Yogyakarta, a city on the world’s most populous island, is all too often overlooked during the curation of Indonesian itineraries by both backpackers and discerning, more experienced travellers. Here, creative Ines Katamso speaks to Noo Saro-Wiwa on why she believes that should change, as the city has so much to offer in the way of history, culture, and cosmopolitanism.
Kraton
“My favourite place in Yogyakarta is the sultan’s palace, or Kraton. It’s a sacred complex, lined with tamarind and cherry trees. The royal family still lives in the private quarters, but you can visit the public area. On Saturdays, you can watch the Javanese dances accompanied by percussive gamelan music, which provides a mind-blowing sound experience. If you’re lucky, there will also be a shadow puppet performance. Everything is based on ancient beliefs about the Javanese cosmos and the connection between the divine, human, and natural realms.”
Bale Ros
“Owned by the sultan’s palace, this restaurant was constructed in the joglo style, which is a traditional form of Javanese architecture. The chefs there cook recipes of the region over a wood fire. I like their gudeg manggar, a stew made from slow-cooked coconut flowers, and I particularly love wedang ronde: glutinous rice balls in a sweet ginger soup. Javanese food is really sweet and salty.”
