We ruled out Bali as we have been there several times and wanted something different.  We literally checked up on the Indonesian cities that Silkair (SQ’s sister airline that flies the region) flies to and finally decided to go to Yogyakarta.  We love to take photographs and the mystic of Borobodur attracted us.   We managed to redeem tickets to Yogyakarta for middle of August, a high season for Borobodur. Another plus point the exchange rate was really attractive then. SGD1 was about IDR10k when we went!

Then where to stay?  I am a Hyatt Platinum member due to my frequent business travel.  So I had accumulated some Hyatt points.  Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta is a category one hotel, i.e., require the least number of points for a night’s stay.  I decided to redeem 3 nights stay at the club room.  So we were ready to go!  No cost yet so far except for airline fuel surcharge!  Yippee!??

I surfed the net and decided that we must do a sunrise Borobodur and Sunset Prambanan and Boko tour.  Everything else will need to be worked around these two activities.  Many on tripadvisor recommended renting a car with a driver.  Much cheaper than joining a tour and very flexible.  But I didn’t want just a driver.  I wanted a proper guide to explain to us the meaning of the carvings on the temples, and stories behind the temples and the gods.  Just looking at the carvings would have been totally meaningless to us.  I contacted the Hyatt tour desk and we agreed on an afternoon Prambanan and Boko tour on the day of our arrival and a sunrise Borobodur tour the next day.  Cost for the two private tours for the two of us was IDR2.7M (~SGD270).  Hyatt was only charging IDR200k (~SGD20) for return airport transfer, so we took it too.

We were all set to go!

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We decided to check out breakfast at the main restaurant today.  The selection was pretty wide with lots of local and international offerings. I loved the fact that they had different types of sambal (chilli paste) available.  They were great with the prawn crackers!  They even offered Jamu drinks.

Breakfast @ Kemangi Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta

We had not made any plans today and originally considered going into town to check out the Sultan’s Palace and do some shopping. But decided otherwise after we saw some photos and reviews on the Internet. We decided to visit Ullen Sentalu instead.

We booked the hotel car for 3 hours for this visit. It’ll be cheaper to get a taxi but we decided to take the hotel car for the convenience. Guests Services estimated that it will cost us about IDR100k to get there and we will need to negotiate a price with the cab driver to wait for us and send us back as otherwise there will be no transport back. The Hotel car cost us IDR300k. We were not in the mood to negotiate with cab drivers. It took us about 30 mins to get from the Hyatt to Ullen Sentalu.

Entrance fee for foreigners is IDR50,000 per pax and comes with a museum guide and a Jamu drink. We were lucky to get Ratna for our guide. She was cheerful and spoke excellent English.

The museum consisted of several rooms, each with a different focus. There was one room with musical instruments. Most of the rooms were filled with paintings and portraits of the royal family of Yogyakarta and Solo in history and Ratna had a story to tell for every picture. It makes the characters come alive and you can imagine the lives they used to lead. There were batiks of different designs on display too, together with some stone sculptures. We were served a delicious ginger Jamu drink at the end of the tour. No photography was allowed inside the museum.

Ullen Sentalu

We had lunch at the museum restaurant, Beukenhof, after the tour. My husband had the spaghetti bolognaise while I had the duck salad. I also ordered a Virjito (virgin Mojito). I like my salad and drink a lot. DH says that the spaghetti was not that great and his green tea was strange. Service was fast and efficient.  We sat outside on the veranda which looked pleasantly out to the garden. As Ullen Sentalu is in the mountains, it was very cooling and can be slightly chilly for some.

Lunch @ Beukenhof Restaurant, Ullen Sentalu

We also browsed the souvenir shop which sold really nice and classy stuff. Price and quality are all on the higher side. I bought 2 lovely cushion covers which cost me IDR712,000.

All in all a lovely and enjoyable visit for us. I’m glad we came here.

Back at the hotel, it was more lazing around. it is a rare opportunity to be able to sit around, and read a book.

We had made a reservation for a Ramayana buffet dinner cum show at the restaurant that night. The Hyatt have this dinner cum show every Saturday night. We were to lazy to catch the epic at Prambanan.

The Ramayana, Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta

I didn’t think the buffet offering was good. It was pretty average. But I enjoyed the show. However, the commentary cannot be heard clearly. We had previously seen the Ramayana in Bali and so we know the story. If you do not know the story, you may be a little lost. Cost of the buffet was IDR190k+. We didn’t think the food was worth it, but I suppose you have to pay for the show too. We had booked a few mths ahead when we booked the hotel and I had requested for good seats. They promised me the best and indeed, we were given the best seats.

