Exploring Indonesia : Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Lombok and Bali

Indonesia is still a beautiful country that seems to be in the news almost every day. Even with the turmoil – lots of natural disaster happened in Indonesia nowadays, it is still an incredible country and a safe one (as long as precautions are taken in certain areas). With 17,071 Islands across all over country -- it covers an enormous distance.

This report will cover some exotic destinations i.e, Yogyakarta, Lombok and Bali and the capital city Jakarta as the major tourism destination in Indonesia and we look at some recommendations on interesting places to visit.

Jakarta : the capital city of Indonesia

Jakarta is in the news almost every day. It is still a safe place as long as common sense precautions are taken. When you are travelling, please always use Blue bird or Silver Bird taxis as these are highly reputable and the safest of all taxis in Jakarta.

Some historial and sightseeing places in Jakarta;

Kota. This is the old town of Batavia’s , known as ‘Kota’ today, is the oldest and finest reminder of the Dutch presence in Indonesia. The centre of old Batavia is the cobble-stone square known as Taman Fatahillah. A block west of the square is the Kali Besar, the great canal along Sungai Ciliwung (the river). This was once a high-class residential area and on the west bank are the last of the homes that date from the early 18^th century.

Jakarta History Museum. It is housed in the old town hall of Batavia, which is on the south side of Taman Fatahillah and one of the most solidd reminders of Dutch rule within Indonesia which was built in 1627. Today it contains lots of heavy, carved furniture and other memorabilia from the Dutch period.

Wayang Museum. Still on Taman Fatahillah. This museum occupies the best collection of wayang puppets in Java and as well from China, Malaysia, India and Cambodia.

Balai Seni Rupa (Fine Arts Museum). It was built between in 1866 and the house is full of contemporary paintings with works by prominent painters i.e, Affandi, Raden Saleh and Ida Bagus Made. As well occupies ceramics museum with Chinese ceramics and Majapahit terracottas.

Museum Bahari. It is located near to the entrance to Sunda Kelapa which was built in 1645. It exhibits craft from around Indonesia and also has an interesting collection of old photographs recreating the voyage to Jakarta from Europe via Alden, Ceylon and Singapore. Near to Museum Bahari you can visit “Pasar Ikan”, the early morning fish market which has an intense, colourful scene of busy crowds around dawn and later on in the day sells household items and a growing collection of souvenirs.

Sunda Kelapa. It is on the north of Taman Fatahillah, this port has lots of magnificent Macassar schooners (phinisi) – ships which are still an important means of transporting goods to and from the outer islands.

Glodok. This the Jakarta’s Chinatown and the city’s flourishing commercial centre with a massive shopping and business centres, big blocks of building/malls sells fashion, jewellery, clothes, electronics, computer hardwares and softwares.

Museum Gajah. It was built in 1862 and located on the west side of Merdeka square, this museum is the best in Indonesia and one of the finest in South East Asia. Outside of the museum is a bronze elephant that was presented by the King of Thailand in 1871, thus the museum building id popularly known as the Gedung Gajah (Elephant House). The museum has an enormous collection of cultural objects – costumes, musical instruments, model houses and fine bronze from the Hindu-Javanese period, some stone pieces salvaged from Central Javanese and other temples. As well there are superb display of ancient Chinese ceramics.

MONAS (National Museum). It is very popular as the most famous architectural landmark in Jakarta and built in 1961 and contructed entirely of Italian marbles and the flame is guilded with 35 kg of gold leaf. MONAS exhibits the history of Indonesian of Indonesia’s independence struggle in 48 dramatic dioramas.

LAPANGAN BANTENG – You can visit the greatest "Istiqlal Mosque" and the Catholic Cathedral. The lapangan banteng is located in front of the Borobudur Inter-Continental Hotel or east of Merdeka square, where the area has some of Jakarta’s best colonial architecture. Near to lapangan banteng there is Istiqlal Mosque, as the largest mosque in South East Asia and opposites to the mosque is the Catholic Cathedral which has twin spires and built in 1901.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. Near Kampung Rambutan, this park is just the city’s south-east represents as a whole country in one park miniature collections. This 100 hectare park has 27 full scale traditional houses with displays of regional handicrafts and clothing, and also a host of museums, theatres, restaurants, an orchid garden and a bird park with a huge walk-in aviary. Theres even a mini Borobudur.

