TIPS FOR TRAVELLING IN YOGYAKARTA

Travel Tips

Travel Tip #1
People in Yogyakarta are polite and very welcome towards foreigners. Handshaking is customary for men and women but avoid using your left hand. Also, avoid using your left hand when giving or receiving anything, because it is considered impolite. When you are travelling by taxi, be sure to ask the taxi driver whether he is using meter or not.

Travel Tip #2
There are pickpockets in Yogyakarta as in most cities in the world. At the T.I.O (Tourism Information Office), there are the Tourist Police who will assist you with any trouble you might find yourself in.

Travel Tip #3
Demonstrations are an almost daily occurrence. However, in Yogyakarta they are always peaceful. Even during the past political events in Indonesia, Yogyakarta has always been a safe place. The students demonstrate, and then return to their respective Universities after expressing their point of view. It is a well-known fact that in the light of recent political events over the past ten years, Yogyakarta has always been a safe place. The people of Yogya pride themselves in this fact.

Travel Tip #4
When you want to buy souvenirs at the street kiosks or vendors, be sure to bargain for the lowest price (half of it) since the seller will mark up the price twice. It is advisable that you understand a little bit of javanese or indonesian just to make it easy for you when bargaining for something.

How to Speak Javanese

The most widely used languages in Yogyakarta is Bahasa Indonesia and javanese language. When you travelling in Yogyakarta, you don't have to worry if you don't speak Indonesian or Javanese, since local hotels and restaurants have provide themselves with English speaking staffs. But, it is worth understanding Javanese a little bit if you would like to chat with local people or if you bargain for souvenirs at the souvenir street vendors. Here are some easy Javanese to help you during your stay in Yogyakarta:
(Note: I will record my voice so you can easily learn how to say those words)

    [pronounciation] JavaneseEnglishUsed When
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Sugeng enjang'] Sugeng enjangGood Morning 
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Sugeng siang'] Sugeng siangGood Afternoon 
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Sugeng dalu'] Sugeng daluGood Evening 
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Kadospundi kabaripun?'] Kadospundi kabaripun?How are you doing? 
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Asmanipun panjenengan sinten?'] Asmanipun panjenengan sinten?What is your name? 
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Nami kulo ...'] Nami kulo ...My name is ... 
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Ngeteraken kulo dateng ...'] Ngeteraken kulo dateng ...Take me to ...You're travelling by becak, andong, or taxi
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Mandep riki mawon!'] Mandep riki mawon!Stop here!You're travelling by becak, andong, or taxi
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Reginipun pinten?'] Reginipun pinten?How much is it?Bargaining for something
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Saget kirang, mBoten?'] Saget kirang, mBoten?Can I bargain?Asking for lower prices
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'nJeh'] nJehYesExpressing acceptance
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'mBoten'] mBotenNoExpressing rejection
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Nyuwun pangapunten'] Nyuwun pangapuntenI am sorryExpressing apologize
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Kulonuwun'] KulonuwunExcuse me 
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Saget nulungi kulo?'] Saget nulungi kulo?Could you help me?Asking for help
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Matur suwun'] Matur suwunThank you 
    [Click to hear the pronounciation of 'Pareng'] ParengByeLeaving someone

A little trick:
Use english when you're asking price of souvenirs at Malioboro Street. Then, use javanese language ("Saget kirang, mBoten?") when you're asking for lower price. You'll see how they're surprised that you can speak javanese too :) I hope this little trick can help you to get a better price.

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