YOGYAKARTA

The mornig after, in your first walk by the city, you will discover the station on its more corlorful aspect and with a busy trafic.Today's Yogyakarta in some 500,000 people are living and welcoming a large number of tourists, as 'Jogja', how it is often spelt nowadays, is the most popular destination on Java.

The Central Javanese cities of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo) are centres of classical Javanese culture. The ancient arts have been encouraged by the royal families of these two sultanates under whose patronage the performing arts and others aspects of Javanese culture have flourished. There are numerous music and dance schools, brilliant choreographer, drama and poetry workshops, folk theatre and wayang troupes, artists excelling in the plastic arts.

The Bird Market (Pasar Burung Ngasem)
Besides a house, a keris (dagger), a wife and a horse, a perkutut (turtle dove) is very much cherished for its mellow cooing, which makes it one of the five items the old Javanese hold up as a symbol of prestige A Javanese man should have these five possessions to show his success in society. A slight variety in the tone and pitch of its voice make quite a difference in price, while a real "champion" would easily reach the value of brand new motor car.
The price of possessing of a lovely singing turtle dove would be an acceptable reason for the passionate attachment of the owner to his pampered pet. No wonder despite the hard day life, there is money for the Yogyanese to spare for birds. There are singing contests organized annually and much care is given to this branch of hobby.
Although turtle doves predominate, other kinds of bird are sold at Ngasem Market. Ornithologists may find a variety of tropical birds available, and the interesting and beautiful bird cages displayed on the wayside near the market place is a fascinating sight. Business is from 9am to 4pm.


Parang Tritis Beach
A popular seaside resort 27 kms south of Yogyakarta on the Indian Ocean, Parang Tritis is famous in Javanese mythology as the home of the goddess of the South Seas, who was married to Panembahan Senopati, founder of the Mataram Kingdom. Every year the sultans of Yogyakarta make special offerings to her in a beach side ceremony called “Labuhan”.


Mendut Temple
The Mendut temple is another km east, back towards Muntilan. It may be small and insignificant compared with its mighty neighbor, Borobudur, but this temple is the most outstanding statue of any temple in Java can still be seen in its proper place - a magnificent three meter high figure of Buddha, flanked by the Budhisattravas Lokesvara on the left and Vairapana on the right. The Buddha is also notable for his posture, for instead of the usual lotus position he sits Western style, with both feet on the ground.
The Mendut temple, known as the temple in the bamboo grove, was discovered in 1836 and attempts to restore it were made by the Dutch between 1897 and 1904. Although parts of the roof and entrance remain unfinished, it is nevertheless a fine temple and the gracefully carved relief panels on its outer walls are among the finest and largest examples of Hindu-Javanese art.