the main palace complex. To respect the customs and traditions, we are not allowed to wear shorts, sandals, sunglasses, and shirts without sleeves. We have to walk barefoot on the sand that said was taken from the South Coast. Sawo Kecik trees shaded the yard cooling down the air. In exegesis, the name of the tree is interpreted as a symbol which means sarwo becik or all good. The interesting fact is European statues that adorn the palace, creating a combination of ancient Javanese architecture and European touch. Those sculptures were gifts from the Netherlands who had very close relation with Kasunanan Surakarta. There is a tall tower on the south of the court named Panggung Songgobuwono, the landmark of this historical place.

Wanted to see more about the palace, YogYES asked a pedicab to drive around the entire palace complex. Sitting in a pedicab enjoying the palace neighborhood is such a different experience. Arrived at the South Square, we saw two old trains parked there, the King Cruise Train and a Hearse. But these trains are no longer functioned; the rail-track has turned into settlements. On the other side of square, a herd of white buffalo which known as Kyai Slamet buffalo were grazing. Those buffalos are considered sacred by the people of Solo and always paraded on Sekatenan Carnival and also carnival of the night of 1 Sura.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m
Saturday to Sunday: 09:00 a.m to 01:00 p.m

Ticketing
Ward Performances: IDR 2,500
Museum: IDR 8,000
Permission camera / video: IDR 3,500

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WINDUJENAR MARKET

Triwindu Market (Windujenar Market) is one of the famous antique markets in Java. Many travelers visiting Solo stop by to hunt antique stuffs in Triwindu Market. If you are lucky, you can get Surakarta Palace's heirlooms.

PASAR ANTIK WINDUJENAR
Jalan Diponegoro, Solo

WINDUJENAR MARKET

Hunting Treasures in Antiques Heaven

 As one of the Javanese culture centers, Solo has many treasures ranging from heirlooms to antiques. Triwindu Market (now named Windujenar Market) is one of the most famous antique markets in Java. In front of the market, you will be welcomed by sculpture of a Javanese man and woman.

Walking down the market aisles with antiques scattered on the right and left sides will make you feel like you are in the antique heaven. From collections of batik fabrics, old bank notes and coins, batik stamps, old gramophones from Europe, puppets painted on old wood plates, bicycles from 1930s, to stuff claimed as the fossils from Sangiran can be found in here. Not to mention old paintings, oil lamps, Buddha statues, and coal irons. Not only those, this market is also a heaven for collectors and maniac of automotive because they will be able to find rare spare parts that are not produced anymore.

Not all of the antiques in Triwindu Market are the real antiques. A thing, claimed has hundred years history by the seller, may be created just only several weeks ago. But if you are lucky, you will probably get the heirlooms of Surakarta palace. Many speculations developed about the present of the heritages and heirlooms of the palace in this market. However, the royal palace’s speak person said those may be are things given to some of royal servants who later decided to sell it, or those may come from the royal families and colleagues who sell it. Shopping in Triwindu Market needs carefulness and bargaining skill, so do not hesitate to bargain half of the price.

Until now, Windujenar Market still serves barter system. You can barter your collections with the other antiques, of course with some negotiation from both parties about the value of the items. If you are a visitor who wants to buy souvenirs, or experiencing the real Solo atmosphere, Windujenar Market is one of the great options.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 09.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m.

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CETHO TEMPLE

Unlike the other Hindu temples, this temple seems mysterious and has a strong spiritual aura. Beside its calm, quite and beautiful scenery, a trip to Cetho temple is challenging and arouses adrenaline.

CANDI CETHO
Desa Ceto, Kecamatan Jenawi
Kabupaten Karanganyar

CETHO TEMPLE 

Finding Purity at 1400 m Altitude

 In Java language, cetho means clear or pure. Thriving over 1400 meters above the sea level on the slope of the Mount Lawu, Cetho Temple can only be reached by a narrow pavement road which is steep and curve. The anxiety and afraid would be paid off when you reach the temple complex. The mild mountain air and the breakthrough scenery would accompany your trip enjoying the temple.

A high gate standing elegantly under the sky will bring your memory to the temple's gates in the God's island, Bali. The gatekeeper statues look like pre historic statues. The temple, standing on a terraces land, was built at the end of the Majapahit Kingdom under the Brawijaya V reign. In one of the terraces, there is a rock stacked with a carved of the sun depicting the Majapahit's Sun, the symbol of Majapahit kingdom. This temple was first discovered as the stones ruin with 14 terraces. However 13 terraces left, 9 of them have been renovated.

