Two Days Solo Trip to Yogyakarta

Mutiara Hotel 1 Yogyakarta

Jl. Malioboro No 18, Yogyakarta

Price upon booking (March 2017): around idr 600.000 (usd 13.5)

My rate: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Last March I went to Yogyakarta for 3 days. At the first two days I was traveling solo and at the third days my parents joined me at Yogya.

I stayed at Mutiara Hotel, a quite old hotel and surely needs some interior improvement here and there to be honest,  but it was clean and for that I love it, and of course the location is great, at the heart of Malioboro. I think that is the perfect location for solo traveler, to be surrounded by a lively places, the festivity of lights coming from the stores, food stalls that open until morning, coffeeshop,  well everything is within walking distance and it is somehow comforting. 

At the first day I went to Hayati Coffee for a pick up latte then I decided that I wanted to walk along Jalan Prawirotaman so off I go. I walked and walked along the road and suddenly I heard some saxophone being beautifully played and turned out that it was played by some musician at Via Via Restaurant, so just because I wanted to hear him play, I eat at that restaurant haha. Later I found out that every friday night at 8 pm is a jazz night at Via Via Restaurant. Too bad I was too enjoying the night I did not have any photos of it. 

Ullen Sentalu Museum

Jl. Boyong KM 25, Kaliurang

Opening hour: 8.30-15.00, open everyday

Entrance fee: Adult idr 50.000 (usd 4)

The second day, I visited Ullen Sentalu Museum, again. I have ever visited the museum 4 or 5 years ago but I still haven't satisfied yet. In this museum we are wandering around guided by their professional guide who will tell us the stories about each collections and we are not allowed to take any pictures inside the building. I can not look back into some photos and reminiscing it everytime I miss this place so I just went there, again!

We will be guided through the museum in a group consist of about 5 people and we are free to ask as many questions as we have throughout the tour. What I love the most is a room full of letters from friends and families, written for Tineke, a Surakarta Princess. Tineke loves a prince who is hold a lower status than her own and for that her mother did not approve of him and she was broken hearted and her friends and families try to comfort her with the letter. One of the letter said (as what I remember because we are not allowed to take picture) "You are still a student. One day you will know what pure life ties you; struggles, successes, failures." Oh, fyi, 8 years later Tineke married that prince anyway!

And I looove the story about Gusti Kanjeng Nurul. She is also a princess from Surakarta. At that time, she is so intelect, able to speak a lot of languages, great at arts, and she refused a lot of proposal because she does not agree on polygamy. One quick fact I learn from this tour is that Nyai Roro Kidul and Ratu Pantai Selatan (Queen of The South Sea) are a two different person. Nyai Roro Kidul is Ratu Pantai Selatan's head of army, the one she sents when she needs her army to do their job. How new is this information for you?

Anyway, when in Yogyakarta this museum is surely a must visit. This is a privately owned museum, so well taken care of, have a perfectly beautiful interior and exterior, provides a great historical and educational information, be ready to have your mindgasm here :)

Beukenhof Restaurant

Inside Ullen Sentalu Museum

Menu: Western 

Prices: around idr 25.000-200.000 (usd 2- usd 14)

One thing not to be missed is to spend some of your time enjoying some foods and coffee from Beukenhof Restaurant which is located inside Ullen Sentalu Museum. This restaurant is serving western menu and I ordered french toast and ice latte at that time. The ambience is so comforting and romantic I feel like I could spend a day here, sipping my latte while writing whatever I have in mind and enjoying the serene ambience overlooking the inside garden of Ullen Sentalu Museum. 

At that time I was feeling so content spending the time alone with my mind, but another time maybe it will be great to enjoy some steak there with my loved ones while talking about the dreamy future. 

Plataran Borobudur Resort

(I am visiting the restaurant overlooking Borobudur)

Dusun Tanjungan, Borobudur, Central Java

Maybe I have visited Borobudur a lot of time so this time I would love to just enjoy it from afar for once. Anyway don't you want it? Observing life from afar for once just as how the astronauts observing their life from the space? Then maybe, we will finally be humbled by the fact that no matter how great we are, there will always be something greater? 

I spent my lunch at Plataran Borobudur Resort's restaurant and enjoying some Mie Laksa. Nothing so special but the ambience is so perfect. If you happen to look for some place to enjoy a slow afternoon while sipping some tea, maybe you could visit this place. 

