An entry in the TFS Travel Journal
We enjoyed another breakfast at our favorite, The Veranda. Wendy had her favorite Dim Sum, and Milton his favorite hash and poached eggs. Then off to the airport for our day of travel. First a 3-hour flight to Jakarta, followed by a 90 minute layover and a 1-hour flight to Yogykarta. For a country having financial problems, the Jakarta airport is sure fancy (and vacant). Vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, huge waiting areas with decorative pillars, lavish manicured gardens and empty enough to hear echoes in the vast hallways.
We arrived in Yogykarta and boarded the van for the 1-hour drive to the hotel. Unfortunately, it was already dark, so we couldn’t really enjoy the countryside. We got to the hotel, and were welcomed by the flamboyantly cool and self-described eurotrashy Francois, the manager, with whom we sat and discussed our plans for the next few days. What a place!! Unquestionably one of the most beautiful, subtly opulent structures we’ve ever seen, much less stayed in. The main building is in the style of the Borobudur Temple, with a giant stupa dome and square columns surrouding it, all made from large travertine-colored limestone blocks. Our suite (one of 36) is wonderful — a large patio overlooking the lush Java countryside, a big four-columned bed in the center of the room, two sinks on opposite sides and lovely teak furniture. (There’s also a private, outside bathtub, but in this temperature we’ll stick to the indoor shower) It just opened last October, and has been featured in several publications, including Architectural Digest and Travel and Leisure.
We went back to the main building for fabulous dinner. We enjoyed a vodka mint tonic, then started with a greek salad and some prawn ravioli, followed by honey-roasted duck and an Indonesian sampler, which contained several delicious items, including some chicken, shrimp and some shredded beef coated with something that made it look like a tarantula, but it tasted lightly sweet and yummy.
Then back to our room for the evening.