Java


 * Yogyakarta**

Yogya is the cultural heart of Java, Indonesia. It is home to Wayang Kulit (shadow puppets), silversmithing and many very old religious monuments. It is perhaps my favourite place in Asia to visit. Great sites, great people, great food. And best of all, really cheap!! I have been there several times and it gets better everytime.


 * Things to do**
 * The Kraton** (Sultan's Palace)
 * Kota Gede**- a silversmithing village only a few km from town
 * Prambanan**- An ancient hindu temple. This was damaged quite badly in an earthquake in 2006 but great efforts are being made by UNESCO to restore it. Even in this state it is still very much worth a look.
 * Borobodu**r- A huge buddhist temple. It is one of the largest in the world. The site was excavated around 40 years ago as it had been covered from various volcanic eruptions from nearby Merapi. It is a spectacular site that is extremely well maintained.
 * Climb Mt Merapi**- An active volcano not far from town. You can summit the mountain first thing in the morning. It takes around 5 hours round trip. What you get out of this trip is very much dependent on the weather. It can often be so cloudy that you cannot see anything.
 * Wayang Kulit play-** They are really long so don't feel you have to stay the whole play. Worth a look at though
 * Batik factories-** They are everywhere! Bargain hard if you want to buy and don't go to the ones that the becaks take you to as they are getting commission.

There are two main backpacker areas in Yogya.
 * Places to stay.**
 * Prawirotaman**- This area is very close to the Kraton and only about 10 mins by becak to the centre of town. It has 2 streets of budget kind of accommodation. Some really nice places to stay at very budget prices. A great recommendation is Delta Homestay. A double room including breakfast will set you back around US$12. It is very nice and clean and has a beautiful pool to relax in after a HOT day in Yogya.


 * Gangs 1 and 2**- This area is in the centre of town and they are two very small alleys at the back of Jalan Malioboro, the main street. The accommodation here is much cheaper than in Prawirotaman and also closer to town but you do get what you pay for. Cheap=very basic and grotty accommodation.

If you feel like treating yourself, the Grand Mercure is a lovely colonial style hotel. About $50/night. Its about a 15 minute walk to Malioboro or a quick becak trip.

**Gunung Bromo (Mount Bromo)**
An amazing volcanic area. Gunung Bromo (Mount Bromo) is a small but active volcanic cone, in the middle of a sand sea, itself a portion of the larger Tengger Caldera. Surrounded by other volcanic peaks, the area is visually breathtaking. Google it for photos!

Access from Surabaya (cheap and easy Air Asia flights). We didn't do this budget level, but it is certainly possible.

You could do this in a regular weekend if you fly out on Friday night and are willing to hire private transport. In fact you can do a day trip (midnight to late afternoon) from Surabaya, but recommend staying at the crater. Its just a lovely chilled out scenic spot.

We loved the Surabaya Plaza hotel. 450,000Rp for a business room, with a small sitting room in addition. The best customer service we've had in Asia. Tip: Get the room rate without breakfast, then order a room service breakfast. If you can forego the "buffet" in a smoky restaurant, you save money and get HEAPS of food anyway.

Its about a 3-5 hour trip from Surabaya to Cemoro Lawang, the village on the crater edge. Public transit is cheap but takes longer. Bus from Surabaya to Probolinggo and then a mini bus up to Cemoro Lawang. Private car costs around $50 one way but is quicker and more comfortable.

There are multiple accommodation options in Cemoro Lawang. The best located is the Lava View Lodge on the crater rim ($30-$40/night). Great Satay Ayam in the restaurant there. Even if you don't stay there, walk out to the hotel, it offers an amazing view over the landscape. There is a trail up behind the hotel that follows the crater rim - makes for a great walk.

Pre-dawn jeep trips to a viewpoint to see the sunrise are the norm. (Unfortunately its a bit of a jeep parade - still can't figure out where all the people came from!). Then they drop you off at a spot where you can climb up to the rim of the Bromo crater and look in to see the steaming guts. Its a short uphill hike before 246 steps to the crater rim. You are back at your hotel from breakfast. The alternative would be to walk, but you would be drowned in sand thrown up by the jeeps. Advice would be to walk at a different time of day. Early morning is best for viewing though as it gets a bit hazy once the sun is up fully.