This blog could also be called 'A Tale of Two Cities.' Medan was more interesting than I was expecting, and Yogyakarta was less. We weren't really expecting anything from Medan, we had to go there after the jungle of Bukit Lawang because it was the only way back to civilization and an airport. However, we had a bit of time there before catching a plane to we decided to check out Mesjid Raya, a mosque built in 1096 in the Moroccan style. Free trip within a trip to Morocco, let's go!
Mesjid Raya
As Jared and I were walking in, we had to put on some 'garments' to make ourselves look more respectable. We each got a sarong and I got that sexy little head scarf. This guy must have thought we were pretty awesome as he asked to take a picture with us.
Me being a good Muslim
More good Muslim pics
Etc.
A minbar, a pulpit where the imam stands to lead the prayers
Where Muslims perform wudu, a cleansing procedure before entering the mosque to pray.
The next morning Jared and I got up crazy early to fly to Yogyakarta. We only had the day to spend, so we chose to go to the Kraton- the royal residence of the Sultan of Yogyakarta. While there were some interesting things to look at, nothing was labelled so we really had no idea of the significance of anything and we didn't understand much. We had a tour guide but she didn't really answer our questions. So we just went with it.
A family tree showing the sultans through the years and their children-through multiple wives.
The most beautiful roof I've seen yet
More crazy family trees. I think the red was for wives and the blue was children. Actually, I have no idea.
Walking with the guide through the grounds.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure which sultan this was. But did he have style.
That afternoon we walked through a crazed, crowded batik market. We also booked a 3 day, 2 night tour to see some volcanoes- a must do in Indonesia, one of the most seismically active places in the world!
Until Next Time!
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