Java

Borobudur Temple

Most visitors of Indonesia will start their trip at Java, not in the least because most flights arrive at the Soekarno-Hatta airport. From there, plenty of planes leave for other destinations in Indonesia. But why hurry? Jakarta offers a nice melting-pot of big cities, small rural towns, interesting historical sights and natural beauty that you can finish off with a touch of sun and sand on a beautiful beach.

Java is Indonesia's most populated island and can, for convenience's sake, be divided into three parts: West, Central and East Java. West Java is the part of the island where the capital Jakarta is located. Although some people want to get out of this slightly oppressing metropolis as quickly as possible, there are some interesting historical sights and museums.

A good day-trip from Jakarata is Bogor, offering an oasis of green gardens and probably is the first city to head for when you're planning to see a bit more of the island. Bandung, with its architectural sites, is Java’s third biggest city and often the go-between between Jakarta and either the beach at Pangadaran or the city of Yogyakarta. However, it might be a good idea to check out the nearby waterfalls as well as the Tagnkuban Perahu with its craters, steamy pools and suffocating smell of sulphur.

Yogyakarta, on Central Java, is probably Java’s most famous and most visited city. Besides the fact that it is an enjoyable city, this is the best operation base for a visit to the Borobodur, an impressive and enormous Buddhist temple construction, and Prambanan Temple, the biggest Hindu temple complex that you’ll find on the island. Take a train from Yogya and within a hour, you’ll arrive at Solo that is a receptacle of dance, wayang and batik.

Don’t rush through the eastern part of Java because you want to get to the Bali beach as soon as possible. Besides the fact that East Java also has some good beaches, it is a pleasant area with temples, lakes, wildlife-reserves and volcanoes. Surabaya is located centrally when you want to visit Gunung Bromo, the active volcano caught in a sort of surrealistic sulpher-smelling landscape, or Madura, a charming island just off the coast where you can still imagine yourself Robinson Crusoe.

This is the beaten track in a nutshell, imagine what you’ll come across when you just jump on a train or bus and let Indonesia surprise you.

Jakarta

To most travelers, Jakarta as a starting or ending point of their trip. However, Jakarta is one of the most exciting night-life cities in the world.

Although Jakarta itself doesn't have many "sights" to offer, it is the lively commercial centre of Java.

In addition to several museums, the heart of the old Dutch town at 'Taman Fatahillah'. National Monument or known by locals at Monumen Nasional [Monas] and National Museum or Museum gajah nearby Merdeka Square.

Sunda Kelapa, is the old harbour from which merchantmen from all over the world come and go. Take a weekend charter to Anak Krakatoa, and compare it to Captain Cook's 1773 description. The night-time southern sky is not something you will soon forget.

Indonesia is a wonderful country with beautiful, friendly people. It is a wonderful mixture of beauty and chaos that you will either love, or hate. The rice paddies, volcanoes, small villages and ocean beaches are incomparable in this world.