2013 - Java, Indonesia (Part 4 - Solo aka Surakarta)
To the cultural centre of Java.
Friday 19 July 2013 - Saturday 20 July 2013
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2013 Java
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Friday 19 July
I left Yogjakarta on the train for Solo. This is a commuter style of train and thus has hard seats and straps to hang off for those unlucky enough to not get a seat. The trip took about an hour to cover the 60-70 km to Solo.
I decided to upgrade myself to a nice to stay and the Lor-In is indeed very nice. It is however a long way from the city centre, thus requiring taxi rides everywhere. The pool area was very pleasant although I did have to wake up the barman in order to get a drink. The hotel restaurant is quite expensive so I wandered down the road to a restaurant. Crossing the road in Indonesia a not much fun, even less so when it is dark and there are no street lights anywhere. The food was very good.
Saturday 20 July
After breakfast, the hotel organised a taxi to get me to the bus station so that I could check on the buses to Malang. The very helpful security guard found the right company and made sure everything was okay. The taxi then dropped me in the city centre. From there I walked around the Queen's Kraton (palace type place) with a guide. The Queen was in residence so a fair bit of it was off limits.
The Queen's Kraton.
The Sultan's Kraton was a short walk down the road and I was not allowed into some of it as I was wearing jandals (thongs or flipflops to non Kiwis). Not a lot there.
The Sultan's Kraton.
Inside the Sultan's Kraton.
The Sultan's Kraton.
After a quick lunch in town I went back to the hotel for my customary afternoon nap by the pool. Dinner was again outside the hotel but this time on the same side of the road, so there was less chance of being bowled over. Excellent food again.
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