impacked

On my own 3 nights in Ubud...
With my husband 2 nights Hotel Tjampuhan

2 nights Padangbai or Candidassa.....need recommendation???
2nights.Sanur....Hotel Tanjung Sari
fly to Java
2 nights Java....Yogyakarta...Hyatt or Dusun Jogja Village ???
1 night Gunung Agung volcano....where do we stay???
1 night Borobudur.....Manohora Hotel

1 night ...Dieng Plateau....overnight in Wonosobo....Gallery Hotel Kresna or Hotlel Surya Asia???

Sept 2 nights..Bali...Jimbaran Beach......Keraton hotel

Depart Denpsar

Kathie

You are doing a lot of moving around. Personally, I'd prefer to stay in fewer places. For instance, there is no need to stay at the Dieng Plateau. We did it as a day trip from Jogja many years ago, and had plenty of time for exploring. Just hire a car and driver.

On Bali, I'd just choose a couple of places to stay. As I read it, you have two days each in 4 different places once your husband arrives. Most of the driving distances are short enough in Bali, there is no need to stay at that many locations. You'll fell more relaxed if you aren't moving every two days.

Becalm

Hyatt on northern outskirts of Yogya about 10 minute ride from city center but closer to Prambanan and Borobudur. Lush grounds w/ suburban feel. Large hotel with somewhat small rooms.

Haven't stayed at DJV but boutique hotel is in the city on the south side. Location will have more local flavor and closer to Yogya restaurants, shopping and sites but taxi are still advisable.

Agree with Kathie about day trip to Dieng Plateau. Consider staying at Manohara another night instead of Wonosobo since it is closer to DP.

Gunung Agung is done as an easy day trip from Eastern Bali or even Ubud.

Also agree that unless you enjoy moving every two days, stay more nights in Bali in the type of area you prefer and visit rest by day.

5N Ubud
3N Eastern Bali
2N Borobudur (1D to DP)
2N Yogya
4N Southern Bali (Sanur, or Seminyak for better restaurants)
4N

Becalm

Meant to say the Manohara is closer to the DP than Yogya by about an hour. Cuts round trip by two hours that day compared to departing from Yogya.

impacked

Thanks so much for your replies and good suggestions!!
I am sorry the beginning of my posting went missing.
I meant to start with...our flights are booked and we are ready to finalizing our hotels. And, I was looking for advice or suggestions as you were both quick to respond to.
I discused with my husband your thoughts and we agreed so this is what we come up. We do like the get a feel for the local life and like it when the same shoe shine man on the corner starts to recognize us but then again I hate to feel I missing out on something. It's so hard to do it all isn't it. So, Whatcha think?

my husband and I spend
2 nights Ubud - Hotel Tjampuhan
2 nights Candidassa - (Gunung Agung Volcano) Hotel??
2 nights Sanur- Hotel Tanjung Sari?
2 night - Yogy - still can't decide Hyatt or Dusan
2 nights _Borodudur - Manohora
1night Yogy (Ding Plateau)-?
2 nights - Kimbaran - Keraton Hotel?
we depart early in morning.

marmot

In Bali, I would avoid Pandangbai and Candidasa like the Bird Flu! I think you need a new guide book.

In East Bali, the Serai is very nice. I believe there are also some good communities further north (Amed?) but I haven't been there myself.

Another idea, since you're staying in the town of Ubud, would be to go in the other direction and stay in the countryside outside of Ubud. The Alam Sari would be a good pick.

I would choose the Hyatt in Yogya just because Yogya itself is a challenge and it's good to have an oasis to retreat to. I haven't seen the Dusun Jogja Village, so I can't compare but I'm skeptical of charm in Yogya proper. I just haven't found it.

In the countryside, I agree that you're better off basing yourself in one place then making day trips. Manohara is very good and accessible to the whole area. Another highly recommended place is the Losari Coffee Planatation.

There are plenty of mountains in the area of Borobudur/Manohara, but Agung is in Bali.

impacked

I forgot to ask Be Calm if other than restaurant choice why do you prefer Seminyak over Sanur?
Also, regarding hotel choices - we are not on a tight budget but do generally perfer small hotels over large resorts.

marmot

impacted, your most recent post crossed with mine. I see now that Agung is the name of the resort! I wish you could edit on this board.

