Enjoy Indonesia

A. Overview

When Tracing back the history of Indonesian independence in Yogyakarta you cannot leave off the President’s Residence The Residence lies upon a 43.858 square meter land and is also known as Gedung Agung. The naming was thought to be related to one of the functions of the main palace as a room for receiving noble guests.


Gedung Agung is one of the six President’s Residences in Indonesia who played an important role in the struggle for Indonesian independence and life. The other are Istana Negara and Istana Merdeka (Jakarta), Istana Bogor (Bogor), Istana Cipanas (Cipanas), and Istana Tampak Siring (Bali). The construction of Gedung Agung was initiated by Anthonie Hendriks Smissaert, the 18 head of Dutch Residency in Yogyakarta (1823-1925) who wanted to own an official office as well as residence for the Dutch Recidents in Yogyakarta. In May 1824 the Indies Governor General then appointed architect A. Payen to start the construction. The construction process was delayed due to Diponegoro War outbreak (1825-1830) which was also known as the Java War (Java Oorlog). After the war ended, the construction continued and finished in 1832. When an earthquake hit Yogyakarta on June 10 1867, the building collapsed. It was reconstructed and finished in 1869.

Along with the promotion of Yogyakarta administrative status from residency into province in December 19 1927, the main building of Gedung Agung complex was used as the resident of the Dutch Governor in Yogyakarta. Some of these Governors were J.E Jesper (1926-1927), P.R.W van Gesseler Verschuur (1929-1932), H.M. Detik.com, Kock (1932-1935), J. Bijlevel (1935-1940) and L. Adam (1940-1942). During the Japanese occupation, the Residence became the official residence for Koochi Zimmukyoku Tyookan, the Japanese ruler in Yogyakarta (1934-1945).

After Indonesia gained its independence, on January 6, 1946, Gedung Agung became the President’s Residence of Indonesia, coincided with the appointing of Yogyakarta the temporary capital of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Since then, Gedung Agung became the residence of President Soekarno and his family. Vice president Mohammad Hatta, meanwhile, stayed in a building on the north side of Gedung Agung (now Military Command 072/Pamungkas). In this President’s Residence Sudirman was inaugurated Commander in Chief of Indonesian National Army on June 3, 1947 and leader of the Indonesian army on July 3, 1947.

During the Dutch Military Agression II on December 19, 1948, Yogyakarta was taken over by the Dutch army led by General Spoor. The president, vice president and the state officials were exiled out of Java, then returned to Gedung Agung in July 6, 1949. As the President moved back to Jakarta on December 28, 1949, Gedung Agung was no longer president’s residence.

When Soeharto, the second president of Indonesia, ruled since April 17, 1988, Gedung Agung was used to hold The Senja Parade (a flag-lowering ceremony) on 17 every month, acquaintanceship and parting of the Air Force cadets. Even, since August 17, 1991, the President’s Residence of Yogyakarta was officially used to commemorate the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence in DIY. Nowadays, Gedung Agung serves as place for the president and vice president to stay over in Yogyakarta.

B. Features

The building complex in Gedung Agung consists of the Main Building (Gedung Utama), Negara House, Indraphrasta House, Sawojajar House, Bumiretawu House and Saptapratala House. In Gedung Utama there is the main room called Garuda Room which functions as the official room to receive state visitors or special guests.
In addition to the five houses, there is Seni Sono complex which became a part of the President’s Residence since September 20, 1995. The complex is 5.600 square meter wide and located at the south of Gedung Agung. Previously it belonged to the Department of Information. The building functions to keep the collection of art objects as well as holding exhibition and art performance. It is an old building built by the Dutch in 1911 and was last used as an office of Antara state news agency.

In the front porch of Gedung Agung there are two gigantic statues of Dwarapala (the usher) as tall as 2 meters. There is also the 3 meter Dagoba monument which Yogyakarta people call the Tugu Lilin (Candle Monument), made of andecite and always light up artificial fire. The monument symbolizes the religious harmony between Shiva Hinduism and Buddhism. Presumably, the statues come from Cupuwatu Village, as region around Prambanan Temple.

On the front right of Main Building there is Ruang Soedirman to memorize his leadership in guerrilla against the Dutch. In this room, then, Soedirman asked for Soekarno permission to leave the town in order to lead the guerrilla. On the front left of Gedung Utama there is Ruang Diponegoro to memorize Diponegoro stuggle against the Dutch. There is a painting of Diponegoro riding on a horse.

