Mount Merapi

A. Overview
Mount Merapi (2911 m above sea level) is one of Indonesia's volcanoes are still active. The mountain is located approximately 30 km north of Yogyakarta City and included into the territory of the Province of Central Java and Yogyakarta.
Mount Merapi closely related to myths, beliefs and philosophy of Javanese society, especially communities around the volcano. This is illustrated by an imaginary line that connects the Mount Merapi with the South Sea (Indonesia Ocean) with the city of Yogyakarta as the central point. Imaginary line had two philosophical aspects, namely the universe and the universe ageng alit.

Jagat traveling elite is the process of human life from birth to face the Almighty. Tugu Yogyakarta is the point at which humans can be united with God when he is able to take life with a correct and "straight". Yogyakarta City Planning describes the meaning of philosophy through the road that stretches from south to north.
However, the journey of human life could not be separated from the temptations of power and luxury. The temptation of power drawn through Kepatihan complex, while the temptation of wealth is reflected through Beringharjo who are on the road between the Sultan and the Tugu Yogyakarta.

Jagat meaningful Ageng a leader must give priority to the interests of society and the importance of conscience than the lust for power. Leaders must bases his leadership on the basis of belief in God. That is, the action must necessarily lead, based on what is allowed / ordered and forbidden by God. Therefore, the meaning of the imaginary line is that humans can be close and united with his Lord when he was able to interpret the true nature of life and behave as it has been commanded by God.

Mount Merapi is also filled with myth as the royal spirits. People believe that Mount Merapi is maintained by Kiai Sapujagad, governor of Islamic Mataram Sultanate during the reign of Panembahan Senopati, namely the Sultan of Mataram Islam first. However, the spirits who inhabit Merapi is not evil so long as human beings who always used to maintain and cherish life Merapi as an entity. On the basis of that myth, the communities around Mount Merapi perform various ceremonies, such as Labuhan ceremony is held each year by the Sultan Palace, mountain charity activities,
salvation, and so forth.

Beyond the philosophical meaning that links the presence of Mount Merapi, South Sea, and the Sultan Palace, Mount Merapi is a natural phenomenon that has its own privileges. Until now, Mount Merapi is still one that is still active volcanoes in Indonesia. Since erupted in 1548, Mount Merapi has erupted 68 times. Small eruption of Merapi activity occurs every 2-3 years and a large eruption occurred about 10-15 years - the last in 2006.

The eruption of Mount Merapi occurred in 1006, 1786, 1822, 1872, and 1930. The eruption in 1006 is what is claimed as the cause of displacement Hindu Kingdom of Mataram to East Java. Meanwhile, the eruption that occurred in 1930 cost the lives of 1369 people. Eruptive activity has resulted in a height and shape of the peak of Merapi continues to change from time to time.

Bubrah Market, the last post before the peak
Source: Mujibur Rohman
Climb Merapi is a challenge for you who like to adventure. The path to climb Merapi is not like the Like climbing lane. Sometimes the road is more like a trench from the top of the mountain. Similarly, along the climbing terrain: rocky, steep, and prone to landslides. Approaching Peak Garuda, the climbers to be extra careful and precise in making decisions because not infrequently trampled rocks precisely landslide - which can be fatal.
 
B. Feature
Mount Merapi offers a variety of interesting attractions. On the southern slope there Kinahrejo attractions that once a route from the south side. Here you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery or a visit to Tuk Pitu (seven eyes of Water). Or you can also meet directly with Mbah Marijan, caretaker of Mount Merapi.
You can also visit attractions Kaliurang, Kalikuning, Kaliadem, or the National Park of Mount Merapi, which became the park nature conservation area of ​​Mount Merapi. Cool weather and beautiful scenery in this area will refresh you after a whole with the daily routine.

The view from the top trim white cloud
Source: Mujibur Rohman

C. Location
Administratively Mount Merapi entered in the district of Sleman, Yogyakarta Province, Magelang regency, regency Boyolali, and Klaten district, Central Java Province.

