The Imperial Palace

The buildings that had been used by the emperor for many generations have mostly been converted to a museum housing the various items that were used by royalty over the years. They range from portraits to oven mitts.

1. Guardian statue at the entry way.

2. Guards at the entry. The one in front is just a maniquin in uniform. In the shadows behind is an actual guard. We were told to be respectful as they could be quite dangerous and had full authority for security in the area.

3. Music “room”

4. I was again reminded that Indonesians have a different concept for what is and what is not indoors. Many of the “rooms” or “buildings” in the complex and country as a whole were really just roofs on stilts. And here I am still looking at snow on the mountain tops and wondering if it’s ok to open the windows yet.

5. Sometimes the display cases were of more interest to me than the items.

6. Check out the ceiling.

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8. Sorry I can’t give much detail on the actual items. OUr site guide was very soft spoken with a heavy accent. Even on my recordings I couldn’t tell what she was saying most of the time. Neat cases, though.

9. Drum

10.

11. Most of the photos I took of paintings didn’t come out. I have no idea what’s going on in this one, but isn’t it interesting?

12. Just past this point was an area of copyrighted batik designs. It was the only place I was told to not take pictures.

13. Shadow puppet show at the end. We stopped for a few minutes, but it was a part of the play with only a long monologue in Indonesian. Or maybe Javanese. I couldn’t tell the difference.