Recently, the New Sarawak Tribune, along with several representatives from other print media and local travel agencies, participated in a five-day Familiarisation Trip to Yogyakarta in the island of Java, Indonesia.
The trip was organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, and was supported by the Department of Tourism in Yogyakarta Province as well as Express Airlines Indonesia; the latter being the official carrier for the trip. The group was led by the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Bapak Jahar Gultom.
The trip included visits to some of the famous tourist attractions in Yogyakarta. Besides the opportunity to sample the delicious and exotic local cuisine, the trip was a fantastic chance to explore and experience the day-to-day life and traditional customs of Yogyakarta.
Yogyakarta, with its historical remains of ancient religious influences, captivating local myths and intriguing legends, as well as the depth and beauty of its cultures and traditions, never fail to fascinate visitors from around the world. A peaceful, well-balanced region filled with age-old traditions and rich culture, it retains a nostalgic feel of the old world.
A far cry from the choking hustle and bustle of mega-cities, Yogyakarta offers a promise of a serene laidback lifestyle, where people live close and in harmony with nature – even with the mighty volcanoes surrounding them – and it is hardly touched by the vigorous winds of change and progress blowing within neighbouring region. This is the appeal of Yogyakarta.
But Yogyakarta is not only about tradition, culture and ancient beings; in fact, it possesses a variety of tour packages and destinations that would pique almost everyone’s interest, ranging from adventure, nature, local food, history, religion/spirituality to art.
Yogyakarta is also a shopping paradise. With its low cost of living, it is considered “the cheapest city in Indonesia”, where visitors can buy locally manufactured genuine leather-ware, such as shoes, belts, bags and jackets. They may also have their pick of intricately crafted silverware and jewellery; and of beautifully painted batik at relatively cheap prices.
For the adventurous, there are caves to explore, or go rafting down the Progo river. For those who love ocean waves and sunshine, visit the beaches. Check out the beach-side stalls to sample fresh seafood.
Nature lovers can venture to Kaliurang and Sri Gethuk waterfalls, or watch the sun set while perched on the ancient Nglanggeran volcano. For those interested in the local culture and performing arts, visit the Kraton (Palace), Trimurti Theatre and various other venues.
To understand and feel the struggle of the Indonesian people during their fight for independence, do visit the Jogja Kembali museum. Drop by the Batik Museum that proudly showcases its vast collection of batiks from different areas of Indonesia, or the Affandi Museum, where the works of the famed impressionist, the late Affandi, as well as his daughter Kartika’s, are displayed.
With Express Air Indonesia’s daily direct flights from Kuching – with a brief stop in Pontianak – getting to Yogyakarta is a lot faster (takes about two hours); it is, thus, cheaper. From there, for those who wish to explore other parts of Indonesia, there are connecting flights to Medan, Palembang, Jakarta, Sourabaya, Bali and several other cities.
Commenting on this at the end of the Familiarisation Trip, Bapak Jahar Gultom hoped that more Sarawakians will learn about Yogyakarta, and would visit and tour the numerous tourist attractions, sample the local food, and experience the culture, customs and the lifestyle of the Yogyakarta people.
Commenting on the meet-up and networking discussion between representatives of our local travel agencies and their Indonesian counterparts, Bapak Jahar said that although it was still in its infant stage, it was both positive and full of potential, with both sides agreeing to work together and with Express Air Indonesia to help promote the tourism between the two countries by offering attractive travel packages.
More discussions will be held to iron out the details. He hoped that visits between the people of Sarawak and Indonesia, particularly Yogyakarta, would inculcate a better mutual understanding of both regions, thus forging closer rapport.