D. Access
There are several hiking paths that can be taken to climb Merapi with the level of difficulty and distance, which is different. The path taken by the climbers could include:
First, line the south side of Mount Merapi, through Hamlet Kinahrejo. This path can be said as a gate to enter the Mount Merapi. Post ascent was at home Mbah Marijan. Ascent of this pathway can be reached on average 6-7 hours to the summit. The climbers who take this path will immediately be faced with a relatively heavy terrain with a slope of 30-34 degrees. The novice climber should avoid this route because the terrain is heavy.

To get Kinahrejo, you can use the public transport department Yogyakarta-Ground. Then, from Ground to Kinahrejo within walking distance.

Second, the path Selo is on the north slope of Mount Merapi. This path is suitable for beginners in the morning the climbers climbing terrain that is not too heavy. The line was started from post ascent into the climbers basecamp. Command Post Plalangan ascent was in Hamlet, Village Lencoh. Transportation to reach this village: the majors Semarang Solo bus, get off at Boyolali. From Boyolali minibus ride to the Selo, Selo markets down at T-junction. From the T-junction towards post Selo markets climb a short walk about 1 km. It should be noted, minibuses Selo majors only until 17:00 pm.

The sun rises in the peak of Merapi
Source: Mujibur Rohman

E. Ticket Prices
To climb Mount Merapi, you can simply write a personal identity in the guest book and pay for tickets at USD 3000.00 per person at the post climb.

F. Accommodation and Other Facilities
Around the tourist area of ​​Kaliurang, there are some hotels that charge varies. There are also some small restaurants offering a variety of food menu. In addition, you can use climbing posts, both in Kinahrejo and in Plalangan, as a place of rest before and after the ascent. In fact, you may as well stay here. In each post, there are several guides available to take you to the top. Some of them also functions as a member of the SAR (Search and Rescue).

Usually, post this climb provides food and drink with a relatively cheap price. The young people around the posts that usually provide a souvenir in the form of stickers, t-shirts, keychains, and other trinkets. Before you start climbing, you must bring sufficient water supplies because you will be hard to find water on the slopes of Mount Merapi.

Keraton Yogyakarta

A. Overview
The origin of Yogyakarta Sultanate started in in 1558 AD In that year, Ki Ageng Pamanahan rewarded with a stake in Mataram by Sultan Pajang for his help in defeating Arya Kingdom Pajang Penangsang. Ki Ageng Pamanahan is the son or grandson Ngenis Ageng Ki Ki Ageng Selo, a prominent scholar of Selo, Grobogan district. In 1577, Ki Ageng Pamanahan build his palace in Pasargede or Kotagede. During inhabit the territory of the Sultan Pajang, Ki Ageng Pamanahan remained faithful to the Sultan Pajang. Ki Ageng Pamanahan died in in 1584 and was buried on the west Kotagede Mosque.

After the death of Ki Ageng Pamanahan, then lift Sutawijaya Pajang Sultan, son of Ki Ageng Pamanahan as the new ruler of Mataram. Sutawijaya also called Ngabei Loring Market because the house is located in the northern market. Unlike his father, refused to submit to the Sultan Sutawijaya Pajang. He wants to have its own territory even want to be king in the entire island of Java. Seeing Sutawijaya attitude, the Kingdom of Pajang tried to retake power in Mataram Kingdom Pajang. The attacks against Mataram conducted in 1587. However, in this assault troops would Pajang storm ravaged the eruption of Mount Merapi, while Sutawijaya and his army survived.

