Solo 2

This morning I want to visit the "Kraton Surakarta" or Surakarta Palace, but before that, have my breakfast. I get my becak driver to take me to Soto Gading which was recommended to me by Retno. I get there and sit down on a long bench and promptly a bowl of steaming soto ayem is placed on my table without me ordering. It appears every one is here for the soto and so there is no need to be specific about your order.

I ask around the table and I am told of course I can eat the many other types of food laid out on the table. There are tahu, telor masak (black in color), buntut ayem, hati ayem, spring rolls, etc. I am thinking " let's play safe and refrain from eating these".

The Soto is a combination of rice and vermicelli in a bowl of chicken soup or broth. There is also the spring onion, fried onion and shreds of chicken meat. It tastes really nice (homely, heart warming) with some sambal and lime I added into it.It's a small bowl of food and I also have my kopi hitam cap kapal api. It's just nice for breakfast, I like it.

It costs me only RP9,500 or about US$1.10.

This sign on the wall says "No urination here except dogs"
















Not too far from Soto Gading is the Kraton. First we are through a tree lined street making our way through lane ways.

The main entrance to the Kraton Museum. P.B. X stands for Paku Buwono the 10th

Sawo Kecik Manilo

A watch tower inside the palace compound - for watching or policing and looking at the moon in the old days. There are lots of these trees apparently came from Manila. The fruits are edible and smell like "ciku" and they are called "Sawo Kecik Manilo".

The palace compound is very big, some 54 hectares; but the area allocated for tourists to view the museum and other displays is not that big. I find the buildings and exhibits in a state of disrepair. Later on I found out from my guide Pak Purwanto that the Sunan (the King) of Surakarta (Solo) is now only a symbolic figure and depends on the kerajaan pusat(federal government) for subsidies and earn some income from the museum entrance collections.

Some other things I learnt from him are:-
Sura means Berani (courageous)
Karta means Tenteram or bahagia (happiness)
So Surakarta which is a more appropriate name for Solo means in a state of happiness and courage.

Similarly Jakarta means Jaya Karta - success and happiness.

The Kraton was built by P.B.I (1st Sunan) in 1745. By the way there is only one Sunan but there are many Sultans (Sunan cuma satu tetapi banyak Sultan) . Sunan is the head of Sultans; likt the Pertuan Agong.

The Sunan of Surakarta's logo/emblem

The 5th Sunan to the 12th Sunan - left to right

The Sunan (King) of Surakarta the 13th is the current Sunan. He lives in the palace with his Permaisuri (Queen).  

I find this Kraton in even worst condition than the one in Yogja. Aiyoyo.

After this cultural exploration I make my way to try the Serabi Notosuman - a type of food made of tepung and inside there is pisang and chokolat. Just a type of dessert. This is also recommended by Retno and is particular to Solo.

 

 
So much for trying out the food and seeing Kraton. It's time I got back to Ibis and have my lunch again at Sari Bundo Nasi Padang. Nasi padang in Indonesia is as common as our mamak restaurant or Malay food restaurant. It's tasty and easy on the palette. Now I am finished with Solo I think. There is nothing more to do and see except to rest and use Ibis as my home for the rest of today and tomorrow morning before flying out back to my base - KL.

For this trip to Central Java I can conclude that there are a lot to see and experience for a tourist in Yogja and Solo. There are other interesting cities to explore in Java such as Semarang (capital of central Java, population 1.5 mil and 3rd largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya) and Mt Bromo in East Java . Yogja and its surrounds has been fulfilling for me and I am happy to have seen what I thought was interesting. I enjoy the sights and food and interacting with the people finding out about their culture, customs and their personal lives. As for Solo, however, I think one day and one night for Solo is sufficient for me.