Batik
by traveldream
It would be impossible to visit or live in Indonesia and not be exposed to one of the country's most highly developed art forms, batik. On your first visit to a batik store or factory you will undoubtedly experience an overwhelming stimulation of the senses - due to the many colors, patterns and the actual smell of batik. Only through repeated visits and a bit of study will the types of designs and their origins become apparent.
History
Although there is mention of 'fabrics highly decorated' in Dutch transcripts from the 17th century, most scholars believe that the intricate Javanese batik designs would only have been possible after the importation of finely woven imported cloth, which was first imported to Indonesia from India around the 1800s and afterwards from Europe beginning in 1815. Textile patterns can be seen on stone statues that are carved on the walls of ancient Javanese temples such as Prambanan (AD 800), however there is no conclusive evidence that the cloth is batik. It could possibly be a pattern that was produced with weaving techniques and not dying. What is clear is that in the 19th century batik became highly developed and was well ingrained in Javanese cultural life.
Selection and Preparation of the Cloth
Natural materials such as cotton or silk are used for the cloth, so that it can absorb the wax that is applied in the dye resisting process. The fabrics must be of a high thread count (densely woven). It is important that cloth of high quality have this high thread count so that the intricate design qualities of batik can be maintained.
Courtesy of Expat Web Site Association Jakarta, Indonesia
National Flag of the Republic of Indonesia
by xuessium
The Indonesian national flag is called "Sang Saka Merah Putih. "Merah Putih" simply means Red-White. The official name however is Sang Saka, that is "Lofty Bicolor". Red represents the human blood, standing for the corporeal or concrete, white represents the spiritual. Together they are a pair, like the life on earth: day and night; man and wife; creation and individual.
alarm clock that alarms
by Rastarigo
you sure don't wanna miss out on a sunrise trip to borobudur that leaves yogya at 5am. i always bring with me a teeny-weeny clock i presume would ring on the right time to wake me up whenever i have an early flight, train ride, bus voyage or whatever schedule i don't wanna miss out. see sometimes i am so tired after a fun daytrip out that I just stagger upstairs to bed without eating dinner and this extreme fatigue just ***s up my body clock, or sleep late at night only to wake up in the afternoon. cases like this do always happen while traveling. and my alarm clock comes to my rescue. but in yogya, my alarm clock would not seem to cooperate with me. it no longer works. i was anxious the whole night how i, who sleeps like an infant in a crib can wake up 4:30 in the morning to be with the sunrise trip to borobudur. luck was on my side because at 4:30 there was a loud chanting (muslim prayer?) that could be heard all over the neighborhood (yes that very early in the morning i wonder how could anyone not complain about it) utterly loud it could wake up the whole community. i was saved!!!! be sure to bring an alarm clock and double check if it really works before you zip your backpack.
Vulcano!
by belgianchocolate
The 'merapi'vulcano is an often made trip from Jogya.
I was impressed by his mystic appereance and not at al confident that this was a nice , resting vulcano...
For visits check on one of those travel agents in Sorso or at your hostel desk. For no money they'll pick you up at the hotel.
We just had a look from a save distance. :-)
This vulcano is well known because a lot of fertile soil comes from here.
Solo airport to Yogya
by sckhoo
From Solo airport (i took Airasia), get a voucher at the airport (turn left when exist from airport door), RP180K to get to Yogya.
You can ask the cab to bring you to the Kraton (palace), meter is about RP75K.
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25-07-2010
Courtyard swimming pool
Borobudur
Founder of Candi Sambisari
