A long weekend in Java -ideas please.
 

I am planning on visiting my good friend K who lives in Singapore in September. We normally like to go for a side trip some where and this time will probablyy have about 4 nights. We have tossed around a few places and Lombok and Yogyakarta seem to be the hot favourites. (with Yogya being numero uno!) anyhow, i was a little concerned there wouldn't be enough to do to keep us busy for 4 nights but Kathie has somewhat alleyed those fears with some suggestions SO, what do you think of this:

Arrive midday Sat (from SP) thinking of staying at the Phoenix? would like somewhere in town so we can walk to local restuarants. my plan was to stay here for all 4 nights?? (we could fly into Solo from SP but the AA flight to Yogya is much cheaper) - what do you all think about Yogya as a base? )- spend afternoon wondering around Yogyakarta?
Sun- Sunrise/day time visit at Borobudor - maybe lunch at Amanwijo? (cant afford to stay here this trip)
Monday - afternoon trip to Prambanan temple and then stay for the dance show in the evening?
Tues - ???
Wed - leave (v early) for flight back to Singapore

I would like a bit of relaxing time in there but do think we should be able to do that Sunday afternoon/Monday morning. Do you think the above sounds like a good plan,
Any suggestions for Tuesday? what have I missed? (we do like to tour the temples etc but i don't want 4 days of just temples-K and I like to explore local areas, eat good food and of course shop!
Does anyone have details of a good guide and driver who we could use for the days at the temples.
Is the Phoenix a good place to stay?
Appreciate all suggestions.
Smeagol

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but Filmwill and David stayed at the Phoenix. I re-read their trip report before I decided where we are going to stay.

Thanks Kathie, to be honest I am covering all bases really, I actually really like the look of the Phoenix and think we will plump for staying here but thought i would check to see if anything new had opened up! when i looked at their prices i thought wow so expensive but then realised that was for the whole 4 nights :)
I will read FW trip report too.

Also any good restuarant reccos would be great!
X

Smeagol, I haven't been to Central Java for a while and can't comment on the Phoenix. I've always liked the Hyatt because of its spacious gardens.

I would definitely choose Yogyakarta over Solo. Yogya has some interesting sites and some good shopping (for arts and crafts, both high and low level). It is, however, a hot, crowded trafficky third world city. Fascinating, but not so easy to wander around in on foot.

My experience with Yogya restaurants hasn't been so good either. The local food can be good, but in some of the better known places the hygiene is questionable.

Definitely have a meal at Amanjiwo. Sunset + dinner is spectacular. The food is not too pricy, but alcohol anywhere in Indonesia is exorbitant.

The places connected to the Sultan of Yogyakarta -- the Palace (Kraton) and the Water palace (Taman Sari) -- are worth a see. The Kraton offers some of the best authentic Javanese dancing. According to this website http://www.yogyes.com/ (which is quite good, actually) there's a dance performance at the Kraton 0930 on Sunday.

If you can, I'd recommend trying to spend a night in the countryside, close to Borobudur. There aren't a lot of choices in the moderate price range, but, again in my opinion, it's worth a bit of inconvenience to experience the beauty and serenity of the mountains and rice paddies, especially at dawn and dusk.

I'd also try to see Borobudur more than once, at different times of day. The first encounter can be overwhelming and it's wonderful go back and spend some quiet time with the carvings and a copy of the book, Golden Tales of the Buddhas.

The Dieng Plateau is also a becautiful and spiritual place, but it takes some determination to get there.

Most important: Don't go to Borobudur on Sunday! It will be overrun with local tour groups, even at 6:00 a.m. They will all want to take a picture of you with their group, which is charming and flattering the first couple of times but quickly becomes an annoying distraction. Prambanan will be crowded, but less so.

I got a good car and driver last year through the official Borobodur Park web site. He took me everywhere - Magelang, Solo and Yogyakarta. I think Solo is under-rated, but with only four days I wouldn't recommend you split your time between the two. You might consider spending a day in Solo, seeing BOTH palaces (for some reason, they only ever take tourists to one of them) and poking around the batik 'village', which is in town.

