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Java

A journey to Java can be the trip of a lifetime, taken without foresaking the comforts of home. Young or old, Louis Vuitton luggage in hand or a pack on your back, visitors to Java will come away with an immensely rich and rewarding experience of a profoundly exotic land and culture. Java is more than a feast for the eyes it is food for the soul.

When travelling across Java, every day will bring a new experience for the intrepid voyager. Geography, climate and culture change every few kilometres, the only constant the smiles of the people who place hospitality above all other concerns. Brooding volcanoes and verdant rice fields, regal splendor and captivating dance are all apart of Java. An endless tropical garden on the shore of an azure sea, Java is an incredible mosaic of sights, sounds and impressions: a pleasurable form of sensory overload.

Indonesia is a full participant in Southeast Asia's economic boom, modernization and a burgeoning affluence have brought the highest standards of accommodation, transportation, communication, health and hygiene to Java's shores. Facilities in Jakarta rival those of any world city, while a dense network of road, rail and air connections bring all of Java within easy reach. Although the modern world has come to Java, it has not conquered the Garden of the East. A few steps away from any hotel lies all the charm and enchantment of Java. Dance, art, drama and the ageless rhythms of daily life are unchanged or adapted to the contemporary world in new and interesting ways.

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Jakarta

Contemporary and dynamic, Jakarta is Indonesia's capital, the cosmopolitan heart of a growing economic power. But Jakarta is also one of Asia's oldest cities, for centuries an important crossroad of commerce and a centre of political influence. The city was originally Sunda Kelapa, a trading port at the mouth of a major river leading from the populated highlands. Renamed Jayakarta - 'glorious victory' -when conquered by a neighbouring coastal state, this settlement attracted the attention of the Dutch who were looking to consolidate their monopoly of the spice trade. The Dutch soon conquered the settlement, renaming it Batavia and establishing an important way station on the long haul between the Spice Islands of the eastern archipelago and Europe.

This commercial and military stronghold attracted settlers from throughout Asia. Indonesia declared independence from the Dutch in 1945. Now, as the Indonesian economy booms, Jakarta is once again attracting fortune seekers from around the world, giving rise to the complex polyglot culture of this fascinating city. The National Monument (MONAS), with its pure gold flame, is the symbolic hub of Jakarta. Built in the Soekarno era in the afterglow of Independence, it rises above the clamour and congestion of the city into the unbounded skies, capturing the aspirations and dynamism of a newly emerging nation.

The harbour area, with the remains of old Sunda Kelapa located at the mouth of the Ciliwung River, is the location for standard sightseeing. Though the main harbour has moved several kilometres east to Tanjung Priok, Sunda Kelapa is still a major port of call to sight the remnants of the once great sailing fleet that connected the remote islands of the archipelago.

A short walk to the south, the city Centre of old Batavia, Taman Fatahillah, has been converted into a museum complex showcasing both the history of Jakarta and the aspects of Java's sophisticated artistic culture. As a break from the sombre didacticism of the museums, Cafe Batavia, a faithful reproduction of a 1930s chic cafe, has become a popular Jakarta nightspot, open 24 hours. Continuing southward, Jakarta becomes a city of spacious, traffic-choked boulevards and striking monuments. The best way for short-stay visitors to appreciate Jakarta's many attractions is to take a city tour; longer staying guests will also benefit from a quick orientation before setting out to discover Jakarta's idiosyncratic charms in detail.

This 120-hectare (300-acre) open-air cultural/amusement park, 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) south of Jakarta, is a window on the cultural and environmental complexity of Indonesia. Pavilions built in traditional style exhibit artifacts, customs and lifestyles of the peoples of each of Indonesia's provinces. You could spend half a day in the Riau pavilion alone, and it would take a week to see everything. In fact, Indonesians will proudly tell you that there will be no need to see the rest of Indonesia if you visit the park, which they compare to Disneyland. Constructed after a 1971 visit to Disneyland by Madame Suharto, the sprawling complex is an instant, Albert superficial, introduction to Indonesia. A number of souvenir stalls and Indonesian-style restaurants dot the grounds, and there is a friendly warung complex. On Sundays there are free traditional dance performances, films and cultural shows. A calendar of events can bee picked up at hotels of from any Garuda or VIC office. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, but most of the pavilions close at 4 pm. They close the gates at around 10 pm. To get to Taman Mini, take a bus marked 'Mini Indonesia' from Terminal Kampung Rambutan.


