2007-01-18 20:34:00 · 6 answers · asked by evelyn b 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Indonesia
I have lived in Indonesia for 20 years, here are my recommendations.
First, it's totally safe, but always be careful. There are nice hotels in the central part of Solo that don't cost alot. You can get a decent place for $10/nite with hit water, not that you will need it at this time of year.
If you would like to see an insiders view of Solo, may I recommend you make a visit to "Semarak Candrakirana" this is a children's dance studio where you will see every day children from very young ages of 3 learning traditional court dances. the address is centrally located very close to one of the Palaces and the owner and teacher is a famous court dancer and Solo's "first lady of dance" Irawati Kusumorasri. Tell her you are referred by me. Speak with her daughter who speaks English and they will tell you what is happening for dance and performance for the week. I guarantee if you go around with them you will see beautiful performances. As a gesture of thanks it is nice to bring them something when you arrive, a fruit basket and offer to buy them lunch at a nice restaurant if they spend alot of time escorting you around. If it turns out that they escort you around for days you should make some kind of an arrangement to pay them. The other recommendations people have given you are also good too. You will also want to see what is happening at Taman Sriwedari.
Here is the address for the dance studio.
Irawati Kusumorasri
Semarak Candrakirana
Jalan (street) Dr. Supomo No. 7 Solo
phone:+62-271-719884 (or from Solo just 719884)
Ira's cell phone 081-2260-5317
2007-01-21 05:19:45 · answer #1 · answered by themerchantprincess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solo (or Surakarta), central Jawa, is a tranquile and slow-going city. Typical Jawa and many places of cultural interest. Yes, safe.
Friendly and polite people who are proud of their city and their sultan's palace, which is worth a visit.
You can enjoy a late night snack at the food stalls along the road and easily mingle with the locals. People do appreciate it if you respect the dresscode (shorts are considered underwear and not worn when eating in public or when visiting people).
Try the Soto (chicken soup with coconut milk) , the deep-fried stuffed tofu (tahu), and the nasi rames with abon-abon.
Do not touch food or pay with your left hand, it's considered rude and unclean.
Wake up early and see the huge Merapi vulcano at distance, in the morning haze.
Check out the batik-factories and see how this high quality fabric is hand-dyed, or just shop around at the markets, like Pasar Klewer.
Rent a push-bike and make a pleasant trip to the Prambanan Temple complex, and it's surroundings. Start right after sunrise, because it will get HOT.
No disco or wild bars can be found here, but you will find this kind of entertainment in the nearby city Yogyakarta.
Enjoy your stay!
2007-01-20 09:08:04 · answer #2 · answered by Endie vB 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been to Solo several time. Much cleaner than Jogyakarta. It's a bit quite there though. Nice to wake up in the morning and go round for a walk. The air is clean.
If you go to Solo, don't forget to go to Pasar Klewer. It's like traditional market, many authentic things you can see there.
And also, don't forget to try Serabi Solo for breakfast :) They are pretty good. My fav. would be the one with jack fruit
2007-01-19 12:10:06 · answer #3 · answered by Kuchiki Rukia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Solo is a nice place. It is a relativly quiet city but there is a lot to see in the area. From the tourism perspective Yogyakarta, which is about 60km away would be a better base but Solo is fine.
2007-01-19 10:07:36 · answer #4 · answered by camsean73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solo...in central of Java island....people there are very nice (its was one of the old Kingdom, people are polite and pay high respect to foreigner...indeed a safe place to visit....lots of Javanese heritage there...if you like history and culture, you'll love it there...
2007-01-19 08:09:08 · answer #5 · answered by Bear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a nice place, it is very safe. you can see the old indonesia there... because you cant find place that can show you the old indonesia like this place. :)
2007-01-22 09:31:57 · answer #6 · answered by citra 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