Family trip planning in Yogya - advise requested

We are a family with children ages 8 %26amp; 10 who love learning about local cultures and having friendly interactions with locals. I鈥檓 looking for tips and advise on activities for our 5 nights, Sat - Thurs, of sightseeing in Yogya and surrounding areas.

We fly from Bali and would like to stay 1 or 2 nights at Monohara to see Borobodur at sunrise and explore the nearby countryside. We could do this at the start of the trip or end. Does anyone have a good email to use for making reservations at Monohara? I cannot get a response at corporate@borobudurpark.co.id Or, if we just show up do we have a good chance of getting 2 rooms near each other? I have heard the countryside nearby is nice to visit but need specific details on where to go and what to see. We will hire a taxi for the tour and would like ideas on nearby sites, villages of interest.

Next we will move hotels, into Yogya. I would like to find cultural performances that all of us would enjoy. On YogYes.com I read about a Wayang Kulit Show with Gamelan orchestra on Sat. 10 am - 12. Has anyone seen this and can recommend it (or not)? Is there a Ramayana performance that can be recommended? I read about the indoor one at Purawisata with dinner or the outdoor one at Prambanan. Is one more suited for younger children than the other - more entertaining perhaps?

As for hotels I am undecided but interested in a clean, quite place that can help us on a day to day basis arrange our itinerary and answer questions. A nice pool area to enjoy after a day of touring is also needed. Can anyone say if Rumah Mertua would suit us? Our budget is around $125 US. Most of the larger hotels do not have rooms with enough bedding and so having to book 2 rooms makes them rather expensive plus I don鈥檛 know if they would be personal enough for us. Comments here would be very helpful.

Has anyone done a batik making class they enjoyed? Jewelry making? Serangan village visit to see Keris carvers? I don鈥檛 know the location of these. If we were to stay on the outskirts of town, say in Rumah Mertua, behind the Hyatt, would these excursions be more convenient or more of a hassle?

Enough questions for now. We have been to Bali before but not Java and are very excited for the new adventure. We all seem to enjoy the trips and get more out of them if I have done some research before hand so I appreciate input.

Family trip planning in Yogya - advise requested

As for the surroundings of Borobudur, I wold advise you go to the Suroloyo lookout to see Borobudur from above. Your driver can take you there. See my tip in VirtualTourist: members.virtualtourist.com/m/c8969/12a5e2/6/

Unless you come on a public holiday, you do not really need to book at the Manohara. See my holiday calender: members.virtualtourist.com/m/c8969/654/1/

If you are in doubt, you could call them by phone while you are in Bali.

For other things to do, browse my other Java tips, e.g. on

Prambanan: members.virtualtourist.com/m/c8969/12745d/

Kaliadem lava walk: members.virtualtourist.com/m/c8969/664/4/

Salatiga (my town of residence), Solo and Sarangan.

As for acommodation I find it difficult to advise, as I usually stay in budget hotels. However, be aware that there is plenty choice, no need to book ahead on ordinary days, and you need not necessarily limit yourself to Yogyakarta.

Contact me on VT, if you have more/specific questions.

Theo

Family trip planning in Yogya - advise requested

The rooms are small in the Manohara and from what I have been told are really in need of a redo but ok for a few nights. The food is reportedly not great. Reaching them by email has been an ongoing issue.

There are two other hotels nearby that might suit your budget. I can%26#39;t comment on either as I stayed at Amanjiwo.

For local culture and interacting with very friendly village people, the area around Borobudur is ideal. This is a very peaceful area of natural beauty, interesting cultural sites, wonderful people (many farmers and artists). I would advise staying 2 or 3 nights here. In addition to Borobudur (both at sunrise and sunset), there are Mendut and Pawon Temples, a Buddhist monastary, a large local market, Gedong Songo (nine ancient temples beautifully sited in the hills 2H drive away), and an elephant conservation program where you can watch the elephants paint pictures. Tour the village by horse cart or bicycle, attend a village trance dance and visit the Merapi volcano. The hotels can advise on other activities.

For hotels in Yogya, IMO the Rumah Mertua would be a very good choice for you. I%26#39;ve stayed next door at the Hyatt and its nice to stay on the outskirts of the city which I find hot, busy, congested and lacking charm. Its very easy and inexpensive to take a taxi from that location into the city - no problem. I%26#39;ve talked with someone who stayed at Rumah Mertua with their family and very much liked it, including the restaurant. The hotel staff will organize your activities and supply a driver.

