Becalm

First thanks to all. Have read many of your posts that have been priceless for planning this trip so far.
We have traveled North/South America, Mexico, Caribbean, Europe, Mid-east, Turkey, and Taiwan. However,this is our first trip to Indonesia which we have anticipated for 15+ years. Want to maximize this trip as we live an hour from NYC (28hrs in-flight).
Itinerary:
5 days in Phuket (biz award w/fixed itinerary), 1 afternoon in Singapore, 2 days in Central Java (Prambanan & Borobudur-the pinnacle of our trip) and 4 days in Bali.

Thanks to welltraveledbrit (WTBrit), I have flights for our extended stay arranged but not hotels. Do have questions about Ground Transportation and guide reccomendations also.

- mid-priced hotel in Singapore perhaps convenient to Asian Civilization Museum ?

- Flying into Solo,Java. Considering one night at Amanjiwo. Plan to visit Prambanan after a noon check-in and a pre-dawn visit next day to Borobudur as this is has been our goal for many years. Amanjiwo apparently does not discount but will they upgrade? Details? Special tips re: experiencing Borobudur. Hotel trip for arrival before gates open or use a driver/guide?

- Do we arrange a guide for 2 hour trip from Solo AP to Amanjiwo and then onto Prambanam that afternoon? How do we do this? Or are there alternate ways from Solo to Amanjiwo such as driver from airport and book driver to Pranbanam seperately?

- Plan to stay second night in Java outside Yogayakarta for early flight, Yogya to Bali. Transpo from Amanjiwo to Yogya? Worth traveling into Yogya for dinner or rest/eat at Hotel? Considering Hyatt where WTBrit stayed.

- Staying in Ubud on Bali. Best way to get from AP to Ubud mid-morning and then early morning back to AP for departure? Hotel transfer? Private driver? We will be booking a driver/guide for 2 days also.

- We prefer small/boutique hotels. Like what I've read about Ibah but looking for opinions. Seems geared toward honeymoners which we're not. True? They have a wide range of rooms and offer direct-book discounts. What rooms & locations are best? Better to take discount on better room or ask for upgrade?

General information on weather mid-Sept, timeliness of flights on Garuda and SA, how soon to arrive at AP prior to departure, economy vs. business class for Bali to Singapore on SA, useful items to bring, and other tips for widely traveled but first-timers to Indonesia, much appreciated.

Thanks,
Becalm

Kathie

Here are some of my thoughts:

Singapore: You'll have to tell us what mid-priced means to you - give us a dollar amount. The hotel closest to the Asian Civilization museum is the Fullerton, but I'm guessing it's more than you want to pay.

Java: Have you read the recent reports by Ericka (who spent about a week in a suite at the Amanjiwo and Laurieco who spent a night there in order to do the sunrise at Borobudor). After reading both accounts, I have to say that I wouldn't stay at the Aman unless I had money to burn. Whatever you are paying for your room, plan to double that for the things you'll add in, including the sunrise trip to Borobudor. If it were me (and it's not) I'd stay at the hotel right next to Borobudor for the sunrise trip, and stay at the Hyatt for the other night. (Actually, ig it were me, I'd spend a lot longer in Java, but that's a different question!) You can get a taxi from the Solo airport, no need to arrange ahead. And you don't need a guide for this. If you stay at the Aman, I'm sure they will want to arrange your trip to Prambanan (figure big bucks). Otherwise, it is remarkably easy to arrange a car and driver (and guide, if you'd like) to Prambanan. Remember, the Aman is very isloated, so it's hard to get any other services. Laurie had a travel agent in Jogja that arranged some things for her, so I'm sure she could arrange a car and driver for you. For your second night, I'd just eat at the Hyatt. Jojga has fabulous craft shopping, but it doesn't sound like you'll hav time to explore.

Bali: You'll be able to get a taxi from the airport in Denpasar to Ubud, no need to prearrange (same thing for the drive back). Several pelple on this board have used Putu as a driver in Bali, so do a seach and find his contact information.

Timeliness of flights: Garuda is well-known for flights that depart on their own time, not the listed times. Singapore Air is one of the best airlines in teh world. WHen they say they depart at a particular time, that's when the wheels leave the ground. You have to be on the plane 20 minutes before...

Weather: www.weatherbase.com

rhkkmk

as kathie says it is easy to get a taxi in bali,,,,there is a desk just outside the door where you pay a fixed price as i remember....its very cheap...and much cheaper on the return trip....more exp. from airport like most places....

many of us have used putu for a driver in bali and it is very rewarding...do a search here for his address....he lives in ubud area..

you might look at the orchard hotel in singapore...mid range and decent...
priceline also does singapore with some good buys....check out www.biddingfortravel.com for some ideas on priceline and singapore...

