Jogjakarta: Sultan's Palace, Water Castle, and tourist shopping

This was definitely the least exquisite day, as it was mostly a touristy day. The boys didn’t pick us up until 9:30, but we were unable to sleep in because a little kid was screaming loudly. I spent my morning sipping on free coffee from the hotel and editing pictures. I can’t believe how many I have!

We were then escorted to Sultan’s palace, and taught a brief history of all the previous sultans from a local guide. Everything in the entire place had something to do with sex. I swear to god. It was all about men, women, and the nature between them. As he was talking about the sons and daughters of the Sultans he mentioned that the current Sultan has only 5 daughters, and not sons. “And why do you think this is?” he asked. “Because I have read the book of sexual, and it is because of natural. You must have aggressive sexual. The last Sultan had 4 wives, he had 17 sons and 5 daughters. And why? Because he make aggressive sexual. The 7^th sultan had 22 wives and 78 children.” Yeah dude, let’s not mention the fact that it might have to do with the fact that the current Sultan chose to only have one wife. I’m sure it is all about the woman’s aggressiveness in bed.  There are no scientific facts to prove that the men actually decide the sex of a child. Granted the guide was 66, so I’ll give him some credit. He also couldn’t understand why the current Sultan’s daughter has been married for a year and is not pregnant.

Inside the palace

Next we took a pedicab to the water castle. This is where the Sultan came with his concubines to choose one to sleep with. The water castle has 3 pools. One for his children, one for the concubines and a private one for him and his lady of choice. He would look down on the pool, throw a flower, and the lady that caught it would be the “lucky one” who joined him.

Private Pool!

After the water palace we went to the bird market, for which I have no words other than vom-central. I seriously almost threw up. The cages were the most crowded I’ve ever seen, and the stench was beyond comparison. Then we had lunch, where they had delicious biscuits and we were able to watch a dancer perform. The end of our day consisted of shopping at the famous market for Batik and souvenirs to send home for Christmas presents. Then Andi and Diang escorted us to the airport where we sat and had a coffee. 

We are concubines. This is the Sultan's love nest. Guys....they put fires underneath to keep it warm. As if it gets cold here ever....

Looking back on this vacation and comparing it to all the other ones in Albania I’m just dumbfounded by my life. I try to choose a trip that sticks out in my memory as the best, but each of them have be so phenomenal and enjoyed with such lovely company that I just cannot chose one. I was thinking this was the best vacation culturally as I learned so much about history and religion, but then I remember being astonished by the history of Bosnia. The best part about this vacation is that it is only half over! I’m off for a week of relaxing on beaches with my co-workers. I cannot wait. CITED!