Tour module 14 days culture and adventure Java

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Round trip 14 days culture and adventure Java

This round trip takes you to the nature of Java and brings you regularly in contact with the local people. A comfortable individual round trip with plenty of room for special encounters.
Along the highlights on Java, with amongst others, the big Botanical Garden in Bogor, the Green Canyon in Pangandaran, the famous Borobudur, a train journey to the Bromo volcano the sea turtle centre in National park Meru Betiri.

The trip and the accommodations are perfectly suited for young and old. Almost every hotel has a swimming pool.

On the way plenty of attention and time for stops, where you have the time to take pictures, go for a walk in the nature and get to know the people and the daily life on Java.

If you travel with a guide, you will have his full attention and he tells and explains you about the country and its customs. If you travel without a guide, your driver can find his way very good, but he is not a guide, speaks no or very limited English and will stay with the car to protect your luggage.

This roundtrip is a sample how your trip could look like. The target prices are based on middle class hotels. Our Indonesia experts are happy to help you tailormade your trip to your demands.

Target prices 2024

€ 1.750 for 2 persons
€ 1.495 for 4 persons

Included and excluded

Included:
•Middle class accommodation based on bed and breakfast
•Private car or minibus with driver, petrol, parking fees and toll, meals and overnight stays of the driver
•Train journey from Bandung to Pangandaran
- Entrance fee
- Botanical garden Bogor
- White crater - Bandung
- Malabar
- Pangandaran
- Dessa tour per becak - Pangandaran
- Green Canyon - Pangandaran
- Borobodur sunrise incl. local guide
- Bicycle trip Yogyakarta incl. local guide
- Entrance fee and jeep Bromo
- Plantation tour and turtle excursion Meru Betiri National park incl. jeep, guide, lunch and dinner
- Ferry Java-Bali

Not included:
•Flights
•Dutch or English speaking guide (price on request)
•Other meals
•Boat Pangandaran-Cilacap
•Tips and personal expenses
•Other entrance fees and donations (ca. € 120 per person)
•Travel and cancellation insurance
•Booking fee (€ 27,50)
•Contribution Calamiteitenfonds (€2,50 per booking)
•SGR contribution € 5 per person
•CO2 compensation € 22 per person

Offerte

Day 1 Arrival Jakarta, transfer to hotel

Selamat Datang, welcome to Jakarta! After you have passed the immigration service and have taken your luggage off the belt, your driver or guide will be waiting for you at the exit with a name sign. Depending on the crowds, he will take you to your hotel in at least half an hour. Along the way you will see the skyline of Jakarta and the enormous bustle and activity of the city. In case of an early arrival you cannot check in directly to the hotel. You can already use the hotel facilities and acclimatize to the pool or enjoy a first "pijit" massage. Overnight in Jakarta.

Day 2 Jakarta city tour and trip to Bogor

Today you make a city tour through the former Batavia. You will visit the old harbor Sunda Kelapa where the beautiful proud Buginze ships are still loaded by hand. You will also walk through the old part of the city, the historical surroundings of Fatahillah Square and Café Batavia where we can find the fertility cannon and the Historical Museum. You will also visit the Monas with its gold leaf dome and the National Museum. After the city tour, your driver will set course for Bogor. The road from Jakarta to Bogor is not far, but due to the bustle of traffic, you will soon be 2 hours on the way before arriving in Bogor. Bogor, the former Buitenzorg, is the main attraction of the large botanical garden Kebun Raya. You will find flora from all over the archipelago. The complex also houses the Presidential outer palace of the President of Indonesia. It is the palace of the former Governor General of the Dutch East Indies. Overnight in hotel center Bogor.

