MALIOBORO Down The Road of Flower Bouquet and Souvenir Paradise in The Heart of Jogja The sun was

beating down as thousands of people crowded along Malioboro street. They did not just stand on the sidewalk but they ran over up to the road. The at mosphere was so noisy and hectic. Bubbling laughter, screaming car horns, the st rains of gamelan cassette, up to shouting traders selling food and toys for chil dren blended into one. After waiting for hours, finally, the expected carnival t roupe appeared. Started by Bregada Prajurit Lombok Abang, royal carriage convoy began to walk slowly. All squeezing wanted to see the couple of GKR Bendara and KPH Yudhanegara who continuosly waved and spreaded a friendly smile. That scene was seen as the party of Kirab Pawiwahan Ageng of Sultan Hamengku Buw ono X's youngest daughter from Yogyakarta Palace headed to Bangsal Kepatihan. Th ousands of people crammed filling Malioboro Street that stretches from north to south. In Sanskrit, Malioboro means flower bouquets because in the ancient times when the Palace held an event, a mile-long road would be filled with flower bou quets. Although time passed and the era has changed, Malioboro position as the m ain street where a variety of carnival and celebration being held has never chan ged. Until now Malioboro, Vredeburg Fort, and Zero Point remain a venue for a va riety of carnival starting from the event of Jogja Java Carnival, Chinese Cultur al Week, Yogyakarta Arts Festival, Carnival Malioboro, and many others. Before it turned into a busy street, Malioboro was a quiet road with a tamarind tree growing on the right and left. This road was just passed by people who want ed to go to the Palace or complex areas such as First Indische first in Yogyakar ta, for instance, Loji Besar (Vredeburg Fort), Loji Kecil (area next to the Grea t Hall/Gedung Agung), Loji Kebon (Great Hall/Gedung Agung), as well as Loji Seta n (Office of the Parliament/DPRD office). But the existence of Pasar Gede or Ber ingharjo Market on the south side and the presence of Chinese ethnic residential in Ketandan area gradually boosted the economy in the region. Chinese group mad e Malioboro as its business canal, so the trade area which was originally based in Beringharjo and Chinatown eventually expanded to the north to Stasiun Tugu (T ugu Train Station). Seeing Malioboro rapidly growing into the pulse of trade and shopping centers, a friend said that Malioboro is the baby talk for "mari yok b orong (let s buy a lot)". In malioboro you can buy desirable range of merchandise ranging from beautiful accessories, unique souvenirs, classic batik, gold and ge ms to household appliances. For souvenir fans, Malioboro can be a fun hunting pa radise. Walking on the shoulder of the road while bargaining a variety of goods sold by street vendors, will be a special experience. Variety of locally made so uvenirs like batik, rattan ornament, silver, bamboo handicrafts, leather puppets , blangkon, miniature of traditional vehicles, accessories, until key chains, al l can be found easily. If you are good in bargaining, these items can be taken h ome with a fairly cheap price.