Taman Impian Jaya Ancol. This ‘Dreamland’ park was built in 1962 covering huge landscaping recreation park, non stop entertainment, has hotels, nightclubs, theatres and sporting facilities. The prime attraction inside the park i.e, Pasar Seni (Art Market) – which has sidewalk cafes, art exhibitions, live music and a host of craft shops; Gelanggang Samudra, Another oceanarium with a boat ride and dolphin shows and a swimming pool complex (Gelanggang Renang) and the Ancol Beach. Dunia Fantasy also as prime attraction as a fun park resembling to Disneyland and great for kids with lots of fun rides.

Ragunan Zoo. It is 10km South of the city centre in Pasar Minggu area. This large zoo has a good collection of Indonesian wildlife including Komodo dragon and orang utan.

Depok – New City. Near to Pasar Minggu this city now is becoming one of the largest shopping centre beside Mangga dua with some big malls and cinemas centres.

Thousands Islands. These islands are just scattered across the Java sea to the north of Jakarta which have whitesands beaches, palm trees, coral reefs and calm waters. There are some big island inclusive i.e, Bidadari islands – the closest resort island, Kahyangan, Kelor with its ruin old Dutch fort, Onrust – where the remains of old shipyard from the 18^th century, Ayer – with its comfortable accommodation sites and good beaches, Pramuka, Kelapa, Panjang, Kotok – has a good reef for snorkelling and diving, Macan with its the Matari resort, Putri – is notable for its aquariums, Sepa, Pelangi, Bira, Antuk Timur and Antuk Barat island.

Indonesian antiques & arts districts i.e, Kebon Sirih – at the central of Jakarta and Kemang – at the south of Jakarta has a number of shops that sells antiques and curious i.e, woodcarvings, furnitures, brasswares, jewellery, batik with good quality and prices to bargain.

For shopping places recommended; Sarinah Pasar Jaya has very good collections of Indonesia souvenirs from all over cities to bring home selling handicrafts, paintings, clothes, textiles/ikats, wood carving, bronze & silver collections with very good prices! Other big shopping malls i.e, Glodok plaza, Blok M Plaza, Plaza Indonesia, Pondok Indah Mall, Slipi etc – with huge range of entertainment, cinemas, places to eat, good quality products, services and prices!

Because of the turmoil you can stay at some of the best hotels at excellent prices and as well you can find lots of restaurants, pubs and great bars you will find here with great foods, beverages, menus and entertainment. Some best hotels recommended to stay in Jakarta includes ; Hotel Indonesia, Grand Hyatt Jakarta, Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, Sangri-La Hotel Jakarta, Kempinski Hotel Plaza, Sahid Jaya Hotel, Le Meridien Jakarta, Hilton Hotel, Hotel Atlet Century Park, Hotel Mulia Senayan, Borobudur Inter-Continental Jakarta, Hotel Aryaduta, the Omni Batavia Hotel, etc.

Yogyakarta as the cultural heart of Java

Yogyakarta is lying between two of Java’s most potent mystical symbols – Merapi mounth in the north and the Indian Ocean, home of the Goddess of the South Seas in the South. The city provides easy access into Javanese culture : craft industries i.e, batik, silver, pottery, wayang kulit, traditional performing arts and contemporary arts. Yogya is friendly and easy going city – with an excellent range of economical hotels and restaurants.

Some historical and sightseeing places in Yogyakarta include;

Borobudur.It is one of the greatest Buddhist relics of South East Asia - up there with Cambodia's Angkor Wat and Myanmar’s Bagan – which was built between 750-850 AD by Sailendra dinasty. It is located in Kedu, just 42km north-west of Yogya. Borobudur is built in the form of a massive symmetrical stupa, literally wrapped around the hill, stands solidly on its 118 x 118m base. Six square terraces are topped by the three circular ones, with four stairways leading up through finely carved gateways to the top. The small village of Borobudur itself consists of warungs, souvenir stalls and a few hotels that face the monuments

Mendut temple. It is similar with Borobudur. It was discovered in 1836 and has a magnificent 3m – high figure of Buddha and is notable for his posture, instead of the usual lotus position, he sits western-style with bith feet on the ground.

