Java travel guide

About an hours drive from Pangandaran lies the little fishing village of Batu Karas. It's slowly getting a name as a place to chill and is one of the best places in Indonesia to learn how to surf. The sandy beach is long and split in two, where the southern one has a constant roll of long waves, perfect for beginners. It's still a very quiet one-lane village, but the place is developing.

The enormous Buddhist temple of Borobudur is one of the world's most impressive temples, on par with Angkor Wat and Bagan - and is, of course, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the 9th century, and then later abandoned at some point during the 14th century, during the decline of Buddhism in Indonesia. The walls are covered with over 1,400 narrative panels that have been methodically carved into the stones, there are 72 stupas on each level, each containing a Buddha figure, just visible through the latticework - but many of the heads have been taken by robbers throughout the years. The location is equal impressive with a mountain range one side and volcano Mt. Merapi's perfect cone in the distant. Of course Borobudur is crowded at times, but by coming early or even forking out the sunrise fee, it actually possible to enjoy this magnificent temple in relative serenity.

Seeing the Green Canyon (Cukang Taneuh) means a boat trip up a jungle-fringed river to a large, but short, cave tunnel. From here it's optional (for an additional fee) to swim further into the canyon. Trips to the Green Canyon is best done on a tour, else you have to book the whole boat yourself. Tours from Pangandaran includes also Green Valley and a trip through the gorgeous countryside.

Green Valley is actually more about a river than a valley. You can swim in the river, exploring a small cave (also by swimming), jumping from cliffs, swing in robes and do body rafting from pool to pool (the fun level depends very much on the water level). Tours to Green Valley from Pangandaran are offered in combination with the Green Canyon along with excursions to the pretty countryside. If you want to do it yourself, look out for signs saying Citumang.

Most travellers don't spend much time in Jakarta. They either skip it all together or use it as a travel hub – and for good reason. It's not because Jakarta is horrible, just congested and very low on sights. But that said, you can with some effort spend a day or two of sightseeing and eating some nice food. The usual city tour goes around the National Monument, where you also find the cathedral, grand mosque and some, by Indonesian standards, fine government buildings. For the second day of sights, head to old town Kota (also called Batavia), which once was "the Jewel of Asia" during the Dutch ruling in the 16th-19th century. Of course, not much is left from that time.
On a positive note, it should be mentioned that you don't see much poverty in the central Jakarta and the pace is very slow considering it's Asian metropolis.

From the outside this huge concrete mosque doesn't like much, but the inside is kept in a 70s Sci-Fi style, all shinny and metallic. It was built in 1978 and can hold up to 200,000 worshippers, making it the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. You are welcome, also as a none-Muslim, to go inside and have a look at the courtyard and the praying hall from the upper deck. The praying hall is for Muslim only. They visitor center will provide a cloak if you're not dressed properly free of charge, but a donation is strongly encouraged.

Mount Bromo, Gunung Bromo, is one of three volcanoes inside a larger caldera. Yes, volcanoes inside volcanoes. The whole Mt. Bromo experience normally involves seeing the sunrise from the viewpoint of Penanjakan overlooking the gigantic Tengger caldera (10 km across), which besides holding Mt Bromo (2,329 m), Mt Kursi (2,581 m), and Mt Batok (2,440 m) also has the Sea of Sand, a plain of volcanic ashes. From the viewpoint you descent into this lunar landscape (in jeep), for then ascent the smoking Mt Bromo on foot (or horse). You can walk on the rim and, if time, circuit the whole Mt. Bromo crater (1 h). Mt. Bromo is a major tourist attraction for both local and foreigners, so don't expect to get it to yourself. Most travellers go on an organised tour from Yogyakarta, but you can also do it yourself from Cemoro Lawang. For the true adventurer, there is a 3-4 day hike that can be done from the backside of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. It is a wonderful hike and gives you a chance to see some wildlife.

Pangandaran is the beach place on Java. The dark sandy beach is wide and seems almost infinite. There are lots of small guest houses along with bigger hotels, as Pangandaran is popular with local tourists. Luckily, most of these only come here during the weekends and holidays, leaving room for a cool travel and surf vibe at the beach bars during the quiet times. Beside chilling at the beach, there are lots to do in the Pangandaran area. The countryside is a green blanket of rice paddy fields dotted with small villages. You can either go exploring on your own on rented scooter, or go on a self-drive tour with a guide to Green Canyon and Green Valley, which will also take you through the beautiful scenery.

Yogyakarta is blessed wth two amazing temples, the famous Borobudur and the lesser known Prambanan – both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Not much is known for sure, but both are believed to have been built in 9th century, Borobudur as a Buddhist temple and Prambanan as a Hindu temple. For back in the days, Java was ruled by two dynasties, one Buddhist and one Hindu. The Prambanan temple complex consists also of minor outlying temples, many just as rubble, but the main one stand grand with towers as tall as 147 metes. Prambanan has been hit by earthquake and volcano eruption several times throughout history, latest in 2006, but as been restored again today. You can visit Prambanan on a tour in combination with Borobudur.

If you take an hour motorbike ride east of Borobudur, you will find the small village of Selogroyo, nestled into the foothills of Mt. Merapi. The village is a very basic small farming community that has created a masterpiece of art out of the terraced valley that sits below the village. There are footpaths that wind through this beautiful valley. The villagers are friendly and will take you up through the valley. A temple lies in the back of the valley, after a very long set of stairs. It is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.