Joglo Biru (the Blue House) in Yogyakarta

A year ago I was in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. I was welcomed by Pak Ganis in his ancestral home, The Joglo Biru (the Blue House). Joglo Biru is tagged as a museum on Google Maps, it is situated up in the mountain and is about 30 minutes away from the city area. There was a cool breeze when we arrived and I was welcomed by everyone in the household and artists from SK Sanggar Seni Karawitan Gempo. 

Pak Ganis gave me a background about the beautiful home and the collection of musical instruments that was bestowed to Joglo Biru by the Sultan of Yogyakarta. Pak Ganis explained that the area of Joglo Biru is surrounded by farmland and after work the farmers would come to Joglo Biru to practice their music. The artists from SK Sanggar Seni Karawitan Gempo were at Joglo Biru that evening to welcome us. They also taught us how to play the gamelan. 

The gamelan is a the traditional ensemble music of the Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese peoples of Indonesia, made up mostly of percussive instruments. It is similar to the kulintang instrument we have in the Philippines. The instrument they taught me how to play reminded me of a xylophone. Instead of musical notes you follow a list of numbers. The different instruments played together sounded like heaven. It brought peace. If ever you get to visit Joglo Biru I hope you get to try the gamelan. 

Joglo Biru is a beautiful traditional Javanese house. People would probably say it's "instagrammable". The house is divided into several sections: (1) The living area where you will find the portrait of the Sultan, this is also where the instruments can be found; (2) A library area where you can find the collection of books of my friend's father and traditional items; (3) Sleeping quarters; (4) A huge kitchen where they cook the traditional way (there's a dirty kitchen too); and the outside is a beautiful garden. It would be nice to spend a few days there and just be at peace. 

It's a hidden gem high up in the mountain and I super loved the cool breeze. I was sad I had to go back to my hotel, but because of the clean air and soothing energy of Joglo Biru I had a good night's sleep. I loved Joglo Biru because it reminded me a lot about my Dad's hometown, Lucban, Quezon. I'd love to explore more of Yogyakarta someday. 

Here's me playing the Gamelan (bravely) -

Read also: Playing the Gamelan in Yogyakarta

Thank you Pak Ganis, Pak Arya and Pak Suryo for the photos and video :)

CB//182 #StuckAtHomeDay/212 #WFH124 #StayHome #BeKind

Playing the Gamelan in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta in Indonesia or Jogja as locals fondly call it is one of my favorite

places in Indonesia. I have visited this place a couple of times mainly for work,

but one must always find beautiful things to see during business trips. 

Back in 2013, six months after my heart surgery I managed to go up Borobudur.

It’s a 9th century Mahayana Buddhist temple. Back then they allowed tourists

to go up the temple. It was a slow process for me to go up the temple since it
was still dark when we started heading up and the steps were huge and
uneven. I safely got up with help from my friends from Pangasinan, JR and

Vanj. We reached the top just before sunrise. I reveled at the beauty of

watching the sun rise atop the temple. 

Six years after that trip I got to visit Yogyakarta again. This time we went to

Gunungkidul where they made me feel like a mayor! Students lined up the

street and gave a warm welcome when we arrived. 

My friend, Pak Ganis, always talked about his home in Yogyakarta - the

Joglo Biru or the Blue House and he promised to bring me there to visit

and have a truly local experience. I was honored to experience playing

the gamelan with the artists from SK Sanggar Seni Karawitan Gempo.

The awesome evening was organized and hosted by Pak Ganis at the

Joglor Biglu (Blue House) which is ancestral home. I was originally scared

to play since I couldn't figure out how they could play so harmoniously.

Eventually I got the rhythm and was able to follow the notes.

I heard that Yogyakarta also has beautiful beaches. I hope to visit again for a

vacation some day.