KERATON TOUR

 Written by: Dhelya herliadi khumairoh

Class: XII-6

 

I would like to share my travel experience to Yogyakarta accompanied by a tour guide from Keraton Tour, who was very friendly and helpful throughout the trip. The journey began at the airport, where we were picked up and continued the trip by bus to our first dining destination, Dapur Legend Mbok Marto. This restaurant is well known for its traditional Javanese dishes cooked using a wood-fired stove, which gives the food a distinctive aroma and authentic taste. The kitchen atmosphere is still very traditional and simple, which actually becomes its main attraction because it provides a unique and memorable culinary experience. After enjoying lunch with several delicious local dishes, we continued the trip to the hotel to rest for a while before continuing the activities in the evening.

 

In the evening, we visited the famous Malioboro area, one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Yogyakarta that is always crowded with visitors. Along the street there are many vendors selling various products such as clothing, handicrafts, and traditional souvenirs. We also stopped at Angkringan Kopi Lik man, which is located in the Malioboro area. This angkringan is very popular because it offers many kinds of satay such as chicken intestine satay, quail egg satay, and chicken skin satay served with “nasi kucing” and warm drinks that are simple yet delicious. After eating, we walked around to enjoy the lively atmosphere of Malioboro at night and visited Teras Malioboro 1, a shopping center managed by the Cooperative Office that sells various products such as accessories, fashion items, shoes, local culinary products, and Yogyakarta souvenirs. The place is well organized and makes it easier for visitors to shop for local products. After spending time walking around, we returned to the hotel to rest.

 

The next day, the trip continued with a cultural visit to watch gamelan music and traditional Javanese customs. At this place we were able to see the gamelan instruments being played harmoniously and also learn a little about Javanese culture and traditions that are still preserved today. After that we had lunch at Bale Raos, a restaurant famous for serving royal-style dishes from the Yogyakarta Palace. The food has a unique taste inspired by royal cuisine and is served in a neat and elegant presentation. After lunch, we continued our journey to Parangtritis Beach, one of the most famous beaches in Yogyakarta which has a wide ocean view, strong waves, and a large sandy area. The open beach atmosphere and cool sea breeze make the place very comfortable for walking around while enjoying the natural scenery. After visiting the beach, we continued to Obelix Sea View, a tourist attraction located on a hill with a beautiful view of the sea and surrounding mountains. This place has comfortable hangout areas, many interesting photo spots, and entertainment such as music and cultural performances. One of the most memorable moments was watching the sunset from the top of the hill, which looked incredibly beautiful. After enjoying the view and having dinner there, we returned to the hotel to rest.

 

On the following day, we visited Prambanan Temple, one of the largest Hindu temples in Indonesia with magnificent architecture and very detailed carvings. This temple is also known as an important historical heritage because it reflects the culture and beliefs of the Hindu kingdoms in Java. After exploring the temple complex, we had lunch at Sate Pak Pong, which is famous for its tender chicken satay served with rich and flavorful peanut sauce. After lunch, we continued the trip to a Bakpia Pathok factory, a place where one of Yogyakarta’s most famous traditional snacks is produced. There we were able to see the process of making bakpia directly, starting from mixing the dough using machines and also by hand, until the baking process. We also saw storage warehouses for ingredients such as flour and other materials used in the production process. Besides bakpia, the factory also sells many other traditional snacks, so we could buy souvenirs to bring home. After that we returned to the hotel to rest for a while before having dinner at Gudeg Yu Djum, one of the most famous places to eat gudeg in Yogyakarta. The gudeg has the typical sweet taste of Yogyakarta, with soft young jackfruit served with chicken, eggs, and spicy krecek, creating a unique and delicious combination of flavors.

 

Overall, the trip to Yogyakarta with Keraton Tour provided a very complete travel experience because it combined visits to natural attractions, historical sites, cultural experiences, and traditional culinary destinations. The tour guide from Keraton Tour was also very helpful in explaining each place we visited, making the trip more informative and enjoyable. With a well-organized itinerary, this journey became a memorable travel experience and is highly recommended for anyone who wants to explore the beauty and culture of Yogyakarta.