lapin_windstar

If you're on Java and there's a choice between train and bus - train!

PamE

Thanks. Them days is long gone, so looks like statistically speaking we'll be just fine

Message received & understood, cheers!

sun burnt in aus

If it hasn't been said already... Boogie board bags full of dope are a bad idea when trying to enter Indonesia.

NKSK version 2

Train from Jakarta to Bandung is very scenic - particularly the last hour. Puncak is a nice hill resort - but you'll need car transport.

PamE

Thanks for that! How did you find Bandung itself? Lonely Planet doesn't paint a very pretty picture & we were going to skip, but then LP not always most reliable!* It also says that Puncak area was 'once lovely' but 'now destroyed' by over-development....must do some more google, but is nicer to get some eyewitness accounts if possible When were you there?

(*Tbh I may have to surrender and get a Rough Guide next trip, think is more for my age group, or at least Lonely Planets are more for 18 to 25s and I'm a bit past that stage e.g. I don't feel my journey is incomplete without a spliff, as Lonely Planet says it must be Plus have compared LP and RG for a few places and you'd think they were different locations altogether from the descriptions!)

NKSK version 2

Probably fair comments from LP.
We went because the in-laws have childhood memories and so insisted on us going to both places. Bandung has a beautiful setting in what looks like a lake bed surrounded by volcanoes. We stayed at The Valley which is a very nice hotel. Bandung is good for shopping - and a lot less polluted than Jakarta.

Puncak. Yes, again probably fair comment. The Jakarta folk love it though - given how much traffic there was when we were there.

PamE

Thanks for the additional info v helpful cheers!

INDOAUS

In Jakarta, don't forget to visit "Kota Tua" in the North of the city during Sunday or Saturday morning as the place is very hot and fills with car pollution during weekday. Don't forget to do some shopping in Mangga Dua for very cheap clothes or perhaps garment (cheap and good quality).

The beach at Pangandaran is quiet ordinary, though I think at certain time of the year the local holds a traditional ceremony to appease a God. Apart from that, the beach at Bali and Lombok are much better in term of view, sand and water quality.

I'd advise to travel by Train or reputable buses as buses in Indonesia, like most HR country, are prone to accident.

INDOAUS

If u are planning to go to Puncak, then u can also go to Bogor (only a short detour) and visit the Botanical Garden in the old Presidential Palace. Try the local cuisine of "asinan". The view at Puncak is pretty ordinary since most of the trees have be cut down and there have many housing development.

I think u should try to visit Bandung as the city has many historical building and it is also well known for the many "factory outlet" which sells branded clothes from export left over, apparently several famous clothes brand subcontract their clothes to companies in the vicinity of Bandung due to their cheap labour. While in Bandung, try to visit lembang and Mt Tankuban Perahu - the view in this area is absolutely much better than Puncak.

BTW, I'm Indonesian - I'd be glad to offer any assistance during ur stay in Indonesia

PamE

Hi Indoaus, thanks very much for your input! We were in Jakarta during the week, it was crazy, most of the time we spent sitting in traffic, I guess you know what it's like. We went to the old quarter, and saw the national monument & the presidential palace. We stayed in a B&B in a residential suburb in the south of the city, basically a family home, they were very nice and it was an oasis of calm I saw a CNN report recently which said that if the government doesn't act soon on the infrastructure / traffic problems, Jakarta will just grind to a complete halt. Where we stayed they said they are very worried about that but meantime they just get on with it and plan journies accordingly. Must be very hard to live with.

We planned to go to Pangandaran but the family at the B&B advised us that it is too dangerous at the moment - earthquake risks. So we have come to Yogyakarta instead and we will save the beaches for Bali & Lombok, as you suggest.

We took the train from Jakarta as heard the buses weren't too great. Train very impressive, so clean and great service from the stewards! We decided not too go to Bandung or Pancuk and from Yogyakarta we will probably travel straight to Mount Bromo. Unless there is something in between that you might recommend?

Thank you, that's very kind of you!
I see you just got your visa grant - congratulations! Where are you heading in Australia?

INDOAUS

I think most of the attractions in Java are around Yogyakarta. Around Yogyakarta are the city of Solo and Semarang. Solo is worth visiting since it is where the palace of `Sultan Hamengkubuwono` is located. 3 places that are must to visit is Borobuddur, Prambanan and Parang Tritis Beach.
If u go to Parang Tritis look for a hotel name `Queen of South` as u can view almost all of the beach.
Yogya is known for its Batik and handicraft. However, the locals are likely to mark-up their item excessively. When buying item, bargain for 30% - 50% of the seller`s quoted price. If they disagree, then simply walkaway. If our negotiated price is reasonable the seller will call us back. If not, then u know we have asked for an unreasonable low price. Walkaround first to find another good and bargain just above ur previous unsuccessful price.
I will try to fill more information later today.

INDOAUS

Just outside Yogyakarta is the city of Solo where there is the Keraton, the palace of the Sultan Hamengkubuwono, the supposedly ruler of SAR Yogyakarta. There is also the city of Semarang - the capital city of central Java. U might want to visit Semarang if u love some historical building, there are several around the city's port Tanjung Mas.

There is also Mount Merapi - one of the most active volcano in the country. I haven't visited this mountain but I heard the scenery while trekking the mountain is astounding.

Hope u enjoy ur stay in Java. Try the various food on offer in Java they are all delicious. My recommendation is soto babat but don't ask what u've eaten until u finish the meal. U can also try Ayam Goreng Suharti.

The batik and handicraft in this city is relatively cheap in comparison to Bali - so u might consider buying them in Yogya.

I will certainly miss this country when I moved to OZ. Still very confused as to which city to reside, at the momen I'm planning to move to Adelaide, but its not yet fixed. If u asked me in couple of weeks, I might say a different city.

PamE

Hi Indoaus, thanks lots for all the tips, much appreciated (altho think might skip the soto babat - couldn't resist a google! )
Best of luck with your move to Australia, whichever city you decide to settle in

the troubadour

Done almost exactly the same trip way back in the late seventies....a real blast...wasn't entirely safe back then as was attacked in a small town in Sumatra by a fellow with a knife and had an incident with a soldier in Java.
But love the country,people,language and country.
Recommended country to travel in....in my view far ahead of Thailand.

INDOAUS

What did u do? Hope u weren't flirting with one of the local.