WHERE TO EAT IN JAKARTA
Jakarta offers a glorious melange of cuisine. Settlers and visitors through the centuries have left a culinary legacy of astounding variety; a delicate blending of Chinese, Arabic, Dutch and native Javanese cooking. Dining experiences range from hearty plantation feasts in recreated colonial splendour to simple, delicious snacks in roadside stalls. All five-star hotels offer top-quality continental or oriental food in their grill rooms. More local flavour is available at the Caf้ Batavia, a recreated 1930s caf้, or the Oasis Restaurant, which serves a modern version of the 20-course rijsttafel banquets beloved by Dutch colonials. Chinese restaurants such as the Nyun Yen and Ratu Bahari serve superb seafood dishes in cavernous dining rooms. For authentic Indonesian food, the Sarinah Food Court consists of two dozen-food stalls serving local cuisine in air-conditioned comfort.

GETTING AROUND IN JAKARTA
By Air:
Flights between Jakarta and all major towns are frequent, departing at least once a day. However, flights between two provincial destinations can be infrequent or non-existent. All flight services in Java are made by late-model jet or turbo-prop.

By Rail:
Train services are available throughout Java, a more scenic alternative to flying. Fast, comfortable trains run from Jakarta through Yogyakarta to Surabaya and along the northern route through Semarang to Surabaya. Most trains between major destination offer first or executive class service, which includes air-conditioning, airline-style seats and complimentary beverage and meal service. Contact your nearest station for travel details.

By Buses and Other Public Transport:
A dense network of bus routes serves Jakarta. Air-conditioned express buses link all major cities. Several tour operators offer all-inclusive overland excursions to all major tourist destinations in Java. Jakarta’s public transport systems are over-loaded and often uncomfortable. Air-conditioned Patas buses offer an express service with no standing passengers allowed. Otherwise buses are better avoided. The Bajaj is an orange coloured, three-wheeled vehicle, which serves short distance runs within limited areas. Fares are negotiated before the journey.

Car Rental:
Chauffeur-driven rented cars are available in all large towns. Self-driven vehicles are also available, though not recommended, for intricate travel. Established taxi services and car rental companies offer fixed rates for hourly or specific routes. If you choose to drive your self, a valid International Driving License is required. Most International road conventions are observed in Jakarta, although right-of-way tends to go to the larger vehicle and turns are not always signalled. Remember to drive on the left and overtake only on the right. Turning left at a red light is allowed only when indicated. Do not expect other drivers to obey traffic laws or conventions, including traffic lights.

Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and comparatively cheap in Jakarta. Most are air-conditioned. Make sure the driver is willing to use the metre. If not, get out and find another taxi. Blue bird Taxi Company also offers a superior taxi service called Silverbird, and the Golden Bird limousine service.

FROM THE AIRPORT
Most large hotels operate free shuttles from Soekarno – Hatta airport. Buses and Taxis are also available. Bluebird and Silverbird have a Taxi reservation stand inside the international arrival hall. Otherwise take a metre taxi from the stand outside. An airport surcharge, plus toll road fees will be added to the metre fare.


WHERE TO STAY IN JAKARTA
Jakarta is a modern city with facilities for travellers of every budget and preference. Top-of-the-market Jakarta hotels are managed by the standard international chains including Hilton, Regent and Hyatt, or by regional and local chains such as Sahid, Shangri-La, Hotel Indonesia International and Mandarin Oriental. Mid-market chain such as Ibis and Holiday Inn, and local private hotels like the Kartika Plaza or Hotel Sabang offer good value for money. Large residences converted into European-style mansions, which go by the name of guesthouses in Jakarta, can be a pleasant and much cheaper alternative to standard hotels.


