Marcya Nasution: February 2014

So, me and some closest friends decided to have a quick getaway during Chinese New Year's holiday. And the vote has landed to.. Solo and Yogyakarta. Yaay! never been there, yet always astonished by their culture and architecture.

Spent two nights in Solo, my favorite part of the city are the Danar Hadi Museum of Batik (House of Danar Hadi) and Triwindu vintage market (Pasar Triwindu). At Danar Hadi Museum of Batik, you can learn the history of batik, as one of the cultural identities and an inseparable part of Solo. I admire the complexity, philosophy, effort and history that lies behind each batik's which made those piece of art even more precious. Taking photos in this museum is fully prohibited. Another favorite place of mine is the Triwindu vintage market. If you're a vintage votary, this place is worth a visit. I like the selection of traditional vintage jeweleries made from silver, which still in an exquisite condition. All beyond pretty, happy me!

Chinese New Year's festivity in Solo

Full of hopes and wishes, happy new year!

Danar Hadi Museum of Batik, Solo

Triwindu vintage market, Solo

Aren't they pretty?

Moving to Yogyakarta, we spent a night at D'Omah Hotel in Tembi Village, a pretty yet laidback hotel with a Javanese vibe, owned by Warick Purser, an Australian-born entrepreneur, who gained Indonesian citizenship through his passion for humanitarian work. At that night, Mr. Purser invited us and some other guests to a cocktail party in his amazing private villa not far from the hotel. I praise D'Omah hotel for it's wonderful place and hospitality, a night was not enough.

one of our room at D'Omah hotel, Yogyakarta

splish splash - ing in our private pool at D'Omah hotel, Yogyakarta

Since we only had two days in Yogya, our itinerary was quite packed. So little time too much to do! We visited the famous Ullen Sentalu culture and art museum in Kaliurang highland which not only has a remarkable landscape and architecture, but also fabulous art collection from Royal House or Kraton of Java. Again, taking picture is prohibited except in one or two open air areas. We also visited Taman Sari Water Castle with it's beautiful underwater mosque, it's very pretty yet has a mystical ambience. Last but not least, in the very last day, we finally made it to see the majestic Borobudur temple, the 9th century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang. The place is truly magical, I lost my words. If you fancy for a visit, try to stay at Manohara hotel in the Borobudur park complex, so you can see the temple at it's best, sunrise time.