Museum Affandi - Cool activity in Yogyakarta

Museum Affandi, Jl. Laksda Adisucipto 167 (at the beginning of the road out to the airport), ☎ +62 274 562593(affandimuseum@yahoo.com). 

We liked it - can spend a few hours - have some light food too

Affandi is an artist to reckon with.... Help to get a sense of what Indonesia is about... in some small or big ways (up to you :-)

http://wikitravel.org/en/Yogyakarta#b

Delightful museum built around the former home of the late Affandi, one of Indonesia's best-known painters. Several galleries, including one with 30 of Affandi's paintings from his early, impressionist and expressionist periods, and another with paintings by some of his 11 children. The artist designed some of the buildings (the central complex was originally his home and offices) himself, and the grounds themselves are worth the admission price. Helpful staff to show you around. Rp 20,000 includes a drink..

RUMAH PALAGAN Boutique Hotel 

The boss is an Indonesian aristocrat - proud  - rightly - about the days when his people stood against the oppressor and fought for their freedom. Yes it is to be celebrated and this place is authentic about that. 

How does it translate in terms of hospitality? clean and charming and fresh. Less cosy than mertua because the rooms come in a long stretch - still - once you are settled - you will find peace and rest and feel good about the place. The pool is nice but not ideal for kids (only a small basin for toddlers). Next to the entrance is a nice space for breakfast and dinner. We liked it - though I was initially disappointed because it did not have the "touch" of Mertua....Room was nice... I thought the photos were interesting on the walls... Was there Dec 2009

http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-hotel/budget/rumah-palagan/ 

http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Hotel_Review-g294230-d1148825-Reviews-Rumah_Palagan_Yogyakarta-Yogyakarta_Java.html

LOCATION
Rumah Palagan is located in the comfortable and cool place, and near luxurious settlements of Merapi View, The Jogja Paradise, and more. This boutique hotel is also not so far from Yogya Kembali Monument (a monument to memorize the struggle of people of Yogyakarta in preventing the freedom of Republic of Indonesia). To reach this hotel, we will pass street which connect Kaliurang Street and Palagan Street. Along the street, we can find big and famous restaurants in Yogyakarta.

CONCEPT
Since it is suitable with its name, Rumah Palagan brings the patriotism nuance in the interior decoration. Tens of photographs reproductions from Indonesian freedom struggle are displayed on the rooms' wall. Therefore, our spirit rises when we come into this hotel. Some ornaments of Javanese and Balinese also decorate the hotel's lobby and the beautiful garden is in front of all rooms.

COMFORT
Rumah Palagan provides 14 rooms with AC, television, and modern bath room. The comfortable hotel's lobby can become your place to talk with the other guests while they enjoy a cup of warm coffee or tea in the morning. The clean swimming pool can be the perfect place to enjoy in the afternoon and evening.

Cool boutique hotel in Yogyakarta - Ruma Mertua

http://www.rumahmertua.com/en-beranda.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Hotel_Review-g294230-d946664-Reviews-Rumah_Mertua-Yogyakarta_Java.html

Great - good with kids if the room is chosen big enough -the pool is good and works well with kids - Great lunch - reasonnable cost - hard to beat. The owner are Dutch if I am not mistaken. Was there in Dec 2009

Rumah Mertua (´the House of the Parent´s in Law´) is a small boutique hotel with 11 comfortable bedrooms and a traditional restaurant with romantic garden environment.

Located in the Javanese cultural center of Jogjakarta, Rumah Mertua combines the luxury of a good hotel with the environment of a traditonal Javanese house.

Only 15-minutes drive to the center of Jogjakarta, Rumah Mertua is the ideal place to stay whilst discovering Java´s natural beaches, mountains, volcanoes, Hindu Temple Prambanan, the Sultan´s Palace and the world´s biggest Buddhist temple: Borobudur.

Dusun Jogja Village Inn, The Most Romantic Boutique Hotel in Yogyakarta / Jogja

Dusun Jogja Village Inn, The Most Romantic Boutique Hotel in Yogyakarta / Jogja

loved it - looks deceptively humble from outside but inside is a cosy welcoming place

the rooms were nicely done up - second level may be tricky for families with young kids

swimming pool nice with kids

frangipanie trees were a bit sick when we were there (Dec 2009). Hope they recovered

http://www.jvidusun.co.id/en/home/ 

http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Hotel_Review-g294230-d307061-Reviews-Dusun_Jogja_Village_Inn-Yogyakarta_Java.html

THE HOTEL
Dusun Jogja Village Inn is the pioneering boutique hotel in Yogyakarta, an intimate hideout inside the pulsing cultural capital of Central Java. Tucked in the arty Prawirotaman area, the hotel is situated many stones away from the ever busy Malioboro street, and yet it is still within reach of many city's highlights. The hotel is located just walking distance from the laid-back, Prawirotaman area, not far from arts galleries and cafes that are dotting the friendly neighbourhood. It's only 10 minutes from the Kraton (Palace), 30-minute from the largest Southeast Asia Hindhu temple Prambanan and 40-minute drive from the world's largest Buddhist temple Borobudur.

