Mt. Merapi, Yogyakarta Indonesia

In March we had the opportunity to travel to Yogykarta on the island of Java Indonesia and spent each morning waking up to the view of the amazing, beautiful and volatile Mt. Merapi from our dining room window. Yesterday we heard she had exploded again, proving that the group of seismologists and volcanists who were studying the mountain in March while we were there were correct in assessing it as a hot spot for near term volcanic activity

In case you hadn't heard the volcano erupted yesterday, killing over 25 people. Memories and comparisons to the Mt. St. Helen's eruption that I witnessed as a child are obvious.

I am keeping the lovely people of Java in my mind as they deal with the deaths of loved one's from her most recent eruption and those Indonesians dealing with the Tsunami in Mentawai.

Vagabond Kids' First Published Article: The Next Great Place in Indo

Here it is, Jeff's first article for Expat Living

Open publication - Free publishing - More yogyakarta

Traveling with kids in Yogjarkarta

Our latest trip was a two hour flight from Singapore on Air Asia to the city of Yogjarkarta (aka Jogjakarta) Indonesia. For short those in the know call it Jogja.


Pool at the Sheraton



We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel and loved it. The room was pretty spacious (big enough for a roll away bed) had a nice little deck overlooking the pool and the pool itself was frankly amazing.





The trips to the temples themselves are going to be posts for a later time, but they are amazing works of art. UNESCO has listed them both as world heritage sites and while they are fascinating for adults, I was a bit worried that the kids would be board. In order to try to offset this potential, we got the kids cameras. Probably the best move yet. For about 99 Sing dollars each we outfitted the kids with 9 megapixel Fuji point and shoot cameras. Let me just say that the cameras were used to the full extent of the trip.












Making of Indonesian Shadow Puppets in the Kraton












Highlights of the kids trip included a tour of the Kraton. The kids and Jeff were able to tour portions of the Sultan's home and the surrounding Kampong village. The also were able to visit the bird market and view all of the odd and unusual creatures. The kids also road on one of the horse drawn carriages around the city for a 15 minute tour to nowhere. The kids both say this was a total blast!




Bird Market












Another highlight of the trip was probably the discovery of Ayam Goreng (Fried Chicken) Jogja style. We ate at a few places, but the Suharti was the best. The staff's English skills were a bit lacking, but the menu had English and we mostly got what we ordered, which was the Fried Chicken and two bowls of chicken soup. We didn't get the veggies, but hey who needs that anyway? The link above was from one of my all time favorite food writers in Asia. Robin Eckhardt from Eating Asia. I have yet to have a bad meal if Eating Asia reviewed it! Our kids also found the Sasanti Restaurant to have amazing food, great decor, wonderful staff and even appreciation for a certain little girl who turned 7 that day. All and all we would definitely hit both places again.

The city was fun, easy to get around, inexpensive and close to Singapore. When you combine that with tasty food, cheap beer and places to tour again and again, I am sure we will be back again.

Daily Travel Photo- Batam Island

Batam Island, Indonesia April 2009 with our friends the Hynes' family.

Daily Travel Photo-Prambanan

I have a job for you. Are you willing to climb to new heights? See the world from a new angle? Scale impossible challenges? Sweep away old dirt to make things better? Are you willing to work hard and face your fears?

How about the cleaning job at the Shiva Temple in Prambanan? You know after watching this guy, my job is really not so bad after all~














Hang on buddy~







And now.... the wide shot for perspective

Picture of the day-Borodubur

How to recongnize a Scam

The best 24 dollars ever spent, hands down. The "comfort kits" from Air Asia.

Blogging live from Jogja today. So far my trip has been typical for Asia, a bit of this a bit of that and a hustle or two. The only difference is now now we know better and know what we are doing. Last night we wanted to go out for dinner to a local place. Having read a guide book we pick a random restaurant that we feel will fit the kids needs and be located downtown for a bit of touristy stuff. So we popped into a taxi from the hotel with a plan in mind. On the way into town our driver got on the phone to a buddy of his. While my Bahasa is pretty non-existent, I hear the taxi driver call his buddy and while I was not really paying much attention, I hear him say "tutup", which I know means closed in Bahasa. After a bit of a drive we get to the spot and is in deed closed. But no fear, the driver tells us there is another spot, just down the road with good food.

