D.I.Y. - Part I

FYI, D.I.Y stands for Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Special Region). It is called istimewa (special) since it is the only District (sort of) in Indonesia governed by Sultan (Kraton).

I've been there for an official visit with other 23 UMS delegates, from 19 to 24th March 2009.

Gambar Day 1 - the day we arrive in Jogja

Far above - Malioboro Inn Hotel room. 24 hrs hot spot u. Kalah lagi KL punya hotel yg sentiasa mau bayar; Agee & Pah menikmati santapan malam di Resto Masakan Padang (forgot already apa nama dia). Gambar makanan tu di ambil setelah abis di asak...lapar kan sampai lupa mau amik gambar; dan Gambar2 sekitar Sekolah Pascasarjana UGM...cantik dan damai kan.

Day 2 - Urusan "Kantor" & pre-tour @ Jogja
Lepas Meeting di Pasca UGM terus jalan2 cari makan. Lapar. So, kami ke Mall Amplaz ka nama dia...pun kurang ingat suda pasal nda menyempat2 mau update since blik dari Jogja hari tu. Gambar2 ni mungkin ada yang ter-upload jua suda dalam blog c Agee...psal kami share photo :) yang baju hitam (itam manis) tu la tour guide kami. Mbak Janu nama dia. Dan gambar sambal dalam lesung tu purposely aku amik utk c ipah yang suka "banget" makan sambal. Hari ni masa habis dengan urusan persediaan utk sambut kedtgn UMS delegates. Sampai la ke malam. Buli tahan juga penat dia.

Day 3 - mengalu2kan kedatangan all UMS delegates

Diketuai oleh "daddy" - Prof. Dr. Mohd. Shuaib Che Din (Dekan SPKS) tengah menikmati santapan malam. Alhamdulillah semua orang dan barang selamat sampai. Pun lupa suda nama tempat. Nanti aku tanya balik sama Agee or Mbak Janu atau Mas Aris.

Day 4 - Jogja Tour (Prambanan Temple - Kraton - Taman Sari - Lunch - Borobudur Temple - Dinner - zzzzzz)

Itu ja dulu la ... wait for D.I.Y - Part 2 pulak la. "Oja Lali Lo"

Here's Yogyakarta as described in geocities.com...

Yogyakarta (which is often spelled and called in different ways such as Jogjakarta, Yogya or Jogja in short) is Indonesia in miniature. When visitors come to inhale the air of Yogyakarta, they feel like they have lived Yogyakata has been best described as a "Never Ending Asia", "Java's Cultural Heart", the "Soul City of Java", or "planted in the fertile of Heartland of Central Java". (it is) the crdle of great Javanese empires...the capital of ancient kingdoms, medieval empires andand modern revolution and an engaging elange of style and moods.

Whatever Yogyakarta is, or aims to be, this fascinating city with its surrounding jungles, rice fields and mountains lies in the heart of Indonesia's most important ancient empires. In Yogyakarta itself you can visit the impressive Sultan's Palace (the Kraton) under the watchful, but friendly eyes, of a hundred palace guards in their traditional and distinctive uniforms []. You can tour its bustling markets and avenues and purchase arts and crafts created by Java's finest craftsmen and painters. Once you've seen enough of modern Java, you can then head for the countryside and marvel at some of ancient Asia's grandest wonder - the great 8th to 10th century Hindu and Buddhist temples of Prambanan, Borobudur and their subsidiary candis (temple) and shrines that dot the Javanese countryside. Yogyakarta is a place where nothing is learned until it is experienced.
The History of Yogyakarta
People have lived in Central Java and the Yogyakarta area since time immemorial as over the centuries they have been attracted by the rich soil caused by the numerous volcanic eruptions. Earliest recorded history dares from the 9th century and was dominated by Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms that gave rise to the magnificent temples such as Prambanan, Ratu Boko, Kalasan, Sambisari and Borobudur found in this area.
Yogyakarta itself dates back to the 18th century. In the early 18th century, the Muslim Mataram Kingdom of the time was ruled by Pakubuwono II. After he passed away, there was a conflict between his son and his brother which was encouraged by the Dutch who were trying to colonize the region on a 'divide and rule' basis.
The Kingdom was divided into two regions namely Surakarta Hadiningrat kingdom under the rule of Sunan Pakubuwono III, and Nyayogyakarta Hadiningrat kingdom under the rule of Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. He was the founder of the present line of Sultans who still live in the Kraton and play important role in Javanese culture. The second kingdom was later called Yogyakarta, now better known as Yogyakarta.
After the independence of the Republic of Indonesia was proclaimed, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and Sri Paku Alam VIII launched a statement that the Kasultanan and Kadipaten (the two royal regions), belonged to the Republic of Indonesia as a part of the whole area of the Indonesia Republic. Since then, it has been known as Yogyakarta Special Region and was given provincial status in 1950 in recognition of its important role in the fight for independence.