Ramayana Dinner @ Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta

Overall, it was still a pleasant evening.

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Our flight home was at around 5.50pm.  Our plan was to sleep in, get brunch (Hyatt was advertising a Sunday buffet brunch), go to the spa, before heading to the airport.

At Sasanti, we ordered the wagyu beef rending (spicy stew), ayam bali (fried chicken),corn fritters, jackfruit spicy vegetable, and they were definitely better than the sets.  Food was tasty and came out piping hot.  This was definitely a better lunch than if we were to have brunch at the hotel if the brunch was going to be anything like dinner the night before.

Delicious lunch @ Sasanti

After lunch, we took a short rest in the room before checking out and requesting that our bags be sent to the main lobby.  Then we headed off for our Spa. We did a different treatment package which consisted of massage, mask and bath. We enjoyed it too.  When we were done, it was just about time for us to head to the airport.We had a departure transfer arranged with the hotel.  The driver actually dropped us at the wrong terminal. The 2 terminals are not connected! I called the hotel immediately on knowing that we were at the wrong terminal and the hotel got the driver to come back for us. We were taking silkair which is in the new Terminal B. The driver, sheepishly said he wasn’t familiar with the new terminal when he came back for us. So pls be careful to have your driver drop you at the correct terminal. I’m actually surprise that the hotel transport can make such a mistake. Overall, it was a great 4 days getaway.  We had a good relaxing break and I really like Borobudur, so peaceful and serene.

• Yogyakarta Getaway, Day 3 (Ullen Sentalu)
• Cheap Eats in Tokyo

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Our short getaway to Yogyakarta was in August of 2015.  This is the dry season in Yogyakarta.

We took a morning flight by Silkair to Yogyakarta from Singapore.  Flight was slightly over 2 hours.  Indonesia is one hour behind Singapore.  We arrived in Yogyakarta at around 9.30am.  We had arranged for airport pickup and the guy from Hyatt Regency was waiting for us when we exited from the gates.  The car ride to the hotel was about 20 mins.

The Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta has beautiful grounds and nice swimming pools. It immediately gave a relaxing tropical resort feel when we arrived.  We had booked the club rooms, so upon arrival we were shown to the Regency club lounge for check in.  Check in was efficient. Although it was before 11am. our room was already ready.

The room itself was simple and nothing to shout about. I like the tiled flooring of the room. Feels so much cleaner than carpets. The room deco is pretty old, but nonetheless the room was clean and well maintained. I have no complain.  A day before we left, we asked for late checkout at 2pm and they acceded to our request without a second thought. Not sure if it is because I am a Hyatt Platinum member, but nonetheless, the early check in and late check out were appreciated.

We settled down for a while before going out to explore the hotel grounds.  the grounds were beautiful and they had their own golf course as well.  DH made a mental note to bring his golf clubs the next time.

The Grounds of Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta

We had a 2pm Prambanan and Boko tour.  So we decided to catch lunch at the restaurant.  The Ayam Penyat (fried chicken) and Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice) that we had were quite nice and we felt price was very reasonable.

Lunch @ Kamangi Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta

We met our tour guide at the lobby of the Hyatt at 2pm and started our afternoon and sunset tour of Candi Sambisari, Prambanan and Ratu Boko. First stop that afternoon was Candi Sambisari.  Candi Sambisari is a 9th century Hindu temple.  It was buried about 5 meters underground.  Part of the original temple have been excavated.

Candi Sambisari, Hindu temple

Prambanan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It is a Hindu temple built in the 10th century and is the largest temple compound dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva, in Indonesia.  The three main temples are decorated with reliefs illustrating the epic of Ramayana, dedicated to the three great Hindu divinities (Shiva, Vishnu & Brahma) and three smaller temples dedicated to the animals who serve them.

Prambanan, Hindu temple
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Prambanan, Hindu temple
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Prambanan was impressive and very crowded. We love taking photos and thus spent longer than expected in Prambanan. As a result, we did not have enough time to catch the mini train to Sewu, as we wanted to catch the sunset at Ratu Boko.

Prambanan is definitely worth a visit if you are In Yogyakarta. But between Prambanan and Borobudur which we saw the next day, I still like Borobudur better.

Prambanan, Hindu temple
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Ratu Boko Palace is an archeological site 3km from Prambanan.  Its origins have not been determined yet and it is names after King Boko from a traditional folklore. The sunset at Ratu Boko was beautiful. Sitting around waiting for the sunset was great. The place was breezy and everyone was just sitting on the ground waiting for the moment. Definitely have to time your visit at sunset.