As a place to worship the Siva God, this temple is decorated with a phallus statue as a symbol of Siva. There are also statues of Brawijaya V, his advisors and a configuration of 2 meters rocks in lingga and yoni shapes. The main building, trapezoid shape, is located on the highest terrace. Until this time, Cetho Temple is still used by the societies for a worship ritual place. They put their ritual sesajen (offerings, Javanese) on the statues and walks to the highest terrace for doing their ritual. Not only the scent from the offerings flowers and incenses, the fog come down from the hills covering the temple area gives mysterious and mystic aura to this temple.

Sarasvati Goddess from Bali

 The fog began to come and the thick clouds started to wander in the sky up there, but it didn't make YogYES cancel the plan to visit Saraswati Goddess' worship palace on the hill above this temple. Got out from the side door, YogYES climbed higher to the hill. We almost lost our breath because of running up and up. Around 300 meters above, we saw the worship place which seems more like a garden. The main building is an open field with stone floor. A Saraswati Godess statue stands elegantly on a pond. With the background of pine trees, the Godness of knowledge donated from Bali province shines magical aura. On the left side, there is a narrow road pointing to Sendang Pundi Sari (Pundi Sari pond). Long time ago, Sendang Pundi Sari was functioned as a place for self-purifying/cleaning before we went to pray in the temple. There was something that makes us wanted to spend much time in this place. However it started drizzling, we couldn't imagine how difficult our trip to go down under the rain. We ran again going down the hill. The strange thing was after running for couple of hundred meters, the fog disappeared and the sun shone again. It was a very fast changing of weather.

Cetho temple is the perfect place for travelers who want to pursue the self-purifying. Watching the dwellers doing their ritual of their religion in the temple will be a truly unforgettable experience.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 09.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m.

Ticketing
Domestic visitor: IDR 2,500
Foreign visitor: IDR 10,000

More about → CETHO TEMPLE

TAWANGMANGU

Tawangmangu offers natural beauty and the cool air on the slopes of Mount Lawu. Enjoying the beauty of rice fields, misty mornings or taste the legendary sate kelinci will make you want to go back again and again.

TAWANGMANGU
Kecamatan Tawangmangu, Kabupaten Karanganyar

TAWANGMANGU

Enjoying Grojogan Sewu on the Slopes of Mount Lawu

 Although it is located at the equator with hot and humid air temperature, Indonesia is endowed with many mountains offering chilly and cool weather. One of them is Tawangmangu, approximately 37 km east of Solo. Although situated on the slopes of mountain, this area is one of the attractions with a very good public transportation access. If you go by bus, it would take approximately 1.5 hours from Solo to get there with beautiful scenery of green rice fields on the left and right of the street.

Tawangmangu in the morning is very beautiful and exotic. The fog and cold air of the mountains beautify the morning. Walking down enjoying beautiful green rice fields, seeing the morning activities of residents, or exploring the traditional market is worth to try, refreshing your mind from daily routines. Tawangmangu is also popular with vegetables and fresh fruits. Fields planted with cabbage, carrots, radishes, strawberries, and various others stretches everywhere.

YogYES also went to an 81-meter-high waterfall located in the region. Grojogan Sewu, means "a thousand waterfalls", is located within a 20 ha protected forest area. This area is also equipped with flying fox, rafting, playground with its fishing area, and the outbound arena with its traffic park and tree train. Not only humans, thousands of monkeys also love this place. They roam freely without fear in humans. Although they seem tame, but you must remain vigilant because they could suddenly take your bag or other stuff.

Foods stalls are scattered around the waterfall, being a place to relax and enjoy the fresh air under the shady trees. The most famous food here is sate kelinci or rabbit satay. Rabbit meat is a little tough but has soft meat fibers, combined with peanut sauce, sliced peppers and onions, served with rice or lontong. According to the experts, in addition to low-cholesterol rabbit meat also has many health benefits. The meat contains substances called kitotefin. These compounds combined with other compounds such as omega 3 and 9 is allegedly able to cure asthma. Based on the experiences of some people, the meat also helps lowering the sugar levels for people with diabetes, while its brain as a fertilizer efficacious of female womb.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 08.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m.

Ticketing
Domestic visitor: IDR 18,000
Foreign visitor: IDR 18,000
Student: IDR 9,000

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GUDEG CEKER MARGOYUDAN

A plate of warm rice plus tender chicken claws cooked in coconut milk would bring the warmth in the cold early morning.

