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.

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!