Ratu Boko @ Sunset

Ratu Boko @ Sunset

Our entrance ticket to Ratu Boko included a drink (coffee or tea) and snack at the restaurant. As we did not want the snack, they allowed us to pick fruit juice instead.  Then it was back to our hotel for dinner. Regency Club Lounge serves cocktail every evening.  It was simple. You can’t make a meal out of the cocktail offerings, but it provided adequate snack/appetitser with our drinks before we head off for dinner. Service of the Regency club lounge staff was always prompt and with a smile.

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We left our hotel at 3.50am and arrived at Manahora hotel at around 4.25am. The Manahora hotel has a direct access to Borobudur, the only hotel with this privilege.  Thus entry to Borobudur prior to official opening times, ie during sunrise tours, have to be via the Manahora hotel.

After waiting for our private guide to get the tickets, we were off to the temple complex around 4.45am. We were suppose to be given sarongs to tie around our waist, but they did not seem to have enough that morning so we did not have to do that. But they did give us scarves as souvenirs when we came out.

Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

We thought we were early, but when we went into the temple complex there were already people there. Fortunately, we were still early enough to get our spot in front of the “open stupa”.

Borobudur, 9th century Buddhist temple

As we waited for sunrise, more people came along. We were glad we had secured a good spot. We were unlucky as some clouds came in just before the sun pop out. Nonetheless, we got some nice photos.

Borobudur, 9th century Buddhist temple A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Borobudur was very peaceful in the morning and weather was cool and comfortable. I find the whole place very peaceful and calming even though there were many people around me. Compared to Prambanan which we visited a day earlier, I like the peacefulness of Borobudur better. Prambanan seems more intense.

Borobodur, 9th century Buddhist temple
A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Borobudur is definitely a must visit place. I enjoyed my sunrise visit very much.

By the time we had gone around the temple complex to admire the carvings, we can see the crowd starting to come in. We were then ready to leave.

Borobudur, 9th century Buddhist temple A UNESCO World Heritage Site

After we exit Borobodur, we went to Manahora hotel for our included snack of fried bananas and coffee or tea.  This is included in the sunrise ticket to Borobodur which is included in our tour price.

Light snack and coffee @ Manahora Hotel

After Borobudur, we went to a minor temple, Candi Pawon. Candi Pawon is a small temple between Borobudur and Candi Mendut.

Candi Pawon, Buddhist temple

Candi Mendut is a ninth-century Buddhist temple located about three kilometres east from Borobudur. Mendut, Borobudur and Pawon, all of which are Buddhist temples, are located in one straight line. It is believed that religious ceremonies may have involved rituals originating in Mendut, before going to Pawon, and ending in Borododur, although the exact ritual process is unknown.

Candi Mendut, 9th century Buddhist temple

After our temple visits we went back to the hotel for breakfast. The club serves simple breakfast until 10.30am. Breakfast at the lounge was limited in variety but adequate. We had 2 breakfasts at the lounge. I like the quiet and peacefulness of the lounge. Then it was back to our room to catch up on our sleep.

That afternoon, we went to the spa. We did the Royal Spa which consisted of massage, scrub and bath. We enjoyed it and price was reasonable at IDR969k per 120/150 min treatment. The Spa is not luxurious like at the Shangri La or Banyan Tree, but was still very good for the price they charged.  Just be aware that if you book a couple room, one bed is indoor in an aircon room and the other is outdoor next to it with the bath. But the outdoor massage was still ok even when we did our treatment in the afternoon. Not too warm. Still comfortable. But if you prefer your treatment in aircon room, make sure you book 2 individual rooms.

Relaxing Spa @ Hyatt

That night, we went to Sasanti, a restaurant next to the hotel for dinner.  It is quite well rated on tripadvisor and also recommended by the concierge at the Hyatt.  Sasanti Is a restaurant serving local Indonesian food in a beautiful garden setting. We sat outdoors in the cool evening.

Sasanti Restaurant

Each of us ordered a different Nasi campur (mixed dishes and rice) set. It comes with 3 types of rice, and tasting portion of different dishes. We also ordered all carte oxtail soup. For dessert, we had the Dutch pancakes. Food was good, especially the oxtail soup, but the fish in my rice set was cold. I think ordering a la carte may have been better, but it will also mean being able to have less variety. The wagyu rendang (spicy beef stew) in my husband’s set was excellent.

Dinner @ Sasanti

Nasi Campur set dinner @ Sasanti

There was live jazz music too. When we visited that night, the restaurant was quite empty but we understand that it can be busy in some days especiallly during national holidays.

We enjoyed our dinner here. Restaurant setting and service was excellent.

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