I snapped this photo on the way into the Taman Sari, or Water Castle, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The driver was just standing there and I took an interest in his good-looking cycle rickshaw, or becak, as it’s known in Indonesian. Without me even asking, he was happy to jump in and pose for the photo.
The cycle rickshaw used to be a popular form of transport in Indonesia, but its use has declined in recent years, and is even illegal in some cities.
The Taman Sari was a complex built as a pleasure garden by the first Sultan in 1765. One of the bathing pools was dedicated to the sultan’s harem, and he had a tower overlooking the area so he could watch and choose the one liked.
Yogyakarta is a cultural highlight of Indonesia. The sultan’s palace is the most popular attraction in Yogyakarta and the local food scene is worth some investigation.
Visit my Flickr gallery for more photos of Yogyakarta.
Great color! Interesting how fun color (be it just for fun or for marketing) can change one’s perspective on the day. 🙂