Becalm

Thanks Kathie and rhkkmk.
Very helpful. The ground transportation was an unknown for me.
Are drivers available at AP in Solo for going to Borobudur or do we need to pre-arrange?

Singapore: mid-priced hotel = $250
Fullerton looked good but is fully booked. I'll look at The Orchard. We can always take a cab/transit to the museum. Other suggestions anyone? I read someone reccomended The Mandarian Oriental.

Java: Did read Laurieco's entries, will look at Erika's. Appreciate your input and agree w/you based on what I've read so far. However...LOL, Borobudur has been #1 on my wife's (a yoga instructor & healer for 30 years) list of places to visit for 20+ years and from what I've heard, this will likely be the highlight of the trip for me also. That said I'll fend off the over-bearing service and forget about the cost for a day just to be able to look out the window and take in the incomparable magnificance of this Temple and meditate in its vicinity. For us its all about Borobudur. Hopefully, I'll remember overlooking this special place long after I've forgoten what I've paid for the privilege. As a friend of mine told me many years ago... "Its all going to burn one day! (money that is).
Also, we're very lucky in that our airfare to Thailand, including exec. economy class on Singapore Air and our stay in Phuket is fully paid for us.

OK Kathie, I'll ask the other question- longer in Java? Why? Where?

I've flown business class NY to Tokyo but never executive economy (Singapore Air). Any insight on EE? I'm 6'2" and know how long an 18 hour flight feels.

Kathie

Other hotel suggestons in Singapore: Raffles the Plaza or the Swisshotel Stamford, both located above Raffles City Shopping Center and an MRT station. The MRT is a very quick, easy, clean and air-conditioned way to get places. I mostly take the MRT in SIngapore, but there are some places far enough away from a station that I'll take a taxi.

There are taxis at the Solo airport to take you wherever - no need to prebook. I think they have a taxi stand, and that the priced are fixed (no need to negotiate).

If you want to look out your window and see Borobudor, you are better of staying at the place that is close to Borobudor rather than the Aman. From the Aman it is a distant view.

I'd stay longer in the Jogja area, for Borobudor and Pramban, yes, but also to see the Ramayana ballet in the open-air pavillion near Prambanan, visit the Dieng Plateau to the west, and the temples farther east past Solo... Those drives are very interesting, through small villages, groves of clove trees, etc., east of Solo. There are wonderful crafts in Jogja... frankly, better than Bali in my opinion.

It's been many years since I was last in Central Java, but it's on my list to return.

rhkkmk

mid range to me is $75-125, so i guess your $250 is more what i would call upscale or 4 or 5 star, but not lux...

the marriott, ritz and a host of others will all fall into your range i believe...

twofortheroad

If you check Amanjiwo's web site, you will see that the room rate includes transport by car from either Yogykarta or Solo airport.

laurieco

You should be aware that the view of Borobudur from Amanjiwo is not that great. It is pretty far off in the distance and certainly not worth paying the inflated rates for. In fact, it Borobudur was not pointed out to me from the Aman, I may not have even noticed it. I would stay at the Manohara and use the money you save for great (but much less expensive) hotels in other places.

Ericka

Becalm - please read my review of Amanjiwo before you make any decisions. We thought the view of Borobudur from the resort was lovely and the entire resort has been designed to mimic it so I think it could turn out to be a good choice for you (if you can afford it).

Just make sure you secure a room with the Borobudur view - you can email the resort directly and they will answer any and all of your questions in great detail.

MichaelBKK

I usually stay in mid-priced hotels in Singapore. My favorites are the Rendezvous and the Grand Plaza Parkroyal. Also check out the Carlton.

In Yogya, the Sheraton Mastika was fabulous, and is very close to the airport and Prabanan. There's also a local Indonesian chain called the Santika, which in Yogya is quite nice for the price.

By the way, mid-September is still high season in Bali. Last year around that time it was hard going even getting a room, so I wouldn't count on negotiating upgrades.

Becalm

After reading both Laurieco's and Erika's views and considering all the variables, we have decided on two nights at Amanjiwo. While we usually prefer a more understated elegance, this just feels right for us. We shall see. Will post our review during our trip.

Just reviewed Singapore Air's website and learned of their "Singapore Stopover Holiday Hotels" promotion (through March '07). Significant discounts are offered on 35 hotels in six categories and includes hotel-airport transfer.
Unfortunately, hotel availability in Singapore for Sunday 17 Sept. is severely limited due to the International Monetary Fund Convention 12-23 Sept. All recommended hotels are booked. The York and Meritus Negara among others do have rooms however.