Day 3 Bogor - Bandung via Puncakpas, Angklung music school

After breakfast you will leave for Bandung. The ride goes through the Puncakpas with its many tea plantations. At the tea plantation Gunung Mas you have the opportunity to visit the plantation. From the tea plantation it is another 3 hours drive before you reach Bandung. Bandung, also called the Paris of Java, is a bit cooler than, for example, Jakarta. The city is located about 800 meters above sea level. The city still radiates much of the colonial past, many houses are built in Art Deco or Jugendstil. At half past three in the afternoon you can enjoy the Sundanese culture at Saung Angklung Udjo. Led by the descendants of the late Pak Udjo, a large group of enthusiastic children gives a dazzling show with a wayang performance, angklung music and dance. Note: It is advisable not to drive over the Puncak Pass due to the crowds on weekends and public holidays. In normal traffic, the journey takes at least 4 hours, often double on weekends. 2 nights in Bandung.

Day 4 Malabar and White crater,

A whole day of discovery in the Southern area of Bandung. In the morning we visit the Kawa Putih volcano, the white crater with the lake just next to it. A mysterious place. The Kawa Putih is less known and above all less crowded than the famous Tangkungban Prau. Later in the day we go to the tea plantations of Malabar. We visit the tea factory and the house of the family Bosscha, one of the main characters in the novel ‘The tea merchants’ written by Hella S. Haasse. Overnight in Bandung

Day 5 Bandung Pangandaran Train

An early start today for a beautiful train journey from Bandung to Banjar, about a 4-and-a-half-hour ride. You travel comfortably seated in the air conditioned Kelas Eksekutif conditioning through the Preanger mountain area to Banjar. Here, your driver is already waiting for you and takes you to the fishing village Pangandaran, an almost 2-hour drive away. Y At the end of the afternoon you are invited to visit the school TK Meraih Bintang. The youth informs you in surprisingly good English what extracurricular activities they are developing here. You will also visit some small projects of Meraih Bintang foundation and in the evening you will have dinner together with local people associated with the foundation. If you are traveling with children, local peers will also join to exchange experiences. 2 nights in Pangandaran. Overnight in Pangandaran.

Ontvangst en diner Meraih Bintang - Pangandaran

Day 6 Pangandaran - Becak tour and boat ride to the Green Canyon

Pangandaran is located on a small peninsula on the south coast of Java. After breakfast you step into the becak (a bicycle taxi) and make a very nice trip through the dessas of Pangandaran. We see everyday life here, including how Javanese sugar is made and other cottage industry. Depending on the river, you can then go into the jungle or take a boat trip through the Green Canyon. If no large amounts of rain have fallen, you sail up the green river to the rock with waterfalls where you can swim. If the river flows too fast, take a walk through the Pangandaran National Park where you can encounter many wild animals. Overnight in Pangandaran

Day 7 From Pangandaran to the Borobudur

If the wind is not too strong you will sail from Pangandaran to Cilacap in about four hours today. The tour goes partly over the river Citanduy and then over an inland sea. Bring earplugs, because the diesel engine makes a lot of noise! In Cilacap, your driver will be ready to take you to Borobudur in about 3.5 hours. If the weather does not allow the boat trip, you can drive from Pangandaran to Borobudur in a few hours with a number of stops. You can discuss with your driver on the spot whether you are traveling by boat or car. Overnight near Borobudur.

Day 8 Borobudur sunrise tour and Yogya city tour

You have to get up early for a sunrise... Between 4 and 4.30 am your driver will be waiting and will take you to a mountain with a beautiful view of Borobudur. Once the sun has risen, enjoy breakfast before heading to the temple complex. The Borobudur is the world famous and largest Buddhist temple complex in the world. A walk along the more than 1400 reliefs will take you to the highest terrace of the temple complex where the Buddhas sit under a stupa. After the visit to Borobudur we drive on to Yogyakarta. We will visit the old Sultans palace the Kraton, the water palace and the bird market Pasar Burung. Yogyakarta is known for its beautiful batik industry and fine silverware. You also have the opportunity to stroll through the famous shopping street Jalan Malioboro and shop in one of the many shopping malls. 2 nights in Yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta bicycle trip through the kampungs and free afternoon

One more day to enjoy Yogyakarta. There is plenty to do in this lively and enjoyable former sultanate city. In the early morning you will make a cycling excursion in the kampungs around Yogyakarta. You will pass rice fields, villages, temples and experience the central Javanese life. You can (optionally) attend a performance of the Ramayana ballet on one of the evenings in Yogya. Overnight in Yogyakarta.