Depending on your capacity for ruins, you might also take in Ratu Bokor, a hilltop palace near Prambanan. There's a little restaurant there where you can watch the sunset. You can get a consolidated ticket for Prambanan and Ratu Bokor, and there's a free shuttle between the two.

Wow thank you both, great advice. I will especially heed the don't go to Borobodur on Sunday ( which is exactly what we had planned to do) I say we, K hasn't even seen any of this, so we are still at the "shall we go there" phase but I do think there is enough to keep us occupied.
I like the sound of Rath Bokor too...
Ok, so if we went for an overnight near Borobudor, any good options on places to stay. I seem to remember reading they are all pretty hideous ( apart from the gorgeous Aman which is out of our budget for this trip)

You're right, choices at Borobudur are limited. Manohara is right on the grounds. It's barebones basic, but acceptable for a short stay that's monument focused.

Saraswati is a notch up on the comfort scale. It's about a 10-15 minute walk to Borobudur. Also Plataran which looks quite nice in photos. The website says it's a 5 minute drive to Borobudur. The only one I've been to is Manohara so I can't compare.

And then there's MesaStila (formerly Losari Coffee Plantation). It's in Magelang about 45 minutes by car from Borobudur, located in a beautiful mountain view rural setting. From their website they seem to have an emphasis on wellness. I haven't been there, but I hear good things.

You may remember from Filmwill's report that the Saraswati was so horrible that they left early, even though they had pre-paid. The Plataran looks great on the website, and we considered it but decided to stay put at the Phoenix. If you do opt for a night or two at Plataran, we'd love to hear about it!

Thanks for saying that, Kathie. I was just about to say the same thing.

Smeags, unless something drastic has changed there--say, they've burned it down, rebuilt it and hired all new staff--run, don't walk away from the Saraswati. Seems nice enough on the outside but it's sort of like the hotel in The Shining on the inside. Hence our early departure.

If you can find a place that doesn't seem too shabby, then stay overnight in Borobudur...but honestly, we would've been fine with a day visit in retrospect--and the choices in Borobudur areso limited. There really is not all that much of anything to do there other than see the temple (sunrise obviously is a must!) and lounge around and soak up the atmosphere. That's why I think if the Aman is in budget (it wasn't for us either...in fact, who is the Aman ever in budget for?) it's one of the only places you'd be fine just sitting on the patio and enjoying that magnificent and unworldly view that they have for days and not get bored. Otherwise, stay in Yogya.

That said, I do agree that you may have 1 day too many in your current plan...but not sure what you could do with that extra day quite yet. Let me marinate a bit in that one.

Thanks FW - You point above about the Saraswati REALLY made me laugh... ok i will not be staying there. I do like the look of the Plataran but heeding Marmots advice about not going to Borobodur on a Sunday means if we stay there we will have to do 1 night in Yogya maybe 2 there and then because of the super early flight back another in yogya which seems like a hassel so manybe we will stick with the Phoenix.

Mmmm I too am wondering if we have 1 day to many but then the trip may be too short if i shave off a day, oh what is a girl to do. Is the Phoenix somewhere we could just hang by the pool and sun my incredibley pale body?

A couple of ideas for day trips... the Dieng Plateau or Solo (as per Michael's comments above) and a drive out to Candi Suhkah, a fertility temple out in the hills.

I might recommend the guide driver we have used twice in Central and East Java and will use again this Dec. He really knows his stuff about the temples being the UNESCO Advisor to Bobodurur and he and his staff also of course do private tours of the 2 other magnificant temples. As mentioned a day trip can be spectacular with the agricultural sights as spectactualar or better than much of Bali. Though it is a long drive if the guide takes one route going and a different route returning it is pleasant. If you get going at 7 AM you can get to a big bustling local market on the way by 8 AM that is very interesting and worth a 3-40 minute stop and there is an animal barter stop on the return. Also the day in Yogja the guide can take you to some villages that are a throughback to Indonesia 1920's where most tourists do not go.The Sultan's Palace is o.k. except if it is a Sat. or Sun. because on those days at 11:30 they have a 30 minute special perfomance that is quite special. The Palace itself was not worth the 45 minutes that the required Palace guide you must use (but only cost I think $2 USD/person). We stayed at the Hyatt and it was lovely because it is like a Hyatt Regency and our guide receives very good discounts there as he does at other hotels. I say the lobby of the Pheoenix and it was pretty nice and not very expensive. I heard a Deluxe room is $125-$130/room. The Hyatt was only a 35 minute drive from Bododurur as I remember, it was 2010, so it is not that remote. After 10 hours of touring we were so tired we ordered delicious pizzas in our room at theHyatt ($(9/pie) two of the 3 nights in Yogja. On our second trip we were in Jogja for one night and then went to Mt. Bromo and ijen.
To our knowledge 7 others have used the guide we used and were pleased even though he is a little more expense than the average run-of-the-mill ones.
bobodururtourandtravel.com or his home/office [email protected]
I hope some of the above helps.

