Java

Java is an island of political, geographic and economic center of Indonesia. It is also the most populated island in Indonesia with over 120 million inhabitats. From geological fact, Java is along and narrow island, around 1000 km width and divided into three sections: West, Central and East Java. Despite of it's rapid modernisation, this island has a lot of stunningnatural beauty, historical ancients, cultures and ethnics. Every ethnics in Java have their own unique cultural and language. Java culture was influenced by Hindus, Budhist, Islamic, and Europe. The influences made big change in Javanese original culture. Hindus teach to condificate every chronicles to enter Imperium Ages in Java history. The Hindus assimilation has changed Javanese culture fondation.

West Java Province
Western part of Java is home to Betawi, Sundanese and Baduy people. This part has places of interests such as Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, Bogor, bandung, Cirebon,Pangandaran, West Java has most tropical nature.
You can start your travel in Western part of Java by spending couple nights in Jakarta,a paradise for shoppers and golfers. Then drive to Labuan or Carita beach to viewing the legendary Krakatau Volcano (literally the son of Krakatau) lies just off the cost in the Sunda Straits, arround 50 km from the West Java cost and 40 km from Sumatra. In 1885 the eruption of Krakatau volcano was devastating and created an enourmous tidal wave which swept off almost everything alive in the surrounding coastal area. The shock wave from the eruption was felt as far away as the west coast of USA.

Jakarta Capital of Indonesia
Jakarta is the commercial and bureaucratic centre of Indonesia. In the seventeenth century the Dutch settlement of Batavia was built around the port of 'Sunda Kelapa'. Batavia was laid out like a city of the Netherlands, with small streets along canals; This soon proved to be the wrong approach for the tropics, as the canals were the source of many pestilent diseases. In the old town 'Kota' of Jakarta we can still see remnants dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
The city developed rapidly, especially in the beginning of this century, as we can still see in the Menteng area. The most rapid development was after independence, when Jakarta exploded from a population of 900.000 in 1945 to 12 million people in 1999. The metropolis of Jakarta is the most polluted and overcrowded city of Indonesia. Yet as the commercial and cultural centre of the country Jakarta has much to offer in the way of culture, museums and night life. Jakarta is a city of many small villages, sometimes described as a 'huge steamer in a sea of kampungs' (villages).

Bogor
Next stop is Bogor, originally called Buitenzorg, which means free from any burden. The Bogor palace was built in 1745 by Dutch Governor General, baron Gustaff Willem van IMhoff as his weekend and holiday retreat. From 1870 to 1942 was used as the official residence of all Ducth Governor General. Bogor Botanical Garden were designed by Sir Stamford Raffles and has about 15,000 native plants, collected from all over Indonesia. Bandung or "Paris van java", placed in highland area in altitude of 760 meters. The Dutch built this European plan. Heritages architectural is assimilation from local and europe touch. Example is Gedung Sate, now used for West Java administration office. Bandung surrounded by natural palces to visit, like Mount Tangkuban Perahu, and Lembang plateau. At Ujo Ngelegana Saung Angklung arts center in bandung, There are regular Angklung (Bamboo musical instrument) performances featuring the singing of young children, as well as wayang Golek Shows.

Pangandaran
Drive to the South Sea, there is Pangandaran, Java's no.1 coastal resort with lively athmosphere and a wide range of activities, such as visiting the Green Canyon, provides visitors with truly dramatic views as travels along the Cijulang river. Before that do not miss to stop at Cangkuang Temple Complex, a beautiful example of ancient Hindu culture dated back to 8 century around 17 km from Garut and at Kampung Naga around 30 km from tasikmalaya. Kampung Naga is a traditional village of Sundanese tribe where the inhabitants are still preserving the culture, traditionals and beliefs of their ancestors. there have been no changes in the daily life of the unique Kampung Naga for over 100 years.

Bandung
From Bogor eastwards you will pass the city of Bandung, the capital of West Java and the third city of Indonesia. At an altitude of 700 metres, the city of Bandung is in fact a relatively new town, established in the second half of the nineteenth century. From an architectural point of view Bandung is one of the most interesting cities of Indonesia. One can still see much of the architecture of days gone by, especially colonial architecture in art deco style. One of the most famous examples is the Savoy Homan Hotel, built in the second decade of this century. 

Bandung - Yogyakarta by Train
The most beautiful train ride in Indonesia is the line between Bandung and Jogyakarta. The fine panorama of lovely Javanese landscapes, rice terraces and impressive mountains during this trip, are breathtaking. The round trip takes around ten hours travel in comfortable airconditioned executive class coaches.

Central Java Province
In Central part of Java, history has left its footprints everywhere. The great heritages from Budhist Imperium age in Java, is Borobudur temple. This temple is one of the 7 miracles in the world built under the Sailendra and Old Mataram kings, between the 8th and 10th centuries. The enormous Hindu temple complex of Prambanan is dedicated to Shiva and built by the rulers of Sanjaya Dinasty, and the ancient site of the oldest Hindu temples can be found at the beautiful highland of Dieng plateau.

Yogyakarta
The court cities, Yogyakarta and Solo dated back to the Java's golden age of Muslim kingdom. The 300 years old city of Yogyakarta is the cultural heart of Java. Here also is Indonesia's oldest palace "The Kraton", still the domicile of Jogya's royalty. Even now the current Sultan of Jogyakarta retains remarkable political prestige. Yogyakarta offers an abundance of Javanese art, painting, silverwork, batik handcraft,traditional Javanese dances,gamelan music,wayang shadow puppetry, as well as contemporary art.

Solo
Solo is also known as Surakarta, home of two royal houses with centuries of power and influence over the city. Solo today remains distinctly Central Javanese with an elegance of its own. Those who interested in old Javanese culture and art should not miss Solo on their itinerary, as the royal palaces including relics af all sort will be all yours to witness. Once in Solo which offers excellent accommodation, short trips to its surrounding areas can easily be made by car or coach.

East Java Province
Move to Eastern part of Java, and you can travel to hilltown Malang, one of the most attactive towns in Java arround 90 km south of Surabaya, the capital city of East Java. The cool climate is one reason why it is highly desirable among the East Javanese as a place to retire. Twenty km from Malang on the southern flank of Mt.Arjuna, are Selecta and Songgoriti, popular hill resorts with hot springs. The climate is cool and (5 km nearby) is batu, famous for its apples and flowers. But the highlight of East Java is mount Bromo. The ascend to the rim will take about 50 steps. The vast expanse of sands is formerly a caldera. Every year, based on Tenggerese calendar year, the local people will have a Kasada ceremony. They will surround the holy volcano and bring their humble offering the God of Bromo. Another lanscape is national parks, mountain, volcano, and plateau such as Ijen plateau.