Images of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Yogyakarta, located in central Java, is a small city of around 400,000 people, known both for its bustling street life and its place as a heartland of traditional Javanese culture. It maintains a balance between the old and the new; cars, buses and motorcycles compete with the more laid-back pace of pedal-powered becaks.

 Above: Eating lesehan-style (on mats by the roadside) is one of the signature experiences of Jln Malioboro, the street that Yogya seems to revolve around. The food is good but not necessarily the best Yogya has to offer - you need to sniff around a bit further for that - but it is a must for those who enjoy observing the energetic hustle and bustle of street life.

Above: Yogya is famed for its ayam goreng (marinated fried chicken), and part of the appeal surely is due to the use of kampung (village) chickens rather than factory-farmed ones. Hopefully this fellow's handsome demeanor will save him from the deep-frier.

Above: Naga statue at the Kraton (Sultan's palace)

Below: The bird market in the south of the city, which bears the rather odd title of PASTY (an acronym for Pasar Satwa & Tanaman Hias Yogyakarta)

Left, right and below: Tamansari (Water Castle), designed in the 17th Century by a Portuguese architect overlaid by traditional Javanese motifs.

Above right and left: A craftsman painstakingly creates a wayang kulit hand puppet, made from the hide of water buffalo.

Below: Wayang kulit in action, depicting the great Hindu epics of yesteryear.

All these photos courtesy of Aveena, who also has a photo blog here.


Related posts:

Gudeg, the ugly but beautiful culinary specialty of Yogyakarta

Chinese donuts on a Yogya roadside - the best breakfast ever

"Cat-poo coffee"