Kind of a quirky article on Yogyakarta in today's Jakarta Post.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2...ogyakarta.html

Thanks all for the info. Stan if we do go to Java I will contact your guide for sure. Just need to see if K likes the idea as much as I do.
How far from town is the Hyatt?

Stan, I can't seem to open the web link, is it correct?

The day trip I was referring to was to Dieng Plateau as mentioned by others. The Palace I mentioned is the Sultans Palance who actually lives there and it has gifts the Sultan's received from various dignitaries from other countries and various photos. For us this was not that interesting and the Palace "required" guide we were assigned was not that informative, in my opinion.

The link is misspelled. The name of the company is Borobudor Tours and Travel.

Thanks all, I am assuming we can tailor our day trips to what we want? I always like to use someone who has been recommended on here, so the fact Stan you have booked them for a 3rd time is great.
What is an animal barter stop? Not sure if I like the sound of that?

The Hyatt is IN Yogyakarta, but it's toward the northwest outskirts. Yogya doesn't really have a "center". Tourists tend to graviate toward the Kraton or the Malioburo. Students and artists toward the universities. Religious groups toward the mosques and madrassas.

Wherever you stay, you end up taking a lot of taxis because it's not an especially pedestrian-friendly city.

I like the concept of the Kraton more than the actual place. I agree with Stan that the tour can get a bit tedious. It's actually a separate municipality -- like the Vatican -- and the Sultan is very powerful. The cultural performances and the retainers' get-ups are worth the visit.

Thanks Marmot, that's very helpful info. I think if we do go to the Kraton we will time it for the Sunday so we can see the cultural performance.

Stan: I looked at the Borobudur Tour web site. Their grand Java Discovery tour would work for me with some modifications.I'd start at day 6 upon arrival to YOG and go eastward to Bali. They do customize tours for 2 people, don't they?

Anyone here use this company recently for your tour on Java? Any feedback?

The owner can customize as he did for us one of the excursions so you can sort of pick "one from column A and one from column B" if you prefer. It might come out cheaper based on selection. You have to tell Wiedy you do not want a group of more than 4-6 people. We actually did all of ours private, just us for the equivalent in todays dollars of $82 for 10-11 hours. In Sept. it is light out until about 7 or so. Do not hestitate to mention my name. I mentioned based on your abbreviated name awhile ago that he "might" hear from you. His other email at his home office is [email protected]. He is flying to Bali in Dec. to suplement our driver since he lived in Bali and built up tourism there with several others 17-18 years ago. We will see him Dec.7-8, not the best time of year, but we then leave for the Raja Ampat Islands on a livaboard and far better weather, equal to June in Bali, and 12 days of diving and snorkeling.

Stan: Even though my trip is a year away and not confirmed yet, I will email Wiedy for help in planning a rough outline of a Java itinerary which will help me in determining what award flights to book into and out of Indonesia. I'm sure we will want a private tour for 2. This is how we traveled Vietnam in 2004 and Peru in 2009.

Does Wiedy book hotels and get the locals discount? Can he book domestic flights at a better rate than a foreigner can get?

It's looking like the Java part of the trip will use Jakarta as an entry or exit city since flights to Surabaya don't match up with TPAC flights Hong Kong.

Wiedy was able to get us discounts on hotels. At the Hyatt in Jojga he was able to get us us a Club Room will access to the Club Lounge for $$60 I think under rack rate where I could onle get $35 and on Agoda.com pr sawadee.com there was no discount. I assume the discount might be less but proportional. Because the airlines gibe such small commissions 1-4% even in the US he rather spend time on itineraries.

