In Reply to: Java first this time ... any tips? posted by Bintangluke on Sunday, 7. March 2010 at 17:07 Bali Time:
I've been two times om Java, doing Java overland for about two weeks
some things not to be missed in my opinion are.
Jakarta:
Monas: Monument nasional with museum underneath it with diaramas about the history of indonesia. There also a elevator in it who brings you at the viewing point high in the monument.
Sunda Kelapa: The old harbour where the pinisis (Buginese boots) bring the tesk-wood and other stuff to Jakarta.
Mini Indonesia: A park where you can see all the different styles of local houses through whole of indonesia.
Bogor: the botanical gardens
On the way to Bandung drive trough the Puncak pass (preanger), beautiful views of tea-plantations where ever you look.
Yogyakarta: Visit the Borobudur AND Prambanan Temple don't forget this one i like it more than Borubodur.
Have a look at the kraton (palace) of Sultan Hamengkubuwono , it's beautiful and have a walk at the jalan Malioboro, the famous shopping street. there you can eat the best Murtabak of the world (a kind of filed omelet).
Solo: (Surakarta) Visit the Karaton Surakarta, the palace of Sultan Pakubuwono and the nearby markets.
In east Java visit the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park and visit mount Bromo. Don't miss this one, all the people i know who have visit Mount Bromo, consider this one as one of the most beautiful places they ever had seen. The landscape is so out of this world, it is like you are walking on the moon. Ok you have to get out of your bed early (I had to wake up at 1:30 in the morning), but when you on the edge of the caldera and you see Bromo coming out of the clouds it is breattaking.
Enjoy your trip!
PS Have a look at google or wikipedia with the places i mentioned in the lines above, to get more information.
René
Semeru bromo