In Reply to: Goober posted by Norm on Monday, 1. March 2004 at 20:36 Bali Time:
I stayed at the Mendut Hotel in a standard room for about 160,000 per night (included buffet breakfast). It wasn't fancy, but was clean, friendly and had a pool (which I didn't use, but seemed clean). For me, a hotel room is for staggering into when the night has run out of entertainment, and for waking up and wondering where I am.
No doubt your daughter knows more about the city than I do, and would probably know more about any hidden dangers in the city (coz I couldn't find any, and I gave them plenty of chances to find me).
The "active western subculture" you refer to is interesting if you compare it to Jakarta (particularly among the young people). In Yogya, they seem to have found a nice balance, and are adept at taking some of the good things the West has to offer and blending these things with their own culture. In Jakarta, they seem to have grasped the western burger with both fists and are trying to cram it down their own throats as quickly as possible. And I suppose in Bali, they have western culture whether they like it or not, so some just ignore it and get on with what they've been doing for centuries, while others try to devise new and more cunning ways of making money from it.
Any days you spend in Yogya instead of Bali will certainly not be wasted, even if you have to fork over an extra few bucks each for a hotel each night instead of using whatever accomodation comes with your Bali package. If you're big shoppers, shop in Yogya instead, and you'll probably break even anyway.
I suppose it depends on how many days your trip lasts in total, and what you plan to get done in Bali. But don't bother going for just one day. You'll just go home disappointed that you rushed it. On the other hand, you can always go back.
Is there any chance of my getting hold of a copy of your daughter's thesis? Was it published?