In Reply to: Going to Jogya posted by Fiona on Sunday, 30. April 2006 at 12:34 Bali Time:
The Prawirotaman area is 3 kms from train station, more expensive but not mcuh, more up-market, often with hot water & swimming pool. It's a wonderful area just around the corner from a cultural center which shows puppetry and dance. Many restaurants and nice bars. We've stayed several times at Sumaryo Guest House, in 22 Jl Prawirotaman, ph: 377552. The owners were lovely and the old ‘houseboy', Pak 'Yor Velcome...!' to any request, a delight. Batik area. Close to silver area. Not as busy and noisy as downtown Jogya. Sites advertise the Sumaryo rate as Rp 70,000 for large. Ask for room in home complex.
The old disused palace mentioned by shaddup, is nothing of the sort! The Yogyakarta Kraton, a two century old palace complex stands at the very heart of the city, is both the capital of the kingdom and hub of the cosmos, bringing the two into coincidence through the application of certain eleborate design principles. It houses not only the sultan and his family, but alos the powerful dynamic regalia, private meditation and cermonial chambers, a magnificent throne hall, several audience and performance pavilions, a mosque, an immense royal garden, stable, barracks , an arnaments foundry and two expensive parade ground planted with sacred banyan trees. (ref: http://www.regit.com/regitour/indonesi/intplace/yogyakar.htm )
Must see Borobodur.. early in the day!
On your way to Borobudur, make sure you visit the Candi Mendut. The main body of Mendut contains superbly carved panels depicting bodhisattva and Buddhist goddesses, the largest reliefs found on any Indonesian temple.
Research yogjakarta sites.. plenty of info!
Enjoy!