Located at the end of Prawirotaman area, and just facing the city end of Parangtritis long road, Dusun Jogja Village Inn's simple exterior creates a perfect disguise for the surprisingly green and tranquil it always offers inside, accented with friendly, multilingual staff who mastered the art of Javanese hospitality.

DESIGN
The Environment Friendly boutique hotel's 24 rooms and suites are designed in such naturally tranquil compound, adopting the concept of Javanese 'dusun' (or village). Designed by Paul Amron Yuwono together with his old time friend, Terry Stark, the whole complex exudes such an intimate space for you to relax after enjoying Yogyakarta and its eclectic historical and cultural heritage surrounding. All rooms have a private veranda or balcony overlooking the lush garden. The popular 16 Deluxe Rooms come in two characters. The ones on the ground floor is for those who love 'bath-type' with an open-air bath and shower. Meanwhile the ones on upper floor are characterised with a spacious balcony for you to read or just daydream.

Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta - a safe bet

Hyatt Regency YogyakartaJalan Palagan Tentara Pelajar,

a safe bet

the garden are nice - good to relax - a bit out of town

my parents stayed there - dec 2009 - while we were staying in a cosy guesthouse

Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55581
Tel: +62 274 86 9123 Fax: +62 274 86 9588
Email: yogyakarta.regency@hyatt.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Hotel_Review-g294230-d307076-Reviews-Hyatt_Regency_Yogyakarta-Yogyakarta_Java.html 

Amanjiwo, near Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary, in the rural heartland of Central Java

Amanjiwo (peaceful soul) overlooks Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary, in the rural heartland of Central Java. Located in one of the most scenic parts of the country, it rests within a natural amphitheatre; the Menoreh Hills rise up behind and no less than four volcanoes grace the horizon.

Went there with family in Dec 2009 after morning visit of Borobudur - had a nice lunch - including a simple and good bubur ayam -  for a reasonable price taking into account the high end nature of this place. Worthwile. Nice gift shop too.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-335874-amanjiwo-i

Integrated Cycling in the East Coast of Singapore

Concept of Eastern Coastal Park Connector Network

Friends, this is great, safe and easy... Cycling for families, small or even big groups.

Good for teambuilding (visit www.outdoorinasia.com if you need to find a teambuilding partner in Singapore)

Good for leisurely rides... You can check this website: http://www.lifestylerecreation.com.sg/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

To contact to outlets:
- East Coast Park, Area C4, Tel: 6443 6675
- Changi Beach Park, Area C1, Tel: 6546 5220

Prices for the bicycles per hr: I would say around $6 /hr (though the website mention from $3). Sometimes, the second hour is free...
Integrated cycling East Coast Singapore

Completed in 2007, the Eastern Coastal Park Connector Network (PCN) is an interconnected cycling network with 6 stations or 'pitstops' that covers a total of 42 km.  It enables Singapore residents to walk, jog, cycle or blade through idyllic coastal areas and popular parks in the east, such as East Coast Park, Changi Beach Park and Pasir Ris Park.  It is part of an island-wide network initiative by the National Parks Board to link up major parks and nature sites around Singapore.

The pitstops along the Eastern Coastal PCN are located at:

1. East Coast Park Carpark 4
Address: 1030 East Coast Parkway
Opening Hours: 9.00am - 9.00pm

  

2. East Coast Park Area G1
Address: 1490 East Coast Parkway
Opening Hours: 9.00am - 6.00pm

  

3. Changi Beach Carpark 7 (Changi Ferry Road)
Address: 3 Changi Ferry Road
Opening Hours: 10.00am – 6.00pm

4. Changi Beach Carpark 1 (Changi Nicoll Drive)     
Address: 260 Nicoll Drive
Opening Hours: 9.00am - 7.00pm

 

5. Sunplaza Park
Address: 30 Tampines Avenue 7, Singapore 529621
Opening Hours: 9.00am - 6.00pm

  

6. Telok Kurau Park
Address: 151 Lorong J Telok Kurau, Singapore 423466
Opening Hours: 10.00am - 6.00pm

7. Pasir Ris Town Park
Address: 45 Pasir Ris Drive 3
Opening Hours: 10.00am - 6.00pm