Textures & Details: Solo

Once a mighty Javanese empire, the Sultanate of Mataram was divided by their colonial masters -- the Dutch -- giving birth to two smaller monarchies. One; Yogyakarta, strived and struggled to be mighty: loud in modern Indonesian politics, having acquiring the special region status, thus strong in influence and power. The other, Surakarta -- or Solo -- took a much silent path, from perhaps a regrettable past, into a possible future.

Solo seems untouched, unlike its much popular and favoured bigger sister, Yogyakarta. Both cities are related, and in many sense, close neighbours. And both are at the beating heart of the Javanese culture, nestled in the middle of the densely-populated Java, going about their lives while being concentrated to the main node: the important institution of the kraton. Intricate, gentle, subtle, exquisite: these make up the details and textures of the fine characteristics of the Javanese cultural context, and of course, the content.

With Solo, things go closer to authentic.

Afternoon walk.

Motorists pass by the roads penetrating through the compound of the kraton, namely the Kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat, the seat of the Javanese monarchy now headed by Pakubuwono XIII.


One of the gates leading to the alleys serving the houses, usually belonging to the servants and workers of the kraton.

A statue of Hanuman, a prominent monkey figure in Hindu-Buddha folklore, stands guarding one of the gates of the palace compounds.

One of the prominent blue doors of the alleyways, locally known as gang.

Youngsters take a walk in the southern alun-alun, a public square, within the kraton compounds. Successfully crossing the two banyan trees blindfolded, as legends told, signifies a pure heart.

Mobile food vendor selling bakso bakar, grilled meatballs -- a dish famous throughout Indonesia.

Transport. Income. Shelter.

On a journey to freedom.

Photos are from January - February trip to Java, Indonesia.