The House Of Raminten

Previously:
Borobudur Temple

One of the famous eccentric restaurant in Yogyakarta is this The House of Raminten.  The restaurant is named after Mr. Hamzah Sulaiman's character in soap opera on Jogja TV that he used to perform.  The decoration in this place is so eye-catching.  Nice lesehan (sitting on the floor/mat and low table) setting on one side, then some kursi malas (lazy chair) on the other side.  You also can find the Jacuzzi on the way to toilet at the back, is placed for no reason (or maybe we just didn't get it why!!).  More weird thing is there are horses (in the cage) as well inside the restaurant.  Pretty smelly though around that area.  Some other small touch here and there, on the wall or just been placed by the wall are really interested.  The serving dishes that they used are pretty fun and unique too.  The price of food is quite reasonable.  

Wedang jahe merah

Susu prawan tancep

Ayam Koteka

Tempe Goreng

Variety of Satay



Special rawon with steamed rice

Their rawon was really good actually.  The broth was so thick and flavorsome just like what I like.  This is a very traditional Javanese dish.  However, the steamed rice is needed to order separately. 



Sego Ijo (Green Rice)



Sego Kucing Single



Sego kucing triple

We were surprised and little disappointed with this dish (not blaming anyone but our self).  When we read the menu they said 'triple', we thought it would be triple portion of everything.  But when they served it in front of us, it was correctly triple but only rice, the meat and condiments are the same amount.  Lucky it wasn't my dish though. 



Roti bakar

Durian pancake

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Yogyakarta:
A Little About Surabaya Food

Borobudur Temple

Previously:
Dieng Plateau And Sikidang Crater


This is the number 1 top destination in Yogyakarta, and I would say top 10 in the world.  It is part of UNESCO World Herritage and the Seven Wonders.  This Buddhist temple is dating back since 8th century and is one of the biggest temple of many temples in central java.


It is a massive temple, so magical and no a single nail or cement used to built this temple in the past.  However,  around the end of 2014 strong earthquake stroke this town and had an impact on this temple.  Some of the pagodas and walkway were ruined.  They just did some basic restoration but can't be like the original.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Yogyakarta:
The House Of Raminten

Dieng Plateau And Sikidang Crater

Previously:
Gudeg Bu Djuminten And Malioboro Street

Before we were going for a day tour today, we had breakfast at the hotel earlier in the morning.  The buffet breakfast in this hotel was really good.  So many choices from cold to hot type food and they also serve fresh made-to-order Jamu which is a traditional healthy drink, mixed from herbs and spices. 





Today we went to Dieng Plateau, is about 3 hours drive from Yogyakarta city up to the mountain.  Dieng is an active volcano region and the Plains formed from volcanic crater that has died. Visiting the Telaga Warna (colourful lake) and Kawah Sikidang (Sikidang Crater).  When we were there, the weather wasn't that good, therefore we couldn't get the beautiful color reflection on the lake as the water got a little muddy and there were no sunshine.  However, we still can see the pure green color lake and how lush the forest and surroundings. 

Then we headed to Sikidang, where the sulphur is still coming our from the crater.  The smell is so strong that you need to wear mask.  On some day where the sulphur is poisonated, people are not allowed to hang around there.

Telaga Warna

Sikidang Crater

Nasi Goreng Jawa

Nasi Goreng Jawa is the Javanese version of fried rice.  Sweet soy sauce based fried rice and egg noddle and is normally served with chicken, egg and vegetables.  Not forget to eat with sambal too. 

Kawah Sikidang (Sikidang Crater)

Dieng, Kejajar, Wonosobo, Jawa Tengah

 



Stay tuned for the next blog still in Yogyakarta:
Borobudur Temple

Gudeg Bu Djuminten and Malioboro Street

Previously:
From Surabaya To Yogyakarta By Train And Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

Nasi Gudeg is a must try dish while you were here in Yogyakarta.  It is a traditional cuisine of central Javanese.  The dish is normally consist of unripe jackfruit and coconut milk, also commonly served with Opor chicken (chicken in coconut milk) or ayam goreng (fried chicken), hard-boiled egg, tofu and sambal goring krecek (a stew made from crisp beef skin-this is the best part from all).

If you ever eat nasi campur in java, this gudeg is like central java style of nasi campur with sweeter taste and coconuty.

When the night comes, the city turns alive with heaps and heaps of street food stalls, husling bustling of Malioboro street with market along the street, Delman (horse carriage) that is ready to take you anywhere.

Malioboro night market

Delman (Traditional horse carriage)

Warung Gudeg Bu Djuminten
Jl. Asem Gede 14/ Jl. Kranggan 69, DI Yogyakarta
Tel: +62 0274 561151

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Yogyakarta:
Dieng Plateau And Sikidang Crater

From Surabaya To Yogyakarta By Train And Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

Somehow I really love travelling interstate with train.  Although our train system is not as good as any other developed countries like Japan for example.  But it is sufficient enough.  The train is named Sancaka train from Surabaya Gubeng to Yogyakarta.  It will take about 5 and half hours from Surabaya to Yogyakarta, roughly about the same amount when you catch the plane including the waiting time and the travelling time to airport.  There are two types of carriage or seat available: Executive (first class) and Business (second class).  If you have enough or have some more spare money for transportation fee, it is always better to get that executive class carriage.  It has an air condition, arm rest seats, and no outside people allowed to enter these carriage to sell stuffs.  Not to worry too, you still can buy some food or drinks from the train staffs. 

Get your ticket in advance from the ticket counter, if you want to save the seat for the specific date especially around the public holiday or school holiday season.  Otherwise, should be plenty of seat available on the day travelling. 

Surabaya Gubeng Station

Waiting area is filled with live music (occasionally)

make sure you listen the announcement clearly when the train arrive

once the train on the track, you can start finding your carriage and seat showed on your ticket (Time given is not so long)



Business class

Rice box, we bought early near my home

Another rice box

If you don't prepare any food before boarding, no worries the train staffs will keep coming offering some meals or drinks or even light snacks.  Or otherwise, you can always find the restaurant carriage and order from there.

What a view!!

If you are getting off in any other stops beside the last stop, please make your way closer to the door or at least get yourself ready with all your belonging, because the time given to light or get into the train is not so much.

Jogjakarta - is the old spelling

Reception of Phoenix hotel



The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection
Jalan Jendral Sudirman No. 9, Cokrodiningratan, Jetis, Yogyakarta
Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55233, Indonesia
Tel:  +62 274 566617

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Yogyakarta:
Gudeg Bu Djuminten And Malioboro Street