First Impressions of YOGYAKARTA (JOGJA)

This is the first day in Yogyakarta - Indonesia, I couldn't wait to try some of the local food, so right after landing, I found a random place to eat some traditional Indonesian food before going to the hotel and checking in. I will show some places to eat, the night life; where I saw that the city is very active at night, a lot of street venders, people walking all around, traditional music and dance folklore. I was even able to see a horse carriage, but the most iconic was the puppet show I got to experience at night, it was the traditional form of entertainment before electricity was even invented; the story is from original folklore. This was basically my first day in the city and my first impressions.

Yogyakarta, often referred to as "Jogja," is a city rich in history and culture, located on the island of Java, Indonesia. Its history dates back to the 16th century when it became the capital of the Sultanate of Mataram. After the collapse of the Mataram Sultanate in the 18th century, the region was divided into smaller sultanates, and Yogyakarta emerged as an important cultural and political center. In 1755, the Treaty of Giyanti split Mataram into two parts, with Yogyakarta becoming the capital of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta under Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. The city played a crucial role in Indonesia's struggle for independence, especially during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949), when Yogyakarta became the temporary capital of Indonesia. The city is known for its traditional Javanese arts, including batik, dance, and shadow puppetry, as well as its iconic landmarks such as the Sultan's Palace (Keraton) and the ancient temples of Borobudur and Prambanan nearby. Today, Yogyakarta remains a hub of Javanese culture, education, and tourism, blending historical significance with modern vibrancy.