Yogyakarta, or short Yogya is one of the two still excisting traditional royal cities of Central Jawa; the other is Solo. The city is in the centre of a wide belt of fertile ricefields, which are dominated in the north by the smouldering Gunung Merapi ('Mount Merapi'), and in the south is limited because of the rough Indian Ocean.
The densely populated area surrounding Yogya is recognised by an impressive natural environment: smouldering vulcanoes, mighty limestone cliffs and a savage breakers. Gunung Merapi, the 'Fire-spitting Mountain' north of Yogya is Jawa's most active volcano. It's a high-rising colossus, which frequently spits out ash and smoke. The nightly climb is intense and dangerous, but at the end it is rewarded with a view that belongs to the most wonderfull on Jawa.
One of the main attractions in the region is the black sanddunes along the numerous beaches south of Yogya. Swimming is dangerous in the waters of the Indian Ocean, because there are numerous depths with a powerfull undercurrent. The nearest coastal place is Parangtritis. On the way are many well-visited places like Kota Gede and Imogiri.
Just east of Parangkusomo are hot water courses of Parangwedang. For a low price you can take a bath that will actually make you younger. In the hills behind the beach are the abandoned hermit places and graves of some legendaric people, honoured because of their meditational-, and supernatural powers: Syeh Belabelu, Kyai Barat Tigo, Syeh Maulana and Pangeran Dipokusomo. Religious people visit these places in the hope their wishes will come true.
For people who are not on a pilgrimage, this is also a good place for having a good walk towards the peaks of the hills, especially because of the beautiful wide views over the area. The steep limestone cliffs harbour some caves, which you can only reach on a rope ladder. In one of these caves the charismatic Yogyan prince Diponegoro once meditated. He was opposing the Dutch in the Java War (1825-1830).
Further east, near Parangendog, the sand is covered with egg-shaped stones (endog means egg). A new bungalow-park offers an almost luxury place for stay, but there is no airconditioning, telephone and tv. You can reach the area with the Jatayu-bus from the central bus terminal, it's a cheap journey.
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