Java

if you're Javanese, when I say that after much consideration and thought, not to mention time here, I say that I don't like Java very much. This is not to say that there are not spectacular things here to do and see, or that the ancient and colourful Javanese cultures are not fascinating. It is, if anything, simply because I think that other areas of Indonesia have more to offer and are nicer places to visit. First, the basics. Java is a long, thin island to the north west of Australia, between Sumatra and Bali. It is the central of Indonesia, whose capital Jakarta is to be found near the Western tip. It is divided into three main provinces - West, ...  Read the complete review

It all depends on what you want out of life. And how much money you might have left. For me it was an overnight bus from Lovina beach (Bali), and being dumped in a deserted area of Surabaya (Java) at 4 a.m. Scary. And then I discovered that even between the Islands there's a one hour time difference - so,it being 3 a.m. I felt much better. Found the "Bamboe Den", with another couple of travellers at about 3.30 and settled down to sleep in the 'dorm' for a couple of hours. Bamboe Den = very basic, but very,very cheap. And a very good meeting place. Surabaya, for me, was what I had expected from Indonesia. Bali, as beautiful and ...  Read the complete review

Java to me means volcanoes and this is the best. Lying in the east of Java it is traditional to climb it to witness dawn. The other tradition is that you reach it by pony back. You can walk the couple of miles from the centre down into the old crater and across the sandy dusty floor to the foot of the new cane but why not support local services. Be warned the ponies are small and the path goes down steeply and you need to hasng on really tightly but they are also very sure footed. You climb to the rim of the new cone to view into the vent and to wait for dawn. If you have not got a head for heights do not venture far from the steps that lead up - the rim is very narrow ...  Read the complete review