Jogjakarta Daily Photo

Halo Effect

2011-01-06T08:04:00.001+07:00

This natural phenomenon is seen at Jogjakarta sky on Tuesday noon (1/4/2011). For more info on Halo Effect: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_%28optical_phenomenon%29

Wall Mural at Lempuyangan Flyover

2010-12-20T10:45:00.000+07:00

The 72nd '19'

2010-12-19T10:11:00.000+07:00

Today is our 6th 'dating' anniversary. My girl friend surprised me this morning by showing up with a birthday cake.

APKOM Yes! 2010 Computer Expo

2010-12-07T10:26:00.000+07:00

APKOM Yes! 2010 Computer Expo at Jogja Expo Center, December 4 - 8, 2010

Nusantara Culinary Expo

2010-12-06T10:13:00.000+07:00

Festival Kuliner Nusantara (Nusantara Culinary Expo), at Jogja Expo Center December 4 - 8, 2010.

Morning Shoping

2010-11-19T21:57:00.000+07:00

Alternative Way for Cycling

2010-11-18T10:21:00.002+07:00

This kind of street sign for cycler is easily found around town. This is part of local government commitment to encourage people to use bicycle instead of motorcycle or car.

Capturing the World

2010-11-16T09:08:00.001+07:00

A Korean tourist taking a picture of the beautiful scenery at Suralaya peak. If the fog does not block your view, you can see Borobudur Temple, Merapi and Merbabu Mountains and the view of Magelang city from this place.

Peak of Suroloyo is the highest hill at Menoreh Mountains at 1,091 meters above sea level. It is a meditating place and has its own legend. The story tells that Raden Mas Rangsang who later was named Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusuma meditated in the place. In Cabolek book written by Ngabehi Yosodipuro in the eighteenth century, Sultan Agung received two divine inspirations. First, he will be the ruler of Java so that he was encouraged to walk westwards of Kotagede to reach Menoreh Mountains; second, he had to live asceticism in order to become a ruler.

In addition to the enchanting view, the Peak of Suroloyo also keeps myth. This peak is believed to be the center of the four directions in Java Island. Local people believe that this peak is the meeting point of two lines drawn from north to south and from west to east of Java Island.

Old House Next Door

2010-11-15T08:49:00.000+07:00

This old house is located just across my house, on the Bausasran Area. The architecture model is consider old. I'm not sure whether someone actually life there. But for sure someone is taking care of this house, since it's yard is periodicly cleaned.

Sunday Morning at UGM

2010-11-14T15:54:00.004+07:00

It is Sunday morning and the rush for some sport is rising. One of the most favorite place for Jogjakartanian to do some personal physical exercise in Jogjakarta is in the front yard of Graha Sabha Pramana (GSP) Hall of Gadjah Mada University (UGM). Every Sunday morning this place is crowded with many people jogging with friends and family.

This crowd apparently attract sellers. At first there were only several food booth that serve the need for breakfast to the people who just did the exercise. Over the time, sellers in GSP increases in number. They are not only sell food, but also other thing like slippers, shoes, toys, cloth, unique craft, kitchen appliance, etc. Now the sellers are not only at Lembah UGM, but also in the front of UGM Mosque, Economic Diploma Campus, and other places. The name for this weekly open market is sunmor, an abbreviation from Sunday Morning. I don't know when the term of Sunmor begun to be used nor who created it. It is just the way locals call this activity.

Sunmor UGM runs only on Sunday from 5a.m. to 12 p.m. Although sellers usually sell stuff in relatively low prices, don't forget to bargain. There is always a possibility that you might get the stuff you want in lower price.

13 Seconds to Go

2010-11-13T17:23:00.006+07:00

Traffic light at the cross road in front of Jogjakarta's Central Post Office. The area is also known as Jogjakarta's Kilometer Zero. I took this picture from my motorcycle on my way home from work. Traffic light at the crossroad of main street in Jogjakarta usually has digital counter that shows time needed to switch from red light to green light, and vice versa.

Tugu Jogja at Night

2010-11-12T00:24:00.001+07:00

Tugu Jogja is an obelisk shaped monument which is often used as a symbol of the city of Yogyakarta. This monument was built by Hamengku Buwono I, founder of the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate (now become Jogjakarta Special Region Province). The monument is located at the intersection of Jenderal Sudirman Street and Mangkubumi Street.

