Yogyakarta, Indonesia – January 2000
Events
Kethoprak is a traditional drama. Performed in Indonesian Radio Auditorium Jl. Gejayan from 8pm-12pm
Garebeg Syawal Ceremony to express praise and thanksgiving for Javanese Moslems. It takes at North Palace Square.
Leather puppets show staged at Sasono Hinggil Dwi Abad, South Palace Square.
Sea Offerings Ceremony at the beach (Pandan Simo) from 10am – 3am.
Edutourism
The integrated immersion program conducted by Djoglo will be starting from January 24 to February 18 (for 8 weeks). It is a program for intensively learning language, dance or traditional martial art, gamelan and visiting several cultural heritages. The last date confirmation is January 15.
For more information contact djoglo@indosat.net.id
Yogya – City of Motorbikes
A first time visitor may be surprised to see the millions of motorbikes in the traffic. Almost every house in the city has at least one motorbike.
It is not a surprising fact since Yogya is the first destination for study. There are more than 30 universities, institutes and colleges. The biggest and oldest one is Gadjah Mada University (UGM) which was celebrating its 50th anniversary last December. There are four state universities including UGM, Indonesian Art Institute, Yogyakarta State University (major in teaching) and Islamic State Institute.
The population is about six million and dominated by students which is triggering many potential investments. Dormitory or “kost” (in de kost – Dutch), copy service, book shop, food, laundry. People who live around the campus could rely on the income by providing rooms for rent.
It is economical for students to have a motorbike for their daily transportation even though a public bus is also available. On the other hand for a family, having a motorbike seems to be the first step before having a car.
UGM itself hosts many students not only from Indonesia, but also from foreign countries such as Australia, America, Africa and some Asian students. You can guess easily the students by how they look, wearing blue jeans, casual t-shirt and carrying a backpack or bag.
The cheap food stands (warung) are their first choice for them. By spending about US$1, even less, they can get reasonable food and drink.
Landscape
Mt. Merapi is an active volcano. It stands in north of the city and that is why people use it as the north directory. Yogya is a valley and some southern parts are a plateau called Gunung Kidul (Gunung means mountain and Kidul means south).
South Sea is the southern boundary where people can enjoy the sunset. Geologically the beach is quite dangerous since the beach’s platform is formed by rigid reefs. The waves cause turbulent currents and bury everything beneath the sand. Please do not think about swimming here, many victims have fallen.
Yogyakarta is a culturally rich city, and used to be a kingdom of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat.
Now Yogya, for short, is a city of education, the art city, city of Javanese culture, even Indonesian culture. Why? Because many students from many places come to study and to mingle. Sumatra, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi, Irian, Bali and many foreign students from Australia, Asia, America and Europe stay and learn here.
Quirky Facts
You may go to any cultural heritages such as Sultanate Palace, Borobudur Temple, Prambanan and many interesting places.
Geography
Accommodation
Coming Soon.
Language
We use Bahasa Indonesia and Javanese for local people. It is very simple and
easy to learn. Take
a course?
Transport
Money
Indonesian currency is Rupiah. This month’s conversion is on average to US$1 ~ Rp. 7000. This is the time to go and to buy.
A 4 to 8 weeks immersion integrative program including language, dance or
traditional martial art and many activities such as rafting, mount climbing,
camping and visiting cultural heritages.
Internet Cafes
Internet cafes are easily found in the student or campus area. Spend ~US$1 for one hour of access.
Arts/Music Scene
As a culture center there are many galleries, art performances such as leather puppets, ballet, music festivals etc. Wait for the upcoming event.
The Outdoors
Mountain climbing or white water rafting?
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