On the south part Gedung Agung there is a bedroom for president and his family, on the north part there is a bed room provided for the vice president and his family, state visitors or other prominent guests. On Gedung Agung backyard there is a big, tall and leafy trees that makes the place shady.

In general, since erected two centuries ago, the Presedent’s Residence complex has not undergone significant changes. It still has the same shape as it was first constructed in 1869. It was in this room that the Indonesian Cabinet was inaugurated when the capital was moved to Yogyakarta. On the wall of this historical building there are images of national heroes such as Diponegoro, R.A. Kartini, Wahidin Soedirohusodo and Tengku Cik Di Tiro.

C. Location

Gedung Agung is situated in the center of Yogyakarta, at Ahmad Yani Street, Ngapusan Subdistrict, Gondomanan District, DIY, Indonesia. It is on the south of Vredeburg Fort, Serangan Umum 1 Maret Monument and Taman Pintar. On the south of this building there is the building of Bank of Indonesia, the Central Post Office of Yogyakarta (Kantor Pos Besar) and Yogyakarta Palace.

D. Access

The access to Gedung Agung is easy because it is located exactly at the end of Malioboro Street. Moreover, the building is relatively close to Adi Sucipto Airport (about 8 km), Giwangan Bus Station (about 6 km), Lempuyangan Train Station (abour 3 km) and Tugu Train Station (about 1 km).

Domestic and foreign tourists who depart from Adi Sucipto Airport can take Transjogja Route 3A or 3B across Malioboro Street. The fare is Rp 3.000 (August 2008). After about 25 minutes stop at the bus shelter in front of Gedung Agung. Those who depart from Giwangan Bus Station can take the city bus lane 4 or 10 across Malioboro Street and stop in front of Gedung Agung. The fare is Rp 2.000 (August 2008). From Lempuyangan Train Station, take a taxi to Gedung Agung for approximately Rp 20.000 (August 2008). While if you depart from Tugu Train Station, take a pedicab or andong to Gedung Agung for roughly Rp 5.000 (August 2008).

E. Ticket

Visiting Gedung Agung is free off charge. It opens daily from 9 am to 3 pm and it closes on Sundays and national holidays.

F. Accommodations and Facilities

Some supporting facilities in Gedung Agung are the library, small mosque, toilet, meeting hall, performance room and a wide and shady parking area.
Tasyriq Hifzhillah (wm/06/08-08)
Translation by Apri Widiastuti (trns/21/03-10)
__________

if you want to visit this place, please contact :
Maharatu Tour and Travel
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

Source : Wisata Melayu

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Gedung Agung Yogyakarta

One of the most visited cultural tourist destination in Yogyakarta is Taman Budaya Yogyakarta (TBY). The establishment of Taman Budaya was initially built at Bulaksumur area of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) on March 11, 1977 as a complex of Center for Cultural Development of Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). The art and cultural complex was inaugurated by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX who was the vice president of Indonesia then.

It was named Purna Budaya before it became Taman Budaya Yogyakarta. It served as a media to build, maintain, and develop the culture of DIY and its surroundings. Purna Budaya was built in two concepts, namely Pundi Wurya and Langembara. Being Pundi Wurya, Purna Budaya is intended to be an art center, equipped with such facilities as stage, dance studio, library, discussion and administration rooms. Being Langembara it is aimed as a room for exhibition and workshop, canteen and inn.
In 1978, Purna Budaya was developed into a technical unit for culture under the Directorate General for Culture based on the decree of the Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia No. 0276/O/1978. In 1991, there was a reformation in the organization and work procedure of Purna Budaya based on the decree of the Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia No. 0221/O/1991.

Later in 1995, Prof. Dr. Soekanto H. Reksohadiprodjo, M.Com, the Dean of UGM (1994-1998), in his decree No. UGM/422/PL/06/IV to the Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia, requested Purna Budaya building in Bulaksumur complex to be utilized as UGM student center.

Several years later, on the agreement of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Regional Development Planning Agency of Yogyakarta, Provincial Government of Yogyakarta, the Mayor of Yogyakarta and the Directorate General of Culture of Yogyakarta, TBY was rebuilt in Vredeburg Fort cultural conservation area next to Gedung Societet Militair. At last, based on the Provincial Regulation No. 7/2002 and the decree of DIY Governor No. 161/2002 dated November 4, 2002, TBY was developed into Technical Implementing Service Unit for Culture and Tourism of Yogyakarta.

