Summer Indo Trip: Yogyakarta & Ambarrukmo

The following day, we woke up early to catch our train from Surabaya to Yogyakarta. It was a couple of hours trip compared to half hour flight we could have taken from the airport, but Kecil was definitely excited about taking the train again.

Despite the early hour, Kecil was wide awake. She played with her chair, stayed on the lookout outside, even tried the toilet facilities on the train (it was pretty basic, but hey... when you have to go, you have to go, no?). Still, I guess a couple of a hours on the train got on her nerves after a while, and that was when she started bothering her Tante Lia, 'claiming' her time on Tante's iPad.

When we got to the Tugu Station in Yogyakarta, Kecil did not want to lose out from the rest of the gang bringing their luggage. She insisted on tackling Tante Tara's luggage, much to the amusement of everyone. She did manage to get it all the way to the car, though. Great job, Kiddo!

Now for our stay in Yogya, Eyang Putri had arranged that we stayed in this palace-turned-hotel in Yogyakarta. Managed by one of the better local hotel chains in Indonesia, Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel was built right next to a real keraton or palace. The whole complex was actually built on lands belonging to the Sultan or king of Yogyakarta. You can read more about Yogyakarta and the sultanate from the Wikipedia entry.

Mama's point? It was an absolutely beautiful hotel, with lots of photogenic possibilities. Which was why, armed with a bevy of inspiration from the hotel's own image gallery, Mama went on photographer mode.

Just to illustrate some of the hotel's photogenic potential.... the lobby: full of light, with this stunning, 2-storey-high relief. So, of course, we had to take a few pics over there.

There was the beautiful garden outside, with the outdoor swimming pool and the quiet park where you can wander around and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Kecil, however, was more interested in the deer statues near the swimming pool. She kept on asking Mama to take her picture with them! And so we did, so we did.

Back at the Lobby, there was also a baby grand piano, in front of a beautiful wood wall with stunning metal works. You might remember these....

We even took a pic with Tante Lia (Mama simply placed the camera on the piano and used a timer)

Ah, that piano, such perfect 'prop' for my pictures, although it certainly lend a 'musician' impression to the pictures. Just look at these:

And of course, there was also the other side of the lobby ...

Oh, this post is such a gallore of pictures, but it will not be complete without the big group picture, also taken at the lobby, of course.

We definitely enjoyed our stay in Yogyakarta very much (and that was only the accommodation. When added with all the activities.... it was very much fantastic!). Thank you all for the wonderful time! Special thanks to all for bearing with all Mama's photographic antics. Hehehe.... I hope you all like the pictures.

And just to top it of, here's a picture of Mama 'at work'.

Cheers!