Indonesian Adventures 2

We set out in the morning for the Sultan's palace. Jogjakarta is one of the few places where sultans still have some power. When we arrived at the palace, we were told it was not open yet, due to a meeting and we were shown the way to the "palace batik art gallery." After walking down this alleyway and taking a couple of turns, we were there and got to see a woman making batiks as we watched. It was amazing and beautiful. very labor intensive.

J chose this piece to bring home and we already have it hung in our bedroom, with thoughts of moving it to the dining room.

 We returned to the palace and were told again that it was not open and we could go across the street to see the royal palace museum. Many artifacts and carriages that the sultan and his family use for important days: marriages, funerals, etc.

 Mom had warned us that we might be asked to be in photos with locals, as an honor. This was our first day of it. =) These young students were visiting Jogja too and were so eager to have their pictures taken with us.

Finally we went to a different entrance of the palace and got a tour guide to show us around. She told us that it was too bad we had not been there earlier for the traditional dancing and puppet shows that had been happening all morning.   Here is J with the symbol of the sultan.

 The royal guard.

 afterwards, we took a bicycle rickshaw back to the hotel and loved it. I'm sure our driver weighed about 75 pounds, but without incident, he safely navigated the busy roads and we were delighted.