GUDEG CEKER MARGOYUDAN
Jalan Wolter Monginsidi, Solo

GUDEG CEKER MARGOYUDAN

Hunting Culinary Delights before Dawn

 We would not be able to stop when we talk about Solo culinary tour. It is just amazing. It was 2 AM when YogYES went out for hunting the famous and delicious Gudeg Ceker (chicken claw gudeg). The first 10 minutes riding our motorcycle, the street was empty. We only passed another vehicle occasionally. But once we entered Monginsidi Street, rows of cars with license plates from out of town and dozens of motorcycles were parked neatly on the roadside. The atmosphere completely changed, the cold and chilly night was replaced with a warm atmosphere of Gudeg Ceker Margoyudan stall. There was a crowd lined up around an old woman who was busy preparing many plates of gudeg ceker. Most visitors chose to enjoy the warm gudeg ceker at wooden benches in the stall, and some young people chose to sit on the mats so they could freely chat with their friends while enjoying the food.

After few moments waiting, YogYES finally got a plate of rice and gudeg with sambal krecek and four chicken claws. Yes, the chicken claw that is often being despised was successfully transformed into an excellent delicious dish. The gudeg was rather savory and salty, unlike most of gudeg which tend to be sweet. The chicken claw was soft and tender. Cooked in coconut milk for several hours, its skin and cartilage would be separated only in a single bite. This gudeg served in an average size, suitable for early breakfast.

Although there is no meat in chicken claw, it tastes very delicious. Skin, cartilage, muscle, and collagen contained in it make claw so tasty and chewy. It is also rich of Omega 3 and Omega 6. In every 100 grams, there are 187 mg of Omega 3 and 2.571 mg of Omega 6. Both of these substances can help the growth of brain and blood vessel relaxation.

So, do you dare to accept the challenge of going out against drowsiness and chill air for a plate of that legendary gudeg ceker opens at 1:30 in the morning? You better be hurry because after 4 AM the delicious chicken claws would have run out.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 1.30 am to 4.00 am

Price

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BENGAWAN SOLO

Bengawan Solo, as the longest river in Java is very special, even its history is longer than its length of river. Long time ago, this river was the life vessels of most of the Java Island's dwellers, even once as the landing place of an iron bird.

BENGAWAN SOLO

Cruising the Longest River in Java

The adventure began when the sun was still sleeping on the back of the horizon. While waiting for the boat, we sat on the river bank watching the people starting their activities. The boat crossing route, Kampung Sewu-Bekonang, where we would start the exploration started to be crowded. A large wood boat back and forth transported the merchants who want to go to the market and the dwellers who want to visit the neighbor villages. A small wood boat moved closer to the harbor slowly. Wow, it was the boat that would take us to explore the river that shaped four million years ago. Just a little move will shake the boat. But after couple of paddles, the feeling became more relax. Paddling in harmonizing rhythms took this boat parting the river water and sliding smoothly over the calm flow. The light from the sun cracks the dawn.

About hundred meters away, the river started crowded with the dwellers doing their morning activities. The politeness of friendly local people could be felt immediately. Some of them were watering their crops on the field on the river bank, tending their goats or ducks, or even gathering on a dike talking and joking each other. Long time ago, Bengawan Solo was famous as the fresh water fish heaven. Even there were 30 kinds of fish living and proliferating in this river. However, there are only some of them still surviving such as Jambal, Gabus and Putihan today.

A Ferocious Monster Saves a Garuda Bird

 Under its calm water ripples, Bengawan Solo lays down powerful forces. In the rainy season, the water level increases rapidly, so it overflows to the settlements. The deterioration in the upstream area makes the water from the rain pours down directly into the river and causes shallow and overflow Gajah Mungkur reservoir. If the reservoir overflows, the areas in the downstream such as Solo, Ngawi, Gresik, Bojonegoro and Lamongan will be flooded.

However, the high water is not always causing disaster. YogYES remembers back to the year 2002. It was on January, the peak of rain season. The water level of Bengawan Solo was extremely high. Garuda plane with the flight number 421 from Ampenan to Yogyakarta almost arrived in the destination, Adisutjipto airport. Passing the dark clouds, suddenly both of the plane engines died. The pilot had no choice instead to make a sudden decision, do an emergency landing. The pilot saw Bengawan Solo vessels, so he pointed the plane there and making an emergency landing on the river surface. The depth of the river and the high water level saved all 54 passengers.