Day 10 Via de tolweg van Yogyakarta naar de Bromo

Today a full travel day of at least 6 hours. The drive is largely via the jalan toll (toll road) and through rice and sugar cane fields. In the afternoon you reach the Tengergebrgte and the road winds upwards. For the real adventurers, there is another wonderful challenge an hour and a half before the Bromo volcano: the Madakaripura waterfall. If you want to visit these, please discuss this with your driver the day before. The waterfall is not easy to reach, from the parking lot you take an ojek (moped taxi) 4 kilometers into the forest. The trekking to the Madakaripura waterfall is tough and goes through (sometimes briskly flowing) rivers, muddy paths, under smaller waterfalls and over slippery rocks. After more than half an hour of scrambling you will reach the magnificent waterfall and you can take a dip in the water. Flip flops and a poncho are essential for this trek. Also put on shorts because you regularly walk more than knee-deep through the water. From the waterfall you drive on to the Bromo volcano. The volcano is located in the Tengger Mountains. There are four peaks and it is one of the most beautiful volcanic landscapes in the world. The area around the Bromo is very fertile. 1 night at the Bromo volcano.

Day 11 Sunrise at the Bromo vulcano and tour to Kalibaru village

Around three o'clock you will be awakened to make a trip to the Bromo. With a jeep you will be taken to the viewing area on the edge of the Tengger kaldera. Although you are certainly not alone, in the high season there can be more than 500 visitors, there is a serene tranquility at the viewpoint. Everyone comes for the beautiful and mystical sunrise. From the platform you have a view of the sand sea and its four craters and in the background you can regularly see the Semeru volcano blowing a thrust into the air. Bring your sweater and windbreaker, it is very cold in the early morning! After the sunrise, return by jeep to the sandy sea. Here you can walk or on a horse (about 100,000 rupia) to the foot of the Bromo. Via about 300 steps you climb the Bromo crater to look from the crater rim into the crater of the volcano. After the Bromo, return to the hotel for breakfast. Then continue the journey to our next destination, the rural village of Kalibaru. A drive of about six hours. Overnight in Kalibaru.

Day 12 Sukamade plantation tour and the sea turtles in the Meru Betiri Park organized by Kalibaru cottages

After breakfast, depart by jeep to the Meru Betiri National Park. Along the way you will witness life on the rubber, cocoa and palm plantations and see how in the last century the irrigation works still prove their service. Lunch is taken in a fishing village on Rajekwesi Bay. In the afternoon you arrive in Sukamade, where you will stay in the very simple pondok Wisata Baru or the Sukamade Mess (no hot water, sometimes no shower but a mandibak, sometimes yes and sometimes no electricity. Take toilet paper from your hotel). You visit the turtle nursery here and you can usually release young turtles on the beach. Around six o'clock you will have a simple dinner in the Pondok. Then you travel by jeep for half an hour towards the beach. The last kilometer has to be covered by foot through the forest. The local guide goes looking for nests on the beach. Once he has found a nest he will pick you up. The turtles that come to lay eggs here range from 150 - 350 kilos and lay about 100 - 150 eggs in about two hours, which hatch after 8 weeks. To prevent poachers and increase the chances of survival of the young turtles, the eggs are dug up and transferred to a shed near the Pondok. After hatching, the young turtles keep strengthening for a few days before they are released into the sea. Very simple overnight stay in Sukamade!

Day 13 Van Sukamade naar Bali

After breakfast you visit the old little factory where latex is produced. Then we drive back to the fishing village, where around that time the fishermen come back from sea with their catch. The jeep will drive you out of the Meru Betiri Park and then you get in your own car or minibus again. Today we drive to Ketapang, a small port place on the coast, from where we cross over to Bali, the island of the thousand gods. With the ferry we cross in about half an hour to Gilimanuk, situated on the coast of northwest Bali. The car from Java brings you in about three hours to your hotel on the south coast of Bali. You say goodbye to your Javanese driver and, if you had one, to your guide, once you’ve arrived at your hotel on Bali. Here ends the tour module.