Pawon temple. It is about 1.5km east of Borobudur which has similar design and decoration to Mendut temple.

Kraton. Its located in the old city as a palace of the Sultans of Yogya, as one of the finest examples palace architecture, providing a series of luxurious halls, and spacious courtyards and pavilions. The centre of Kraton is the reception hall, the Bangsal Kencana with its intricately decorated roof and great coloumns of carved teak. A large part of Kraton is used as a museum which holds and extensive collection, including gifts from European monarchs, gift coipies of the sacred Pusaka and gamelan instrument. Another room contains the royal family tree, old photographs of grand mass weddings and portraits of the former Sultans of Yogya.

Tamansari. It is just west of the Kraton or better known as Water Castle, which has splendid pleasure park of palace, pools and waterways for the Sultan and his entourage.

Bird market. It is known as Pasar Ngasem, as a great market with a colourful bird crowded with hundreds of budgerigars, orioles, roosters and signing turtle-doves in ornamental cages, though pigeon are the big business here.

Pasar Beringharjo. This market has a wide range of batik, mostly cheap batik (printed batik) but some handmade batik also available.

Kota Gede. It is known as a silver industry in Yogya since 1930s.

Gembira loka zoo. This zoo has komodo dragon and has its fair share of cramped cages.

Jalan Malioboro. It famous as the centre of souvenirs and a lesehan area (diners sit down on a straw mats) comes alive along the north end of Jl. Malioboro. Food stalls serve Yogya’s specialities i.e, Nasi gudeg (rice with jackfruit in coconut milk) and ayam goreng.

Imogiri. It was built in 1645 by Sultan Agung to serve as his own mausoleum. Its located on a hilltop 20km south of Yogya. The cemetery contains 3 major courtyards – in the central courtyard are the tombs of Sultan Agung and succeeding Mataram Kings, to the left are the tombs of the Susuhunans Sultans of Solo and to the right those of the Sultans of Yogya.

Prambanan. This temple is located on the 17km north east of Yogya as the best remaining examples of Java’s period of Hindu cultural development which was built between the 8^th and 10^th centuries AD. The main temple complex lies on the Yogya-Solo highway, opposite Prambanan village. From the main entrance on the south-eastern side, it is a short walk to Candi Shiva Mahadeva, the largest of the temples, locally called Candi Loro Jonggrang (Slender Virgin). Behind it, on the western side near the highway, is the outdoor theatre where the Ramayana ballet is performed on full-moon nights.

Prangtritis. It has rough surf and a long sweep of shifting, black sand dunes backed by high jagged cliffs. It is only 27km distance south of Yogya.

Some recommended places to stay in Yogyakarta i.e; Natour Garuda Hotel, Hotel Ibis, Melia Purosani Hotel, Hotel Phoenix, Hotel Santika, Novotel Hotel, Radisson Plaza, Ambarukmo Palace Hotel, Hotel Aquilla Prambanan, Hyatt Regency.

Lombok : The Tranquil Island

Lombok is a small island, with its size is just 80km from east to west also about the same distance from north to south. Parts of the island drip with water, while pockets are chronically dry and droughts can last for months, causing crop failure and famine.

Some interesting places to explore surrounding Lombok includes i.e,

Mataram. Mataram is the capital city of Lombok where we can find most banking, economical and education activities in Lombok. In Mataram you can visit some sightseeing;
- Museum Negeri Nusa Tenggara Barat where exhibits on the geology, history and culture of lombok and Sumbawa.
- Mayura Water Palace, it was built in 1744 and was once part of the Balinese kingdom’s royal court in Lombok.
- Pura Meru, is the largest temple in Lombok, built in 1720. Its outer courtyard has a hall housing the wooden drums that are beaten to call believers to festivals and special ceremonies. Middle courtyard are two buildings with large raised platforms for offerings and the inner courtyard has one large and 33 small shrines as well as the three multi-roofed-shrines.

