Ancient temples, dramatic volcanic craters, lush green forests, delicious food – all these images and more pop into my head when I think of Indonesia and in particular Java, the island I would most love to visit. I’ve heard it is less touristy than the neighbouring island of Bali, and has more to offer when it comes to historic temples than Sumatra . With a central spine of hundreds of volcanoes, there are endless possibilities for hiking through Java’s dramatic landscapes and witnessing its natural beauty. I’ve been daydreaming a lot about going there lately, inspired by images on Pinterest and numerous travel blogs. So here I’d like to share my top 5 reasons why I long to visit Java.
1. Jakarta
Visiting a new city is always exciting and the chaotic sprawl of Jakarta must be no exception. The Istiqial Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the neo-gothic Jakarta Cathedral as well the National Museum, with its enormous collection of statues, puppets, glittering treasures and textiles, are all must-sees , as is Kota, the city’s historic district. Here you’ll find reminders of the Dutch Colonial past, a glimpse of a bygone era before the skyscrapers dominated the skyline.
Above: Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Andreas Hie
2. Mount Tangkuban Perahu, Bandung
Heading east, some 18 miles north of Bandung, is one of Java’s most famous volcanoes. It’s a superb area for hiking, up through the forests and down into volcanic craters, with tumbling waterfalls and panoramic mountain views along the way.
Above: Mount Tangkuban Perahu, near Bandung
3. Floating Market Lembang, Bandung
Also north of Bandung, the floating market at Lembang is a popular tourist attraction. I love photographing markets, especially food markets. Of course, I’d have to try out some of the food on offer and perhaps take home a few new ingredients for my pantry.
Tip: Arrive early and mid-week to avoid the crowds.
Above image courtesy of Shutterstock | Khairul Effendi
4. Bandung City
A must for any shopaholics, I’ve heard it said that no one leaves Bandung empty handed. You’ll find wonderful bargains in the factory outlets, local shops and markets. Be sure to practice your haggling skills in the maze that is Pasar Baru market. It’s also an excellent city for inexpensive, tasty food.
Tip: I’ve been recommended the Sheraton Bandung as a great place to stay, and from the look of the view, pictured below, I can see why.
Above image courtesy of The Sheraton Bandung
5. Borobudur Temple, Yogyakarta
Rising up out of a patchwork of lush green rice paddies, the gigantic, ancient Buddhist temple of Borobudur, is over 1,200 years old and lies around 25 miles north of Yogyakarta. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Mysteriously abandoned in the 16th century, for a while it was hidden from the world by volcanic ash and vegetation. Sadly, initially excavations in the early 19th century caused much damaged, but a massive project, launched by UNESCO and the government of Indonesia, in the 1960s has successfully overseen its restoration so that today it is as stunning a sight as it must ever have been.