Offerte

Mercure Batavia - Jakarta

ercure Jakarta Batavia is located in the old part of Jakarta (formerly Batavia), 500 meters from the Fatahillah Museum and Café Batavia. The nostalgic hotel has 376 modern rooms with a view over the city. The hotel offers free WiFi and features a restaurant and bars, a swimming pool and a fitness center. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Santika Premiere Jakarta - Jakarta

Hotel Santika Premiere is located in the district of Slipi, West Jakarta. The friendly staff will do everything to make your stay in this hotel as pleasant as possible. All rooms have AC, TV, telephone, bathroom with shower, bath and hairdryer, desk, coffee and tea making facilities, minibar and safe, Number of rooms: 273 Facilities: Swimming pool, fitness room, spa, tennis court, shopping arcade, 24 hour room service and doctor service, multiple restaurants, bar and laundry service. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

New Mirah hotel - Bogor

The Mirah hotel is a few minute drive from the shopping centre and Bogor Botanical Garden. A fine middle class hotel with friendly staff. Many restaurants and shops in the neighbourhood. All rooms have AC, bathroom with shower, telephone, TV, coffee / tea facilities, minibar and free Wifi. Number of rooms: 140 Rooms with connecting door are available for families. Facilities: 2 restaurants (Indonesian and Western cuisine), coffee bar, lounge, garden, swimming pool, children's pool, children's club, 24-hour room service, laundry, lockers, Wi-Fi and a free ride on Sunday morning with the Dokar. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Grand Preanger - Bandung

The Grand Preanger is a luxury 4 * hotel located on the Jalan Asia Africa, the former Post Road in Bandung. The many facilities of the hotel ensure a perfect stay in this city. All rooms have air conditioning, bathroom, telephone, TV, WiFi, minibar, coffee / tea making facilities and private safe. Number of rooms: 187 Facilities: Swimming pool, fitness room, Spa, sauna, gift shop, restaurant, 24 hour room service. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Savoy Homann - Bandung

Selamat datang di tempo doeloe! The beautiful Art Deco-style Savoy Homann is located in one of the colonial neighbourhoods in the centre of Bandung on the old Post Road Jalan Asia Africa. The rooms have now been modernized but the public areas have luckily kept the Art Deco style. In the beautiful domed restaurant surrounded by galleries you can still see the small inside balconies and the glass elevator. All spacious rooms have air conditioning, TV, telephone, minibar, coffee and tea making facilities, marble bathroom and safe. Some rooms have a balcony. Very extensive breakfast buffet. Number of rooms: 185 Facilities: Swimming pool, Garden Restaurant (Asian and Western cuisine), Batavia bar and lounge (cocktails, regular live music), Sidewalk Café (cocktails, snacks), karaoke, game room (video games), fitness room, Spa, hairdresser, shop, laundry- and room service, meeting rooms and wifi. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Sukajadi Hotel - Bandung

Het Sukajadi Hotel is een eenvoudige boutique accommodatie op loopafstand van Paris Van Java, het grootste openluchtwinkelcentrum van Bandung. Het hotel heeft tropische tuinen, een buitenzwembad en een restaurant. De kamers zijn verdeeld over twee verdiepingen rond het zwembad. Uw kamer heeft een karakteristiek Javaanse inrichting met houten meubilair. Elke kamer heeft een satelliet-tv, Wifi, een koelkast en koffie- theefaciliteiten. De badkamer heeft een warme en koude douche. Aantal kamers: 80 Faciliteiten: Restaurant (Aziatische en Internationale keuken), bar, zwembad, kunstgalerie, room service, laundry service, vergaderruimte, wifi (toeslag), massage op kamer mogelijk. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Nyiur Indah - Pangandaran