This is great info. I am bookmarking it for a future trip.

Just been emailed this linked from travelfish which may be of interest:

http://www.travelfish.org/trip_planner/one-week-java

Wiedy is an individual who sources a small group of quality guided to handle the tours he cannot but all that I refer if that mention my name in advance will get wiedy as their tour weidy. his rate is, I think, $5/day or no more than his other staff.

Not sure what the commentastors problem is, I thought the Forum was a place to share good experiences, food restaurants and good guides. You can Trust my recommendation. I have zero motive other than to share a very good guide with others.

Forodors; Wishes me to no longer share my knowledge traveling in Bali, Central, Eact and West Java for some reason,.
It is true I have focused on two very good guides Wiedy and Putu because I thought they would enhance your trip based on how they did ours for a total of 11 days.
Here is the feedfack I gave to Fodors and I will not use the Forum any longer, unfortunately.
"StanKase on Sep 4, 12 at 9:17am Natalie; I have used a guide in Yogjakarta two times in Bali and Java in 2 years and will be using Both of them in Bali gain this Dec. We have sent 11 days with them and found them to be to be some of the best guides we have used in over 40 years of travel partially beause of his academic training and there excellent English plus Wiedy would not be appointed the UNESCO Advisor to Boboburur if you are a no-body, I saw the handsome certification documenting it. Neither is allowed to advertise but I wanted travalers to be informed by me of such an effective guide/drivers if I were going to a remote area of the world. This is not Boston. Please explain and remove the unjustified warning signs.Thank you. I am not in business with them."

Interesting thing the Fodor's "monitor" never responded to by email to them of yesterday.Maybe they were embarrassed.

Stan: I have contacted Wiedy myself and he will be getting back with me to help plan my trip. Since it is not until Sept. 2013 I told him I'm not in a rush.

Please don't stop sharing your knowledge of Bali and Java here on Fodors. I've only been looking at this forum for a week and have gleaned many many good tips and useful information. if you do decide to quit Fodors please go over to TA and post your advice and wisdom.

Many people here on Fodors have given guide recommendations. When I went to Siem Reap in 2010 the guide I used was recommended here. I don't know why the mods don't want guide referrals from satisfied clients on the Indonesia forum but allow them everywhere else.

susiean, people are welcome to give guide recommendations. Indeed, Stan has recommended his favorite guides many times here on Fodors. What is forbidden is advertising. There are many guides and travel agencies that post reviews of themselves here as if they were the satisfied customer. Those kinds of posts get deleted. We all value getting recommendations from fellow travelers, none of us want to be deceived by an advertiser.

I now think guides reported the abuse to eliminate competitors. I am going to hang in there.

Wow, Indonesian guides must be so competitive as to read here and report you posting as abuse to eliminate the competition. If you look at TA forums when questions are asked about guides you will see many deleted responses probably for the same reason.

I am looking at Kathie's upcoming trip in Nov. as another outline of what to do with my time on Java. Once I get actual award tickets, I will be looking for more detailed help in planning an itinerary of 16-17 days between Bali and Java.
Susie

Depending on when you feel the need to book your ground arrangements, you may have my report to help you.

It looks like I was correct that some one advertises their services. Her is a email I received from Fodors.

Hi Stan,



I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. I’ve gone through our records and I don’t see any comments removed that you started. Is this the thread you’re referring to? http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...eas-please.cfm



We did remove a comment from this thread, but it was from an advertiser. All of your comments are still on that thread and have remained intact. If this isn’t the correct thread, please let me know what you’re referencing and I’ll look into it ASAP.



Best,

Amy_D
Fodors.com/Community

Stan, most of the deleted comments on Fodors are from advertisers. Often the ads are not even related to the thread. For instance, I've seen ads for fake Nike shoes from a guy in China, or there are a bunch of people advertising parking at UK airports in the last week.

Frankly, I wondered what you were so upset about. I wondered if someone had accused you of being a spammer.

Not knowing otherwise, yes Kathie that is what I thought.