Yogyakarta farewell

WE bade farewell to Yogyakarta Special Region or Yogya after a fascinating tour of one of Indonesia’s top provincial tourist destinations and the foremost cultural centre of Java.

Leaving a place so rich in history and culture is all part of the journey but it need not be a fleeting or a final farewell as memories of such a spellbinding travel experience will last a lifetime — and prompt a return visit.

Some bought mementoes and souvenirs for themselves, their families and friends back home while others simply opted to take photos. Those who love small tokens of their trip scurried to the gift outlets for some last-minute shopping before returning home.

For handicraft fanciers, Malioboro Street in Yogyakarta is the place to be with its vast array of hand-made items, not forgetting the bulk discounts, of course. This is a major shopping area between Yogyakarta Kraton and Mount Merapi. As it’s a one-way street, walking is the best option to seek out the best deals.

There are many juxtaposed stalls offering locally made batik items, small leather goods, and keychains engraved with Yogyakarta related-words — all at bulk discounts. Boutiques selling higher-end batik clothes are also found here.

While they can get really packed, these outlets are still a better option to many visitiors, especially bargain seekers, than the pricier air-conditioned malls albeit the latter are more comfortable to shop in. To each his or her own.

For a break from shopping, there are hip beverage shops to relax and chill at with a cuppa and confectionery. A cheaper option is to grab a cold drink from one of the many convenience stores along the busy street.

Entertainment

For entertainment, there are street musical performances and other activities such as a group of cosplayers making their weekend appearance to provide ample photo opportunities.

Visitors can also go for rides on horse carts and trishaws (becak). The leisurely pace allows for an opportunity to take in the eclectic atmosphere and snap photos of the exuberant street life.

Some grab the chance to savour the local food at the many roadside stalls and the open-air street side restaurants called lesehan which offer local cuisine such as nasi goreng spesial, ayam bakar, ikan bakar, kepiting (crab) and many others, rounding it off with the local favourite teh sosro or sweet jasmine green tea.

The low long tables are placed on mats and customers take off their shoes and sit cross-legged at the tables.

There are also many photo opportunities, among them, the Malioboro Street roadside activities and strangely enough, the manhole covers with Yogya motifs.

Those wishing to see handicrafts made step-by-step can visit the slew of workshops such as the batik gallery or silver handicrafts centre at Kota Gede.

Batik techniques

For batik, there are two types — batik tulis and batik cap, depending on the techniques used to make them — hand drawing or hand blocking.

In hand drawing, the design is copied on the fabric (cotton or silk) by pencil and outlined with a liquid melted wax in a spouted tool called canting. The design is then coloured in, using brush dipped in dyes before boiling in water to remove the wax.

Hand blocking uses copper blocks with designs called cap and the images are copied on the entire fabric.

The designs are then coloured and the whole fabric boiled to remove the wax.

Batik tulis has finer patterns compared to batik cap, and the pricier versions are those on silk.

The completed batik cloths are either sold as they are or made into many different items — from clothing to bags, table cloths, headbands and a range of others.

Those who love fine silver jewellery and crafts can take a closer look at how their favourite items are made at Kota Gede, often called Sargede.

Once the seat of the mighty Mataram Empire, this neat little town, about 5km southwest of Yogyakarta, has been the hub of the silver industry in the province since 1930.

There are many silver-making workshops in the area, offering similar stock, but do look out for the signature items of the different workshops. There visitors get to watch artisans turning pieces of silver into intricate jewellery and other more elaborate items such as miniature versions of the Borobudur Temple. Some of the workers will give visitors the background of the trade and a guided tour of the workshops.

The sale section includes display cabinets filled to the brim with pieces of jewellery and knick-knacks, walls covered with glass frames and encased silver artworks, among them sets of wayang kulit. These mesmerisingly beautiful works of art are also on sale at affordable prices despite the skyrocketing cost of raw silver.

Spoilt for choice

Leather goods lovers will be spoilt for choice at Desa Wisata Manding in Bantul Region, the centre for leather crafts with many kiosks, offering a variety of leather goods — from bags, shoes and belts at a bargain. The leather industy there started in 1947.

The prices vary, depending on the size of the items, and all products are made of cow hide processed with the traditional method.

For custom-made leather jackets, visitors are advised to drop by the stall early for their measurements to ensure their orders are delivered before they depart.

The area is easily accessible as it is located not far from Yogya-Parangtritis Street.

To take scenic photos, the Parang Teritis Beach is recommended. It’s a unique stretch of sand mixed with wind-blown volcanic ash. Swimming is not allowed due to high waves and very strong currents. Visitors can opt for a beach walk, horse cart ride, and for the more adventurous, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) drive along the beachfront.

You can enjoy the cool salt-bearing sea breeze by having a picnic on the beach or drinking fresh coconut water at one of the beachside stalls. For light meals, snacks are available.