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.