The people of Yogyakarta opened my heart. A story about the day I slept until 2 p.m.
I was actually supposed to be picked up at 9 a.m. to go to Borobudur Temple. But the car never came, and instead there was a message from Klock. Apparently he'd bought the wrong ticket and asked me to repurchase the one for foreigners.
¥15,000. Honestly, I thought it was really expensive. But it's a World Heritage Site and the largest Buddhist temple in the world. I was really looking forward to seeing a lot and feeling many things. Because of that, I felt paying that amount could be justified.
Woke at 2 p.m. — the baptism of the day after a flight
In the end, I woke up around 2 p.m. Even though the hotel included breakfast, I had completely forgotten about it. Travel days really tire you out. So the next day you inevitably end up sleeping a lot.
After that, I took a shower and got ready to go out. First I needed to do laundry, so I headed to a nearby laundromat. The place I thought I'd found on Google Maps wasn't there when I actually went.
I asked staff at nearby shops and the hotel security, but in the end I couldn't find it. So I went to another laundromat nearby. They said they could do an express service, and when I asked if they could finish it by today they agreed to have it ready by 7 p.m. I was very grateful. It cost ¥390. It was so cheap and I really appreciated it.
The source of the 'openness' I feel in Indonesia
Since coming to Yogyakarta — or rather, coming to Indonesia — I feel like I've become much more open.
It's something I felt when I visited Indonesia in 2023: this country is truly comfortable. It's easy to strike up conversations with people and to take selfies. There’s a feeling that you don't have to worry about what others think.
I think there's an atmosphere where people don't judge by appearances; they're very open toward foreigners. The country's cultural background may naturally foster that kind of warmth and generosity.
Lunch at a café on Malioboro
For lunch I decided to eat at a café on Malioboro. I forgot the name, but I ordered Yogyakarta's specialty noodle dish — noodles topped with scrambled egg and vegetables. It was tasty, but if asked whether I'd want it again, not really.
Working there, I was reminded again how easy it is to spend time in Yogyakarta. Everyone is casual and there are a lot of pleasant people. Maybe it's because it's not the capital. Jakarta also has many kind people, but there's a different vibe deep down.
The whole city wrapped in a 'let's take it easy' mindset
Yogyakarta has a cheerful, lighthearted atmosphere. People aren't serious — they have a 'let's take it easy' mindset. The whole city is wrapped in that vibe, and I found it very pleasant.
Because of that, I naturally became more open too — smiling and chatting with shop staff, asking people for directions. They answered politely with smiles, and their charm was irresistible.
The warmth of Indonesian people I felt when extending my hotel stay
After a very late lunch I worked a bit, then returned to the hotel when I was ready and asked if I could extend my stay by a day. Two reception staff kindly explained everything to me.
They walked me through how to do it and how to apply the discount — really hand-holding. As a result, what was supposed to be ¥2,300 became ¥1,430! And they put me back in the same room.
Places that treat you this politely and kindly are rare. That's why my fondness for Indonesian people kept growing — I really came to love them. I was full of gratitude for their kindness.
Writing in a journal at Starbucks — Yogyakarta at dusk
After that, I headed to a café in town. Even though it's the center, there were only three cafés around. Maybe there's not much of a café culture in Indonesia. I went to them, but none really clicked with me.
The Google reviews were 4.7, but I trusted my gut and went to Starbucks. I ordered a hazelnut chocolate at the Starbucks near the hotel and wrote in my journal there.
The top-reviewed restaurant — but taste isn't the only important thing
After finishing my journal I went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. According to reviews, it was 'the best restaurant in Yogyakarta.' But when I went there, the staff's vibe was lacking.
They didn't feel welcoming; the staff were chatting among themselves. So I thought, ah, I probably don't need to come here again.
No matter how good the food is, the service atmosphere can quickly cool my enthusiasm like this. I thought that's so me. For me, whether I'm welcomed comfortably greatly affects how satisfied I am with a meal.
A ¥750 chicken plate and a reward cheesecake
So I ordered a plate of chicken, fries, and salad. ¥750. Ridiculously cheap. I also added water and a cheesecake. Since it was a treat, I thought it was fine to splurge a bit.
I had actually found someone to go to a jazz bar with tonight, but she rescheduled, so it'll be tomorrow.
The taste was exquisitely good, but not overwhelmingly delicious. Maybe my palate has become too spoiled, but that's my honest impression.
