So, Did I meet Willy Wonka?

_{The 6 hours is a travelogue where I documented places I visited under 6 hours. These places are something new that I haven’t visited before. So, I am going to take you to explore these places with me.}

After visiting Glagah Beach and having my first sand fleas, I told the driver to take me to an alleged cave. It is said to be a cave on google map and since it has been a while I did caving, why not?

Along the way, there were only teak trees which my driver told me that it’s very valuable and an asset for the locals. He said, “ Just chop down a few trees, they’ll have a house.” I just nodded while half sleepy and prepared myself to do caving.

Gua Kebon (A Spring Cave)

Address: 457P+5M7, Dukuh VII, Krembangan, Panjatan, Kabupaten Kulon Progo, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55655

The car got into a narrow and steep road and it was the end of it. The driver parked the car and only an old lady who owned a small hut told us, “the place is there” while pointing down to the stairs. So, I got down a few steps and I saw two kids that looked like they were fifteen on the stairs. When I got down, they were startled because the girl was sitting on top of the guy. There were bushes around and it was quite empty. But I instantly looked away and wondered where the cave was.

I heard gurgling water just nearby and walked towards it. There was a crystal clear spring that was coming down to what seemed to be a mini waterfall. At that point, I wondered, “ what place is this?” Is this a waterfall, a cave, a spring cave?

So, I walked towards some stairs that led me to go down to the puddle. On the way there, I spotted some mosquitoes and got bitten by it. I didn’t even wear boots and any proper attire to really go down in places like that. I mean, it was quite random and unexpected in the first place. When I arrived, I saw a family who was taking pictures in the water and in a place that they call” the cave”.

A child went inside what seemed to be a cave and sat there for a while. While I tried taking a picture, the dad looked at me and posed in front of it. I just smiled but didn’t take the picture. I continued checking out places but it was eerily quiet. There was a creepy statue next to where I stood and I didn’t take a picture of it.

I couldn’t understand why this place is called a cave. An adult couldn’t get into the hole beneath the stone. It could fit only 2 children but not an adult. I can either say this place is a spring cave or a mini waterfall. When the family left, just a few moments after that, I left too. I didn’t want to be left alone in that eerie silence.

Waduk Sermo

Once again, being indecisive, I asked the driver to take me to a place called Pule Payung. From the picture, it looked like a place on a hill with a lake view. But it was already past 3 PM when we left Gua Kebon. So, I was only hoping there was no congestion. 30 minutes on the way, the car finally reached a forest-like area with a welcome sign “ welcome to waduk sermo”. It was a huge reservoir that was maintained by the water supply company. This place has an amazing view overlooking unnamed hills. I had a good feeling about the place because the view was breathtaking. Unfortunately, when I checked the place called “pule payung” it said it was closed. So, I told the driver to just drive around the reservoir and stop at some spots that I think were good to take pictures of. We ended up stopping here and there and here are the pictures of it.

This reservoir is a good camping ground and is also quite massive. I can imagine it’s nice to camp near the water and build a campfire. And that time, the sun was playing hide and seek. It made it difficult for me to get some shots.

At that point, I still wanted to chase the sunset but it seemed too late. So, the next place that I told the driver to go is a place called Studio Gamplong. It is a place where some Indonesian box offices were made. Some of the movies are called Habibi & Ainun and The Earth of Mankind. To feature the pictures in a blog or make it into a content one has to ask permission to respect the copyright of the place. I didn’t want to go through that hassle. So, I am just telling you that the place is worth visiting, quite massive and is an interesting place to see how Indonesia looked back in the 19th and even modern Indonesia and their slum houses.

Chocolate Factory and Museum

Address: Jl. Tugu Gentong No.RT 03, Sribitan, Bangunjiwo, Kec. Kasihan, Kabupaten Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55184

The last place that the driver told me I could check out is a chocolate factory and a museum. In this city, they manufacture a chocolate called “ Monggo”. It’s quite famous and can be easily found across this province. However, the place is closed at 5 PM so if you want to go there, never go around that time. When I arrived at the palace, the security told us that it was already closed but he was still willing to open the door if we wanted to buy the chocolate.

I checked around the area and I saw the museum in front of me that was closed. It was a pity because I didn’t meet Willy Wonka (not that there's any willy wonka here or maybe?)or even see how the process was made. But, I got to the store and saw some mannequins inside a box which I believe was made from chocolate. Inside the store, they sell various chocolates from praline to cake pops. I got a mellow cake and also some chocolates including coffee, a fruity chocolate too.

some chocolates inside the display

mellow cake (this is a sugar bomb!)

chocolate lollipop, one of the best!

The driver was also buying chocolate because his mother loved it. He told me that his mother doesn’t like chocolate but if it’s chocolate from there, she could eat it. If you love chocolate, I don’t think you would want to leave the place. Every chocolate I picked tasted really good and I wanted to go back there again because the taste was just godly. And once again, for chocolate lovers, do not miss this place when you’re visiting the yogyakarta.

Poka Ribs

Address : Tirtodipuran St No.20, Mantrijeron, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55143

My trip somewhat ended there. I then asked my driver to take me to a place I have been wanting to eat for years now. The place is called Poka Ribs. It sells various pork ribs, pork belly but there’s also poultry.

It’s located at the tourist restaurants where many bars and western menus are offered. I was not expecting that the portion would be huge. I know, for some this portion isn’t big but for me, it was. That was the biggest pork ribs I’ve seen in my entire life.

The whole meal was the perfect way to end my adventure. Maybe in the future, I’d like to have some set of organizations where to go and a list of places to visit. Up until today, everything is often just random and impromptu. And I've been meaning to change that.

Hope you enjoy these recommendations and my travel story!

Mac's Pinmapple Travel List

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