In 1588, Mataram into the kingdom by the Sultan with the title Sutawijaya Senapati Ingalaga Sayidin Panatagama or Panembahan Senopati. Panembahan Senopati meaningful regulatory warlords and clerics in religious life. As the legitimacy of the power amplifier, Panembahan Senopati established that inherited the tradition of the Mataram kingdom of Mataram Pajang which means obliged to continue the tradition of mastery over the whole region of Java Island. In Panembahan Senapati died in 1601 and replaced his son, Mas Jolang which became known as Seda ing Panembahan Krapyak. In 1613, Mas Jolang died later replaced by Prince Arya Martapura. But because of frequent illness and was replaced by his brother who bear the title Raden Mas stimuli Sultan Agung Senapati Ingalaga Abdurrahman who was also known as the King or Sultan Agung Pandita Hanyakrakusuma Hanyakrakusuma.

At the time of Sultan Agung of Mataram kingdom had been developed in our political, military, artistic, literary, and religious. Sciences such as law, philosophy, and astronomy are also studied. In 1645, Sultan Agung died and was succeeded his son Amangkurat I. After the death of Sultan Agung of Mataram Kingdom remarkable decline. The root of the decline was basically lies in the contradictions and divisions within his own family Mataram Kingdom that used by the VOC. The peak of the split that occurred on February 13, 1755 with the signing of the Treaty marked the kingdom of Mataram Gianti that divides into two, namely Kasunanan Sultanate of Surakarta and Yogyakarta.

In these Gianti agreement, stated that Prince Sultan Mangkubumi be over with the title of Sultan of Yogyakarta Sultanate Hamengkubuwono Senapati Ingalaga Abdul Rakhman Sayidin Panatagama khalifatullah. Since then Prince Mangkubumi officially became the first sultan of Yogyakarta with the title Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana I. The Sultan who had reigned in the palace of Yogyakarta, namely:

1. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana I (1755-1792)
2. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana II (1925-1810)
3. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana III (1810-1813)
4. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana IV (1814-1822)
5. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana V (1822-1855)
6. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana VI (1855-1877)
7. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana VII (1877-1921)
8. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana VIII (1921-1939)
9. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana IX (1939-1988)
10. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana X (1988-present)

Sultan Palace is a center of Javanese culture in Yogyakarta which still exist today. Yogyakarta Palace was founded by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. Currently, the king of Yogyakarta Palace is Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. At the time still a crown prince, Sultan HB X named Kanjeng Gustavo Prince Haryo (KGPH) Mangkubumi. At this time, Sultan HB X served as Governor of DIY.

Inside the palace there are many buildings with their names and their respective functions, heirloom-royal heritage, the library that holds ancient manuscripts, and museums that store dozens of photos photograph of the kings of Yogyakarta, family and relatives. Various traditional ceremonies are still held regularly in the Sultan Palace, among others 'jamasan' (bath), heritage and royal train and Grebeg Maulud. Sultan and his family live on the inside called the Keraton Kilen.

B. Feature
Sultan Palace is one of the royal palace which is still functioning fully in the many kingdoms in Indonesia. As a province that has a privilege, Yogyakarta Special Region can not be released darikeberadaan Sultan Palace.

C. Location
Sultan Palace located in the city center, with the front page is the North Square and the backyard is the South Square.

D. Access
Sultan Palace can be reached by any vehicle.

E. Ticket Prices
Tickets go into the front of the palace, namely Pagelaran, Siti Hinggil, and surrounding areas is Rp. 5.000, -, while admission to the inside of the palace through Keben is Rp. 7000, -

F. Accommodation and Facilities
Parking for vehicles is available at around Pagelaran, about Keben, and the North Square. There are many souvenir kiosks around the palace.

Gembira Loka Zoo

A. Overview
The zoo is known as Gembiraloka this is the only zoo in the city of Yogyakarta. Although effective as a zoo, Gembiraloka still classified as a museum, which fall into the category Zoologicum museum or museum animals, also including a special type of museum. When viewed from the side of the history of its emergence, he is the second oldest museum in Yogyakarta after the Museum Sonobudoyo.
In 1933, the idea of ​​zoos in the area this time, Gajah Wong emerged from the king of Mataram, which is Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII. The Emperor crave attractions or entertainment for people of a botanical garden (garden Rojo). Later, this idea he consult an Austrian architect named Kohler. Still, the idea of ​​founding a new zoo can be realized by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and Ir. Karsten in 1953. And, in that year also Gembiraloka Zoo Gembiraloka managed by the Foundation was inaugurated by the Emperor himself, precisely on 10 November 1953. At that time, the Foundation is headed by Sri Paduka Paku Alam VIII.

