A Day to Solo (Surakarta)

Andreaz our friend at Kawan Kitchen suggested we should go together and see Solo sometime on his day off.  He is from Solo originally and knows his way around! Well, we appreciate that Andreaz! Yes let's do it - Wednesday we have a date!

So we went to KK at 8 am and he picked up the rental car.  We took a nice drive to Solo, where Nick had last been, in 1946.  This is the town where Nick & his family came to from the camps by the Red Cross, for safety.  They stayed at a hotel called "Berg en Dal" for a few months before leaving Indonesia.

So off we went the 3 of us.  We had a few errands to run and Andreaz graciously took us around.  But first he showed us the Istana Mangkunegaran Palace dating back to 1757.The present Prince & Princess still live preside here.  We enjoyed the tour that was offered, Andreaz patiently waited for us while we were taken around by our English speaking tour guide, Endang. 

A high schooler "Alisa" walked with us who would get some  experience listening to English.  

We enjoyed seeing the big Hall where they hold weddings and special events held for the Prince & Princess.  The men played their Gamelan instruments and there was also students learning & practicing the

Javanese dance.  So' beautiful to watch - their movements are ever so' gracious & flowing with every movement and step!  A pleasure to watch!  Both men and women in their own style - this, Andreaz said, was a warrior dance (a man's dance but the ladies were practicing their moves too) Andreaz, himself is a Javanese dancer and preforms for  groups and special events...he said it is his most favorite artistic expression to do.  

We went over to the carriage museum and saw these beautiful

 carriages.  Look at the year and where it was from.

 This one was also made in Holland from the 1850's!  That makes it pretty old wouldn't you say! 

 These last 2 are from England -

 And this oldie was still in need to be restored. 

  Two carriages were given by the Dutch Queen back in the early 1900's and the other 2, gifted by England.  

                                        The Royal seal.

 The Prince & Princess on their wedding day.  He is now in his 60's.

 
Read about the Mangkunegaran Palace 

      I noticed the pretty flowers growing and then our guide Endang, walked over to the vine & shared with us about the flower...she plucked on it and started to take it apart...

 She showed us "the rabbit" inside - opening up the bud and peeling away some parts - she pulled the two little stems apart and tah-dah  "Bugs Bunny!" she said!

 Here is a beautiful official room -for meeting dignitaries.

                             The ceiling was very pretty.

 Nick takes a picture of the royal couple who lives behind this complex.  

This was a formal dining room and there were mirrors on the ceilings.  "Say Cheese!"

                   A gift from China to the Royal Family.  It took 25 years to do the carving on this elephant tusk....such detail...! 

 This stained glass window was in the dining hall.

 Not real clear but a portrait of the Royal Family. 

 We thanked Endang and Alisa for the informative information - it was ALL very interesting to see and hear!  

Andreaz brought us to an Antique shop - lots of fun things to nose around in - but hard to jam into the suitcases!  So we controlled ourselves!  We also went to a pasar (market place) and it was large and busy.  Many people doing their daily shopping and most people buy their food fresh daily.  

We also went to the Kraton - an even older palace

 Kraton Surakarta Palace

but it was closed for the day.  Yesterday they had been a big celebration here in Indonesia.  We took some pictures of the entrance of the palace and drove around the high walls.

Then off we went to ACE hardware...yes they have them in the larger towns - and it is a great store with many things to offer!  We were pleased to nose around for a while!  Can't buy much but just handy for some items we needed!  

We went for a bite to eat - Andreaz found some lemper for us too!  Our favorite! He knows how to spoil us...yes!  

It was a relaxing day - and Andreaz is an excellent driver - getting through the maze of traffic in this larger town!  Motorbikes, cars, becaks - and people...you certainly need to be aware when driving  around with a car.  Nick & I would not consider driving unless we lived here.  I guess then you eventually get use to it and adapt to the traffic.  We're thankful to just be able to get around on those scooters!

We had a great day & outing with Andreaz - and we got back just in time before the rain!  Terrific!

                            Learning more about Indonesia and its history....

.....was THUMBS UP!!