My husband and I (in our sixties) spent 2.5 weeks traveling through Java , with additional days in Borneo and an added week in Flores, for a month all together. My husband is dutch, so he has always wanted to visit Indonesia. We have been to Bali, but that is a whole different experience. What surprised us most about Java, was the open friendliness of the people, and a totally different version of Islam than the one we hear about in the news. And we loved that the women are not shy, and generally self assured and open. The nature and landscapes are amazing, and being out of season (February/March) as well, we felt like we were the only foreigners around, and never felt awkward for that. Bromo is fantastic, but we also loved discovering the other cities and the food. Was also interesting to see the architecture and remnants the dutch left behind.
We always felt safe . We traveled by private car, so had that advantage. A trip I would highly recommend!!
I've been to Java in 2017 forty years after my first visit to the island. I arrived with my daughter from Flores and Manado where we dived quite a lot. Getting into the moslem-driven town of Yogjakarta changed a bit our surrounding (early prayers a.s.o.) but as we got out of the tourist paths we enjoyed marvellous encounters with the people. Eating and chatting about their world.... My daughter then travelled to Bali despite my negative recommendations ( I had been to Bali quite a lot in the 70ies and it was wonderful and quiet then ) and confirmed my reservations. I went into Jakarta... and a stunning adventure began: Meeting a student friend of the 60ies, he and his family gave me stunning insides into the multilayer world Stuart has mentioned in his long read. He being a christian, his wife a moslem, his daughter an atheistic hotel entrepreneur, his two sons both teachers in public schools in Bandung and Jakarta: what a mix of a family! I spent a whole week with them and wondered how Western individualism has left us with isolation and lonelyness, in case... Go and discover Java!
I get why it doesn't get the attention it deserves of travellers. It's big and the sections east, central and Jakarta and surrounds don't appear distinct initially and when planning a trip understanding how to tackle it requires a lot of research. How much time to dedicate to the island, to each place, how long to linger and how fast to move on. I spent hours and hours planning a five-night stay from Bali to Yogya and back. Two nights in Solo, one near Borobudur and two in Yogya. An extra night in each would have been good. Transport was difficult/slow even with a private car and driver. It was a great adventure and I'd return in a heartbeat. Really keen to try their rail system. And I'd love a trip dedicated to finding the amazing Art Deco architecture across the island.
Oh Java❤️ Folk either love it or hate it! You’ve made us recall memories of our first magical visit and also repeated hubby’s debate points on repeat returns! This is why we so enjoy Couchfish.
What a great read. Now I'm inspired to return to Java, having spent three months there back in, let's see, 1973. So glad to hear the people are still open and friendly. Thanks a bunch, Stuart, you've outdone yourself!
I lived in Jakarta for nearly 30 years before retiring to Bali. It's a remarkable city which in many ways is the soul of Indonesia, with migrants from all over adding to the remarkable character - and the cuisine - of the city. The immediate hinterland is now tainted by traffic jams and some areas such as Pelabuhan Ratu have always been a bit grubby but areas such as Majalengka and the area around Borobudur are magical, not to mention distant pockets such as Meru Betiri. Life needs to be longer to have time for it all! Now in Bali, I miss the 'real' Indonesia.
My husband and I (in our sixties) spent 2.5 weeks traveling through Java , with additional days in Borneo and an added week in Flores, for a month all together. My husband is dutch, so he has always wanted to visit Indonesia. We have been to Bali, but that is a whole different experience. What surprised us most about Java, was the open friendliness of the people, and a totally different version of Islam than the one we hear about in the news. And we loved that the women are not shy, and generally self assured and open. The nature and landscapes are amazing, and being out of season (February/March) as well, we felt like we were the only foreigners around, and never felt awkward for that. Bromo is fantastic, but we also loved discovering the other cities and the food. Was also interesting to see the architecture and remnants the dutch left behind.
We always felt safe . We traveled by private car, so had that advantage. A trip I would highly recommend!!
I've been to Java in 2017 forty years after my first visit to the island. I arrived with my daughter from Flores and Manado where we dived quite a lot. Getting into the moslem-driven town of Yogjakarta changed a bit our surrounding (early prayers a.s.o.) but as we got out of the tourist paths we enjoyed marvellous encounters with the people. Eating and chatting about their world.... My daughter then travelled to Bali despite my negative recommendations ( I had been to Bali quite a lot in the 70ies and it was wonderful and quiet then ) and confirmed my reservations. I went into Jakarta... and a stunning adventure began: Meeting a student friend of the 60ies, he and his family gave me stunning insides into the multilayer world Stuart has mentioned in his long read. He being a christian, his wife a moslem, his daughter an atheistic hotel entrepreneur, his two sons both teachers in public schools in Bandung and Jakarta: what a mix of a family! I spent a whole week with them and wondered how Western individualism has left us with isolation and lonelyness, in case... Go and discover Java!
I get why it doesn't get the attention it deserves of travellers. It's big and the sections east, central and Jakarta and surrounds don't appear distinct initially and when planning a trip understanding how to tackle it requires a lot of research. How much time to dedicate to the island, to each place, how long to linger and how fast to move on. I spent hours and hours planning a five-night stay from Bali to Yogya and back. Two nights in Solo, one near Borobudur and two in Yogya. An extra night in each would have been good. Transport was difficult/slow even with a private car and driver. It was a great adventure and I'd return in a heartbeat. Really keen to try their rail system. And I'd love a trip dedicated to finding the amazing Art Deco architecture across the island.
Sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing this.
Oh Java❤️ Folk either love it or hate it! You’ve made us recall memories of our first magical visit and also repeated hubby’s debate points on repeat returns! This is why we so enjoy Couchfish.
What a great read. Now I'm inspired to return to Java, having spent three months there back in, let's see, 1973. So glad to hear the people are still open and friendly. Thanks a bunch, Stuart, you've outdone yourself!
I lived in Jakarta for nearly 30 years before retiring to Bali. It's a remarkable city which in many ways is the soul of Indonesia, with migrants from all over adding to the remarkable character - and the cuisine - of the city. The immediate hinterland is now tainted by traffic jams and some areas such as Pelabuhan Ratu have always been a bit grubby but areas such as Majalengka and the area around Borobudur are magical, not to mention distant pockets such as Meru Betiri. Life needs to be longer to have time for it all! Now in Bali, I miss the 'real' Indonesia.