The Ngasem Market near the Kraton complex in Yogyakarta is also better known as the bird market as it is the bird traders that occupy one third of the Market.
The Bird Market has been operating since 1809. Buying of birds was considered to be a status symbol among the noblemen in Yogyakarta and this is how the Market gained its popularity. The Market sells birds of many species and the marketplace buzzes with their sweet chirping and glows with their bright colors.
The bird sellers sit with their stock on the left side of the entrance. The Turtledove had been popular to the noblemen in the past and it is still one of the most special items in that market. There are also Bulbuls, Orioles, Parakeet, Prenjak and Emprits. You can also buy owls and eagles at the rate of 35000 rupiah and 350000rupiah respectively. You can also buy the necessary equipments that are required for keeping a bird as a pet such as cages and stands. The quality of a bird is often determined by hearing its chirp and the buyers witness the bird chirping competitions before making their choice.
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When we have a vacation in Kraton Yogyakarta, then she/he should not miss The Water Castle or known as Tamansari, less than 1 Km west of Kraton. Just west of the Kraton, are the ruins, pools, arches and underground passages of the former pleasure gardens. It was built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I as a rest house and pleasure park for the Royal family. Tamansari means beautiful garden. It was badly damaged due to an earthquake in 1867. Some parts of it, for instance “Umbul Binangun” bathing pools have been restored.
Upon seeing the ruins of Taman Sari, some cultural experts say that it has multi purposed functions, such as:
1. A Rest house, in the form of water castle with beautiful park. The air is fresh due to:
* Artificial lakes and canals
* Bathing pools
* Large gardens with several kind of varieties of trees
2. A place for sport and entertainment
* Boating and swimming
* Deer hunting
* Classical dance Bedoyo and Srimpi
* Gamelan music
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Introduction to Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is one of province based on sultananate palace but still a part of Indonesia republic. Historic said that Hamengkubuwono IX, king of Yogyakarta in 1945 declared that Yogyakarta agreed to join the Indonesian republic. At that time, the yogyakarta sultanate had six regency.  Yogyakarta, sleman, bantul, gunungkidul, adikarto and kulonprogo regency. But now, it left only five regency which adikarto regency are unite with kulonprogo regency.

The philosophy slogan that they followed are Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana, it is as the deep desire to complete the society rules of life based on valeur local culture which is need to develop. The other slogan Hamangku-Hamengku-Hamengkoni, means that  the throne for people and for social – culture prosperity.

The Gouverment

in 2009 has ten party which is accepted in Assembly at Provincial. The parties are consist of,

Economic Life

Most of  Yogyakarta people are farmers, sellers and artisans ( silver, puppet   and plaited materials ) and tourisme. But there are also people who live by renting a house or a chamber for students, maybe like apartment but there’s only one room.

Transportation

We can find two kinds of  transportation in this city, traditional and modern. For traditional we can ride andong ( vehicle pulled by horse ) and pedicab. The modern are bus, train, boat and plane. There’s only one airport, national and international called Adisucipto. Located in Solo street.

Education

Yogya ( short name for Yogyakarta ) has many names. Beside as a Gudeg city ( traditional food from jack fruits ), it called also motorcycle city, culture city and education city. In Yogya, we can find the oldest university in Indonesia. UGM ( University of Gadjah Mada ) and many more famous university like UNY ( University State of Yogyakarta ), Islamic State University, etc.

Culture

Yogyakarta much influenced by Javanese culture. Art and culture are the part of people life. Since they were kids, they were usually watched, joined or organized the artistic and cultural program. Tradition is the most important step to reach better life. That’s why, the tradition looks like never die in this city. The organization of tradition can’t be separated from art and culture. Those arts are combined and presented in to beautiful sacred ceremony. The exclusive art we can find are kethoprak ( traditional teater), jathilan ( dance traditional with horses imitation ) and the puppet show.

Site Touristique

We can visite some site touristique area. For cultural tourisme there are watercastle of tamansari, Parangtritis and Parangkusumo beach, Prambanan, Kalasan, ratu Boko, banyunibo, Ijo and barong temple. ( this three temple located in hidden area ). Historical tourisme like museum sonobudoyo, monumen jogja kembali, Museum Yogyakarta palace, etc. Masse tourisme like the zoo of gembira loka, Malioboro ( famous as champs elyssé de Jogja ), bird market Ngasem, and many more. About  40 km from Yogyakarta there are, Borobudur temple as Unesco heritage.

Yogyakarta are famous with traditional food which is very cheap and healthy. We can find tradistional kiosque selle traditional food called angkringan. And so many traditional food in every regency of Yogyakarta. You need a month to taste all this variety food in this city.

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