Soko Tunggal Mosque

The majority of Yogyakarta people’s religion is Islam. So, there are a lot of mosque was built in around Yogyakarta. One of the great mosques is Soko Tunggal Mosque. Soko Tunggal Mosque lies in the south of the path, which leads to the Taman Sari Pesanggrahan (a rest-house).

This mosque is called Soko Tunggal because of its single pillar. This mosque built in 28th February 1973 by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX. This mosque built in honor of suhada or heroes that fall in battle opposes Dutch army in battle that known General Attack 1 March. Different from other Javanese traditional buildings, the pillar of the mosque is supported by a bar of stone called “umpak”. It is interesting to know that the umpak used to be the one to support the pillar of the old-Mataram kingdom in the Islamic period. Up to now, the mosque is still in use by many Moslems at Yogyakarta. Has vast 288 meters square this mosque also showed to simplify tourist’s middle paid a visit to Taman Sari. This mosque can adopt until 600 jamaah (the members of a religious community).

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Nglanggeran the beautifull hills

Nglanggeran Hills are hills at Gunungkidul Residence that has beautiful view. This hills placed at the north side of Gunungkidul Residence in direction of Klaten Residence, Middle Java. This place was not far away from the center of Yogyakarta City. It’s about 20km to the southeast from Yogyakarta City. When we go there, we can through curving street with beautiful hills scene. Before we arrive to Nglanggeran Hills, at the hills area at Pathuk Subdistrict, we have viewed with beautiful scene of Yogyakarta City like in Puncak-Bogor-West Java.

When we arrive in a crossroad not far away from Old Pathuk Village Office, we must turn left, pass through small road around 6 km for reach Nglanggeran Hills. Before we reach Nglanggeran Hills we presented some TV transmitter tower and some cellular operator antenna at the edge of this small road. After we arrive at Tawang Crossroad, we must turn right follow small road as far as 2 km and we arrived at the bottom of Nglanggeran Hills.
At the bottom of Nglanggeran Hills, there are so many big stone spread. Some big stones bigger than a house and elephants. Between the big stone there is a house like a public building. This public building used as traditional ritual/ceremony place. As some villager said, we can park our vehicle at the village near the hill. We only paid Rp2000 for park a motorbike and Rp5000 for park a car for along day. Through that village we can start climb the hill pass through small footstep to aim Nglanggeran Hills. It is not long time to reach the top of the hills. The distance of hill climbing around 2,5 km for parking area and it can reach only in 1,5 hours.

During climbing the hills we presented leafy trees and sedimentary rock formation at the edge of footstep. The leafy trees make the ambience more chilly. And when we reach the top of the hills we will be impressed. Beautiful nature scene can viewed from here. The road bendeds like snakes, wet rice fields like green ladder and trees spread out area like green beautiful carpet. At the top of this hills we can see Wonosari City surroundings by the green hills. We also can enjoy the fresh air, composure and peacefully.

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Kiskenda Cave | The Wonderful Cave in Yogyakarta

Kiskendo Cave located about 35 kilometers at northwest side of Yogyakarta, located in Menoreh Mountain at Kulon Progo Regency. An also only 15 kilometers to the south from Kendal via Kaliwungu city, exactly at Trayu village, the location is very easy to reach too. The area lies about 700 meters above sea level, so the air is always cool and fresh.

The environment around this cave was so beautiful. To the East, vast lowlands extending around the Progo River can be admired and to the South, the Indian Ocean looks so wonderful. Motorbikes or cars can reach this cave. But if you are using big vehicles (i.e. bus) you are advised to stop at the Girimulyo district and continued by smaller vehicles because of the narrow road. Along the way to the cave the beautiful view of the mountainous area and the terraced rice field are a beautiful sight.

After tracking, visitors begin entering the mouth of cave; inside will be found some little caves and a little river flow. Sometimes, you can found some collegians were climbing the vertical wall and slope of cave. When you entering Kiskendo Cave, you will be greeted by wonderful stalactites and stalagmites.

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