I've been reading the forum messages, and just got two Lonely Planet Books, Indonesia, Bali & Lombok, and will read those two books.

Planning to go to Indonesia from November 13 to 24 (11 days), then 7 days total in Hong Kong and Jiangmen City (to visit relatives). I plan to stay at my fiancee's property in Jiangmen, China. To get to Hong Kong, will just take bus, train, etc.

Flying via Singapore Airlines, San Francisco to Indonesia, planning to get a PACKAGE, airfare + hotel (5 nights @ Sri Bungalos, 2-3 stars, UBUD) package for $825, and over $225+ in taxes, so about $1050 per person.

I plan to book another 6 nights in Indonesia, depending on where we want to go. Will see what deals our agent could find for us.

Any internet sites that people use for booking hotels in Indonesia?

Our priorities in Indonesia would be, in order of preference:

Food
Outdoor Activities (rafting, kayaking, hikes)
Cultural Stuff (zoos, wildlife)
Shopping (things for our house)
Beaches (dont' plan on sitting at beach all day)

My questions:

Besides UBUD, I've seen others mention Seminayak, Sanur, Lombok, etc.

Worthwhile to travel farther, to Java or Sumatra?

Thanks!!!

Seminyak and Sanur are beach towns -- Seminyak being more upscale, rougher surf, west shore, sunsets. As beaches are last on your list, this might be where you would want to be. But some of the very nice upscale restaurants are in Seminyak.
You can raft outside Ubud and there's a bike ride down from the volcano area to Ubud (all downhill) that sounded interesting to me tho we did not try it. There are some wonderful restaurants in Ubud as well.
Have you considered Borobudur? We did not have time to do this and I wish we had.

bad, you can find a lot of adventure based activities in Bali. Ubud which is inland is the place for rafting, trekking, mountain climbing, volcano viewing, (and a relaxing massage or spa treatment afterwards.) This is also the arts and culture center and there's a lot to see.

For the beach I like Seminyak. You can surf, swim, walk on the beach and you have access to the best shops and restaurants. Lombok is also nice for the beach and it's a little quieter than Bali.

For other water sports, like snorkling, scuba, sailing, fishing, you may do better in North Bali in the area around Menjengan Island.

I don't think I've ever seen kayaking in Bali. There's not much wildlife in the area either except reptiles, amphibians and birds.

A few days in Java is well worth the effort. From North Bali you can get a car and driver to take you to Mt. Bromo. November is a bit dicey on the weather, but this is an amazing area for mountain trekking and volcanic views.

I'd save Sumatra for another trip. It's a long way from Bali.

To get from Bromo to Central Java you can fly or take the train from Surabaya to Yogyakarta or Solo. More spectacular scenery plus Borobudur -- a profoundly beautiful and spiritual 8th Century Buddhist temple.

Throughout Bali and Java there are a wide range of places to stay at all price ranges. Flying SQ sounds like the best way to go, but I'm not familiar with Sri Bungalos.

Indonesia changes fast. Restaurants and resorts come and go and the guidebooks can't keep up. The internet is a much better source of information.

If it's Sri Bungalows on Monkey Forest Road, I'd pick somewhere else. Sri Bungalows are some rather nondescript brick type bungalows rather closely spaced together on a rather small plot of land. There is a small pool. It's only about $20.00/night, so it's not really contributing to value of your ticket price pe person (only about $50.00 per person of the price you are paying is the accommodation). Even for that amount of money, though, you can do better on your own. Same price, try Ketut's Place http://www.ketutsplace.com/rates.html - much more personality and overall much nicer in terms of rooms and surroundings. For a bit more, but still not breaking the bank, Ulun Ubud offers really, really nice cottages with a stunninig view. http://www.ulunubud.com/

I finally booked a flight. Will arrive in Denpasar Bali, Ngurah Rai Arpt, Jan 3, 2008, and leave Jan 20, 2008. Hong Kong, Jan 20 to Jan 26-2008. Price $750 + $225 taxes?!

Thanks KIMJAPAN, I followed your advice, and just booked the airfare.

I have about 17 FULL days in Indonesia.

Thanks Marmot, will definitely visit Ubud and try to navigate and get to East and Central Java, Yogyakarta,Gunung/Mt. Bromo, Borobudur.

My main worry though is getting to and from the places above, the logistics, where to go first, second, etc. Any advice is much appreciated.

I guess I can do any of the followings: find a driver, ask our hotel to arrange something, use a travel agency in Indonesia or San Francisco.

Lastly, would be worthwhile to visit another place,(Seminyak, Sanur, Lombok, etc.) Or, should I just concentrate and spend time in Ubud and Java?

THANKS!

i suggest that you contact one of the driver mentioned here often....i prefer putu....just search his name out....he will take care of everything for you for a decent price and you will love him...he is young...