The Nyiur Indah is a small and very cosy hotel, less than 100m from the beach of Pangandaran and close to the National Park. Along the beach many market stalls and restaurants. Pangandaran is primarily a seaside resort for local tourists. On weekends it is full of guests from Bandung and Jakarta. During the week it is wonderfully quiet. The rooms on the ground floor have a small terrace with seating and the rooms on the first floor have a balcony. All rooms have AC, bathroom with hot water and a balcony or terrace. Number of rooms: 24 The conviviality spreads along the small but lovely swimming pool via the restaurant to the lounge. The staff is extremely hospitable and helpful. Breakfast is fine and the hotel offers free snacks and coffee / tea in the afternoon. Facilities: Restaurant (Indonesian and Chinese cuisine, fish), swimming pool, room service, laundry service, wifi and extremely good service. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Arnawa hotel - Pangandaran

The Arnawa hotel (formerly Puri Indah) in the fishing village of Pagandaran is a small hotel within 100m walking distance from the beach of Pangandaran and 500m from the nature reserve Cagar Alam and marine park Taman Laut. The rooms have a view of the garden or swimming pool. A becaktour through the village and the dessa with stops on the local market, fish market and house industry is really very worthwhile. You can also make a trip to the Green Canyon. All rooms have AC, telephone, TV, desk, kettle, minibar, bathroom with shower and terrace with seating. Number of rooms: 70 Facilities: Swimming pool, children's pool, restaurant (local, Chinese and Western cuisine) and bar, badminton court, table tennis, laundry service, room service, wifi in public areas and meeting room. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Amata Borobudur resort

Op slechts 4 kilometer van de Borobudur liht het typisch Javaanse Amata Borobudur resort. Het kleinschaligre resort heeft kamers in een hoofdgebouw die wij niet aanbieden, bungalows van 35 m2, iets ruimere en luxere Deluxe bingalows en riante familiebungalows. Vanuit het resort worden diverse excursies en activiteiten aangeboden: meditatiesessies, village tours, rafting en de Andong (paard & wagen) tours door typisch Javaanse dorpjes. Het resort heeft een prima restaurant. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Dusun Yogya village Inn

Het kleinschalige (24 kamers) Dusun Yogya village Inn boutique hotel ligt op zo'n 15 minuten lopen van de gezellige Jalan Praworitaman. Het hotel is weids opgezet met de Deluxe kamers in een 2 verdiepingen tellend gebouw. Alle kamers beschikken over eigen badkamer/toilet, ruim zitje of balkon, airco, tv, föhn, telefoon, kluisje, gratis WiFi en waterkoker. De suite is nog wat ruimer opgezet en heeft als extra een espressomachine. Er is een ruim zwembad met een kinderbad. Het open restaurant serveert Aziatische en westerse gerechten. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Puri Artha - Yogyakarta

Just outside the centre of Yogyakarta lies the very nice hotel Puri Artha. The hotel is in Balinese and Javanese style, in the rooms is used a lot of rattan, bamboo and batik. The rooms are spacious, clean and beautiful and set up in a carré shape in the garden. All rooms have a veranda with seating and are equipped with AC, bathroom with bath or shower, telephone, TV and minibar. Number of rooms: 70 Facilities: Restaurant (Asian and Western cuisine) with Gamelan music from 6 to 8PM, bar (also with live music, from 8 to 10.30PM), shops, swimming pool (not free, about 2 €, but there you have also a towel, locker, shower and fresh juice for) and Spa. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Phoenix Mercure - Yogyakarta

The Phoenix is the perfect hotel to catch your breath after a tiring journey. It is in a perfect location in the heart of Yogyakarta within walking distance of the popular Jalan Malioboro. The atmospheric historic Phoenix Hotel, a colonial mansion from 1918, has now been completely renovated and extended while maintaining the original traditional style. A luxurious, refined and nostalgic decor. The pool is surrounded by beautiful galleries and balconies. The good English speaking staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful and the breakfast very worthwhile. At the restaurant is a Jamu (herbal) woman with free advice / drink for your small inconveniences such as headaches and abdominal pain. At certain hours a Gamelan orchestra plays for an Indonesian atmosphere. All comfortable rooms are equipped with air conditioning, telephone, TV, desk, bathroom, hairdryer, coffee and tea making facilities, minibar, safe, wifi and balcony with seating. Number of rooms: 144 Facilities: Swimming pool, restaurant, terrace bar, wine bar, spa, fitness room, baby sitting service (on request), laundry service, room service, gift shop, business centre. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Jiwa Jawa Bromo (former Java Banana)

