The Indonesian Island of Java

Immergreen in the West, immerse yourself in the rich Indonesian culture in the South, and experience the savannah in the East - a vacation on the large Sundanese island of Java promises variety and excitement for all nature and culture lovers. Get to know Indonesia a little better in this article!

When planning a trip to Far East countries, a vacation in Bali and adventures in Lombok often take the lead. With dream beaches and luxurious villas, it's no surprise! However, Indonesia has many more destinations to discover that you shouldn't forget! One of them, today's spotlight, is the island of Java. With more than 130 million inhabitants, it is home to over 60% of the Indonesian population and has one of the highest population densities in the world. You can expect an exciting mix of cultures and religions that you can only truly experience on Java.

Welcome to Java

To get a clear idea of the island, let's start with a little geography lesson. Unlike Bali and Lombok, Java is one of the four major Sundanese islands and is located between Southeast Asian countries and Australia. Specifically, Java lies between Sumatra and Bali. Java is characterized by its partially active volcanoes and crater lakes, which you can climb with a local guide. As for the climate, Java has tropical temperatures and air conditions. Therefore, I recommend visiting Java during the dry season, which spans from April to October. If you're just traveling as a tourist and don't plan to exceed your stay of 30 days, a valid passport is sufficient for entry. A visa is not required. If you're making such a long journey, you should aim to see as much of Java as possible. As you might guess, there is unfortunately no direct flight. Although there are various flight connections, you should plan for one or two layovers. You can target the capital, Jakarta, to plan a trip across the island from there.

Right from your starting point, you'll be surprised at how diverse the Indonesian capital is. One might think that the saying 'opposites attract' originated here. A colorful mix of various traditions, religions, and styles will greet you, likely stunning you at first. Also, the traffic in Jakarta should not be underestimated. Thousands of scooters and cars travel daily on the city's roads, often leading to long traffic jams. Currently, there is no subway in Jakarta, but the construction of the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (Jakarta MRT) is expected to be completed by 2019, which should alleviate the traffic situation somewhat.

Feel free to set aside a few days to take in the various sights. Start with a tour through the beautiful old town, followed by a visit to Merdeka Square. If you want to climb the national monument there, a 140-meter-high tower, you can enjoy the view of Jakarta's skyline from the observation deck.

Istiqlal Mosque: also known as the Independence Mosque. It is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, which you can visit during a free tour.

Jakarta Cathedral: a large Catholic church built in the neo-Gothic style. The special feature: The cathedral is located right next to the Istiqlal Mosque.

Indonesian National Museum: Here you will get a good insight into the history and culture of Indonesia.

Taman Suropati: A park in the heart of the city that invites for extensive breaks after sightseeing.

Grand Indonesia Mall: Numerous restaurants and shops offer everything that a shopping heart desires.

To get to Yogyakarta, the City of Prosperity, you can travel by plane, bus, or train. I recommend this city to you because it's quite colorful. Yogyakarta is known not only as a former capital but also as the cultural capital of Indonesia. From batik art to dance and theater, the arts are boundless here - you'll even encounter graffiti and street art at many corners. It's best to take one of the typical becaks, a bicycle taxi, to explore the city and its attractions.

Yogyakarta has the special status of a sultanate, and the reigning sultan has even opened his palace, Kraton, and the adjacent water palace, Taman Sari, for visitors, so you can gain unique insights into the complex that has also welcomed foreign heads of state, such as the late Chancellor Helmut Kohl. During a guided tour, which is also offered in German, you will learn more about the role of the sultan and the traditions in Yogyakarta. By the way: If you'd like to relax on the beach after sightseeing, you can do so at Parangtritis Beach, which is suitable for a long beach walk but not for swimming.

Prambanan: The largest Hindu temple complex in all of Indonesia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sections of the massive complex, adorned with several temples, are still being rebuilt. Tip: Visit Prambanan just before closing in the evening, and you'll see the temples in daylight and also experience the sunset. Unique! Nearby is the Rama Shinta Garden Resto, where you can dine overlooking the illuminated temples.