Senggigi. It is the most developed tourist area in Lombok, with a range of tourist facilities and accommodation options. It has fine beaches although it slopes steeply into the water. There are beautiful sunsets over the Selat Lombok (Lombok Strait) that can be enjoyed from the beach.
In Senggigi there is Pura Batu bolong, a temple in a rocky point that juts into the sea about 1km south of central senggigi. As a Balinese temple, it is oriented towards Gunung Agung, Bali’s holiest mountain. There is good view of Senggigi from the point and it is great place to watch the sun set. There is reasonable snorkelling off the point, in the sheltered bay around the headland, and a few kilometres north of Senggigi.

Gili Islands . Gili islands are located off the north west of Lombok and consists three small islands, they are Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili trawangan. They have superb, white sandy beaches, clear water, coral reefs, brilliantly coloured fish and the best snorkelling in Lombok. They become enormously popular with visitors who come for pleasures of the sun, snorkelling and socialising.

Central lombok. Central lombok areas tends to be well watered and lush and offers opportunity for scenic walks through the rice field and jungles. Towards the southern coast the country is drier, and dams have been built to provide irrigation during the dry season.
Some interesting areas to visit in Central Lombok;
Tete batu, is a lovely, cool mountain retreat. There are magnificent views over southern Lombok, east to the sea and north to Gunung Rinjani, and it’s the perfect place to relax for a few days or to go hiking to nearby waterfalls. Taman Wisata Tetebatu is only 4 km track that leads from the main road just north of the mosque heads into this pocket of forest with black monkeys and waterfalls.

Loyok & Rungkang. Loyok is famous with its fine handicrafts, particularly basketware and weaving with natural fibres like bamboo. Rungkang popular for pottery which is made from a local black clay.

Masbagik. Popular with their colourful morning market and a huge cattle market. Masbagik Timur (east) is the centre of pottery and ceramic production.

Lendang Nangka. Is surrounded by picturesque countryside with small road and friendly people. There are still some blacksmiths who make knives, hoes and other tools using traditional techniques.

Pringgasela. As a centre of weaving on simple looms and they produce sarongs, blankets and many kinds of weavers products.

Loang Gali. There is a public swimming pool fed by springs in the forest. As well plenty of hiking trails begging to be explored.

South lombok. Excellent with surfing spots and enjoy stunning coastal scenery.

Some destinations to visit surrounding South Lombok i.e,

Praya. As the main town in he south west. It is quite attractive with spacious gardens, tree-lined streets and a few old Dutch buildings.

Sukarara. A traditional weaving centre, though it doesn’t look very traditional.

Penujak. Welknown with its gerabah pottery made from local clay with simple technique, which is rich with terracota colour, unglazed but hand burnished to a lovely soft sheen.

Rembitan & Sade. As a centre of traditional Sasak culture. It’s slightly sanitised Sasak Village but nevertheless an authentic cluster of thatched housed and lumbung surrounded by a wooden fence. On the top of the hill is Masjid Kuno, an old thatched roof mosque.

Kuta. Popular with its magnificent strecth of white sand and turquoise sea with rugged hills rising around. People comes here for annual "Nyale fishing celebration". Kuta is best place to surfing as has plenty of good waves break on the reefs.

East lombok. Not much places as tourist destination in this area but you can see the port of ferries to Sumbawa where the road around the north east coast and east coast make a round the island trip quite feasible and enjoyable.

North lombok. The major attraction is the mighty Gunung Rinjani. Rinjani is the highest mountain in Lombok and the second highest in Indonesia with 3726m heights. Its huge crater contains a large crescent-shaped lake, Segara Anak which is about 6km across at its widest point. There are several natural hot springs known as Kokok Putih, on the north eastern side of this crater which are said to have healing powers particularly for skin deseases. Rinjani is an active volcao and erupted the last time in 1994.

Some top-ends places to stay recommended in Lombok are; Hotel Lombok Raya, Hotel Jayakarta, Lombok Intan Laguna, Bukit Senggigi Hotel, Sheraton Senggigi Hotel, Pacific Beach Cottages, Holiday Inn Resort, Alang-alang, Hotel Nusa Dua, etc. Eventhough some budgets and mid-range hotels are also have good standard accommodation.

