Kaliurang

Kaliurang is a small town located about 25 km north of the town of Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, Indonesia. It is located on the southern slopes of Mount Merapi, an active volcano. Kaliurang lies at the foot of Plawangan hill on the southern slope of mount Merapi, some 28 km, north of Yogyakarta.

In the early of the nineteenth century, some Dutch geologists living in Yogyakarta intended to find a place for their family to spend their vacation. They went along the edge of the north area as the high land. Arriving at Kaliurang that is located on 900 meter above sea level, the "meneers" were enchanted by the nature beauty and coolness in that foot of the mountain. They finally built bungalows and decided to make the area their place for vacation.

When the weather is clear, a spectacular sight of the panoramic view that covers the surrounding forest of Plawangan and Kaliurang, and the rolling green country side that fades into the distant misty horizon of the blue Indian Ocean can be seen easily. The best time to view the mountain is shortly after sunrise (before 09.00 o'clock ), when the early morning light starts lifting up the shroud of mist around its peak.

Kaliurang is a resort town, popular as a weekend destination for visitors from Yogyakarta. Attractions include the cool air, views, and an extensive forested park with trails. The town charges a small admission fee to visitors, paid at a booth on the busy main road from Yogyakarta.

As a mountain resort Kaliurang offers accommodation facilities - villas, bungalows, inns as well as recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts and playground. Kaliurang, especially during the holidays. Young people, like boy scouts, enjoy going there since the town provides camping sites and places for mountaineering. Those who like mountain climbing can climb the Merapi Mountain from Kaliurang. Kaliurang has been an important base for vulcanologists in their monitoring of eruptions of Merapi, especially when the southern slopes of the volcano become active.

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Malioboro Street

Malioboro street is the centre of Yogyakarta's largest tourist district; many hotels and restaurants are located nearby. Sidewalks on both sides of the street are crowded with small stalls selling a variety of goods. In the evening several open-air streetside restaurants, called lesehan, operate along the street.

The street was for many years two-way, but by the 1980s had become one way only, from the railway line (where it starts) to the south - to Beringharjo markets, where it ends. The largest, oldest Dutch era hotel, Hotel Garuda, is located on the street's northern end, on the eastern side adjacent to the railway line. It has the former Dutch era Prime Minister's complex, the kepatihan, on the eastern side.

For many years in the 1980s and later, a cigarette advertisement was placed on the first building south of the railway line - or effectively the last building on Malioboro, which advertised Marlboro cigarettes, no doubt appealing to locals and foreigners who would see a pun with name of the street with a foreign product being advertised.

Along with fast-paced shopping experience, there are a number of hotels located on Jl Malioboro. Hotels like Inna Garuda, Ibis Malioboro and Mutiara are rather popular among tourists, providing them with easy access to eateries, shops, batik studios, art galleries and travel bureaus.

There are a number of large shopping outlets here, apart from the regular and personalised moms-and-pops traditional shops. The expansive Malioboro Mall is located almost midway towards the Sultan's Keraton. A store named Dagadu located on lower ground is the main highlight of the mall, selling funky and contemporary T-shirts that make good souvenirs. There is also a traditional market called Pasar Beringharjo selling all kinds of local goods. Opposite Pasar Beringharjo is a fancy handicraft store called Mirota Batik.

Local food :

• Gudeg, a curry of jackfruit, chicken and egg served with rice, and is the most famous local dish. Nasi Langgi (Langgi Rice), warm rice served with various side dishes.
• Kipo, bite size snacks made of green colored tapioca dough filled with sweetened grated coconut. Can be found in Kotagede.
• Jadah Tempe, sandwich of rice cake and sweet bencake. Can be found in Kaliurang.

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