It has now been 3 years since my last trip to Asia and I'm itching to go back. I will be able to take about 3 weeks off from work in September so I would like to make Indonesia my next trip. I would have to fly in and out of either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore (cities I have already been to and love) but I would like to spend the rest of my time in Indonesia.

The places I would like to visit are Bali, the Gili islands and Java (Borobudur and Prambanan). How would you experts split my time in the country? Should I add more places to visit? I don't want to spend too much time traveling from one place to another.

Thanks!

With three weeks, I think that many destinations are just fine. We visited both central and eastern Java in 10 days or so, you could probably do just central Java in 5 days. Bali can absorb endless amounts of time in my experience. Haven't been to the Gillis, so no advice there.

Have a great time!

If you haven't read it, here is a link to my Java trip report from a year ago: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...n-to-jogja.cfm

photos are at www.marlandc.com

Thanks! I remember reading your trip report a while ago. I'll read it again.

Lombok is another place I might be curious to see.

We enjoyed our time in Lombok - quiet, very different culture from Bali.

I'm wondering if I should ditch the Gili Islands for Lombok. I get sea sick easily and I would prefer not to take any boats if possible lol.

I think it depends on what you like to do. I guess boating is out but what about your other interests? Are you looking for culture, adventure, nature or a little of each?

In addition to the places you've mentioned you might look at East Java (Mt. Bromo area), Central Sulawesi (Tanah Toraja) and Sumba/Sumbawa/Flores.

In the Bromo area you get mountains, volcanic activity and great photography. In Central Sulawesi you get the Toraja culture: unique architecture, religion and ceremonies. In the islands east of Lombok, you get beautiful beaches and indigenous culture pretty much unspoiled by tourism.

If you want to stay with your original three islands, you'll have no problem filling up three weeks. You could fill up three weeks on Bali alone.

The Gilis definitely involve a boat ride. They're laid back, pretty beaches, some good snorkling/diving, low intensity. You can fly to Lombok. The beaches are also quite nice, the resorts a notch more upscale than the Gilis, but to me, Lombok is culturally bland.

Well to be honest, food is probably my main interest lol. I plan on eating A LOT. But I'd like to take in a little bit of the culture and nature. I don't want to be too busy though. I like just wandering around and exploring on my own when I travel.

Let's say I settle on Bali, the Gilis and Borobudur-Prambanan, how should I split my time and in which order should I visit them given I will fly in and out of Singapore or Kuala Lumpur?

Roughly 5 days Central Java, 5 days Gilis, 10 days Bali.

I think marmot's advice is good. If you opt to substitute Lombok for the Gilis, I'd still stick with approximately the same breakdown.

How would I get from Central Java to the Gilis? Fly to Lombok and transfer from there by road and boat?

Yes. The airport on Lombok is Mataram.

Lombok airport has moved from Mataram to the south central part of the island. Look for flights to LOP.

A taxi from Lombok airport to the pier where boats leave for the Gilis is about 2 hours and the boat ride is another 20 to 40 minutes depending on which island you're going to.

You can also take a boat from Bali which would be faster in total travel time than flying + boat, but may mean more time on the water.

The Bali boats leave from Padang Bai which is closer to Ubud and Benoa which is closer to the southern beaches. There are quite a few choices with different routes stopping in Lombok and the different islands. I'm not up to speed on the details.

I'd suggest that you start in Java for 5 days, fly from Yogyakarta to Bali for 5 days, boat to Lombok (either the Gilis or Lombok proper) for 5 days, then return to Bali for the rest of your trip. Depart for home from Bali.

If food is your main interest Bali is where you want to be. I really like Java, but I wouldn't put cuisine on the top of its attractions. Lombok is touch and go: some good, most not. Choices in the Gilis are limited because everything -- except the fish -- has to be imported from Lombok or Bali.

Just booked my flights so now I just have to finalize my itinerary in Indonesia. Exciting!

mcbg1--

As someone who also has motion sickness, I've found that the transderm scopaline patch has been nothing short of a miracle. It requires a prescription, but each patch lasts 3 days. I get enough to cover any part of a trip where there's extensive traveling (ie, driving, especially in curvy, hilly areas) as well as boat travel. Unlike OTC medication, it doesn't cause drowsiness; it really has made all the difference in my travels (yikes, this sounds like an ad, but it really has been a godsend!). Thought I'd throw this suggestion out.

Looking forward to reading about your travels on your return-- this region is definitely an area I'm interested in.

Paule

After doing some research, I would like to add Flores to my itinerary, mostly to see Rinca Island. I would only visit Rinca as a day trip though because no way will I spend a night on a boat lol.

You've just made your trip much more complicated logistically. Usually, people headed for Flores spend several nights on a boat. You'll have to do some research on how to do it without an overnight (or more) on a boat.

According to my research, I could fly one hour from Bali to Labuan Bajo and Komodo-Rinca Islands would be only an hour away by boat (10 minutes if you use a speed boat), so easily doable as a day trip. It looks like there is some great snorkelling to do there so I might replace the Gilis for a few days there.

Great - it sounds like you've found a way to do it.

I haven't been to Flores but it's high on my to-visit list. Labuan Bajo is touted as the "next" tourism destination in Indonesia and there's lots of development going on there. They now have a gourmet deli!

I'd suggest that you try to spend the night on Flores as one day back and forth seems risky as delays are common. (Plus, you'll want to stay longer.)