Something to see all year round
While traveling in Indonesia, the most important thing is to keep one's cool. Being too assertive and aggressive toward the police, restaurant owners or travel agents will mess up things further. An extra suitcase full of patience is what will often come in handy while vacationing here.
After deciding on a budget, contact a travel agent like Satriavi or Banten World and tell them the number of days you have for a vacation.
They will help you choose between cultural or nature travel, a stay in the mountains or by the sea and organize transport and lodgings for you.
Apart from traveling by air, a great way to see Java is by train. There are two rail routes, the north coastal from Jakarta- Cirebon-Semarang-Surabaya and the southern route Jakarta-Bandung- Yogyakarta-Surakarta-Surabaya. If you have a really tight budget then travel by bus, which is the most popular mode of traveling for Indonesians. Cars and motorcycles are also used by some, but it is only in Java that a proper road system exists, although it overflows with trucks, buses, minivans along with carts drawn by animals.
There is four times as much sea in Indonesia as land and for centuries islanders have communicated with each other by boat. However to travel by sea a lot more time is required, but it is the most romantic way of getting around.
In the rainy season -- between November and May -- it is best to go to the mountains where the beauty of the environs is accentuated by clouds that hang low and there is always mist in the air. Remember to stack up on plenty of snacks, especially if traveling with children, and plenty of indoor games. The nights here are cool, with temperatures going down to 18 degrees, so light woolens and good walking shoes are a must.
Trekking and wildlife watching are best done in the dry season and it is between May and October that animals of all sorts are seen more often in search of watering holes.
Swimming and snorkeling too is most enjoyable in the dry months when the sea is far calmer and the sunrises and sunsets most spectacular.
Beware of heat exhaustion and hypothermia while climbing high mountains. This happens when wet, cold, tired hikers get lost and spend a night in the forest. Heat and rain are the main enemies, especially of hikers.
Always carry some kind of protection and start the day at the crack of dawn, take it easy around noon and round off by going to bed early after some more sightseeing and physical activity just before sunset.
Insect repellent is a must and should be liberally sprayed on shoes while in damp areas.
Travel light, but with pockets full of lots of small change, all documents sealed close to the heart and a bag full of good humor. Bon Voyage! (Mehru Jaffer)