Pasalubong or souvenirs, in a superficial manner, make me remember places I have visited and the experiences I have gained in my travels. As an extension, sharing simple souvenirs with my loved ones enable me to partake part of my experiences with them. Yogyakarta souvenirs are endless in varieties, colors and cultural and religious importance, but the items that caught my eyes are house ornaments (since I will be moving to a new place in less than 48 hours). These are the things I found in Mirota Batik upon the advice of Erica, the niece of the owner of The Wayang Homestay:
Stupa, IDR 16,500 (US $1.28) each. There were stupas with detachable cover, but they cost IDR 21,500 (US $1.67) each.
Pencils with dolls on one end, IDR 6,500 for a pack of 3 (US $0.51). I regret not buying more because they are too cute for words.
Shadow Puppet scene set in metal sandwiched by glass, IDR 25,500 (US $1.99). This item looks better in real life, I screwed up in taking its photo.
These are the things I found but did not buy (I had 3 kilograms of baggage to spare for all the pasalubong from three cities):
Ducks made of wood and some sort of root crop (?), IDR 40,500 (US $3.16). Not buying them is the BIGGEST regret of the entire trip. I wanted to buy these to welcome my guests at the main door of my place, but I did not know how WE will survive the train ride from Yogyakarta to Jakarta without losing each other. 🙁
These maracas look like duck’s eggs (see photo above), IDR 6,500 (US $0.51). Since I did not buy the ducks, I did not deem it fit to buy the “eggs”.
I am not sure if they are turtles or doves or pigeons or something else, but they look cute. One costs IDR 30,000 (US $2.34).
These are different characters in Ramayana epic. Small dolls cost IDR 64,000 (US $4.99) and bigger ones cost IDR 90,000 (US $7.01). They look beautiful and fragile.
Traditional irons, IDR 45,000 (US $3.51) for small ones and IDR 112,500 (US $8.77). The last time I saw these things was in 1995, when I ironed my high school uniform during a rotating brown-out. The standard sized iron is filled with hot charcoal and it is used like an electric iron. Clothes ironed with these smell so good. 🙂
Batik from Yogyakarta, they range from IDR 60,000 (US $4.67) to IDR 200,000 (US $15.58) for the regular ones. Left photo was taken in Mirota Batik and right was photo taken in another store with royal family connection.
Monggo Chocolates from Indonesia, IDR 47,500 (US $3.70) for 100g bar. I did not buy them in Yogyakarta but I bought 11 bars in Jakarta, and they are smooth with distinct filling. Yumyumyum.
Indonesian drinks- Minuman Khas Kraton Yogyakarta, IDR 22,000 (US $1.71) Wedang Uwuh, IDR 5,500 (US $0.43) and Sari Jampi, IDR 7,500 (US $0.58).
Mirota Batik is along Maliboro Street, a street filled with batik stores and stalls that sell from birdcages to bags. It is accessible and every becak driver knows where it is. If shoppers get hungry, there is a restaurant (with cabaret show) on the third floor of the mall. The salespeople barely speak English, but every item is tagged properly. Clothes are found on the ground floor while bags, footwear, gift items and house decors are found on the second floor.
Mirota Batik (Hamzah Batik) Pusat Batik and Kerajinan: JI. Jend. A. Yani 9 (Depan Pasar Beringharjo). Telephone/Fax Number: (0274) 588524, 518127, 547016 and 547017 Yogyakarta. Email Address: mirotabatikyk@yahoo.co.id