Another Try at Java Itinerary
 

Firstly, I can forgot about trying to be at Borobudur for Waisak. I was misinformed, the date of Waisak for 2009 is May 20 not May 31. I arrive May 25 in Jakarta. Thanks for making me do more research.
So how sane is the following:
3-4 nights in Yogy (Hyatt); 2 nights at Amanjiwo for Borobudur; drive to Solo from Borobudur; maybe overnight in Solo, then fly Solo to Surabaya (Lion Air goes; can't decipher Garuda routing form website) and spend 2-3 nights in Malang (Tugu) and Bromo area. We are not able to hike around Bromo but want to see the scenery and wimpy day walks. Then fly Surabaya to Bali (on Garuda) for 11 night stay . (I'll post Bali ideas separately).
We could also drive back from Borobudur to Yogy and fly to Surabaya from Yogy. How long a drive from Surabaya to Malang? to Bromo viewing areas?
I don't know what I would do without my travel gurus. Thankx.
I think I'll write to Lonely Planet and suggest that they include a 5X magnifying glass with their next edition of LP Indonesia so those with "senior" eyes can read their maps!

I think in the longrun you'll be glad you missed Waisak. You wouldn't be able to get close to the spectacle and Borobudur is so much better without a crowd.

My understanding -- and you're right it's very hard to decipher -- is that you can fly to Surabaya from Yogya (Lion Air codeshare with Wings) or from Semarang (Mandala or Sriwijaya). I don't show any flights from Solo/Surakarta. If you decide to fly to Surabaya I would ask the concierge at the Hyatt or the Aman to help you with reservations.

Malang is a pleasant enough place but not really a destination per se. There's a quirky hotel -- the Tugu -- and it's a nice town for wandering and pedicab rides. There are some low-key but charming attractions nearby like archeological ruins and tea plantations.

From Malang to the viewing area of Bromo is a long drive, if I remember correctly 4-5 hours. The Tugu website says it's 2.5 hours, but that doesn't sound right to me. It's been several years since I made the trip, but it seems to me that we had to leave the hotel at 2:00 a.m. to get to the rim for sunrise. (And it rained the whole time!)

Malang to Surabaya is about 3 hours. If your objective is to see Bromo at sunrise, then I'd suggest that you stay in Surabaya. Again, Surabaya is not a particularly exciting place to visit but there's a very nice hotel -- the Majapahit -- and it's somewhat closer to Bromo than Malang.Wherever you start from be sure to inquire about the Sidarajo mudflow which has wreaked on a lot of havoc on transportation in the area.

Frankly, aside from Bromo you might find East Java somewhat redundant after almost a week in Central Java. To the people who live there there are vast differences, but to us travelers it's much the same. I would reconsider staying on Mt. Bromo. The accomodations ARE very basic but the views are extraordinary. It's not so easy to get to the rim and it's nice to have some breathing time once you're there. The scenery is all around you. You don't have to climb or do any arduous hikes to take advantage of it.

Thank you Marmot, I always enjoy your informative posts on this board. I am struggling to decide if its worth it to go to Mt. Bromo. It sounds like a real beauty spot but lots of work to get there, considering relying on unreliable flights or very long drives from Yogy.
Might there be a village excursion from Yogy, Borobudur or Solo with lovely scenery enroute, as an alternative?
Am I correct that flying to Bali from Yogy is the better bet than from Solo or Surabaya (depending on final itinerary) if for no other reason than there are more daily flights Yogy-Bali and easier to make a switch. I've read all the reports of 4-5 hour flight delays.
So I could end up with 4 nights Yogy, 2 nights Borobudur and then just fly on to Bali. Would you suggest a 5th night in Yogy?
I really appreciate your help. I'm not sure why this itinerary planning feels more challenging than others to me.

Hi Robbie, just wanted to say that here I was looking forward your trip report on your December trip to Sri Lanka when I see you are already planning another trip in May. Good for you!

Robbie, The countryside around Borobudur is quite scenic and driving from site to site will offer some beautiful mountain and river vistas.

But the Mt. Bromo area which is a group of several geologically active volcanoes, is REALLY spectacular. There's no shortcut so I'd either plan on a schlepp or skip it this time. Or perhaps you should try to get some other travelers' input. I haven't been there for several years. My son stayed on Bromo recently and had a phenomenal experience, but then, he's in his 20's and has an Eagle Scout outlook on travel adversity (They had to push the jeep up the mountain) which I understand changes as we get older.

I prefer Garuda -- though they also have their moments -- and therefore would fly from Yogya to Denpasar. I'm not sure that you CAN fly from Solo to Denpasar. Surabaya's a large city and offers several Garuda flights to Bali.

Personally I think four nights in Yogya might be pushing it. Maybe it's because I already live in a hot, traffic-y, crowded Asian city, but everytime I'm in Yogya I can't wait to leave. And I really do not like Solo.

I feel just the opposite about the countryside around Borobudur. I always want to stay a few more days.

You might also reconsider a day at the Losari Coffee Plantation. I haven't been there personally but it is well reviewed as a more realistic version of the Aman. Not as luxe, but still very pleasant.