A New Beginning in Yogyakarta
January 16th, Yogyakarta. Since I had to stay longer due to the visa system troubles, I decided to try a different hotel. It was only about ten minutes away, so I took my time walking there with my bicycle and luggage.
The moment I entered the lobby, I felt a sense of comfort. There was even a classic luggage cart, which gave it the feel of a good-quality hotel. On display were Batik, Indonesia’s traditional clothing, beautifully arranged. I was tempted to buy one, but at around 3000 yen and with my luggage already heavy, I decided to save that for another time.
Upstairs, the open hallway was elegant. In front of my room was a small space with a chair and table, perfect for reading or simply relaxing. The room itself was spacious and comfortable. After dropping off my bags, I couldn’t resist the urge to explore the neighborhood.
A Local Recommendation
As I walked along the main road, a security guard came up to me. With a friendly smile, he began recommending places to visit as if his job didn’t matter at all. One of his suggestions caught my attention, so I followed his advice.
Soon, I found myself by a river, with a peaceful view of the houses along the banks. Just five minutes later, I reached the Affandi Museum.
Before coming to Indonesia, a friend had told me, “Yogyakarta is an art city. If you get the chance, visit a museum.” I don’t usually stop by museums during my travels, but I remembered that advice. Also, I was curious because Affandi looked a little like my grandfather.
Inside the Affandi Museum
I am not an art expert, but I love details in artwork. Many of Affandi’s works showed such fine detail, even resembling the texture of fingerprints. I imagined what it must have been like to watch him paint, feeling the intensity and passion even from behind his back.
Walking through the exhibits, I felt satisfied and inspired.
A Surprising Taste of Ramen
Afterward, hunger pushed me toward a shopping mall. The first thing that caught my eye was a ramen shop. At first, I thought, “I can always eat ramen in Japan, why here?” But curiosity won.
The bowl that came out looked just like Japanese ramen. When I tasted it, I was shocked—it was delicious, almost the same as ramen back home. I hadn’t expected much, but the flavor was deep and comforting.
I had tried “ramen” once before in Malaysia, but this was far better and cheaper. I could honestly eat it every day.
A Sweet Ending to the Day
On my way back to the hotel, I stopped at a fruit juice shop just outside. Local fruits are still a mystery to me, so I was delighted to see descriptions written about their names, tastes, and nutrients. It felt like finding a hidden gem.
Maybe I had discovered my new favorite spot in Yogyakarta.