Bali : The Goddess and Paradise island

Bali doesn’t extend beyond the tourist leaflet : idyllic tropical beaches, lush green forests and rice fields tripping down hillsides like giant steps. This vision of paradise has been turned into a commodity for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who flood into Bali every year. You discover the extra ordinary richness of Balinese culture which remains unique and authentic, despite the tourist invasion and it’s not hard to find out of the way places where tourists are a rarity.

Some recommended places to visit as follow;

Denpasar. Denpasar is the capital of Bali. It has an interesting museum called "Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali" which comprises several buildings and pavilions including examples of architecture of both the puri (palace) and pura. There are also some arts centre and lots of shops. Denpasar still has some tree-lines streets and pleasant gardens even has a lots of traffic, noise and pollution.

Kuta. Bali’s largest and tackiest tourist beach resort. Most visitors come to the Kuta because it’s close to the airport and has the best range of budgets hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities as well a busy beach scene,shopping and nightlife.You can easily go surfing, sailing, diving, fishing or rafting anywhere in southern Bali.

Sanur. An upmarket alternative to Kuta for those coming to Bali for sea, sand and sun. Its offering good, inexpensive eateries bound so you don’t have to swallow the highest prices at hotels and restaurants. Other services are here with charming craft, clothing and antique shops. The beach is wide and white sheltered by a reef. Some water sports are available – windsurfing, parasailing, padle boards etc .The diving off Sanur is is popular activities including bowling and golf.

Jimbaran. Its located just beyond the airport, south of Kuta as a superb crescent of white sand and blue sea. Jimbaran is a busy fishing village, somehow squeezed between the airport and a number of luxury hotels. It is nice place to enjoying the sunset and scenery with a cool drink and a fresh fish on the fire to spend an evening here.

Uluwatu. Pura Uluwatu is one of several important temples to the spirits of the sea along the southern coast of Bali. The temple is perched at the south-western tip of the peninsula where sheer cliffs drop precipitously into the clear blue sea. The real attraction is the location but watch out for the local monkeys which like to snatch spectacles and sunglasses as well as handbags, hats and anything else can get. Uluwatu is Bali’s surfing mecca featured in several classic surfing films. Other great surf breaks are Padang Padang, Bingin and Balangan.

Nusa Dua. It is known as Bali’s top end beach resort, a collection of suitably sumptuous five star hotels, successfully isolated from the realities of everyday life in Bali. This is where tourists pay almost exclusively but it lacks of shops other than expensive shopping centre and the general isolation. The best surfing at Nusa Dua is on the reef to the north and south of the two islands. Most diving and water sports are based in nearby Tanjung Benoa.

Tanjung Benoa. The peninsula of Tanjung Benoa extends north from Nusa Dua, the Bali’s multi-denominational corners, with an interesting Chinese Temple as well as a mosque and Hindu temple nearby.

Ubud. Ubud is the centre of cultural tourism in Bali and it has attracted visitors interested in Balinese culture. There are also numerous temples and some ancient sites, some fine museums, bookshops, shopping and craft centres, woodcarvings, paintings, galleries and some artists’ homes. You can visit Monkey forest where it is inhabited by a handsome band of monkeys ever ready for passing tourists who just might have peanuts to hand out.

Goa Gajah (Cave). Its only a short distance east of the town Teges where the origins of the cave are uncertain – one tale relates that it was created by the fingernail of the legendary giant Kebo Iwa.

Tampaksiring. It is a small town with probably the most impressive ancient monument in Bali and a large and important temple with public baths.

Gianyar. Gianyar has some textile factories on the Denpasar side of town where we can visit the ikat being woven and can buy some material made up as shirts, dresses, bed cover, etc. There is Puri Gianyar, as a traditional palace architecture.

Pura Besakih. It perched nearly 1000m up the side of Gunung Agung as Bali’s most important temple. It's most enjoyable during one of the frequent festivals when hundreds or perhaps thousands of gorgeously dressed devotees turn up with beautifully arranged offerings.