Good news: we have just heard from Putu Arnawa in Ubud, recommended by many, and he is available for 2 days as driver/guide.

Guenmai

Taxis are quite inexpensive in Singapore if you need to take one. I take the MRT and bus. The MRT is super easy and goes to most of the places a tourist would want to go to. If you buy an MRT pass and don't use the whole thing by the time you leave Singapore, then all you have to do is take it to the MRT booth in the subway station and they will refund you the unused portion. The pass is also good on the bus. Try the Hotel Rendevous...it's across from the Dhoby Gaut MRT station which is just one stop...on the new line...from Clarke's Quay which is a nice place to go in the evening. It's very easy to get to the Asian Civilization Museum from the Rendevous as I do it ofen since I stay across the street from the Rendevous at the YMCA Hotel. I recommended the Rendevous to my best friend and she was very satisfied and loved the convenient location. Now that's where she always stays in Singapore. Happy Travels!

marmot

Becalm, Some further comments on Central Java:
Since you've already decided to go for the Amanjiwo I won't oversell, but I will say I'm of the school that it's worth the money. Just know that everything is "ala carte" and that 21% tax adds up fast.
Yogyakarta was badly hit by the recent earthquake. I haven't been in the area myself but I understand that Prambanan was severely damaged, so please be sure to check that it is open before venturing there.

You wouldn't want to go from Solo to the Aman to Prambanan as the driving distances are great. I'd suggest that you try to see Prambanan either on your way to or from the airport. The Aman could arrange this for you.

In fact I would let the Aman arrange all your airport transfers. It may be more expensive but you'll avoid potential issues like language problems and getting lost (it happens!).

For Borobudur, the procedure we usually follow is to first go directly to the top for the sunrise. The Aman driver will escort you if you feel uncomfortable climbing the stairs in the dark, but you can't get lost. Then after day breaks we go back down to the bottom and begin the traditional pilgrimage route around the tiers. English speaking guides are available, but I think the best way is to get a copy of the book Tales of the Golden Buddhas (or something like that) and read about the carvings as you circumambulate.

Borobudur is worth more than one visit, but bear in mind that midday is VERY hot.

I've been to Central Java dozens of times and sure wouldn't leave the Aman deliberately for a meal in Yogya or Java. I like Indonesian food but I have been nothing but disappointed by the restaurants in the area. The Hyatt is a fine hotel and I think the best mid-range option, but I wouldn't consider it a destination. In fact, when I get to the Amanjiwo it's like being sucked down by centrifugal force: I never want to leave.

As for the weather it is always hot. You will feel it more in Central Java than in Bali because of the vegetation. Take it slow and seek aircon midday.

Ericka

To add to Marmot's comments...the airport transfers for the Aman should be included in your room rate, whether you use Yogyakarta, Solo or both.

Also, when you make your reservation, ask them to email you the Word document that describes all of their available activities. It's a great read and also includes prices so you can budget ahead of time.

Becalm

Erika, Marmot, Guenmai, MichaelBKK, et al:
Many thanks the advice and insights.

Found this website very informative for Yogya area: http://www.yogyes.com/
For earthquake damage to historical sites around Yogya: http://www.antaranda.com/articles.php?id=16
["Take a look at the destroyed Brahmana Temple in the Prambanan compound. Slabs of stone are scattered everywhere. Next to it is the Siwa Temple, which appears to have sustained damage to its foundation. The Wisnu Temple was not spared either. Sojiwan Temple was undergoing reconstruction, has collapsed. The temple stones had been collected since 1950 and the renovation of the temple had been going on since 1992,"]

Visiting Prambanan (damaged but open) on our arrival at JOG makes sense before ckecking in at the Aman. This would permit more time to visit Borobudur for dawn and sunset, a monastary for meditation and the Borobudur Masterpiece Dance-Drama if possible.

I've already ordered "Borobudur: Golden Tales of the Buddhas -- by John Miksic".
Great recommendation.

Will post report/photos to a website during trip as time permits.
Happy Trails.

Guenmai

You're welcome. Have a great trip. Happy Travels!

Barb_in_Ga

Becalm--if you haven't already found a hotel, I booked Raffles the Plaza for 3 nights for $157 USD including taxes and breakfast. I'm told the location is wonderful and the MRT station makes for convenience. I used asiarooms.com for Sept 10-13, and just booked on Friday. Of course, they may be fully booked for your timeslot. Good luck, Barb

Becalm

Barb in GA:
I've been busy for the past week and haven't visited the board so I hadn't seen your post. Coincidently, I booked a room for Sept 24 at Raffles Plaza for $161 just a few hours ago. LOL, I'm sure I picked up your recommendation by way of the cosmos, so thanks.

BTW, this rate is also available on precisionreservations.com