Saw the Ramayana at Prambanan in the outdoor theater (dry season) and liked it. It is well lit and costumes are quite colorful. Maybe a bit long for the average 8 and 10 year old - 2 hours including intermission - unless they enjoy watching dance. Have them look at YouTube where there are videos of a few performances to see if they are interested. You always have the option of leaving during intermission.

Your input is very much appreciated. The excursions from Borobodur are just what I was looking for. Do you know the name of the elephant place?

We have from Sat. - Thurs to split between 2 hotels, one in Yogya and one near Borobodur. Where should we go first? We plan for sunset and sunrise at Borobodur with 2 nights - time to see the country. Will the weekend crowds impact this?

Thanks again! Any other suggestions or comments on activities for a family in Yogya welcome!

The Asian Elephant Art and Conservation Project is the not-for-profit that has an elephant camp in Borobudur Park, near the monument. There you can see an elephant create paintings and also tour local villages riding on elephants - a 2.5 hr. 4 mile tour most kids will love. The elephant%26#39;s art can be seen and purchased on their website where there is also information on the elephant camps. www.elephantart.com/cat alog/locations_borobudur.php

There is likely to be more visitors at Borobudur on weekends and school holidays. All of the Indonesian students love to have their picture taken with foreigners. Some visitors like this and some find it interferes with their time to appreciate the details of Borobudur.

Unless there is a public holiday the week you visit (see Theo%26#39;s holiday calender) I would suggest not going to Borobudur on the weekend to avoid the usual crowds. The buses start to arrive just as the park opens though so if not planning on staying much past 7:00 AM then it shouldn%26#39;t matter. The airport is only an hour drive from Borobudur so leaving from there for the airport is not a problem if you%26#39;d rather avoid the weekend visit.

A good book to read before visiting that helps appreciate Borobudur more is ';Borobudur: Golden Tales of the Buddhas';.

For the Manohara, try this email address -

manohara@borobudurpark.co.id The hotel will be able to advise about other cultural activities available near Borobudur as should Rumah Mertua for Yogya.

Very good info. I will switch around our days and go into Yogya the first 3 nights with 2 nights midweek at Borobudor. I will try the email you have given for Monohara Hotel and hope I have better luck with it.

Seeing the elephants and possibly riding them is sure to be a thrill for my boys. thanks for that and all the tips!

For your boys-

Elephant Safari

The Manohara Hotel organizes tours riding on elephants. The safari has three options:

Route I (Nglipoh Village, 2.5 hours, 7 km)

Takes you through swaying paddy fields to Tanjung Sari Village, then to Nglipoh Village, famous for its earthenware craft industry. The route will also cover a traditional market.

Route II (Pawon Temple, 2.5 hours, 6 km)

Journey through picturesque scenery with Borobudur Temple on left side and Manoreh Hill on the right side. Then a walk along Sileng River.

Route III (Borobudur Temple Park, 1.5 hour, 2 km, day %26amp; night)

A circumambulation of Borobudur Temple

Ship Museum

The ship museum is at hundred yards away from the Borobudur temple. An ancient ship depicted in a Borobudur relief was restructured. The ship traced the ancient Cinnamon route (Indonesia to Madagascar and Africa). Then it was dismantled and its key parts placed in the museum.

Offical website for Borobudur and Prambanan:

www.borobudurpark.co.id

This area is one my all-time favorite travel locations. I can%26#39;t wait to return. Wish it wasn%26#39;t half way around the world. I guarantee you have a great time.

Should also mention that there is a steam train museum in Ambarawa, about a 75 drive north of Borobudur, where you can take a 1 hour ride on an old steam train through the countryside. Looks pretty cool - I plan to do this on my next visit.

http://keretapi.tripod.com/ambarawa.html

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap8cFFZ81xY

Thanks for your continued input IMGrateful! I was able to reach Monohara at the email you provided. We are all set with hotels now and some really great activities. The boys were thrilled with the idea of riding elephants to the village. I%26#39;ll bring all the details on the outings you suggested and see what feels right when we get there. Thanks again!

Good news about the Manohara. Glad to hear your boys are excited about the elephant tour - I would be too LOL. My wife has had enough of elephant and camel riding in other countries so I haven%26#39;t done this tour. I have bicycled through several small villages and I have met some wonderful people and had nice experiences.

Should you want to ride the antique steam train, you will have to have the hotel staff call ahead. The train only runs when chartered and is subject to availability. Cost is about 2.5 million Rp for 2 hour round trip. The train will accommodate up to 80 passengers. You can share the cost if you find others to go along or invite folks in that area to ride along.

Have a great time. I%26#39;m interested in hearing about your experiences on your return.