Thoughts about the Malang area of Java
 

I'm wondering if anyone has been to Malang and what they thought of it as a place to spend some time?

I know that's a fairly vague question and hard to relate to someone else's expectations, so I'm just hoping for some personal feelings on the place. We have a family member who owns a nice house in the area and it's not in use. So we're considering hanging out there for a week or so as a possible next trip.

Just as a way of relating our style and whether it would fit Malang -- we're finding ourselves less and less driven to see "sights". Although it IS nice to be able to go see or do something if we wish. More so though lately, we've been enjoying just getting a view of day to day life on our trips and having interaction with the locals.

Wondering if Malang left a favorable (or unfavorable) impression on Fodor's folks and if anyone could suggest some interesting day/overnight trips?

Clifton, I live in Jakarta. I've been to East Java several times and once spent a few days in Malang. It was some years back but I doubt that it's changed much.

It IS a very pleasant town. I always said I would return but never felt particularly compelled to get there, which isn't so easy. All I can say, again, is that it's a very pleasant town. We spent a lot of time being wheeled around in pedicabs which kind of signifies the place to me -- easy going, laid back. The essence of day to day life in Java is certainly there for the observing.

The surrounding countryside is profoundly beautiful and there is easy access to cultural, historical and natural attractions, Mt. Bromo being a standout destination.

It's good to know that Malang is pleasant. Thanks for that. I think that was my main concern, that it might turn out to be too _____ (fill in the blank: industrial, remote, etc) to really enjoy as a short time visitor. And it's hard to ask that question of someone who considers it as home. It would be our first trip to Indonesia, so I don't feel that know a lot at this point.

We're not close to making firm plans yet, but I was kind of thinking the Malang visit might fit in well as the second week of three, between the Yogyakarta/Borobudur area beforehand and Bali afterwards. Is it tricky to get from one of these areas to another? We're not adverse at all to non-luxury overland travel, as we've it done in Cambodia, Romania and Morocco. But not entirely sure the best way to do this in Indonesia. Any suggestions?

For the first trip to Indonesia Malang may be too subtle. It has a lot to commend itself but like Java encapsuled, it's understated, lowkeyed, watchful.

I love taking roadtrips in Java. It's so incredibly scenic and just seeing village life unfold is, to me, fascinating.

The downside is that the distances are great -- and the time involved much greater than a map would imply mostly as you'll need to circumnavigate the odd mountain and natural disaster. (Have you read about the 10 square mile mudslide in East Java?)

Also, drivers -- in fact all Indonesians -- are not well traveled and are consequently clueless on how to get from A to B when B is outside of their neighborhood. Map reading is not an indiginous skill.

Although the main roads are fairly well maintained, stuff happens all the time -- floods, landslides, earthquakes -- that result in mysterious detours.

And lastly the long distance buses operate in a universe of their own domination and are a terrible hazard to other motorists.

I haven't made the overland trip from Central Java to Bali but my son and three of his college friends recently drove from Yogya to Bromo to North Bali. They used our family driver which was a big advantage, even though he wasn't familiar with the terrain. At least they knew he and the vehicle would be reliable.

For them, it was a bit too much driving as they were anxious to get to the next destination and as young adults less impressed by the serene beauty of the countryside. They wanted to climb those mountains, not look at them!

The drive from Borobudur to the rim of Bromo was very demanding, about 14 hours. To Malang I would estimate about 11 or 12. Remember that night falls at 6:00 p.m. and you definitely don't want to be on the road after dark in Java.

From Bromo to North Bali including the ferry it was another all day trip.

If he were to do it again he would probably fly from Yogya (or Semarang) to Surabaya and spend more time on the ground in East Java.

If you're interested in North Bali then it makes sense to drive from Java because otherwise you'd still have the long drive from Denpasar North.

Hmmm, yes the distances do seem further than I'd imagined. I guess Malang would have to stay in the itinerary, as it's the main reason why my wife suggested Indonesia for the next trip (I'd been reading books on other places). She's also been wanting a trip where we slow down. And I can't blame her on that, as we did move around too much on this trip a couple of weeks ago. I'd picked Morocco and had a much too long wish list.

So maybe it would be best to look at this as not so much a trip to Indonesia as a visit to Malang. In Bali, I guess I was thinking Ubud would be nice, which I can tell on a map isn't really "north". No interest in the beaches in the far south, but that still sounds like quite a trek to get to from Malang. Maybe Bali would be best left for another trip.

Again, thanks for all of your help. Kind of cool having someone here who's in country for lend advice.