Ok I realise we cannot predict the weather but in general is December an OK time to visit Indonesia (we are specifically looking to go to Java and maybe Bali around Christmas) if it's the odd spot of rain each day that's fiine but is it likely to be torrential?

www.weatherbase.com

I've visited Bali, Java and Lombok a number of times in December. Usually there was an intense rain shower each day, but it didn't rain the whole day.

The forst time I went to Bali (many years ago), I remember being awakened in the night by a loud noise that sounded like a chain saw. I got up and opened the door to our balcony and realized I was hearing the torrential downpour of rain!

So Kathie based in your experiences you wouldn't discount December then?

No, I'd go back to Indonesia in December.

Thanks Kathie. Need to find the right flights now ( and hopefully use my FF miles!)

Good luck!

weather2travel.com Climate Guides

Bali better than many other areas

good personal experience then

the later in Dec the better...

Komaneka.com Monkey Forest there AWESOME then

booking.com

December is definitely rainy season, but the intensity is variable year to year and day to day. Storms blow in for 3-4 days then you get a couple of relatively sunny days. In each day there are periods of fierce downpour and periods of hazy sunshine.

I've been in Bali every December for the last 15 years and the weather hasn't slowed me down. Gloomy days at the beach can be wearing, and trekking can be soggy. Dance performances and outside dining are be curtailed. Otherwise, it's a green and beautiful time.

The worst issue is that the Christmas holidays are a very busy time in Bali: rates go up and it's hard to get restaurant reservations. I especially dislike New Year's Eve -- but then I didn't like NYE in New York either.

In Yogya, you may miss sunrise at Borobudur, so be flexible on your timing. The Dieng Plateau can be too wet to negotiate, but again, it's variable. I'd also advise that you avoid visiting any monuments on Indonesian holidays as they are mobbed.

If its a prediction you want then here is one.

Eastern Indonesia in particular, will have enhanced convection especially during the Dec/Jan Indo-Australian monsoon period. La Nina which is dominant in the Pacific right now is looking like its going into an Enso Neutral period but I predict it will start to get stronger again in late fall.

All this means is that it is more than likely you will have a wetter than usual December for Eastern Indonesia. Good luck and take an umbrella.

Aloha!

Take a umbrella with NO metal parts so lightning will not strike it!

do you think a brit owns an umbrella?

Of course we do, it rains all the time here . Ok need to give it some thought, we are considering staying at Amanjiwo for Christmas, they have availability and the price is the same as other periods. Whilst we don't mind a bit of rain, constant would be too much. First things first I need to see if I can get the flights I want to HK and we can go from there. Thanks for all your advice.

I think the Amanjiwo would be phenomenal for Christmas -- rain or shine.

The Amanjiwo at Xmas sounds great!

The Amanjiwo at Christmas sounds heavenly to me. I hope that we hear about it if you go.

i would veto that hotel....no money left over for presents!!

Bob the stay IS the present!!! It's all Pooks fault, after seeing his amazing photos.... Anyway if I can get the FF tix I want then we may just go.........at a wedding all day yesterday so not had a chance to ring Virgin but will do so today!! Is Jakarta worth a visit? Easy links from HK to Jakarta wondered if it was worth staying there??? Or I guess we could go HK Bali Java??

Jakarta is a good place to live but not much of a tourist destination unless you happen to have an interest in the Dutch East Indies. Some very nice hotels, lively nightlife, luxe malls and horrific traffic.

I'd go Hong Kong Jakarta Yogya Denpasar Hong Kong. Use Garuda for the flights within Indonesia.

Thanks Marmot super helpful(still trying to figure out how to squeeze BKK in too! )

fly air asia from indonesia to bkk?