Asia & Oceania group posting on GLOBOsapiens

Indonesia

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katjab Joined: May 02 Points: 62 Posts: 2 Posted: 2002-08-16 16:37:00    Hello! I am planning a trip to Indonesia (JAVA, Bali, Lombok). Have anybody been there nad could tell me his/her experiences, give me some tipps etc.? Best Wishes Katja Reply    Reply with quote    Contact katjab   inzaghi Joined: Jun 02 Points: 3862 Posts: 87 Posted: 2002-08-16 20:50:00    I have been there, but 18 years ago when I was 6 or so. I was at Lake Toba, which was slow and and nice back then. A few years ago when I was older I read up on that country again, wishing to revisit it, and found that the Borobudur (sp?) temple was an interesting site to visit. Bali is no longer the "laid back clear blue beach" it once was, now that it's packed with tourists and badly polluted. The water is actually muddy brown even at Nusa Dua or Darling Beach. --- Lover of just five things - travelling, photography, thick crust pizzas, the xy-chromosomes, the Italians and the Dutch. Well, I can't count, so? Reply    Reply with quote    Contact inzaghi   undedd Joined: Jun 02 Points: 4893 Posts: 21 Posted: 2002-08-21 05:52:00    Hey Katja, I've travelled independently with my wife through Sumatra, Java, Bali and Lombok so I've plenty of information for you if you're interested. Too much to provide here, email me if you're interested and I'll dig some stuff up for you. Here's a (short) summary to whet you're appetite. I won't cover Sumatra because you are not planning to visit: JAVA * Bogor is an interesting highlight, only and hour or so from Jakarta. Brilliant market, world-class gardens, Indonesia's finest puppet makers, and there's natural highlights close by in the mountains around Puncak. * Bandung is worth a visit; not for the polluted city, but the surrounding attractions. Tangkuban Prahu and Ciater are highlights. * Yogyakarta is brilliant. Markets, culture, artists, history, interesting villages, and there's Borobudur, the Dieng Plateau and Prambanan close by. * Solo. Interesting city with good relics and temples in the area, but if you had to choose between it and Yogya, I'd choose Yogya. * Mount Bromo IS worth the trip, but make it easy on yourself and stay in one of the neighbouring villages the night before the climb. BALI Sensational. Bali, although a tourist mecca, can be anything you want it to be. The SOUTH is party central, culture neutral and soulless (in my opinion) - you could be anywhere in the world. The CENTRE is more rural and laid-back with plenty to see and do. This is more culture central. The EAST is my favourite. Slow, lazy and with plenty of cultural highlights, great scenery and a few nice beaches. This is sloth central. The NORTH is a bit like the EAST, but getting a little more touristy. LOMBOK You'll love it. Different culture again - Muslim, not Hindu. Plenty to see and do and yet to be overrun by tourism. The GILI ISLANDS, off the northwest coast are worth a visit. Ciao for now - hope this helps... [ This Message was edited by: undedd on 2002-08-21 09:51 ] --- Dave Underwood Freelance Travel Writer & Photojournalist Reply    Reply with quote    Contact undedd   andreas Joined: May 02 Points: 7976 Posts: 727 Posted: 2002-09-14 17:59:00    Hi Katja, goody.c ( http://www.globosapiens.net/goody.c ) will be off to Indonesia as well. Maybe you would like to contact him. As far as I know he is gonna stay for some months. Cheers, Andy [ This Message was edited by: andreas on 2002-09-14 17:59 ] Reply    Reply with quote    Contact andreas   downundergal Premium account Joined: Jun 02 Points: 12835 Posts: 215 Posted: 2002-09-15 09:24:00    [quote] On 2002-08-16 16:37, katjab wrote: Hello! I am planning a trip to Indonesia (JAVA, Bali, Lombok). Have anybody been there nad could tell me his/her experiences, give me some tipps etc.? Best Wishes Katja [/quote] Hi Katja, I've been to Bali a few times. Kuta/Legian is really touristy but makes for great shopping! My favourite hotel is the Bali Padma, good location and a great place to unwind for a few days before going downmarket in the cheaper bracket. There is a cheap little place around the corner called the Ketty club. We hire a jeep when we go to Bali, it is so cheap about $10 per day with fuel about 10 cents a litre. This gives you so much more freedom to find those hidden spots on the back roads. Make sure you don't miss Amed, on the east coast. The scenery is spectacular and and some great spots if you like diving. Please if you need any info drop me a line. I have a couple on stories on Globos if you wish to read them. All the best, Kerrie --- Where to next? Reply    Reply with quote    Contact downundergal   rummel Joined: Jun 02 Points: 83 Posts: 2 Posted: 2002-11-01 14:58:00    Hi Katja, also a good place to stay in Legian/Kuta is the "Blue Ocean Hostel". I've been there a few years ago. The GILLI-Islands have been a paradise some years ago but now they are really crowdy and full of day-tourists because of a big ferry crossing around there. When I was there the only way to reach the Islands was with small boats for about 6-10 people. But in Indonesia are still lots of places to discover i think. Have fun Peter Reply    Reply with quote    Contact rummel