The Royal Route : Exploring Kotagede Heritage

Discover Jogjakarta's cultural treasures with Moana Bike Tour, where you can ride through historic alleys and explore the culture, local wisdom, and neighborhoods around the old town that are often overlooked by visitors. This adventure provides a special chance to immerse yourself in the genuine charm of the old town, where each corner narrates tales of deep heritage and lively community life.

CITY ESCAPADES

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7/11/20243 min read

Hi, I'm excited to share my experience joining the Moana Bike Tour. I had been eyeing this tour for a while and finally decided to take it during my weekend visit to Jogjakarta. What made it even better was being guided by the founder herself, Kak Anita. How lucky I was to have the owner as my guide!

This trip was my first cycling tour ever, and since I love cycling and exploring new places on two wheels, I jumped at the opportunity when I found out about Moana. Without hesitation, I booked my weekend trip to Jogjakarta.

I chose the Royal Route tour, starting from Prawirotaman. According to their website, this tour is categorized as medium difficulty and not suitable for children. This turned out to be true, as parts of the route led us uphill towards the main road of Prawirotaman, requiring some strength. The tour began at 7 am from the Moana Office.

We started by cycling along Jl. Sisingamangaraja towards our first stop, the traditional market Pasar Legi Kotagede. During the trip, Kak Anita introduced me to Jamu, a traditional herbal drink whose specific name I've forgotten. What fascinated me was watching Mbok Jamu prepare it on the spot, blending the ingredients together. Although I'm not a big fan of Jamu, it tasted surprisingly good. She also treated me to some traditional snacks.

Next, we visited Gg. Rukunan, locally known as "Lawang Pethuk" or "Between Two Gates" in English. Historically, this alley housed villagers during the Mataram Islam Reign. The name refers to its location between traditional housing areas separated by gates. Here, we explored nine houses showcasing traditional Javanese architecture, six of which are considered Jogjakarta Cultural Heritage sites. We also visited an open space library called Taman Belajar Masyarakat "Ronggo" inside a Rumah Adat Joglo, offering books primarily for children and adolescents.

We then proceeded to the renowned Makam Kotagede, a tomb built to honor the founders and leaders of the Mataram Islamic Dynasty. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a gate adorned with strong Hindu architecture. The site is managed by "Abdi Dalem," locals appointed by the Sultan for civil service tasks and residing within the Keraton (royal palace). To reach the tomb, visitors pass through three gates and have the option to rent traditional Javanese attire available on-site. Adjacent to the tomb is Masjid Kotagede, the oldest mosque in Yogyakarta still in operation today.

Later, we visited Kali Gajah, a tourist village in Giwangan District, often referred to as "Kali Gajah Wong Kelurahan Giwangan" (yes, that’s a long name). This village, situated along the riverbank, features colorful local houses and clean water channels adorned with decorative fish, known as "Bendung Lephen." We concluded our cycling journey at 9 am with a stop at Tempo Gelato Prawirotaman for some ice cream. Here, we also played card games where I had to guess the English names of various herbs and spices, which turned out to be both educational and fun.

Overall, as a city explorer and cycling enthusiast, I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Kak Anita, the founder and my guide, was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, sharing historical insights and interesting facts about each location we visited. She even treated me to snacks and ice cream, which I believe were included in the package. If you're looking to experience something new, exploring Jogjakarta by bike with Moana Bike Tour is a must. They offer an experience like no other, one that I'm already planning to repeat on my next visit to Jogjakarta. Highly recommended!