I woke up late at around 9:30 am in the Ministry of Coffee on Jalan Prawirotaman in Yogyakarta. Beginning my day with a delightful breakfast of French toast topped with honey and butter, I opted for a relaxed schedule. With a noon check-out looming, I spent the morning unwinding in my room, working on blog posts, and watching television. Although the channel did not air movies during the daytime, I made the most of my leisure time.
Choosing Accommodations
Originally, I intended to continue my stay at the Ministry of Coffee. However, due to the absence of WiFi, I made the decision to relocate to another hotel or accommodation within the same street. The cost of the current room was disproportionately high relative to the quality of service provided.
Upon leaving my lodging, I explored the surroundings of the street where The Ministry of Coffee was situated. I strolled back towards Jalan Parangtritis, the bustling main road in this district. The tourist-oriented street where I had my accommodation, Jalan Prawirotaman, was a side alley branching off from Jalan Parangtritis. This arrangement proved advantageous, ensuring that I wouldn’t be disturbed by traffic noise during the night.
My initial stop was Tropis Homestay, a bungalow lodging just 30 meters away from The Ministry of Coffee. The rooms were well-maintained, equipped with air conditioning, and offered WiFi, primarily available at the pool. Despite the lady mentioning that the WiFi was limited, I expressed my concerns about the pricing. I conveyed that it was beyond my budget and mentioned that I might return if I couldn’t find a more affordable option. The lady quoted a rate of 250,000 IDR per night. Despite my attempts to negotiate, the only concession she made was including a complimentary breakfast. As I left, she assured me that I wouldn’t discover a better deal in the vicinity.
Told You So
After exploring various alternatives, including some subpar accommodations (such as a questionable room with just a mattress on the floor), it became apparent that the lady at Tropis Homestay was accurate in her assessment. Upon my return to Tropis Homestay, the lady greeted me with a wide smile that seemed to say, ‘I told you so.’ She escorted me to my room, provided a refreshing bottle of water, and handed me a towel for the swimming pool.
Expressing my gratitude, I sat in front of my room, sipping a cold glass of water, content with my decision to stay there. Over the next few days, I discovered that the hostess was exceptionally kind. We engaged in occasional conversations covering a range of topics, and it was evident that she genuinely cared about her guests. The same could be said for her husband, making them delightful hosts driven by a passion for hospitality rather than purely financial motives.
The Antique Store at Jalan Prawirotaman
Upon getting comfortable in my new accommodation, I opted to venture into the neighborhood. I strolled along Jalan Prawirotaman, discovering restaurants, a laundry facility, and a moped rental shop. While initially drawn to the rental shop, I couldn’t resist exploring a store with a captivating display window. Inside, I found an antique shop brimming with intriguing items. I couldn’t help but think that my aunt in Holland would appreciate some of the unique pieces they had on display.
Jalan Parangtritis
Across Jalan Prawirotaman, I located the moped rental shop I had been searching for. Upon entering, I promptly made a reservation for a moped, scheduled for pick-up at 11 am the next day. Following the reservation, I headed back to my room, fetched my laptop and mobile phone, and decided to have lunch at a restaurant across the street. The restaurant offered WiFi, allowing me to chat with Halmi and browse the internet for various information.
After finishing my lunch, I went back to my room to store my belongings and dropped off my laundry at the shop. Feeling the urge to explore more, I ventured into Jalan Parangtritis, the bustling main street. However, during my brief stroll, I didn’t encounter anything particularly captivating, leading me to decide on further exploration of Yogyakarta. Taking some photographs along the way, I eventually opted to return to Tropis Homestay as the sky started to turn gray.
The Outlook at the Cube Hotel
In the late afternoon, local vendors were busy setting up their food stands. Turning back onto Jalan Parangtritis, I noticed a fence on the rooftop of the meticulous Cube hotel that drew my attention. Although I had noticed the distinctive luxurious hotel before, the addition of the fence intrigued me, sparking curiosity about the view from up there. A thought crossed my mind: ‘Should I enter and inquire about accessing their roof?’ After pondering the potential outcome for about ten seconds, I made a decision.
A few minutes later, I stepped into the hotel, and the four employees warmly greeted me. Without hesitation, I expressed my unusual request. I expected their expressions to change, assuming they might think I wanted a room. Surprisingly, they responded even more graciously. “One moment, sir. I will call my colleague; he will escort you.” The employee guided me to the elevator. In that moment, I appreciated my ‘I-don’t-give-a-crap-what-they-think-just-ask’ attitude, as it proved effective in getting what I wanted.
When the weather was clear, you could catch a glimpse of Gunung Merapi from this vantage point, the most active volcano located near Yogyakarta. Curious, I inquired about the room rates from the employee who escorted me. He mentioned 400,000 IDR for a standard room per night. Realizing it was well beyond my budget, I had become more cautious with my spending, especially after staying at the three-star hotel Aliga in Padang. Considering the cost, I wasn’t inclined to book a room just for access to the swimming pool, especially when Tropis Homestay had a pool as well.
Evening at Tropis Homestay
I made it back to Tropis Homestay just in time as a downpour started, continuing until late in the evening. I opted to stay in my room, taking the opportunity to rest, plan activities for the next day, check online information, and engage in a Skype conversation with my parents and brother. Tomorrow, I looked forward to navigating the bustling traffic of Yogyakarta amidst a sea of mopeds. Excited by my previous moped adventures in Lake Toba, Pulau Weh, and Pulau Langkawi, I was eager to test my moped skills in Yogyakarta. The prospect of experiencing the freedom of maneuvering through the city’s hectic traffic filled my thoughts as I drifted off to sleep.
