Java
Just like the hot cups of coffee to which it lends its name, Java simmers and steams against a backdrop of ancient temples and conical peaks. Away from the capital chaos of Jakarta, you'll find cultural enlightenment amid rice terraces and coffee estates, as well as stunning volcanic sunrises (if you're prepared for very early starts!) Lunar landscapes rise from desert plateaus giving the island’s scenery a prehistoric vibe. While Jakarta brings a cacophony of culture, both ancient and modern, in high definition and energy, the ‘Sultan's city’ of Yogyakarta counters with a much more gentle, classical, approach to life within the Ring of Fire.
Three things to do in Java
Obviously there's a lot more, this is just to get you started...
Bromo-Tengger Semeru National Park
Rising from a sea of sand like a simmering papier-mâché science project, Mt Bromo is one of Java's most spectacular, and accessible, volcanoes. The fertile slopes are invaluable for agriculture and, as you follow the well trodden trail to the 2,329m summit, you'll find farmers working around huge blocks of sulphur and toxic turquoise lakes. Peering into the rim of an active volcano may not be for everyone, and may not be possible if Brahma's grumbling, but the short walk to the top is fairly easy despite the hot and humid conditions. Java's largest volcano, Mt Semeru (3,676m), is also in Bromo-Tengger Semeru NP, and makes a spectacular backdrop as you watch the sunrise from the top of Mt Bromo.
Yogyakarta & Jakarta
Java has it’s own take on a tale of two (very different) cities. Get your guide book out, even briefly, in Yogyakarta and you may find yourself in the presence of a smiling local student wishing to assist. This university city is a capital of fine arts and Javanese culture, and holds a very special place in the nation's hearts. It’s close to both the vast Buddhist temple complex of Borobudur and the Hindi temples of Prambanan, and the local street life on Jalan Solo is well worth getting in amongst. Jakarta can be more of an aquired taste as a city, bringing with it a fair amount of noise and grit, but it can also be grand, welcoming and beautiful if you step slightly off the usual path.
Temple treks and coffee culture
Sipping a cup of Java on the slopes of Mt Merapi, you'd be forgiven for thinking you’d woken up on a different planet. The rich, volcanic soil provides the perfect conditions for growing coffee, which is why a trek up the side of Java's most active volcano isn't quite as startling as it sounds. The whole of the Losari region in central Java is incredibly beautiful, and visiting a coffee estate gives great insight into one of the island's oldest and most successful industries. Open your mind to another area of Javanese culture with a visit to the ancient Hindu temples of Gedong Songo, strewn across the slopes of Mt Ungaran; a good excuse to pause during a challenging hike to the summit.