B. Feature
Unlike zoos in general, which shows only the animals 'normal' or rare in the display form of an iron barred cage or fenced wood, Gembiraloka also presents mounted dry-curing some animals in a special room that resembles a museum. The museum is presenting a mounted-preserved animal is located on the shores of an artificial lake in the zoo area. Not only specific buildings preserved, Gembiraloka in 2007 has built up a natural laboratory of flora and fauna as a medium of learning for the people, especially children. In this place, visitors can enjoy various kinds of insect and vertebrate animals (vertebrates) or not (invertebrates).
Zoo area that has been aged for more than half a century has a lovely garden because still decorated with a large variety of old trees and shade, plants are also beautiful flower seen. As arboetorium, Gembiraloka provide crop farm forest land left to grow and also persemaiannya. A variety of these plants is not laid out neatly like zoos in general, with the purpose of showing the atmosphere of the 'natural'.

For tourists who bring their children, in addition to gain real knowledge about the various fauna and flora, in the zoo environment available tourist boat which resembles a swan dikayuh (commonly called genjot duck). For visitors who had never been on an elephant, the manager Gembiraloka provides a vehicle for a special recreation of the streets surrounding the zoo with elephants that have been benign. Besides elephants, visitors can also ride the camels. More than that, playground for children and a replica cave is also available as an accessory supporting the zoo.


C. Location
Gembiraloka address at Jalan Kusumanegara, the city of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta Special Region. The zoo is located about four kilometers from Yogyakarta Passenger Terminal (tpy) in Giwangan, Yogyakarta. Or, if from the city center, ie or Malioboro Yogyakarta Palace, located about six kilometers.

D. Access
The zoo is open to the public every day from 8:00 to 17:00 hours GMT. To achieve this tourist attraction, visitors can use a variety of public transport in Yogyakarta, from rickshaw, carriage, bus, bus Trans Jogja, or taxi. When the pedicab or horse cart as an option, then make sure that you are not far from the location of the zoo because the cost would be great. If you want to use the city bus, then choose the bus line 9 or 7 at a cost of Rp 2,000 (tariffs through March 2008). And, if visitors prefer to use buses Trans Jogja, came to the bus stop and ride lane Trans Jogja 1B. The bus route will stop at the bus stop near Gembiraloka Zoo. The fees charged for the bus Trans Jogja by Rp 3,000 (March 2008).

E. Ticket Prices
Tourists in the top 3-year visit to the Zoo Gembiraloka ticket charge of Rp 10,000, while for visitors under 3 years is free of cost or free. For entertainment facility, like riding elephants, riding a camel, duck genjot (pedicab water), boat, and train tour, visitors who want to enjoy the entertainment facilities are subject to cost between Rp 5,000 and Rp 10,000 per person.

F. Accommodation and Other Facilities
Rows of stalls selling souvenirs, toys, food, and beverages can be found around the visitor parking area. The zoo also has a large parking area, to large-sized buses to motorcycles. In addition to these things, small rooms, children's playground, and the mosque also be other facilities in this tourist attraction.
In its development, this zoo has been recorded several times changed its manager for a variety of managerial reasons. Although Gembiraloka experienced ups and downs, the zoo remains one of the mainstay of tourism object in Yogyakarta. Data from the Department of Tourism of DIY over the past five years show that Gembiraloka have the number of visitors over the Museum and Monument of Jogja Return per year. The quantity of visitors at this Gembiraloka can only be defeated by the number of visitors to Yogyakarta Palace and Malioboro.