Rocking and Rolling To Karimunjawa Islands

The Travel Junkie

? Karimunjawa Island, Central Java. May you find peace and joy this glorious season. Travel safe and have a grand adventure. ? #ExtraordinaryExplorer #wearestillwild

A post shared by The Travel Junkie (@traveljunkieid)

Thetraveljunkie.org – Where there’s a will there’s a way. So the waves were huge between Jepara and the Karimunjawa Islands and we couldn’t get there by speed boat so we jumped on the local ferry and spent three hours rocking and rolling until we got there. The last hour of the trip was spent hanging off the side feeding the fish!

Continue Reading →

Afternoon Peace at Gunung Gamping, Karanganyar

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie. org – I’ve travelled to Gunung Gamping in Karanganyar with my Libyan friend. Rice fields, rivers, flowers, Mt. Lawu, peace and quiet. We’re sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves.  I felt like a kid, with childlike wonder, walking around with my mouth hanging open, gaping with delight! The truth is I can’t wait to go back to Tawangmangu with my bojo. We hope you’re having a lovely day!

Continue Reading →

Royal Javanese Ritual at The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie.org – Yippee! After a long trip, I think I can officially say that I’m back into my spa groove. At the back of my mind, I’m keen to reach a regular spa of hour, and possibly traditional massage a 2 hours soon. But I’m also discovering that… spa for me is not about luxury anymore. It’s about how I feel. When in The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta, I took a 2 hours spa, based on an ancient ritual that was carried out for preparing the bride for the wedding in Java. Foot bath – therapeutic massage – lulur body scrub – yoghurt conditioning – body moisturizing.

Continue Reading →

Walking Around Kraton Ratu Boko

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie.org – Ratu Boko is a true gem, an archaeological site known to modern Javanese as Kraton Ratu Boko or Ratu Boko’s Palace. It offers culture, peace, nature, respect for the environment, freedom and happiness. There’s such a huge contrast in the landscape: you can be on a beautiful temple and suddenly come across an organic bath that looks like it’s another planet. Kraton Ratu Boko will always be our beauty of heritage.

Continue Reading →

Luncheon at The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie.org – After days of drooling over other people’s Instragram photos, I went out for lunch at The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta. In fact, I like it so much that I went a second time, with a different group of local friends. I really liked the restaurant. The service was fantastic. The wait person helped us with ordering, making sure we did not order too much, and she was very patient with our indecision. My absolute favorite dish was the Fried Shrimp Salted Egg Namie -fried rice and noodle with shrimp, salted egg and chef secret spices. It’s most wanted fried rice in the Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta, do not leave the hotel before tested.

Continue Reading →

Imogiri Pine Forest, Yogyakarta

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie.org – We love going away to switch off every now and again. There’s nothing better than leaving Jakarta and surrounding yourself with nature, clean air and silence to recharge your batteries. We went to Imogiri Pine Forest in Yogyakarta. It’s our first time there and we stayed at The Phoenix Hotel. We’ve had a few fantastic days together, surrounded by nature, and taking lots of photos. I’m so grateful I get to do what I do.

Continue Reading →

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta Breakfast Party

The Travel Junkie

Moody tune. // @accorhotels @phoenixhotelyogyakarta #AccorHotels #feelwelcome

A post shared by The Travel Junkie (@traveljunkieid)

Thetraveljunkie.org – When in Yogyakarta, I have been drooling over The Phoenix Hotel’s Instagram feed and I wanted to try everything! In the end – because it was only breakfast – I chose the, Nasi Goreng Jawa, chicken porridge, salads, some breads, honey & chamomile syrup. My friends chose the same. The Nasi Goreng Jawa were so lovely. The combinations of old memories and taste were just fantastic. It was a really lovely breakfast for me. And such a treat!

Continue Reading →

Catch the Sunrise at Puncak Panguk, Yogyakarta

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie.org – After a few months in Solo, my friends and I popped over to Yogyakarta and spent 3 days exploring the beautiful city. We stayed in a gorgeous hotel called, The Phoenix Hotel. It was recommended by a friend and I completely recommend it! And I loved wearing this gorgeous blanket by Zara during my travel for catch the sunrise at Puncak Panguk, Bantul. I adored the embroidered details, the little fringe and ruffled sleeves, making it look very unique and understated.

Continue Reading →

Warung Kita Nitiprayan, Yogyakarta

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie.org – I caught up with friends for a simple dinner at this cute little warung way out in Yogyakarta, called Warung Kita Nitiprayan. I ordered a Bubur Ayam Kampung ala Peranakan. It was really, really yummy. The chicken was fantastic, the egg was lovely. I couldn’t believe how affordable it was. We also had a Kombucha which was really good! I liked really liked the relaxed vibe of the place. I liked that it wasn’t trying to be too hipster, cool, fussy or posh. It was a lovely, quiet setting for us to have a good chat.

Continue Reading →

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta, A Reminiscence of Eternal Virtue

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie.org –  A few weeks ago we went to Yogyakarta and stayed at The Phoenix Hotel, elegantly situated in down town Yogyakarta, the cradle of Javanese civilization. This legendary hotel was initially built as private estate in 1918. Through the ensuing decades, the property changed hands a number of times, until a Dutch caretaker turned it into Pensioner Hotel. Come in and check it out for yourself!

Continue Reading →

Keris Making in Solo, Perpetuating Indonesia Heritage

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie.org – As a masterpiece of the oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The keris is believed by most scholars and experts to have originated in Java in the 14th century AD. The keris comes in many shapes and styles, but the characteristic feature is the base of the blade called the ganja, where the blade widens to form a pointed guard. This feature distinguishes a keris from other types of edged weapons. The keris is no ordinary dagger. Though it was historically used as a weapon, it has always been an intricate part of Indonesian culture in which it plays practical, social, and mystical roles.

Continue Reading →

What I Wore: Jembatan Londo Boyolali

The Travel Junkie

Thetraveljunkie.org – This is me at Jembatan Londo Boyolali, Central Java! My friends and I stood against this old bridge and tried to dodge the huge crowd of of farmers,  – which was close to impossible! I’m showing off my new shirt from Zara. Love the black! So affordable and great quality too. I wasn’t actually planning to buy a shirt during my trip. I have so many at home in Jakarta. I’m also wearing a 70’s denim jeans, army hat, ecco shoes, and my Batik hand-held fan.

Continue Reading →