TBY then stepped into a new phase as “The Window of Yogyakarta”. TBY started to focus its activities more on fine arts, recording media (movie showing throughout the year), performing art (theater, wayang [shadow puppet], ketoprak, puppeteer and dance festivals), and educative programs (art coaching and training for children and young) and publishing (profiles of artists and cultural observers, literary anthologies and fine art criticisms.

B. Features

TBY complex consists of two buildings namely the Taman Budaya Concert Hall and Gedung Societet Militair. Inside the Concert Hall there is the main room which functions as the official room for fine art exhibition, such as painting, visual art, sculpture, and craft. In addition, Taman Budaya Concert Hall is often used for literary discussion, poetry reading and art training.

Meanwhile, Gedung Societet Militair is specialized for performing art, such as music (traditional and modern), theater, ketoprak, shadow puppet, dances and so on. As an art performance setting, Gedung Societet Militair possesses good and sufficient facilities, such as a hall for 500 audiences, performance stage, lighting and outdoor space for publication.

TBY is a busy place. This can be seen from the well-arranged schedule of professionally held events. Tourists can visit TBY office to check the events agenda scheduled on the notice board. Many of the events are related to such activities as fine art exhibition, theater performance, literary discussion, poetry reading and art festival. Among those events, Yogyakarta Art Festival (FKY) is one of the regular. It is held every July-August, involving performing arts, visual arts, art workshop, etc.

C. Location

Taman Budaya is located at the center of Yogyakarta, at Sriwedari Street No. 1, DIY, Indonesia 55122. It is on the east of Vredeburg Fort and next to the Shopping Center and Taman Pintar. On the north of Taman Budaya there are Beringharjo Market and Malioboro.

D. Access

Located at the heart of Yogyakarta, Taman Budaya is very accessible. Moreover, Taman Budaya is relatively close from Adi Sucipto Airport (about 8 km), from Giwangan Bus Station (about 6 km), from Lempuyangan Train Station (about 3 km) and from Tugu Train Station (about 1 km).

Domestic and foreign tourists who depart from Adi Sucipto Airport can take Transjogja (Route 3A or 3B) to Malioboro Street for Rp 3.000,-. After 25 minutes of journey, stop at Transjogja shelter in front of Gedung Agung, then walk to TBY for around 300 meters. Meanwhile, tourists who depart from Giwangan Bus Station can take the city bus lane 2, 4 or 15 to Malioboro Street and stop at Beringharjo Market or Taman Pintar for Rp 2.000,- (October 2008), and then walk to TBY as far as approximately 200 meters.

If tourists depart from Lempuyangan Train Station, take a taxi to TBY for around Rp 20.000,- (October 2008). And from Tugu Train Station, visitors can take a pedicab or andong (horse cart) to TBY for around Rp 10.000,- (October 2008).

E. Ticket

Unless there is an event, TBY is free off charge. Sometimes, though, TBY hold art events for free. TBY opens daily from 9 am to 9 pm.

F. Accommodations and Facilities

Some supporting facilities at TBY are the library, a small mosque, toilets, a café, and a wide and shady parking area.
(Tasyriq Hifzhillah) (wm/07/10-08)
Translation by Apri Widiastuti (trns/22/03-10)


if you want to visit this place, please contact :
Maharatu Tour and Travel
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com
Website : www.maharatu.com 


Source : Wisata Melayu

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Taman Budaya Yogyakarta (Cultural Hall of Yogyakarta)

A. Overview

Speaking of coastal tourism in Yogyakarta, we will surely include Parangtritis and Baron Beach among the most popular ones. However, for rock climbing maniacs, there is a must-visit beach situated at the south coast of Gunung Kidul called Siung Beach.

Siung Beach is on the same coastal line with Baron and Sundak Beach. It has magnificent view and landscape. Not to mention it has a distinctive attraction for climbers: the protuberant cliffs. The cliffs are most wanted by climbers who are getting bored with wall climbing. They attempt to conquer the real cliffs.

Before being recognized as a rock climbing arena by people, Siung Beach was previously a dirty, isolated and desolate beach. However, since it was known as climbing one, people started to tidy up and beautify the beach. Although rock climbers recognize Siung Beach as the most beautiful and challenging site, there has been no data stating when the slopes was first climbed.

Tebing Siung officially opened for public climbing area in 2000. The opening was marked by the initiative making of Welcome to Siung passage by Takeuchi Masanobu upon the recommendation of Kepala Bidang Panjat Tebing Alam Pengda Federasi Panjat Tebing Indonesia (FPTI) (The Head of Rock Climbing Division of Indonesian Rock Climbing Federation) DIY, Henry Darmawan. At early 2001, Yogyakarta climbers regularly climbed Siung cliffs and held Temu Panjat Tebing Yogyakarta (TPTY) (the Gathering of Yogyakarta Rock Climbing).