We didn't realize that the sun has risen high. The distance of Kampung Sewu-Juruq that usually took 5 minutes by motor or car, took one and a half hour by boat. After stopping for a while under Juruq Bridge for a rest, we came back to Kampung Sewu. Apparently, this trip was harder because we had to paddle against the current. It was a long and exhausting trip, but the experience that we got was extraordinary. In fact, Bengawan Solo is still the life vessel of most of the dwellers. Fishing, planting near the river and tending livestock become their regular activities. Not to mention the ferocious, this legendary river can’t be separated from the dwellers living along its currents.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

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KAMPOENG BATIK LAWEYAN

This time, YogYES invites you to explore an old village while shopping batik, looking closer at the batik making process, and admiring the beauty of ancient batik merchants palaces.

KAMPOENG BATIK LAWEYAN
Jl. Sidoluhur Solo
(Sepanjang jalan)

KAMPOENG BATIK LAWEYAN

Exploring the Exotic Batik Village

 Laweyan is an old historical village that is older than the city of Surakarta. Been existed since Pajang Kingdom period in the 14th century, old Laweyan was a textile trade center. Its name came from the word “Lawe”, means thread from spun cotton. Kyai Ageng Henis is a man who has the biggest contribution to the development of this village. He did not only teach religious knowledge, but also taught people the knowledge and the art of batik. Since then, the art of batik has been rapidly developed until this time.

Entering Laweyan, almost all of the houses are big and luxurious. They are functioned concurrently as batik showrooms. From thousand rupiah to millions rupiah batik is available here. Some of the places are also offering the opportunity to look closer at the process of batik making. For you who want to learn how to make batik, there is also short course package available.

Walking farther to the village, old high walls stand firmly flanking the narrow aisles. Behind them, the palaces of batik merchants from hundreds years ago stand gloriously. In their golden period, the merchants were extremely rich, even richer than the royal family members. With their wealth, they competed to build their own palaces. Now most of their houses and showrooms are inherited to their descendants. Entering their showrooms, we will get an extra bonus. Shopping batik while enjoying the luxurious palace which was built and designed in beautiful ancient Javanese architecture influenced by European, Chinese, and Islamic styles.

Not only that, Laweyan is also rich of historical sites. YogYES had an opportunity to visit the oldest mosque in Solo built almost five centuries ago and the Samanhudi Museum. Samanhudi is one of the national heroes during the revolution time. Still improving its existences, Kampoeng Batik Laweyan offering various attractions is worth to be chosen as one of your travel destinations in Solo. Exploring the exotic old village while enjoying various beautiful batik collections will become an unforgettable experience.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

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NASI LIWET WONGSO LEMU

Savory and a little bit spicy are the best words to describe the taste of Nasi Liwet Solo. Perfect combination of nasi liwet and spicy-cooked chayote, areh, shredded chicken, and telur pindang creates an amazing sensation of Nasi Liwet Solo.

NASI LIWET WONGSO LEMU
Jl. Teuku Umar, Solo

NASI LIWET WONGSO LEMU

Savory Sensation of Rice and Areh Served in Banana Leaf

 If you ask what the special traditional food of Solo is, most will say Nasi Liwet. Your visit to Solo is un-complete without trying this delicious dish. Nasi Liwet Wongso Lemu in Teuku Umar Street is the most popular nasi liwet food stall.

Driving to the south from Mangkunegaran Palace, you will see many cars parked on the roadside of this one-way street, waiting for the owners who are sitting in the stall enjoying their nasi liwet. YogYES chose to sit on a wooden bench right in front of an old lady who was busy preparing nasi liwet for the customers. In her kebaya (Javanese traditional clothes), she was so friendly even though busy with her works. She arranged the rice in banana leaf and then added the spicy-cooked chayote, shredded chicken, telur pindang (boiled egg cooked with soy sauce), chicken gizzard, yellow tofu, and the special seasoning, areh.

Wow, YogYES could not wait to eat it when finally got a pincuk (plate of banana leaf) of nasi liwet. The rice was still warm, tasted savory and fluffier because it was cooked in coconut milk. Blended with the sweet and spicy of chayote, it creates fantastic taste. Not mention the shredded chicken, gizzard, and egg. Yummy... Areh (the extract of coconut milk) was the secret of this delicious dish. They all were served on banana leaf, giving a special unforgettable flavor. The perfect partner of this nasi liwet is a cup of wedang ronde, ready to warm your cold night.

Accompanying your dinner, a group of women in kebaya were sitting down, singing Javanese songs with beautiful music from sitar. If you are not a fan of spicy food, there are some stalls in the same street selling salty and savory nasi liwet.

Copyright © 2010 YogYES.COM

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 5.00 p.m. to 1.00 am

Price
1 Serving of nasi liwet IDR 15,000 (price in September 2010)

More about → NASI LIWET WONGSO LEMU