Yogyakarta Warnings Or Dangers

I find that Yogya is generally safe place but in Malioboro there are quite a number of beggars and mentally unsound people. It's your choice whether you want to give some money but do observe the usual precautions... watch your wallet and mind your own business and not attraction attention.

Gas sulfurs: I have climbed volcano Merapi 9 times.My first climb was on 1994, and last one was on 2007. Mostly via northern slope. Nothing change on that volcano except there were more smoke of gas sulfur on the peak. I fill not comfortable with the situation, so that I use my masker and don't have my breakfast on peak, but I decided to have my breakfast at Watu Gadja (1 hour trek down from the peak) on my way back to New Selo ( the trekkers Basecamp at starting point).

Rain: On wet season there are always avalanche on peak zone, particularly at rainy day. I have recorded that there are must be avalanche after 2-3 hours heavy rain on the peak zone.Therefore, always consider to stop climbing to the peak when there were indication to rain.

cloud: Normally the cloud start to move down at 8 clock in morning. These cloud restrict vision distance so that the route way is visible. The risk of getting lost at peak zone is possible. I had already experienced it once . Reach the peak early and trek down before 8 clock is better decision and safer. How ever, when trapped in cloud or fog, it's safer to wait till the cloud or fog are sweep by the wind blow.

Tackle the route way: Part route from Pasar Bubra to Peak is the hardest route via Selo, the path is unstable and the risk to slip down and be hit be stone are possible for every one. Be sure on step and walk side by side, not one line is one ways to minimize those risks.

On weekend there are too many domestic visitor coming to Kaliurang-Kalikuning -KaliAdem. So it's too crowded, noisy and uncomfortable. Manage your trip plan to evoid these situation. If you realy want to enjoy your outdoor trip, it's better to visit those place in early morning for sunrise, more fresh air and better weather. Bad weather made the view around KaliAdem become worst

After 3 days in Yogya I still haven't figured out a reasonable fare for taxis and becaks. Between Jalan Sudirman and the Kraton, I've been offered anything from 5,000 IDR to 10,000 IDR for a becak ride. With taxis it's anywhere between 8,000 IDR (using the meter) to 20,000 IDR (basically a ripoff). With a couple of honest taxi drivers (using the meter and no roundabout routes), the ride is about 5,000 IDR per km.

I found out about the Trans Jogya bus which I loved. It's comfortable, cheap (3,000 IDR/ride), convenient and takes all the guess work and stress out.

i freaked out upon hearing from a liar's mouth that the trains jogja to jakarta for that day and next couple of days are already fully booked. i so believed what he said as i was aware there is a national holiday going on hence the seat-grabbing panic. apparently he was promoting this bus jogja-jakarta. do not, under any circumstance, believe the locals who spawn lies. you have to go and check the veracity of whatever claims. never fall prey to local liars because they got an ax to grind most of the time especially when they are engaged in the tourism industry.

we tried the mee bakso (meatballs noodle soup) in one of the rolling food stalls. it was really good and tasty for a late breakfast until i saw the owner washing the bowls and spoons. he doesn't use any soap. he just rinsed it inside a pail of water and place back the bowls and spoon on their racks. it wasn't even running water. he is probably recycling the same water again and again and wait till it turns greasy and brownish before he will replace it with new water. i was dismayed and terrified by the risk of sharing saliva and contracting diseases by using those insufficiently washed utensils. i also raise the same concern with beverage stalls out in the street. i suggest you ask them to scoop the cold drink into a plastic and sip on it
rather than using their glass, spoon or fork. sanitation is really of high concern when food tripping out in the street. i can't resist the allure of local delicacies and drinks but i may have to retreat whenever the manner of preparation and serving is questionable as i see it.

The more or less continuously erupting Merapi (Fire Mountain) is one of the most destructive, and active volcanoes in the world! It killed nearly 2000 people in 25 eruptions since 1930. And this year, May 27th 2006, earth shook like hell, however it wasn't the Fire Mountain Merapi but the source was within the Indian Ocean. Nearly 3000 people got killed ... rest in peace for them.

It is a great adventure to climb this devilish, fiery Fire Mountain, but always be prepared if you decide to go for a hike (25 km North of Yogya). There are times when the summits is off limits because of dangerous sulphurous fumes and, large areas beneath the volcano are "forbidden zones"!

It's safer and easier climb from Selo, to the North of Merapi; from Kaliurang it's much more challenging. Look around for a very good guide so you don't walk right into your death ...

Now, this is something I'd wish someone told me before I came here! Just be wary of the Becak Drivers who are Batik Conmen in disguise, they're take you to one of Yogya's many galleries and collect a hefty commission of the inflated price of the Batik painting. They'll use such tried and tested monikers such as "Government Art Gallery", "Special Exhibition", "Last day of ...well, you get the idea. I went to these art galleries more than once and thought it odd at one point that there were so many government art galleries..