We have finally finalized our plans for late Oct/early Nov and are staying 2 nights at Amanjiwo. I was wondering, are there any good restaurants near Amanjiwo? Or is it better to just eat at the resort? Really don't want to pay resort prices but if we must...

Thanks

Lisa, I hoped someone else would answer you so that I could get a good tip too!

Amanjiwo is in a rural area. There are many villages with village restaurants, but they are very, very rustic. Borobudur itself has a whole area of food stalls that are best avoided.

The town of Yogya is about an hour's drive. There are a couple of zillion restaurants, but really, I find them ALL (including the one's recommended by the Aman) substandard. So if you check them out be prepared to beat a retreat if you don't like the ambience.

The good news is that the food at the Amanjiwo is good and not too expensive. It's the alcohol that will cost you an arm and a leg. You might consider handcarrying a bottle or two if you're so inclined.

The manager of the Aman is a former chef (he was the chef at the Amankila or Amannusa I think)so he's very food conscious. The menu is quite small but they are very accomodating and if you give them time to organize it they will prepare whatever you want. You should have dinner outside on the terrace.


I was at the Amanjiwo a couple of weeks ago with two American customers. They are very sophistocated world travelers and they were absolutely blown away. Surprisingly they really did want to take the elephants back from Borobudur (I had no idea!) and unfortunately the animals were fully booked. So if this appeals to you, reserve in advance.
Mt Merapi has been rumbling and blowing off steam and it was incredibly scenic. We drove from the Aman to Solo in the early morning and had a close up and personal geology lesson.

I'm heading back to the Aman next weekend for their 5 mountains dance festival then on to Bali for a week.

we also will be at Borobudur Oct 31/Nov 01 and then go to Yogya for a day. we are staying at Manohara on Borobudur grounds with plan to eat dinner at Amanjiwo. Marmot,what do you think of Sheraton Mustika vs Hyatt ?your earlier post of hot and dusty Yogya prompted me to want to stay on the outskirts of town.

Boblax-
My parents stayed at the Jogya Hyatt a few years back and (this may sound silly) the loved the pool and waterslide after a day of temple viewing. Very nice, natural looking gardens surrounding the pool with a very fun looking slide.

As for me, I am planning an Amanjiwo trip in '07, so I am looking forward to seeing everyone's trip reports, as I still have almost 2 years to wait

bob, I'll be interested in hearing about the Manohara. Sure can't beat the location!

In Yogya I think the Hyatt is far better than the Sheraton. The rooms are fairly simple -- tile floors, duvets (no top sheet) -- but they're clean and the service is acceptable. The grounds are lovely with a big free form pool. For some reason that I've never understood it's salt water, though.

I think the best choice in the middle of town is the Melia. Last time I stayed there was about 5 years ago and the rooms were somewhat run down.

No matter where you are in Yogya you end up taking taxis. The Melia is within walking distance to the shopping areas though.

Unfortunately you'll be in Yogya during Ramadhan. You can expect it to be pretty quiet during the day. Non-hotel restaurants will be closed and the dances and performances will be curtailed.

thanks crusinred and marmot for your help-will book @ hyatt.I am hoping that Ramadan means the crowds at the temples will be thin.Plan to see prambaran as well-will post a report since we are going on to do Hanoi,LP,KL,BKK and angkor

The restaurant at Amanjiwo is lovely, and it is a beautiful place to eat, but the food in my opinion is nothing too terrific if you like Javanese food. If you only want western food, this is your only option.

In the village however, a gentleman, "Pak Parno", and his wife have a small makeshift restaurant that they run out of their home, and the food is so extraordinary that you should absolutely not miss it. No English is spoken, but Amanjiwo can arrange transportation and dinner. While they charge for this, and the cost will be roughly what you would pay for dinner at the hotel, it is well worth it.

Another option is to have Amanjiwo drive you to the local market, where there are many excellent food stalls. You can eat with the locals there, and try all of the local specialties. Although the food is dirt cheap, hotel transportation is not, and again, it all equals out in the end.

Thanks for the suggestion. We really were hoping someone had another option than resort dining. We have never been to Indonesia before so we don't know if we will like Javanese food but we wanted to try it. I assumed the resort would mostly have western style food. Thanks again

Hi 24Lisa,

We just officially booked our Java trip for July.

1 night Singapore
2 nights Losari Coffee Plantation
5 nights Amanjiwo

Please post a trip report when you return from yours!

Ericka

Makanmata,

Just wondering, since no English is spoken at Pak Parno's restaurant, does a guide from Amanjiwo stay with you to interpret? Thanks

Yes, that's right. They will do the same at the market.