Since the start of October I have had a number of people visiting Yogya. It has been wonderful being able to show my friends and family around, where I live, where I study, as well as the amazing things that attract people to DIY (Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta). With my Mum having arrived safely back in Australia last week, I can take my tour guide hat off, pack it in my bag and bring it out when my friends from Indonesia visit Australia.
It was lovely having my mum here for two weeks. We went to Borobudur, Mt Merapi (although it was cloudy so the volcano wasn’t actually visible), on a massive mystery walk up a very tall hill, the alun-alun (my favourite place to chill in Yogya), the kraton, Tamansari, a wayang performance, caught the train to Solo and went to Candi Cetho and Candi Sukuh. By far I think the highlight for both of us (other than spending time together) was drinking tea and eating sweet potato and banana whilst overlooking the tea plantation that our tea was grown in, nearby Candi Cetho. So yup, I think we did it all!
My Dad was the very first visitor that I had here. He came to visit for just a week, especially or my 21st birthday. Within that time we squished in a lot, including Borobudur, Prambanan, Tamansari, seeing the Ramayana Ballet, Mt Merapi, trying to see the Sultan’s daughter’s wedding and my birthday party. It was really nice to be able to share my 21st with really great friends and my Dad.
In between my parent’s visits there were a number of friends who came to Yogya, whether just stopping by for a couple of days or a couple of weeks. Lisa came late November, Laura in December, Sammi, Mel and Kelly in January, Emily in January-February and Suzie in February. Thanks to everyone who came, it was lovely seeing you all.
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| Dad and I at Prambanan |
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| Visiting the alun-alun kidul with Lisa. |
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| At the Kraton (Sultan's Palace) in Solo with Laura. |
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| At the alun-alun kidul with Sammi and Mel (although I couldn't find a picture with Sammi too)... btw nice face Red... |
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| Chillin' at Mt Merapi with Emily. Teal's boyfriend, Konrad, was also visiting for a bit before they both headed back to Oz. |
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| At Borobudur with my Mum. |
So if you happen to bump into someone who has visited Indonesia (not just Bali) ask them about it. You might just find out how wonderful it is and want to come yourself :)
Hope you're well,
Salam dari Yogya,
Katrina
