Things You Should Try in Jogja

Jogja Trip Part 2

“STOP! JUST STOP! PULL OVER!” Aldi yells to me with a tensed face. I panic and my heart beats so fast. I try to keep my cool by pushing the brake so the car won’t back down. I look at the rearview mirror and see nobody. So I let go of the brake slowly and feel the car move down. Yes, it’s in the middle of a steep incline. And yes, I can drive but not too skillful when it comes to the manual transmission.

It was in the second gear but suddenly the car couldn’t move up. So I quickly changed it to the first gear. But I was late hitting the clutch. It made the car stop abruptly. And this makes Aldi yells at me. He even gets more panicked when the car move down roughly. The left side tyres sink into the edge of the road. I try to control the wheel and keep the car straight. But it’s just so hard. I finally pull the handbrake and the car finally stop. I take a deep breath. Aldi tries to control his breath too.

“You drive?” I ask.

“Are you still sure you can handle it?” Aldi asks back.

“Yea. But you give the instruction. Slowly.” Aldi nodded and instructed me. I do as he says and the car finally move up smoothly.

“That’s it! You didn’t pull the handbrake fully. No wonder the car still moved down.” After hearing what Aldi says, I laugh. He does too. We laugh together letting the tense out. It was a dangerous yet the funniest event today.

Gunung Kidul Beaches

We are on our way to Nglambor Beach after visiting Sadeng Beach in Gunung Kidul. I’m renting a car from my friend for Rp250.000. It’s a very cheap price. I wouldn’t get rate this good if we’re not friends. He used to work in the same company as me, but then resigned and started tour and travel business here, his hometown.

Gunung Kidul is pretty far from the center of Jogja. We took more or less 3 hours to arrive at our destination. Aldi really wanted to eat fresh seafood. I’ve ever been in Sadeng Beach for work so I recommended it to him. But it turned out it wasn’t as he expected. He actually wanted to try lobsters since he has never tasted one. But it’s just not the season. So we only ate squids and tuna.

We bought fresh at the market and went to a diner asking the clerk to cook them. After 10 minutes, she brought grilled tuna, fried squid, black pepper squid, and squid with saos padang. We didn’t order rice for we had plenty of seafood. They weren’t even finished. I had to ask for the clerk to pack the rest so I could take it away. I spent Rp65.000 for the cooking service and some drinks.

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Perfect Spot

Based on Google, Nglambor Beach is one of the top destinations in Jogja for its beauty. It makes me curious. After more than an hour, we arrive. I park the car perfectly. There are some ojek drivers who offer to take us to the beach. But I prefer walking. The decision seem to be right because it’s not far. 5 minutes walking and here we are, facing a very beautiful view. It reminds me of Bali.

There are 2 bridges toward different directions. One to another island, the other to the other side of Nglambor Beach. The ticket man says that it’s better to the other side. So I pay for Rp15.000 / person to cross the bridge.

There was nobody but me and Aldi. Lucky us, because the bridge is made of bamboos and seems so fragile. I walk slowly in the middle. I don’t forget to take pictures because the view is just amazing!

I find a cave under the bridge. There’s access to get there but Aldi definitely doesn’t want to enter. Neither do I as a matter of fact. It’s just the two of us and it’ll be risky. Not that I’m afraid there’ll be an accident but more to the mystical condition.

So I just keep walking, hoping to find something good. After hiking a small hill, I get to the other side of the beach. But it’s more crowded here. I don’t feel like staying. Then, I decide to go up the hill again and smoke a cigarette before going to Nglambor Beach.

It’s so good here. Nobody but us. I take out my Bluetooth speaker, book, and cigarette. It’s a perfect combination. Reading, smoking, listening to music with waves hitting the rocks below.

One cigarette is finished, I and Aldi head back to where we paid the tickets to cross the bridge. We then reach the beach where people are swimming or just enjoying the sea. I order two glasses of coffee for Rp10.000 and walk to the quietest spot. We enjoy some time while listening to music.

The time now shows it’s already 4.30 pm. We decide to go back to Jogja. This time we take ojek, motorcycle service, for Rp5.000 per person.

I give the car key to Aldi for him to drive. It’s getting dark anytime soon. I don’t want to risk driving after sunset with my bad eyes.

Dinner Time!

Our next destination is dinner. I recommend this one place that sells spicy Gudeg. I think everyone should try it when in Jogja. I personally have been there twice and never get bored.

The crowd welcomes us as we arrive. Google says it’s open at 8 pm. It’s still 30 minutes to 8 but there are already some people queuing and some who are eating. I immediately stand in the line to get the food.

Gudeg is one of typical food from Jogja. Of course we can find it everywhere here. But the one that serves the spicy one is only here, Gudeg Mercon Ibu Tinah. It’s a legendary diner established in 1992.

For spicy food hunters, this place is a must! The price is varied based on the side dish that we choose. This time I spend Rp70.000 for 2 portions. Aldi says it’s too much. But I think it isn’t for I get grilled chicken and Aldi gets 2 sticks of satay. It’s worth it.

But Aldi still insists that the price doesn’t make sense. Because the amount of the rice is too little. Well, I don’t really care about prices as long as I can enjoy the food. Rp70.000 for 2 people is not much compared to the price in Jakarta.

After eating, we get back to hotel to rest.

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Teaser

Day three in Jogja…

‘Are you sure it’s the right way?’ Aldi asks, feeling something just isn’t right.

‘I am. Just go with it. We’ll be there.’ I answer confidently. Well, I’m not too sure either but I try to keep me positive.

But suddenly, the motorcycle that we are riding gets stuck in the middle of the sand pathway.

***

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