This second place-located in the heart of "Backpackastan" on the Maliboro strip was fine. The food was good, the beers sinfully cheap, and the atmosphere one of a familiar backpacker grotto. While we are eating some guy starts chatting us up and discussing where we are from, you know that old noodle. At this point it has gotten late (at least for the kids who are on Singapore time one hour later) and there after, Jeff asks the guy if he is the owner. He responds that the bar is his friend's joint and we continue to eat and he just kind of hangs out. So far, no red flags right? But at this point we get stuck with a downpour and when the rains come Jeff starts to ask our friend if there is a way to call for a taxi. While the rains are a pouring, our new buddy tells us there is no way can we get to the taxi stand, we just need to wait out the rain. After the rains stop- now the kids are super tired- he tells us he would be happy to walk us to the stand, you know the stand is a bit hard to find he says. At this point I start to think to myself, why will he walk with us... seems weird and a small red flag raises up but not so much to stay put. When we start to walk down the street, take a turn down an alley filled with lots of backpacker hotels and bars I start to wonder where the taxi stand is because it is clearly not on this side street, but 100 meters down the alley our buddy says.."oh let's just stop at this Batik shop, this guy is a friend of mine and he can call you a taxi." At this point I know the drill, a scam in the making and I am having none of this, but Jeff is insistent on going on in and calling a taxi.

Dinner at the FM Cafe

The shop owners ask if we want a drink or a spot of tea, to which Jeff responds again with a polite but firm, no please just call us a taxi. I beg off I am sure acting a bit non-interested and at this point the big pitch hits. The artist tell us that all the all sales from this art store benefit a "charity". We are free to walk around and take our time, the taxi would be here soon and we can shop while we wait. I am not a very happy camper at this time, but I did see the guy call a taxi so we waited a few more minutes as the rain had started. I figure I would give this taxi a few minutes and then I would walk on out to the main road, rain be damned. You know with kids you have to look out for them. Well, we waited about 10 minutes and the taxi did come pick us up, and wouldn't you know it was the same driver that took us to the restaurant in the first place.

Today, while wandering around the Kraton, Jeff and the kids got taken to a one guy's mother's "batik" store. No shock to find all of the same batiks at this one of a kind store.

While we love travel in SE Asia these types of traps are pretty typical. Some are blatant and in your face (the tuk-tuk driver in Thailand taking you to a Gem store for example) while others like this are pretty innocent. If we would have purchased a batik I am sure we would have paid more than market price and the batik would have probably be printed rather than true batik. Even if not, the price was probably low and the risk again low, but some scams can be more dangerous.

A few tips: If someone wants to take you to show you a Aunt's/Mother's/cousin's/brother's store think twice before you purchase. If you do like something and feel like it is the only place you can possibly find said item and really want to purchase be aware. Do not use credit cards, don't flash lots of cash, be aware of your surroundings and make sure you know where you are and how to get to where you are going. Be polite but if you are not interested don't hang around politely leave. Of course general safety rules apply when you travel by yourself and or with kids and so long as you are aware of the touts and take it all in stride and with good common sense all is well.

Planning for Yogyakarta

The pool at the Sheraton Mustika Image from Trip Advisor

In a week or so we will be on Spring Break for the American School in Singapore. While staying at home in Singapore is certainly an option, it also seems silly not to take advantage of the ability to travel. By the time you add up the costs of traveling around Singapore, admission fees to Gogobambini, the Zoo, Wild Wild Wet, Sentosa and all the other "I'm bored" activities we fall back on in Singapore we may as well go abroad. This time we are off to Yogyakarta.

Yogya (or Jogja) is on the island of Java is about a 2 hour flight from Singapore and we are flying on AirAsia. The total ticket price for a family of 4 is Singapore$426. This includes one check in bag and a "travel amenities kit" for each of the kids. The kits (which the kids fell in love with on the last Air Asia flight but were unable to get) have a travel blanket, pillow and eye cover. At S$12.00 it is probably the only souvenir the kids will get this trip other than photos.

Image from Wikipedia

Stupa at Borobudur

We are also taking advantage of our Starwood Points and will be staying at the Sherton Mustika. Combining points and cash, the stay is only US$25.00 per night (not including tax/service fees and F&B). After finally getting to see the movie Up in the Air last weekend I am one of those that don't collect my points and miles for the sake of collection. I try to use them! This is a perfect example of making good use of my award points. I do wish that Air Asia would start a mileage program, but I suppose that goes against the principle of a Budget Airline.

Kraton Complex (Sultan's Square) Image from Jakartaexpats.com
In any event I am cruising the next, checking out websites like Virtual Tourist and Lonely Planet for tips on the area. We plan on spending one day at Borobudur, the kids are primed with new cameras and over the weekend I am going to be taking them through some of the history of the site. One day we plan on hitting the Malioboro shopping area and a morning at the Kraton (Sri Sultan's Palace) one day. Other than that, we have two kids who are happy to hang at the pool and what a nice pool it appears to be. Can't wait, I feel like a kid myself planning this jaunt!