Let’s be real, I don’t think anyone really needs seven days in Jogja, but there is never a vacation that is too long. Besides, it was a much needed break with my family after quitting my job of 5.5 years.
We got a driver and a guide because there were four of us and my brains were too battered from work to figure out how to get to the places of attraction on our own.
Here’s what we did in summary:
Day 1 – Check into Grand Aston Yogyakarta hotel and roam around for the rest of the day.
Day 2 – Jomblang cave and catch the sunset at Timang Beach.
Day 3 – Borobudur Sunrise and Dieng Plateau
Day 4 – Depok Beach and Parangtritis Beach
Day 5 – Mount Merapi, Plaosan Temple, Prambanan Temple Compound and catch the sunset at Ijo Temple
Day 6 – Water Castle (Taman Sari)
Day 7 – Back home
I shall start my narration (mostly in pictures) from Day 2 because I basically did nothing on Day 1.
DAY 2 – JOMBLANG CAVE & TIMANG BEACH
Our driver picked us up at 8.00am and we went straight to Jomblang cave. I believe they have a limit to the number of people entering a day, about 25 or so, as they only operate till 1.00pm. The point of this tour is to view the “heavenly” light rays seep through the vertical cave.
Queuing up to be thrown into the cave. Kidding, to be safely transported down by a rope.
Sis and I being transported down. Seeing that we are still alive, very safe.
We had to descend a steep mud path after being transported down, supported by ropes at the side of the path. It was very slippery and muddy, very.
But the views were heavenly, pun intended.
Off to Timang Beach after that to catch that sunset!
How to get to the other side? Easy, walk that treacherous path across the bridge or take the traditional gondola, operated manually by a pulley system. Technically, if the guy operating it is in a bad mood, he could leave you hanging above the ocean.
Here’s a video of mom & dad zipping across the ocean:
DAY 3 – BOROBUDUR SUNRISE & DIENG PLATEAU
We were picked up at 3.30am at our hotel to be in time to catch the sunrise at Borobudur, basically early enough to be able to pick a good spot. Here are two of favourite photos from the trip. Literally so proud of myself!
We headed back to our hotel for breakfast and then we were off again to Dieng Plateau, which was about a three-hour drive from the city of Jogja. It has so much to offer, less touristy as compared to the well-known Borobudur and Prambanan Temples.
Twin Lakes of Telaga Warna and Telaga Pengilon (Coloured Lakes)
Also located within the vicinity, Kawah Sikidang is a volcanic crater with steaming vents and bubbling mud ponds. This place took me by surprise actually.
I told people that this was a pair of death swings and that nobody survived it. Kidding, it’s pretty safe.
DAY 4 – DEPOK BEACH & PARANGTRITIS BEACH
Depok Beach was way less touristy as compared to Parangtritis Beach.
We then headed off to Parangtritis Beach, where all the action was.
DAY 5 – MOUNT MERAPI, PLAOSAN TEMPLE, PRAMBANAN TEMPLE COMPOUND & SUNSET AT IJO TEMPLE
Once again, we were whisked off at 4.30am to see the beauty of Mount Merapi. It was only a 45-minute car ride. Once we were at the area, we took an extremely bumpy jeep ride to the base of Mount Merapi. Loved the feeling of clinging onto my dear life!
Mount Merapi (Gunung Merapi), which translates to Fire Mountain, is the most active volcano in Indonesia. It has an amazing track record of erupting once every few years. Bunker Kaliadem was built to be a safe house for the people residing there, but sadly, failed to prevent the death of two residents during the last eruption. There is also a small museum where you can view the damage that has been inflicted onto the place. While the views are stunning, Mount Merapi is also a haunting reminder of the wrath of Mother Nature.
After that, it was back to our hotel for breakfast, a shower and off to see the famous temples!
Plaosan Temple, the less popular and smaller cousin of Prambanan Temple, shouldn’t be missed. Much less crowded and beautiful in its own way. We practically had the place to ourselves.
Next, off to Prambanan Temple. The Prambanan Temple Compounds, a UNESCO world heritage site, consists of four temples, namely, Prambanan Temple, Sewu Temple, Brubrah Temple and Lumbung Temple. You can read more about it here.
Finally, we ended the day with a visit to Ijo Temple, which our guide said that is one of the best places to catch the sunset due to its unblocked view. 
DAY 6 – WATER CASTLE (TAMAN SARI)
The Taman Sari Water Castle consists of gardens, pools, a fort, underground tunnels, etc. As I had an entire day to spare, the historical experience escalated into a photo playground experience.
RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
- Canting Restaurant Jogja – Amazing ambience and food, very affordable by my standards, meaning that it’s way more affordable than Singapore, Europe, UK, New Zealand, Australia, etc. I dined here twice! Check out reviews here.
- Six Senses Kitchen – Stunning place, equally awesome food. Extremely affordable for the quality. Pity we only managed to dine once here a day before our flight back home. Reviews here.
Definitely give Jogja a shot, I love how rich it is in culture and history. Also, perfect place to get that sun-kissed look (or sun damage).
XOXOXO,
Mother Bambee
MOTHER BAMBEE 