There was a traveler about a year ago who posted about the Dusun Jogya Village. Yogya is just not a particularly pleasant place. It has a lot of fascinating sites and sights, but it's not easy to navigate and to me, it really helps to be able to retreat from the traffic and pollution.

Candidasa is a place whose time has come and gone. It's very run down and the beach is severely eroded.

I personally prefer Seminyak to Sanur, though both are fine. I like having sunset. I like having my favorite restaurants nearby. I like the big, pounding surf. (Only for strong surfers, though)

In Indonesia in general newer is better than older. The combination of tropical humidity and slow business has led a lot of the oldtime places to fall into disrepair and maintenance and hygiene can be substandard.

JohnH

I'm going to hop onto this thread as I'm leaving for the same destinations in a few weeks, and had some similar questions.

Here's what I've finally decided on:
6 nights Ubud - Alam Jiwa
3 nights Yogyakarta- Hyatt
3 nights Seminyak - Samaya

I too prefer not to be moving around all the time, and am hopng it will be easy enough to see much of central, eastern and northern Bali based in Ubud.

I would have liked to stay one or two nights at Manohara in Java, but was they didn't respond to my emails, and I couldn't find other contact info for them.

I also considered Alamjiwa but it's just too ridiculously expensive (for me) so I will splurge on Samaya Villas in Bali instead.

I'm reallly looking forward to seeing this part of the world and am very excited about this trip!!

Kathie

John, it sounds like a great plan! Have a wonderful time.

impacked, I really do think you'll be happier if you cut down on the number of times you change hotels.

impacked

John, The Samaya Villas in Bali looks beautifulllllllll!
Marmot guess what we checked out Indo travel book which is dated 1986...I'm off to Barnes and Noble

Becalm

Impacked, Seminyak vs Sanur just depends on what is liked/wanted. Sanur is a quieter, nice quaint more remote area, that is a nice place to relax. Cab rides about 20 minutes needed to get to Seminyak/Legian area. Water calmer and shallower.
Seminyak area has more upscale hotels and restaurants, nice boutiques and nightlife. No need for long cab rides.

We stayed at the Hyatt Yogya which is nice. Marmot's description as an oasis is brillant and spot on. Cabs are cheap for the short ride for shopping, restaurants and sites into the city.

John, did you try booking Manohara through a travel website ? Never used asiapacifichotel.com but they appear to be able to book rooms.

FromDC

Ditto, we have finalized our plans for mid-June, early July. JohnH, when are you going? We arrive in Bali very late June21 and spend 2 nights at the Oberoi, then 3 nights in Java (Amanjiwo), then a week at a villa outside Ubud. I don't think my travelling companions (husband, sister and brother-in-law) will want to spend time in Yogya so I am thinking about a day in Dieng Plateau but I'm not sure how such a day is organized. Is there a specific destination or do you make stops at temples along the way? I'd love some help on this. I have heard that Prambanan is closed because of earthquake damage. Anyone have an update?

Kathie

FromDC, if any of the people in your party are interested in crafts (puppets and batik in particular), the craft shopping in Jogja is great. There is a much larger variety of high quality goods than you'll find on Bali. The best quality batik I've seen anywhere was at a workshop in Solo that makes all of the batik for the kraton at Solo. They had long lengths of tulis batik in traditional cotton, and they had silk batik as well.

You'll need a car and driver to get to the DIeng Plateau. I'm sure Amanjiwo can arrange it for you. Ther are a group of old Hindu temples there, but much of teh trip is an opportunity to see the countryside. It is typically misty at the Dieng Plateau, which will feel good in contrast to the heat you've been experiencing. There are geysers and hot springs (way too hot to bathe in!) at the palteau as well. It's an interesting journey.

JohnH

Becalm: I tried booking Manohara through what says it's the "official website" for Borobudor and Prambanan:
http://www.borobudurpark.com/index.php
I am very interested to know if Prambanan temple is closed or not also - there's no info on that website above about it being closed.

FromDC: I'll be there from the 3rd to the 15th of June - just before you.