ACTIVITIES
The Marina Jaya Ancol
This is a special port for yachts, motor and sailboats to Pulau Seribu. This is also the place for marine recreation: jet skis canoes, sailboats, wind surfers and fishing gear are all for hire here. Stalls along the beach serve drinks and snacks while tents are available for sunbathers and sea-lovers.

Wind Surfing and Sailing at Ancol Dreamland
Jakarta’s all-in-one recreation park located on the waterfront in north Jakarta,features a selection of cultural performances, a fun park (Dunia Fantasi), an art market, golf course, restaurants, a marina, discos and an oceanarium. Ancol is also home to the city’s only appreciable beachfront, and options like windsurfing and sailing are available at the Horison Hotel. Dunia Fantasi is open Monday to Saturday 2.00 p.m. until 9.00 p.m. and Sunday 10.00 p.m. until 9.00 p.m. (tends to be crowded on Sundays). The main gate to the Ancol complex is open 24 hours.

Diving and Snorkelling at Pulau Seribu
The Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu) lie in the South China Sea, around three hours by jet boat from Jakarta’s Marina Ancol. Diving and snorkelling are probably the most popular attractions at the islands, followed by lounging around on the beach with a refreshing drink in hand, of course. Accommodation on the islands ranges from air-conditioned resorts to thatched-roof bungalows or you can camp under the stars. All arrangements for such a trip can be made through any Jakarta travel agent.

 
The Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC)
This Convention Centre can accommodate three conferences and three public functions simultaneously. The main hall has a seating capacity of 3300, and is equipped with a giant video-wall, and a hi-tech lighting and sound system. It has a VIP lounge, a speaker's waiting room, 3 boardrooms, 3 meeting rooms, 10 translation booths, and an administration office. The Exhibition Hall measures 6,120 square metres with a 14-foot ceiling and 350 square metre lobby. The ballroom can seat 3.000 or can be divided into 3 separate areas for 1000 persons each. There are 7 multi-function-meeting rooms, which can seat 220 people each. The main lobby can be utilised as a pre-cocktail area or for a coffee break for 3.500 persons. The car park can accommodate 10.000 cars.

Shopping
Jakarta is filled with shopping centers, catering for both the haute couture clothes enthusiast and for the hard-core artifact hunter, bargaining for antiques. While these are too numerous to all show, here is some information on shopping in Jakarta.

ATTRACTIONS

• Wayang Orang (Dance Drama)
  Performance of the Javanese Wayang Wong or Wayang Orang dance drama can be seen every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at the Bharata Theatre starting at 8.15 p.m. And lasting till about midnight. The stories of the Wayang Wong usually relate episode of the Mahabharata and Ramayana Hindu Epics.

• Ketoprak Dance
  An offshoot of the Wayang Wong dance drama is the modern popular Javanese theatre, which takes its stories from popular folk legends and from history. Like the Wayang Wong, the Ketoprak show is accompanied by gamelan music but is simpler in costumes and dialogue. Performances can be seen in Jakarta at the Bharata Theatre every Monday and Thursday evening, beginning at 8.00 p.m.

• Traditional Indonesian Dances
  Performances of traditional Indonesian dances from the various regions are staged in Jakarta at Taman Mini (Indonesia in Miniature Park) every Sunday from 9.00 to 14.00 p.m. and at the Ancol Art Market every Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

• Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet Shadow Play)
  Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet) shows are performed every second and last Saturday night of the month at the Central Museum in Jakarta. Abbreviated versions, lasting for about an hour, are also presented every Sunday morning at the Wayang Museum Fatahillah Square in downtown Jakarta.

• Gamelan Music
  Every Sunday morning Sundanese gamelan music of West Java is presented at the Central Museum in Jakarta.

• Pameran Seni Rupa (Art Exhibition)
  Permanent exhibitions at Balai Seni Rupa, Jl. Taman Fatahillah Jakarta, open daily.

• Underwater Tunnel at Sea World
  Stroll through Freshwater World and Microworld. See the beautiful tropical fish and coral reefs. Get friendly with marine life at the Touch Pool. A theatre screens movies about underwater world and a must is the Antasena Tunnel, a walk through an acrylic tube that gives first hand experience of life under the sea. Open every day from 9.00 am until 8.00 p.m.