Bale Raos Keraton

Menus: Western and Indonesian

Prices: around idr 50.000-100.000 (usd 4- usd 8)

Then finally my parents arrived and we enjoyed some dinner at Bale Raos. It is a restaurant inside Keraton Yogyakarta and serving Indonesian and Western food. I enjoyed some steak and Bir Jawa (Javanese Beer). It contains no alcohol of course. The Indonesian menus here is authentic and that night there is a music band playing keroncong (one music genre of Indonesia). I do not know whether this band always perform here or not, but that night, to enjoy the dinner with my family accompanied by the band, it was one experience I feel like only feel perfect when happened in Yogyakarta :)

Basa Basi Berbobot

Kadang saya ingin menyampaikan opini saya panjang lebar, namun jika saya menulis dalam Bahasa Inggris ada kemungkinan pesan yang saya maksud tidak tersampaikan seluruhnya, maka terpikirlah untuk membuat label ini "Opini Berbahasa Indonesia". 

Terinspirasi dari cara ibu saya memperlakukan orang lain, saya sangat ingin beropini mengenai masalah yang satu ini. Saat bertemu dengan orang lain, yang lebih tua, yang seumuran, maupun yang lebih muda seperti teman-teman saya, yang akan ditanyakan ibu biasanya adalah "Sedang sibuk apa nih sekarang?" dan bukannya pertanyaan-pertanyaan tanpa pertimbangan pemikiran seperti "Udah lulus belum kuliahnya?" atau "Udah kerja dimana sekarang?" atau "Gimana udah serius belum sama pacarnya? Kapan nikahnya?" 

Mungkin ibu yang dulu juga tidak sebijak sekarang, tapi sejak mengamati sendiri bagaimana saya baru bisa menyelesaikan pendidikan profesi dokter gigi setelah 3 tahun, diawali dengan pendidikan sarjana 4 tahun, dengan total masa studi untuk mendapat gelar drg. sejumlah 7 tahun, waktu yang cukup lebih lama dibanding dengan teman-teman saya yang mungkin di umur seperti saya sekarang sudah menyelesaikan program master, bekerja beberapa tahun, ataupun berkeluarga. Ibu mengamati bahwa hal ini  terjadi bukan karena saya malas-malasan, tapi karena memang sistemnya begitu. 

Sejak saat itu ibu menjadi lebih bijak, beliau tahu betul bahwa kehidupan ini tidak bisa disama ratakan. Bahwa kita tidak tahu apa yang dilalui orang lain dan bahwa kita bisa berperilaku lebih bijak, mengesampingkan segala stereotype, dan melihat segala sesuatu dari sudut pandang positif. 

Sejak saat itu ibu terbiasa membuka pertanyaan basa-basi dengan pertanyaan "Sedang sibuk apa nih sekarang?" karena dengan positive open question semacam itu, jawabannya bisa beragam dan pasti lawan bicara lebih mudah menjawab, karena dia dapat menjawab mengenai apapun yang sekarang sedang dia gemari. Sedang sibuk traveling, ada project kecil-kecilan membuat start up NGO di bidang literasi berupa donasi buku untuk perpustakaan di daerah terpencil, sampai sedang sibuk les memasak atau sedang fokus kembali meneruskan kursus piano. Semua passion yang sedang membuat  hidup si lawan bicara terasa memiliki tujuan bisa jadi jawabannya.

Dari situ percakapan selalu bisa mengalir dengan ritme dan topik yang positif. Tidak hanya mengenai topik pribadi, kadang topik juga berkembang ke general knowledge seperti saat si lawan bicara bercerita tentang kesibukannya belajar diving, tidak terasa topik mengenai kondisi pariwisata dan kebijakan pemerintah di lokasi-lokasi pariwisata Indonesia yang mulai naik daun bisa jadi bahan pembicaraan. 

Saya pribadi merasa sangat nyaman jika berada dalam adegan basa-basi (sedikit) berbobot semacam itu. Saya juga tidak menyangka pertanyaan pembuka sesederhana "Sedang sibuk apa nih sekarang?" ternyata jauh lebih considerate terhadap perasaan lawan bicara. Dari ibu saya belajar, lagi dan lagi. Mungkin sudah saatnya kita sadar bahwa basa-basi pun harus menggunakan 100% awareness otak dan hati, bagaimana menciptakan topik yang positif, topik yang tidak membuat lawan bicara tidak nyaman, topik yang jika dikembalikan kepada kita juga akan mudah untuk kita jawab dengan aura positif. 

Tentang basa-basi berbobot, bagaimana nih menurut kamu? Atau mungkin ada yang suka kesel juga saat ada yang melontarkan pertanyaan yang kurang considerate? :)

Hotel Update: The Peacock Inn, Ubud, Bali

Dress (Cotton On, a gift from dear friends, so thank you!), 

Shoes (Unbranded, bought at local store at Ubud), Watch (Fossil)

Got a twin room at first floor with pool view at my last stay

Some improvement from my last year stay; with a much cheaper price (due to Gunung Agung issue) I got room with television and complimentary drinks plus the water heater

The bathroom is still as properly mantained as before

This October was my second time staying at The Peacock Inn, a boutique accomodation at the heart of Ubud. After spending my one day staycation at Hati Padi Cottages, a pretty secluded and beautiful cottage half an hour drive from downtown Ubud, here comes the time for me to have to stay at downtown Ubud, for the sake of flexible mobility during my volunteering days for Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2017. 