On May 2004 Siung was used as the location for Giat Petualangan RAIMUNA Pramuka. The gathering and kenal medan (field orientation) by mapala (nature lover students) of Indonesia was also held here on December 2004. Later, on September 2005, the government of DIY officially stated Siung Beach as a special interest in rock climbing. The inauguration was marked with the Asean Climbing Gathering 2005. There were approximately 250 climbers from six countries (Singapore, Germany, France, Philiphines, Malaysia and Indonesia) joined the international activity (http://matahenry.blogspot.com).

B. Feature

The wave splash and the set breeze are as if welcoming you as soon as you set your feet on this beach. The scent of the sea mix with the sect of and the lime hills. Row of karst cliffs mounting on the seashore is as though calling for you to climb them. It is no exaggeration to call Siung Beach “the best rock climbing site in Yogyakarta.”

Siung Beach cliffs are composed of karts or limestone, and the highest cliff reaches less than 15 m. There are many climbing passages of different grades (a system to evaluate the difficulty level in rock climbing), from 5.9 to 5.13. There are actually 250 potential passages to be made, however, the existing passages are only 45.

Siung cliffs have such various characteristics that they are divided into several blocks, from block A to block L, and they are likely to become more. However, climbers mostly use block A to block K. Some of these blocks are specialized for artificial climbers (climbing by setting personal safety), aid climbing (safety and equipment already set), or free climbing (climbing without equipment).

To warm up, you can try the “Welcome” passage on block A. After that, you can choose the block and passage you wish to conquer. Beginners are advised to try the beginner passage on block D which has the lowest difficulty level. The hardest passage is on block G.

For the experienced ones, the favourite track to conquer is the Sea Horse passage above the wave spash. This is the highest passage and of moderate difficulty level. Additionally, it has the most beautiful view on top of it. All weariness will be paid off as climbers manage to conquer all hindrances and reach the top. Not only satisfaction do the climbers get, but also a bonus of a beautiful scenery.

Besides the challenging cliffs, there is also the habitat of long-tail monkey in this area. This primate lives in the rifts or caves of the cliffs. There are thousands of them and they keep themselves from intruding the climbers, instead, they become another attraction.

After getting tired of climbing, you can relax along the beach: playing volley, sea bathing or just sitting and playing with the sand. If you feel able to continue the climbing, evening is the perfect time to see the sunset from the cliff top. If you are exhausted, though, enjoying the sunset from the beach is just as beautiful.

C. Location

The climbing area is located at Siung Beach, Dusun Wates, Desa Purwodadi, Kecamatan Tepus, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.

D. Access

Siung Beach is 80 km from Yogyakarta, or about 2 hour drive by car or motorcysle. For you who take the public transportation, you can depart from Giwangan Bus Station by Yogyakarta - Wonosari bus. From Wonosari Bus Station you can take the angkot (urban vehicle) to Jepitu and get off at Siung Beach intersection. Lastly, you can take ojek (motor-taxy) to Siung Beach.

If you do not feel like getting on and off buses, you can rent a small car of 6-10 passengers from Wonosari Bus Station and go directly to Siung Beach. Driving your own car is a lot more easier. You can drive through one of these routes: Yogyakarta – Patuk – Wonosari – Tepus or Yogyakarta – Imogiri – Panggang – Wonosari – Tepus. Both routes have splendid view.

E. Ticket

Climbing steep cliffs of Siung Beach is free off charge. You are only required to pay Rp 3.000 for Siung Beach retribution.

F. Accommodations and Facilities

As a tourism site of both special interest and coastal tourism, Siung Beach has been equipped with various facilities. Some of them are: parking area, musholla (Moslem’s prayer-house for any devotion except Friday Prayer), public toilets, food stalls, camping ground, and stage huts for climbers. Climbers who want to use the huts can call FPTI Yogyakarta to get a letter of recommendation. In addition, there is Tepus Puskesmas (local government clinic) with ER facility about 10-20 minute walk.

Climbing equipment rental is not available here. That means you have to bring your own. Moreover, it is suggested that you wear your helmet when climbing. This is due to the high corrosion level of the cliffs that the climbers must be extra careful with.

Source : Wisata Melayu

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Rock Climbing at Siung Beach, Gunung Kidul District