The Jiwa Jawa Bromo is a relatively new hotel in the Bromo area. It opened its doors in 2009 and is built in modern eco friendly style. From this hotel you can easily reach the Bromo by means of the 4 x 4 jeeps. Outdoor sports such as mountain biking are proposed. There is also an open-air theater at the lodge. All rooms have AC, private bathroom, telephone, TV, coffee / tea facilities and Wifi. Number of rooms: 42 Facilities: Reception, bar, restaurant, photo gallery, assistance with outings / tickets, outdoor activities. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Lava View Cottages - Bromo

Lava View is a very simple hotel, but ideally located directly on the edge of the Caldera, about half an hour's drive from the viewpoint of the sunrise over the Bromo. With good weather you have a magnificent view of the Bromo and other volcanoes from the hotel. The sunset over the volcanic landscape is also very impressive. The hotel has various room types divided into superior, deluxe, family rooms and bungalows. The superior rooms are not recommended and only have twin beds. Number of rooms: 28 The simple rooms are equipped with bathroom, TV, coffee / tea making facilities and have a terrace. Facilities: Restaurant serving Asian and European dishes, breakfast buffet, Café, Wifi. There is often live music in the evening. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Rumah Kita Guesthouse - Kalibaru

This cosy Guesthouse is located 3 km from Kalibaru and is run by a Dutchman. It consists of a 1-bedroom villa with 2 single beds and 2 guest houses, each with 2 rooms with double beds. A bed can be added in all rooms. The villa also has a large living room, kitchen and a large covered terrace for general use. From the rooms you have a view of the garden and the Gunung Raung volcano. All rooms have a large private bathroom with wash basin, toilet, large walk-in shower with natural hot water and coffee and tea making facilities. Number of rooms: 5 Facilities: private garden, swimming pool, central fridge in the villa for all guests, cook and service, laundry service, Internet and a Tour Desk / Transport service. Also possibilities for massage. From here you can make beautiful excursions and walks in the area to nature parks etc. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Kalibaru Cottages - Kalibaru

Kalibaru Cottages is surrounded by plantations at some distance from the centre of Kalibaru. The simple cottages are built around the beautiful pool and the reception / lobby lounge is a pleasant place to sit down and have something to drink. All rooms have their own shower / toilet (open air), minibar, telephone and TV. In front of your room you have your own veranda with pool or garden view. To reach the restaurant you have to climb steep stairs. Number of rooms: 60 Facilities: Nice pool, children playground, small shop, restaurant and lobby bar. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Wisma Sukamade baru

This simple guesthouse is a three-quarter drive from the beach and turtle center, in the plantation village in the Meru Betiri nature reserve. There are 12 very simple rooms with three beds, bathroom with running cold water (some rooms have a shower, some a mandibak) and a simple western toilet. In the dining room, delicious dishes are served. There is no power between 23:00 and 05:00. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Offerte

Jakarta

Jakarta, The Big Durian, you either love it or you walk away from it. It is the hometown of my mother, then called Batavia. In 1993 I was still in her birth house, a privilege that few Indos can still experience, as Jakarta has grown into a metropolis with about 17 million inhabitants. A lot of low-rise buildings have had to make way for skyscrapers that define the skyline of Jakarta.

Only the old city, Kota Lama, still shows many traces from the Dutch period. Be sure to visit Fatahillah Square with the National Museum and drink a cup of coffee in the nostalgic Café Batavia. Glodok, Jakarta's China town is within walking distance of Kota Lama. The old VOC warehouses and the fish market Pasar Ikan are also worth a visit.

I find it difficult to name a favorite restaurant. What I write today will be obsolete tomorrow. I would say check the internet and selamat makan, enjoy your meal!