• Wild Safari Park at Taman Safari
  High in the mountains on the way to Puncak (75 km Southeast of Jakarta along the Jakarta-Bandung route) sprawls Taman Safari, a drive-through nature park that allows visitors to mingle with everything from docile llamas, anoas, giraffes, European, American, Asian bears to savage Sumatran tigers, and a rare glimpse of Java’s white rhino. Adjacent to the park are recreational grounds with swimming pool, tennis courts, an artificial lake, waterfall and children’s playground and amusement park. There are also restaurants and cafeterias.

• Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
  Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park, IMAX theatre, Bird Park and Handicraft Museum at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) Only 15 minutes from the city centre by toll road, the ‘Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park’ is the perfect venue for time-conscious explorers. Pavilions representing each of Indonesia’s provinces provide a glimpse of the art and architecture of the archipelago’s diverse ethnic mosaic. There is also an IMAX theatre, bird park and handicraft museums. You can enjoy the whole of Indonesia at a single location, with dance and music performances on Sunday.

• The First Market
  Old Fish Market and Bugis Schooners at Sunda Kelapa, also known as Pasar Ikan (Fish Market), is located in the far north of the city at the mouth of the Ciliwung river. This is where the Portuguese traded with the Hindu Kingdom of Pajajaran in the early 16th century. The fish catch of the day was auctioned in the early morning at the old fish market. The street leading to it was lined with shops selling all sort of shells, dehydrated turtles, lobsters and everything else the seafarer might need.Sunda Kelapa is at present a fisherman's wharf and an inter-island port. Tall masted Bugis Schooners from South Sulawesi anchoring there offer one of the finest sights Jakarta has to offer. They belong to one of the last fleets of sailboats in the world and still ply the seas between the islands, as they did centuries ago, carrying merchandise.

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Solo

A pleasant city with a lively character, Solo is also called 'The City That Never Sleeps'. One can always find something to eat or buy, as vendors of all kinds and small foodstuffs remain open 24 hours. Home of two royal houses with centuries of power and influence over the city, Solo today remains distinctly Central Javanese with an elegance all its own. It is one of the major centres of batik and other Javanese fabrics, and souvenir hunters may find exquisite "objects d'art" and ornate trinkets in the local markets. Those interested in old Javanese culture and art should visit Solo for a wonderful cultural experience.


WHERE TO EAT IN SOLO
Countless 'Warung' street stalls and restaurants frequent the streets of Solo, a lot serving excellent Chinese food. However, one of the more popular destinations for those seeking an 'authentic' experience, the night market at Jalan Teuku Umar provides authentic Solonese food such as nasi liwet, a delicious speciality of chicken and rice in a spicy coconut sauce.

GETTING AROUND IN SOLO
There are several daily flights from Jakarta and Surabaya and a new direct service form Singapore. All train services to Yogyakarta pass through or continue on to Solo. Several taxi and mini-bus operators do hourly runs from Yogyakarta, 60 km away, with door-to-door service.

Transport
Pedicabs are the preferred method of transport in stately, elegant Solo, a good choice for touring the kraton and batik shops. Otherwise, chauffeur-driven rental automobiles are readily available.


WHERE TO STAY IN SOLO
While a diverse range of hotels exist in Solo, it is not as popular as it's larger brother, Yogyakarta; while Solo is worth a visit, its facilities are not as complete, but more than luxurious for visitors to the area.


ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

• Radya Pustaka Museum
  This is a small museum located on Jalan Slamet Riyadi that has good wayang puppet and gamelan instrument exhibits.

• Mangku Negara Kraton
  The centre of Solo is home to the Kraton- the palace of the second ruling house, dating back to 1757. It currently still houses the Prince and Princess of Mangkunegara, and houses many interesting and exciting artifacts.

• Wayang Performances
  Wayang orang perfomances of the Ramayana has proved a popular distraction for tourists, be sure to catch a show at the Sriwidari Amusement park, starting at 8pm until Midnight.

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Information provided by Department of Tourism. Government of Indonesia.

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