Yogyakarta Tourist Traps

dont believe when people on the street try to lure you to a "batik exhibition". they will take you to a place where they will show you poor quality batiks and they will insist you to buy the big lot of them!

Unique Suggestions: just say "tidak, terima kasih" (no thanks) and keep on walking. don't show any interest at all or they will keep on following you.

In Prambanan you see very big banners: Don't miss Ratu Boko.
Accoridng to my Lonely Planet, it should be a partly restored summer castle of the sultan from which you have a splendid view on Prambanan.
A becak took us there from the main road in Prambanan for 10.000 each, two ways.
We walked up a hundred steps to find out that they asked 10 US $ entrance.
No way, it couldn't be it's money worth.

We cursed, went down and rode back...

It's very common for the trishaw riders to try to persuade you to visit the batik shop or silver galery nearby as they'll earn commission if you buy. Some of them can be very persistent.

Unique Suggestions: -Try not to go into the trap, as some vendors are very persistent.

-Tell them you've bought it yesterday.

-Convince that you've run out of money :)

Fun Alternatives: Reject politely.

Well, it took me less than 10 minutes to enter the park but I had spent more than half an hour to find my way out. As I arrived at 6am when those souvenir stores were closed but they had already set up at 9am. Upon exit you'll see the 'exit' sign where the adventure begins. You'll have to walk a single path with souvenir stores at your right/ left side and this is a long and tiring way to go.

Unique Suggestions: -Smile and walk patiently.
-Take a look at the souvenirs. In fact they are interesting.
-Bargain before buying.
-Run quickly :)
-Some people are pushy but most of them are ok.

Fun Alternatives: Don't follow the 'exit' sign as it is misleading. I'm sure that there must have a way where this hassle can be avoided.

Only the word turns me nuts now.
I lost my hart to the batik of Kalimantan-banjarmasin , which is totally different - they sew patern before dyeing the silk.

Anyway , first of all people will come up to you asking if you already bought batik. Second is that the ones you saw , for instance in Taman Sari , is of a lot worse quality then that of them.
You wash theirs , and wooops , the colors are gone. They don't have quality...
And then there are the students with a traveling exhibition , last night in Jogya...follow me.
They are often modern dressed , handsome and at first helping you out with something...

Just keep on smiling , say your not interested , ....
Practise that smile weeks before you leave. lol

Fun Alternatives: Please , there is no need to get paranoid ,
there are a lot of people who just like to talk to you.
It's just difficult to find out who's trying to sell and who isn't....

Jogjakarta is a friendly city absolutely! But sometimes, bad thing can happened. If you're decided to have meals in pedestrian of Malioboro, do not hesitate to ask about the price first. As happened in me once; without asking, me and friends order grilled chicken and the bill was TOO expensive for four of us! A man nearby there gave a simple explanation; because you looks not native Jogja or local, they're think you don't know the EXACTLY price for it!!!!!

Unique Suggestions: As I said above; asking the price first before order. Or read the price list and make sure; is it too expensive than average price there.

Fun Alternatives: Make a small survey about average prices along Malioboro before decided to have meals.