Bogor

Bogor (Buitenzorg) is located 50km south of Jakarta and is best known for its Botanical Garden. It often rains, so it’s comfortably cool and assures lush vegetation. In the Botanical gardens you can walk through the park where many plant species grow and you can visit the orchid greenhouse.
Unfortunately maintenance is minimal today, which means that, for example the old little Dutch cemetery, looks somewhat dilapidated.
Next to Bogor is Taman Safari Indonesia, a big safari park where, among other animals, you still can see a real Sumatran tiger.
The Cibeureum waterfalls are located on a short distance from Bogor. From Bogor you can travel to Bandung via the highway of the Puncak pass.
Via the Puncak pass you travel to Bandung through tea plantations and beautiful views of nature.

Bandung

Bandung was often called "Paris of Java". It was not until 2020 that I found out where that name came from: the many fashion shops, Mediterranean restaurants and other luxury boutiques gave Bandung a Parisian look at the beginning of the 20th century. Bandung no longer has that look, except perhaps in the famous Bragaweg, one of the best-preserved shopping streets in the world in Art Deco style.
It is a busy and modern student city, where many old buildings and houses from the colonial period have been preserved. There are architectural highlights such as the Gedung Sate, Villa Isola, the old Concordia, but also the hotels Savoy Homann and Grand Hotel Preanger take you back to the times when the planters came to enjoy their Sunday drink.

North of Bandung are the volcano Tangkuban Perahu, the mountain village of Lembang and the Dago Tea House are worth seeing. In the south you will find the Malabar tea plantation. Kawah Putih, the white crater, is also located in the south and together with Malabar is good for a full day trip. The golden crater Papandayan is more to the east and is special because of the many geysers and the golden rim at the top. The Papandayan is again good to combine in a day trip with the hot springs of Garut.
If you are on time, make sure to visit Saung Angklung Udjo in the afternoon: a dazzling performance of angklung music with dance and wayang golek performance by children from the neighborhood, accompanied and accompanied by descendants of the late Pak Udjo. He once founded a music school for the street children here, which has now grown into a beautiful stage for the children in the neighborhood. At some point you play along, despite your musical illiteracy.

Favourite restaurant

Just like in other big cities, good food is not hard to find. My favorite is Dapoer Pandan Wangi. Order the fried perch Gurame Goreng, not available in the Netherlands, with Terong Raos as a vegetable: aubergines baked in dough. You will never regret it!

Cimahi

South of Bandung is the town of Cimahi. During the Japanese occupation, the current barracks served as Jappenkamp, where my grandfather and father had been interned for several years. In Cimahi is also the honorary cemetery Leuwigajah.

Pangandaran

Pangandaran has developed from a small fishing village into a popular seaside resort. Although the main income still consists of fishing, tourism now also employs a large part of the population.

The Green Canyon is highly recommended from Pangandaran. with a motorized boat you sail up the river to the rapids. The other attraction is the National Park Penanjung. You can make a 'jungle tour' where, in addition to monkeys, deer and other game, the smaller version of the Rafflesia Padma can also be seen.

A beautiful beach is the Pasir Putih, the white beach, which is mainly frequented by local tourists on weekends. If you are sunbathing here in a bikini or bathing suit, don't be surprised if you have a lot of attention. The Indonesian population is quite squeamish and often goes into the water fully clothed.

In Pangandaran we are happy to support the projects of the Meraih Bintang Foundation . You are cordially invited to take a look here.

Favourite restaurant

When you visit the Meraih Bintang foundation you will be invited for dinner at a local Javanese fish restaurant.

If you are looking for a nice restaurant at another time, Restaurant Relax our recommendation. It is located directly opposite the Nyiur Indah II hotel and serves both European and Indonesian dishes. They also have delicious bread!

Borobudur

The Borobudur is a famous temple complex built in the 9th century. It’s situated on a small hill near Yogyakarta and surrounded by other temples and volcanoes. The complex is 47 meters high and consists of nine stacked platforms. The platforms represent the Buddhist cosmos. On the top floors there are 72 small stupas, which are built around one large central stupa, which symbolizes Nirvana.

