wayang kulit

10 Amazing Cultural Attractions in Yogyakarta You Shouldn’t Miss

Posted on November 21, 2018

The world’s largest archipelago spanning between Indochina and Australia, Indonesia is a vast country full of diverse wonders that it can be overwhelming to decide where to begin. Yogyakarta – or simply Jogja, shortening an older spelling – is an excellent starting point located in central Java, the most accessible and populous island. From Manila, one can fly AirAsia to Yogyakarta from Manila, via the Jakarta, or from Cebu, via Kuala Lumpur. The capital of Javanese arts and culture brims withRead More→

5 Mesmerizing Javanese Performing Arts in Selangor, Malaysia

Posted on April 7, 2017

The state of Selangor, surrounding Kuala Lumpur, is a melting pot of cultures, including that of the Javanese. The Javanese people – or Orang Jawa – migrated from Central Java, Indonesia, to Malaysia from 1880 to 1930, seeking greener pastures away from the Dutch colonizers who ruled Indonesia at that time. Today, descendants of the Javanese settlers live throughout Peninsular Malaysia in parts of Perak, Selangor, and Kedah. There are also isolated communities in coastal areas of Sabah. Some Jawa have even gainedRead More→

Java’s Cultural Heart: Yogyakarta & Borobudur Temple

Posted on February 2, 2012

Borobudur Temple offers 360-degree views of Central Java’s countryside It’s been almost a year since my adventure traveling across Java, Indonesia and I have a handful of stories yet to share. Though accessible by train, Yogyakarta (often pronounced jog-ja-kar-ta) – the cultural heart of Java – was a short, dirt-cheap hop by plane for us from the urban madness of Jakarta. Of course, a visit to Indonesia would not be complete without visiting Borobudur, one of the most celebrated landmarksRead More→