Becalm

DC, Amanjiwo can arrange excursions to the DP even though their Activities List doesn't include one. They will add the customary 21% hotel fee for service and taxes to whatever the cost. Have Anna email you their Activities List and a quote for the DP tour. They do list the cost of an outside guide as 400,000 Rp a day and car and driver for 225,000 Rp an hour (+ 21%). Our driver was also our guide for 3 days but I didn't notice if they billed us for both a driver and a guide.

The guide/driver Amanjiwo hired for us was absolutely top notch (I had asked Anna for their best guide). You can ask the Aman for him, Rohmad Hidajat or for those staying elsewhere, hire him through a local tour company he also works with www.borobudurtourandtravel.com

The Aman does list another tour to consider, Gedong Songo whose temples are similar to the DP temples and are 36 mi closer. According to the Aman "They are probably the most beautifully sited of all Java's temples." The trip takes you past terraced orchards, rose gardens, sulphur springs, a flower and vegetable market, warungs and waterfalls. A definite for my next trip.

About Prambanan:
"In the wake of the May 2006 Java earthquake, some parts of Prambanan sustained significant damage. The site is open again, but some temples are cordoned off and entry into the temples is not allowed."

"Since 18 September 2006, you can enter zone 1 area of the Prambanan temple. The damage caused by the earthquake on 27 May 2006 is being reconstructed. Please come and enjoy Prambanan temple."

The open air theater at Prambanan is open and we found the Ramayana Ballet there a large and enjoyable production. Unforunately, I never did post any of my photos. Also, the Masterpiece Dance at Borobudur begins about the time of your visits I believe.

For reservations for Hotel Manohara Borobudur from the US and Canada call Indonesia.com at 1-866-508-3813 or contact the hotel directly: Phone: +62 293 788131, +62 293 788680
Fax: +62 293 788679

Since unfortunately we won't return this year I expect detailed trip reports from all LOL.

marmot

My son was recently at Prambanan. It is open but it was really shaken up and access to some of the temples is restricted. You can't go into the sanctuaries and whole parts are blocked off. He was acting as tourguide to some friends who had never been to Asia and despite the damage they were nevertheless swept away by the experience.

From DC, The Amanjiwo will definitely plan a Dieng Plateau itinerary for you (at a price of course It's a bit of a drive but the scenery is very nice. Once you arrive in the area it's best to plan on walking as the sites are wide spread.

I'm not a fan of the Oberoi Bali. It's in great need of renovation. You should really probe into this further as from what I've heard the mainenance and service are not good. Also there's a suspicious river cum drainage canal that runs next to the property that, well, smells. For the money you could do better at the Legian or a private villa.

John H, I think it's worthwhile to keep trying Manohara. Staying at Borobudur is really a wonderful experience, especially for dawn viewing and the atmosphere is far superior to Yogya. It's good to be able to visit the monument more than once and if you're in Yogya that leads to too much driving.

I'm in Hong Kong today, but when I'm back in Jakarta at the end of the week I'll find a telephone number and contact for you at the Manohara.

I've never stayed at Samaya but I've watched it (out the window of the Legian) develop over the years into a very nice place. (In fact the last time I was there the Samaya was building a spa at 2:00 a.m. about 2 feet from my room at the Legian!)Excellent location and good beach.

JohnH

okay, I booked one of the 3 nights in Java at Manohara through Indonesia.com - thanks for that, they seem very professional and responded quickly to my e-mail.

hobbes

Lovely decision to spend 1 night at the Manohara - best way to see Borobudur and only Amanjiwo and Manohara guests are allowed in at sunrise. Write to the Hyatt to find out of the Ramayana is on - when we were there Amanjiwo checked in advance for us as it can sell out (unfortunately it was not performed both our nights there). Prambanan is beautiful and quite significant - one of the only Hindu temples in the world to ahve a shrine to Brahma - is a bit difficult to navigate but is worth going to. Just one question - why don;t you fly into Denpasar and out of Jogjakarta? You are adding airport transfers with this itinerary.

JohnH

hobbes - the answer is because I'm traveling on a Thai reward ticket RT Los Angeles-Denpasar, with a stopover in Bangkok.