The Borobudur is best visited during sunrise. The Sarasvati Borobudur hotel is a 1.1 kilometer walk. There are several hotels and resorts within 10 minutes, of which both small scale Rumah Dharma I and II are our favorites. For the traveler with a well-filled wallet, the Plataran Borobudur resort & spa is the ultimate choice (not to be confused with the big brother Plataran Heritage hotel, which is mainly geared towards wealthy local tourists).

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is the cultural center of Java, the soul of the island. It is also one of the nicest and most interesting cities in Indonesia. Partly because of the walled royal palace, Kraton, which is already a town in itself. You will find countless historical works of art and paintings. The gamelan is rehearsed daily in the morning hours, some days with dance and / or singing. The current sultan still lives on the palace complex.
The Water Palace, which can only be visited in the morning, is within walking distance.

For shopping you can visit the Marlioboro street with numerous stalls during the day and tasty food stalls in the evenings. Also visit the bird market Pasar Burung, one of the many batik galleries or go to the silver town of Kota Gede. In the evening you can attend a performance of the Ramayana ballet in the center.

Yogya surroundings

An hour from Yogyakarta is Borobudur, the world-famous Buddhist temple from the 8th and 9th centuries.
Closer is the Hindu temple Prambanan, where the Ramayana ballet is regularly performed.

Towards the coast is the town of Imogiri. Here is the final resting place of the rulers of Mataram, the Susuhunans of Surakarta, the sultans of Yogyakarta and other high Javanese nobles. The name comes from Sanskrit and means "Snow Mountain". You can decide to visit the sultans graves on the spot.

Especially on Sunday go to the beach of Parangtritis. You will be amazed how the locals enjoy the beach and get through the day taking selfies (preferably with you)!

Favourite restaurant

Yogyakarta has a lot of delicious restaurants, from murah (cheap) to mahal sekali (very expensive). The latter category includes Gadjah Wong , but the choice is huge and I believe I've never eaten such a tasty sambal goreng tempe Nice ambiance too!

If you are staying in the Prawirotaman district you should definitely visit Via Via a > for lunch pr dinner. Very nice atmosphere, not expensive and very tasty and you can find a lot of information about Yogya. They also give cooking classes.

The most authentic is to eat Nasi Gudeg at one of the lesehan (food stalls) at the Jalan Malioboro, a jackfruit stewed in coconut milk.

Bromo - Tosari

Bromo

The most famous volcano in Java, the Bromo, is located in the Tengger massif. Together with the craters of the Batok and Widodaren, the Brom crater is located in a sand sea of 80 square kilometers, which is surrounded by the caldera rim.
Before sunrise, numerous jeeps with tourists drive to the Pananjakan viewpoint to watch the sun rise over the Bromo from there, watch the clouds sink into the sand sea and regularly see the Semeru volcano blowing off steam.

During the high season it is very busy, but about 500 enthusiasts can shoot photos and videos in peace and quiet.

After sunrise, the jeeps drive into the sand sea, to the foot of the Bromo crater and you walk another fifteen minutes through the sand sea (you can also rent a horse) to climb the 300 high steps to the crater rim. Your reward awaits ..

Your reward...

Kalibaru

Kalibaru is most of the time your last stop on Java before you take the ferry to Bali. It’s a little village in the mountains close to the Raung Volcano near the Kawa Ijen plateau. The village is surrounded by plantations and it’s very pleasant to stay there.
You can make a trip with a Dokar (a small horse drawn carriage) or visit one of the plantations.

Sukamade

Sukamade is a fisher and plantation village at the south coast of East Java. It’s in the middle of the Meru Betiri natural park and only accessible by jeep.
The biggest attraction of Sukamade is the turtle centre. Almost every day giant turtles come ashore in the evening to lay their eggs on the beach. Accompanied by local rangers you can see this happen. During the day you can see the baby turtles in the nursery and release the turtles that are strong enough on the beach.

There are two reasonable accommodations at Sukamade, of which we use Wisma Sukamade Baru the most. It is about a three-quarter drive from the turtle center and is cleaner and better cared for than the Sukamade Mess. This is located in the grounds of the turtle center and is just a 10 minute walk from the beach. Both accommodations have cold running water and a simple western toilet.