No matter what your budget or whether it's your first trip or fifteenth, Fodor's Gold Guides get you where you want to go. In this
completely up-to-date guide our experts who live in Indonesia give you the inside track, showing you all the things to see and do -- from must-see sights to off-the-beaten-path adventures, from shopping to outdoor fun.
Color planning sections help you decide where to go with region-by-region virtual tours and cross-referencing to the main text. Fodor's Gold Guide Indonesia will show you
hundreds of hotel and restaurant choices in all price ranges -- from budget-friendly B&Bs to luxury hotels, from casual eateries to the hottest new restaurants, complete with thorough reviews showing what makes each place special. The
Smart Travel Tips A to Z section helps you take care of the nitty gritty with essential local contacts and great advice -- from how to take your mountain bike with you to what to do in an emergency. Plus,
web links, maps, costs, and
mix-and-match itineraries make planning a snap.
"Fodor's guides cover culture authoritatively and rarely miss a sight or museum." - National Geographic Traveler
Destination Indonesia
Java could be a country all by itself. It's the heart, soul, and financial center of Indonesia. And with more than 100 million people squeezed into an area about the size of Louisiana, it's the world's most populous island. Strangely enough, you can still find places of great solitude. This thin isle -- about 1,100 km (684 mi) from east to west and between 100 km (62 mi) and 200 km (124 mi) wide -- is full of volcanoes (many of them active), pounded by big surf from the Indian Ocean, and buffeted by the much calmer Java Sea. Divided into three provinces -- West, Central, and East Java -- and two special territories -- Jakarta, the capital, and Yogyakarta, the cultural center -- it's easy to see in bite-size sections. The road and rail systems are extensive (although in places they're pushed to their limits), the people are friendly, and English isn't as foreign a tongue as you might expect.
Indonesia, with Java leading the way, is entering an exciting yet worrying time. Exciting because of the promise of new freedoms and opportunities and worrying because of the uncertainty of economic crisis. As you travel, be prepared to see a huge gulf between rich and poor -- particularly in Jakarta. Further, the floating rupiah and inflation are playing havoc with prices. With this come great bargains, but also considerable commercial instability. Companies -- including travel agents, airlines, and other tourism-related businesses -- open and close seemingly overnight. Some tolerance will be needed. Your patience and compassion, however, will be amply rewarded by the rich sights and experiences that Java, and the rest of Indonesia.
Architecture
Java is the home of several world-renowned temples and palaces, each of which offers an architectural sample from a different era and religious background. Many are near Yogyakarta, including Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple; the Hindu temples of Prambanan, and the sultan's palaces of Yogyakarta and Solo.
Dining
As the site of the archipelago's capital and the business and transport crossroads of the islands, Java offers an endless selection of Western and Asian fare -- including just about every Indonesian dish ever invented. Celebrated chefs often make guest appearances to prepare meals at larger hotels in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. To find a true taste of Java, though, follow the Javanese (or at least ask for their recommendations).[] Javanese fare leans toward the spicy. Chili peppers, shallots, garlic, and ginger are frequently used, and the fiery sauces accompany every meal as does (steamed rice) -- the perfect complement to the island's famed thick stews and rich curries. For appetizers try (a medley of steamed vegetables topped by spicy peanut sauce); (chicken soup); or (also spelled "sate"), small skewers of grilled meat dipped in peanut sauce and accompanied by spicy peppers, onions, and soy sauce. Main courses include (fried) or (grilled) dishes as well as such succulent fare as (beef simmered in coconut milk and spices), (spicy vegetable stew), and (chicken simmered in coconut milk and spices, a specialty of Yogyakarta). To sample several dishes in one meal, try or both of which feature several small meat and vegetable portions served around a scoop of steamed rice. Or, go for the all-out (literally, "rice table") buffet -- a full spread of Indonesian rice and noodle dishes that was popularized by the Dutch and is still found at many restaurants. (Note: You won't find pork here, since this is an Islamic island, and outside of the large cities you won't find much alcohol, either.)
Lodging
Accommodations on this heavily touristed island run the gamut from all-out luxury resorts to simple (sometimes sparse) with shared facilities. You'll find all the major international chain hotels in Jakarta, with branches of most in Surabaya and Yogyakarta; most towns have at least one top-class or business hotel. You will also find a few "boutique" hotels, a type of small luxury establishment with such personal touches as a museum-quality selections of island artwork and antiques throughout. Whichever type of accommodation you choose, be aware of national and religious holidays before arriving and book well ahead if you will be traveling during these times.
Nightlife
You'll find something going on at all hours -- particularly on (Saturday night) -- in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. All three towns have flashy dance clubs and bars. In smaller towns, night markets offer after-dark tastes of local atmosphere.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Divers with limited schedules often head for the islands of Pulau Seribu, where countless coral reefs and abundant undersea life are accessible on short notice. Pulau Peucang, off the shore of Ujung Kulon National Park, offers several reefs and a classic tropical setting.
Trekking
With landscapes that range from stark volcanic slopes to rain-forest jungle, mangrove swamps, and tropical beaches, Java is one of the archipelago's best islands to explore on foot. Every national park has a network of trails to follow, a system of open shelters for camping, and guides available either from the park office or the nearby villages. Ujung Kulon and Gunung Gede--Pangrango each have basic visitor facilities and accommodate hundreds of guests every year. Java is also one of the few places on earth where you can safely (at press time, anyway) climb a number of active volcanoes, including Krakatau on the west coast and the summits of Bromo, Tengger, and Semeru in the east.
