A Quickie to Central Java

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.

Ullen Sentalu Museum, Yogyakarta (more info: www.ullensentalu.com)

Roof relief at Taman Sari water castle, Yogyakarta

underwater mosque at Taman Sari, Yogyakarta

Borobudur (more info: http://www.borobudurpark.com/)

Color Run: The Happiest 5K On Earth

It was indeed the happiest run ever! finally can take it off from my bucket list :)

For the first time held in Indonesia, and I can remember how exciting it was. People of all ages; the elders, kids even a dog were gathering 6 am sharp at Gelora Bung Karno Jakarta, some were wearing a very outstanding costumes. The run started at 7 am, opened by a first burst of color, we then got more sprayed in each kilometers achieved. I really couldn't stop giggles throughout the run, I don't know whether it was a form of excitement or... they put something in the coloured powder (joking!). The event closed by a music party where we got more sprayed (resulting more giggles).

Overall it was fun fun fun! I praise the organizer for a safe, well organized  and again FUN event, that was enjoyable not only for the youths. A positive momentum to start this year :)

Saturday Yay!

O' Hello..

I'm feeling very productive today, and I'm happy for it! I spent my morning strolling down the memory lane, visiting University of Indonesia, Campus Depok, in which I spent full 5 years to finish my bachelor degree. There are so many changes, in a good way, a small street that used to packed with small illegal traders now clean and tidy, the campus yellow busses that were mostly wrecked and never came on time now replaced with new units that are bigger in size and better in schedule, and the highlight is the new library, not only it's now has a futuristic yet sophisticated new building, but also plenty green spaces overlooking the lake! The place is perfect for repose whilst reading a good book or chit-chatting on the thesis. Whoops, speaking of the thesis, the library has impressive and organized system supported by current Macbook technology so it's easier for you to find books, thesis or any reading materials. This surely going to be my sanctuary place for the next couple of months, hiding spot for my thesis-making.

The Library of University of Indonesia

at noon, me and friends routed to Pantai Indah Kapuk in north of Jakarta for culinary trip. First stop was Ipot Suki, a Japanese diner best known for it's fresh, delicious and affordable suki. Here, I like it that we can have vary options for the soup and create our personal dipping for the suki, but apart from that, it just good and not too special. 

Next stop was that super hip Taiwanese dessert diner, Hong Tang. The place's quite small, the queue was long, but looking from the bright side, the dessert are all tasty! They have more than a hundred of selections and my favorites are their mango pudding (No.105) and grass jelly with matcha ice cream (No. 28). 

At night, we routed back to the south and tried Tokyo Skipjack, small diner served steak in Bulungan, south Jakarta. I'm not a huge meat lover, but their steak is very good and perfectly cooked. 

Overall, it was one awesome day; reminisced the good old school days, broke the routines by going far north trying new meals and to top that all, spent a day with my closest friends. 

I hope you had as awesome or even better than what I had, have a great Saturday night happy peoples..