Tugu is a part of Jogjakarta imaginary line that connect the Southern Beach and the top of Mount Merapi which illustrate a process of human life from birth until death. Southern Beach is a symbol of a birth of life, Mount Merapi is a symbol of spirituality and Tugu is the center point where man can unite with God if he can get through temptations of power and wealth. The temptation of power is symbolized by the Kepatihan (royal) Complex, while wealth is represented by Bringharjo Market located between Jogjakarta Palace and Tugu. The planology of the city itself is a manifestation of this philosophy as illustrated by its street that are stretching north-south.

Near Flooded at Romomangun

2010-11-11T09:05:00.002+07:00

Following the Merapi's volcaning eruption, the biggest threat to the city, experts say, is not searing gas clouds, but the Code River, which flows right into the city's heart from the 9,700-foot (3,000-meter) mountain.

It could act as a conduit for deadly volcanic mudflows that form in heavy rains, racing at speeds of up to 60 mph (100 kph) and destroying everything in their path. A thick, black volcanic sludge has already inundated one city neighborhood that starts at the river bank and climbs a hillside.

In Romomangun, the mud burst the banks and poured into buildings. It has filled a path that runs along the river - which is usually about three feet (a meter) below a retaining wall but is now even with it.

Locals stacked hundreds of white bags filled with sand alongside the river to prevent the mud poured into buildings.

Merapi's Volcanic Ash

2010-11-09T11:55:00.001+07:00

No, this is not in Iraq nor Afghanistan. This is a cross road in Yogyakarta called Pingit cross road. I took this picture after rain of volcanic ash from Merapi Volcano showered Yogyakarta on Friday, October 5, 2010.

Plumes of hot gas and volcanic debris spewed from the mountain’s crater, killing more than 106 people so far and injuring scores of others as of Friday morning. Volcanic ash blanketed and paralyzed several towns and villages near the mountain. Volcanologists said Friday’s eruption was the biggest in more than a century.

International carriers canceled flights to Yogyakarta and even to the capital over concerns about the volcano spewing ash hundreds of miles away.

NOTE: This place was about 27 km away from the volcano's peak. The save zone is now 20 km. Everybody in radius 20 km from the volcano has to move away. No body is allowed to be in 20 km radius from the volcano, except trained volunteer, army and several journalist. So I can't take a closer picture of merapi. But if you want to get more professional photos, go to this link : http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/11/mount_merapis_eruptions.html

Mataram Shoes Stalls

2010-09-06T10:56:00.000+07:00

Actually, there is no fixed name for this shopping place. Locals usually refer it as Mataram Street. The street is located side by side with the famous street, Malioboro Street. The street is well known for having many street stalls selling shoes and sandals for low affordable price. You can find both original and pirated branded shoes here. Don't forget to bargain. Usually you can get 10-20% cheaper from the original price.

BKPM Prov. DIY Office

2010-09-05T10:28:00.000+07:00

This is the office where I work. It called BKPM Prov DIY, stands for Badan Kerjasama dan Penanaman Modal Provinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. In English, it means Board of Cooperation and Investment of Provincial Government of Yogyakarta Special Region. I work as a staff in International Cooperation Sub Division.

The office it self located in the Governor Office Complex or also known as Kepatihan Complex. The complex is located on the most famous street in Jogjakarta, the Malioboro Street.

I took this picture on Saturday Afternoon, just after I get done with my work.

Mie Jakarta 168, Sagan

2010-09-04T12:55:00.000+07:00

This is my first posting, and I want to start with food. One of my friend back in the office suggest me this place. He said it was the best Yammie (also known as Jakarta Noodle or Mie Jakarta) in town.

The place is called Mie Jakarta 168, located at Jln. Prof. Yohanes, Sagan Area,Yogyakarta. They only open during night time, from 17.30 - 23.30. During the day, it is just a regular side walk in front of stores and offices. As you can see, the place it self is more like an open street cafe than a real restaurant. So you can directly see and hear cars and motorcycles passing by just couple meters from the place you sit.

The place serves 4 kind of Yummie. The regular Yummie consist of Yammie Bakso (meatball yammie), Yammie Ayam (chicken yammie) and Yammie Pangsit. It cost Rp. 8.000,- each. While the special Yummie (the complete one) cost you Rp. 8.500,-. I tried the complete one, and I have to admit it taste better than regular Yammie I usually eat.

Besides it's low cost and tasty food, there are two other good thing about this place. It is street busker and beggar free. And also it has free parking lot. There are not much street restaurant in Jogja that apply this kind of policy. Usually if you go to street restaurant, you will there are many busker asking for money while you were enjoying your meal.