Java (Day 4 : Arriving in Jogjakarta)

We arrived in Jogja at 5.30am, after an 11 hours drive from Bandung. As it was still too early to check in at the guesthouse, we drove around the city...hoping to find some stalls but none was open.

We finally stopped at Alun alun Lor, located on the north wall of the Kraton. Surprisingly it was not deserted at that hour. Locals came by to jog around the square. There was also a group aerobic exercise where anyone can join in. As much as I was still hungry and groggy from the terrifying episode in Bandung, I joined the exercise with Olen, just for the fun of it. It's just amazing to see elders (perhaps in their 60s) could keep up with the exercise.

Entrance to Alun Alun Lor

Outside Masjid Gedhe Kraton (walking distance from Alun Alun Lor)

The entrance to square outside Masjid Gedhe Kraton.

Grobak food

From Alun Alun Lor, we drove to Alun Alun Kidul, which was located on the opposite end of the kraton. Found this grobak that sells chicken porridge. I was hungry and didn't mind the street food. Tried to ignore my fear of getting sick from street food...and it was indeed my best decision ever. It was the most delicious porridge that I've ever tasted. It was of the right texture, filled with chicken strips, nuts, vegetable and crackers. We even had a choice of additional items such as quail eggs, chicken liver, etc. It was a healthy breakfast.

There we were, sitting on the mat, with our backs to the wall of the kraton...eating our porridge, drinking hot tea, and watching the people go by.

Street scene around Alun Alun Kidul