TRAVEL CULTURE

Back to Malioboro After 8 Years

Rediscovering the soul of Yogyakarta’s most iconic street

Road signs using Javanese letters, Photo by the author

The last time I walked on Malioboro Street was eight years ago. My older sister had just graduated with her master’s degree. Our family spent the day feeling a mixture of pride and happiness.

That afternoon we strolled along Malioboro Street to celebrate her graduation. I was young then — visiting Jogja with more of a student mindset, going along, admiring the crowds, but never really being there.

Last February, I returned. This time not as siblings chasing graduation, but as a couple walking hand in hand with someone I love.

And while Malioboro has changed in some ways, in many others, it remains the beating heart of Jogjakarta, pulsing with stories, smells, and sounds that bring back forgotten feelings.

The Echo of Hooves and Wheels

When I hear the word Malioboro, I always remember the sound of a horse’s hooves walking slowly with its eyes closed. A coachman tries to keep his horse running properly while watching the road. That is typical of Jogjakarta.

I smile watching them weave through the tourists and the hustle and bustle of cars that pass through the streets.