Jalan Malioboro: The most famous shopping street in Yogyakarta. Whether you are looking for typical souvenirs like silver jewelry or batik cloths, or want to try Indonesian cuisine, you will find it here. Yogya Coffee: A typical specialty in Yogya is coffee with coal. The glowing hot coal is added to the coffee and taken out before drinking. You can get the drink at market prices equivalent to €0.30. Go ahead! ;-) A great alternative is the street food markets on Jalan Wongsodirjan, about a kilometer away, where you can enjoy authentic Indonesian dishes such as delicious satay skewers and hearty soups. The dishes usually cost between €0.30 and €1, and are eaten while sitting directly on the sidewalk. You usually do not have to worry about hygiene issues with street food in Yogyakarta; a watchful eye and trusting your gut feeling are usually enough to avoid nasty surprises. I've never had any problems and highly recommend visiting one of these markets. It doesn't get more authentic than this!

Mount Merapi: An excursion that is definitely worthwhile - we're talking about one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. The active volcano last erupted in 2010, causing many casualties and leaving a trail of destruction that is still visible today. As part of a guided tour, you can visit the lava landscapes and the established museums and memorials. An impressive excursion that shows what natural forces prevail on the island of Java.

Borobudur: One of the most famous sights on Java is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, Borobudur. This World Heritage site consists of nine tiers, on which several stupas are located. Although the temple complex is often overcrowded, Borobudur remains a must-see on a trip to Java. My tip: The Borobudur Sunrise tours are especially popular, where you can experience the sunrise at the temple. At this time, it can become quite crowded on the terraces. It's better to come half an hour after sunrise or during the hot midday period, then it's usually a bit emptier, and you can take great photos.

Village Tour: You can also see the attractions and small villages of Yogyakarta within a guided tour. I particularly love the Village Tour, which takes you through the villages of Yogyakarta in a stylish VW convertible. With the top down and a refreshing breeze in your hair, you'll see villages, rice fields, and mountains passing by and make stops at traditional craftspeople, where you can try your hand at the art of batik and pottery. These and other interesting tours in Yogyakarta are offered by Samanata, among others. Highly recommended!

If you continue your journey eastward, you should definitely make a stop in Probolinggo. In the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, you can visit Mount Bromo, one of the most active volcanoes on the island. Tours at sunrise are particularly popular, taking you with jeeps to the viewing points in the early morning hours. If the weather is good, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunrises in all of Java. However, as with all tourist hotspots, it can also get very crowded at Mount Bromo.

Of course, Java also has some national parks that I want to dedicate a separate section to. First, there's the Marine National Park Kepulauan Seribu. A beautiful beach borders the crystal-clear sea and invites for swimming. However, the shallow coral islands are especially suitable for snorkeling and diving. For those who prefer to stay on land and enjoy the beautiful nature, you will surely find great joy in Ujung Kulon National Park. Not only is the flora breathtaking, but especially the fauna is as well; you can discover monitor lizards and various bird species here. Additionally, there are beautiful beaches and the famous Krakatau volcano.

If you want to bring something typically Javanese back to your loved ones at home, you won't be able to bypass handicrafts such as batik fabrics, straw and rattan baskets, or artwork made of wood or clay. Numerous large and small workshops will appear to you all over Java. It's best to buy your souvenirs in the small businesses, as this supports the people of Java who live from craftsmanship and provide for their families. Pay attention: Similar to other countries, bargaining is common here, and you can usually negotiate in almost all stores. If you're traveling outside of tourist areas and no one speaks even broken English, communicating with sign language is usually no problem.

As mentioned earlier, you can enjoy Javanese food not only in numerous restaurants but also right on the street or in typical Warungs. Don't hesitate to try exotic dishes, and explore the Java menus! :-) Here are some must-try dishes:

The most expensive part of a vacation on Java is often the flights. However, accommodations are available here for every budget, ranging from hotels to guesthouses and inns. While you have to reach deeper into your pockets for a hotel (though this doesn't guarantee the quality of the rooms), you can find guesthouses starting at a few euros per night. These are a type of boarding house, which, depending on the price, may have a private bathroom in the room. Inns, on the other hand, are even a bit cheaper, offering small accommodations with local families. However, you should prepare for not having a bathroom up to European standards. Instead, you'd scoop water from a container to wash yourself.

Have I sparked your desire to travel, and do you want to experience Java for yourself? Then check out suitable hotels. I'm sure nature and culture lovers will have an unforgettable time on Java!

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