Padangbai. As the port for ferries between Bali and Lombok, and passenger boats to Nusa Penida.

Candidasa. Candidasa is less hectic than Kuta and is good base to explore eastern Bali. The budget and mid range accommodation is surprisingly good value and popular with divers (scuba and snorkelling).

Nusa Penida. Nusa penida comprises 3 islands – Nusa penida, Nusa lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

Nusa Penida is a limestone plateau. The main town, Sampaian is quiet but pleasant with market, school and shops along the curving coast road. Nusa Lembongan is popular as the most developed island for tourists where they come for the surf that breaks on the reefs or the quiet beach but still great place to relax even if you are not into swimming. The island has a good range of budget accomodation, most with its own glorious beach. Nusa Ceningan is the smallest island and has a bridge crosses the lagoon between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. There is a fishing village and several agricultural plots, the island is quite hilly with great scenery as going around the rough tracks.

Tanah Lot. Tanah lot is popular with its venerated sea temples. Tourists come here to enjoy the sunset with its superb temple which delicately lit by the dawn light or starkly outlined at sunset.

Sangeh.The distance is about 20km north of Denpasar, near the village of Sangeh, stands the monkey forest of Bukit sari. It is featured “Ramayana”, the Balinese legend with its interesting old Garuda statue. The place is touristy but the forrest is cool, green and shady and the monkeys are cute as well as cheeky.

Tabanan. Tabanan is the capital of the district “Tabanan”. It consists of South Tabanan which is famous with Kediri (cattle markets), tradional pottery and an old beautiful palace which was built in 17^th century. North Tabanan which popular with its Alas Kedaton (monkey forests), Taman Kupu-kupu Bali features thousands of pretty butterflies in a huge area.

West Bali National Park. It covers 19,003 hectares of western trip of Bali. There is a local trekking to tour inside the park with starting point Labuhan Lalang for trips to Pulau Menjangan. Most of the natural vegetation in the park is not tropical rainforest which requires rain all year but coastal savanna with deciduous trees that become bare in the dry season. Local fauna includes black monkeys, leaf monkeys, macaques, barking, sambar, mouse, Java and muncak deer. There are also squirrels, wild pigs, buffaloes, iguanas, pythons, green snakes.and 300 species represented including very rare Bali starling.

Gunung Batur. This volvanic mountain is located to the north west of Gunung Agung. The popular round trip to the north coast crossess the mountains on one route (via gunung Batur) and returns on the other from Singaraja via Bedugul, thus covering the most interesting parts of the central mountain region.

Singaraja. Singaraja is second largest city in Bali. Some Interesting sites around Singaraja including some of Bali’s best town temples. The north coast sandstone is very soft and easily carved, allowing local sculptors to give free rein to their imagination.

Lovina. Lovina is on the west of Singaraja and becoming a popular beach resort with plenty shops, bars, hotels and other tourist facilities. The sand is black and volcanic not white. The beaches most are thin and don’t offer much privacy but mostly are clean and fine to walk along. No place to surf as a reef ensures that the water is calm of the time. The sunsets are spectacular as those in Kuta.

In this paradise island some top-end hotels recommended to stay include : Natour Bali Hotel, Holiday Inn Bali Hai, Kartika Plaza Hotel, Risata Bali resort, Santika Beach Hotel, Kuta Hotel, Aneka Kuta, Bounty Hotel, Hotel Camplung Mas, Hotel Istana Rama, Natour Kuta Beach, Poppies Cottage 1, Hotel Ramayana, Resor Kul Kul, Bali Intan Legian, Bali Padma Hotel, Legian Beach Hotel, Hotel Jayakarta, Bali Holiday Resort, Bali Oberoi Hotel, Puri Bunga Cottages, Bali Hyatt, Desa Segara, Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Natour Sindhu Beach, Puri Santrian Hotel, Bali Hilton International, Hotel Bualu Village, Hotel Melia Bali Sol, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Sheraton Lagoon, Sheraton Nusa Indah Hotel, Hotel Champlung Sari, Puri Bunga Village, Amandari, etc.