KFCs, pedi-cabs and batik

After a leisurely start in our deluxe hotel, we headed out to explore the streets of Yogyakarta -- and find some cheap breakfast.

This is a city of about 700,000. Much more modern than Bali. Anna counted at least 5 KFCs on her way in. and the roads are packed with bikes and cars (but not as crowded as Saigon). We were approached by several pedi-cabs drivers but chose to walk. We’ve discovered people think walking is very strange here but we it’s a better way to see the city. Batik is the main souvenir product here. It’s lovely and everywhere. Still, we did not get the hard sell or hardly a second look like we did in Vietnam or even Bali. That is until we got to the Sultan’s palace.

The Kraton, as it is formally known, is a walled city and home to about 25,000 people. It has its own market, schools and shops and the sultan himself still lives there. There are lovely Dutch-style stained glass windows and columns of carved teak. While taking in the sites, we were approached by a group of students and their teacher. Their assignment: interview foreigners like us. They were charming and after our questions wanted our pictures. Needless to say, “rock star” Anna had her share of photos again and it made her uncomfortable after more parents began lining up their kids to have their photo taken with the “blue eyed blonde.” The kids asked for our emails so we may have a bunch of new pen pals when we get home.

After our share of seeing Sultan H IX cutlery, horse saddles and memorabilia, we tried to go to the famous bird market. On guard for touts trying to get you to a batik store for a commisssion, we learned that the bird market had been moved way south due to “several deaths from bird flu.” We decided to leave that one alone.

We caught a horse and buggy ride back to the market for about $4 U.S. and dined on everything from an avocado and chocolate shake (Hallie) to plain pasta with parmesan (Anna and Court). Garin had pizza. We bought tickets for a tour to the Hindu and Buddhist temples tomorrow (rise and shine at 5 a.m.) followed by a dip in the famous Phonenix Hotel pool and some lavish desserts. That is, the girls and Court did that while Garin had to go out on a two hour search for more plane tickets from Jakarta to Lombok (the last leg of our journey after Borneo).

Now we’re about to head out again for dinner. Maybe we’ll take a pedi-cab…and find some KFC for Anna.