For me, cleanliness is number one issue followed by great location where everything I need (food, market, coffeeshop, neighborhood to wander) are within walking distance with addition of breakfast included in the room price and pool inside the accomodation, then of course a within my budget hotel :P

Last year, October 2016 for a more precise time, I stayed at The Peacock Inn and booked it for idr 407.000 (USD 31) per night, breakfast not included, I got a room at the second floor and got no television nor complimentary drinks inside the room. So what a surprise that this year I checked again for this hotel at Agoda and got a cheaper price where breakfast included, so I booked it right away. And what a more surprised I felt when I checked in at the hotel and got a better room, a twin room at first floor overlooking the pool with television and complimentary drinks inside, a much improvement of the room!

I understand that the price might be cheaper this time due to Gunung Agung issue so less tourist came to Ubud, but I have to appreciate the improvement of the room and the still properly maintained  room (the bed, the linen and bed cover, the microfiber pillow, the bathroom and its free amenities from lemongrass soap until lemongrass body lotion is still as great as last year).

I have the chance to spoke for one moment with Mrs. Georgina, the owner of this accomodation, who is a citizen of New Zealand and also own another places such as yoga studio. I compliment the improvement of the room and she said it was her manager ideas which she approved.  She takes a good care of her guest and their needs, no wonder this place is always feel like home. And with its great location where I can walk to Seniman coffee studio, Ubud Market, Jalan Goutama where a lot of cafes and small boutique open till night, until Nasi Padang restaurant whenever I missed eating something familiar from home, I think the next time I come back to Ubud, surely I will stay at The Peacock Inn again, five out of five stars for this accomodation, believe me this is the most honest review from the bottom of my heart :P

The Peacock Inn
Jl. Sugriwa No 4
Ubud, Gianyar
Bali, 80571
Ph. 0821-4480-443
Price upon my latest stay (Oct 2017) booked via Agoda:
idr 320.000 (USD 23.5)/night including a la carte breakfast

Staycation: Hati Padi Cottages, Ubud

Exterior of Hati Padi Cottages

The Serene Infinity Pool at Hati Padi Cottages

Exterior of Hati Padi Cottages

The Balcony of My Room (Standard Type);

look at how convenience this place for an afternoon me time with a book 

Inside My Room (Standard Type)

Bathroom with a View; oh can I bring you homeee?

A Mini Comfortable Restaurant inside The Cottage

A Bookshelf in One Corner of The Restaurant

I might not always stay in a beautiful hotel during my whole trip, but I find it a habit of mine, to spend one night at one secluded serene hotel so I can meditate, write, swim, eat, and simply be grateful for the days of my life which I have enjoyed and for the blessings God gave to me. And of course for the rest of the trip I would chose a more affordable hotel and spare my time enjoying the neighborhood.

On my last trip to Bali, I chose this hotel, Hati Padi Cottages and booked via booking.com It was half an hour drive from downtown Ubud, quite secluded and make my heart beats a little bit harder along the road, for I drove a rented manual city car, alone, along Ubud's winding road. But it was all worth it when I came upon this cottage's gate, what a beautiful and serene cottage!

This cottage located in the middle of paddyfield, only consist of 6 rooms, have a very beautiful and proper pool, there is a nice restaurant inside with good warm meals and bookshelf full of french books, just exactly what I needed for a me time at Ubud. 

There are no air conditioning in their rooms, I expected that it would be quite hot, but on the contrary it was comfortably cold. Maybe because there are many windows within the room and the location which is in the middle of paddyfield, so there is no doubt for a great air flow. 

Since it is quite far from downtown Ubud, at night I enjoyed my dinner at its small restaurant. I ordered Balinese vegetarian curry and it was good! I felt so complete to be able to enjoy my diner overlooking paddyfield which was light up by fireflies. Fireflies! What an uncommon view, no? I never found them anymore in the city. Then, fast forward to the morning after, I enjoyed a good morning swim at its infinity pool overlooking the paddyfield, the best morning I've ever had this last couple months!

But, there is one thing I found rather inconvenient, dirts kept coming down from the roof, maybe because it was made of some kind of leaves (I don't know what, exactly). And I found frog in my room hehehe. Though I am not afraid of it but maybe another guest will find it disturbing, no? But anyway, this hotel provides a very back to nature environment so the occurence of this little animals is no surprise for me. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars for this hotel! And of course, better to spend your time with your loved ones here (unless you're enjoying an introvert time like me) :) 

Hati Padi Cottages.

Jalan Raya Kelusa 18, Ubud

Keliki, Gianyar

Tegallalang, Bali

ph. 081339559910

price upon my stay (Oct 2017):

idr 500.000 (USD 37)/night for standard room