It is possible and easy to visit both UNESCO temples around Yogyakarta – Borobudur and Prambanan in 1 day using only public transport. Here I will tell you how with precise, up-to-date information about public transport. Nonetheless, I recommend you spend more time in Yogyakarta (3 days is adequate) and thus visit the temples on…
I am fully in love with Yogyakarta. Jogja, as it’s also called, has it all: culture, cuisine, religion, art, you name it. The cherry on top came in late 2023 when UNESCO designated it as a heritage site for its Cosmological Axis – a straight line connecting Mount Merapi to the South Sea with deep…
Although the Indonesian island of Java today is mostly Muslim, it wasn’t always like that. Hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu temples are scattered all around the island. One place that stands out with a very high concentration of ancient temples is the region of Yogyakarta. Most travelers come to Yogyakarta for a day or two…
Imagine for a moment that you have a dream. In that dream, you see an oversized pure-white dove perched on a hill. You take a mental note but don’t make a lot of it. A week later in real life, you travel to another village and see the same hill as from your dream! Of…
Java hides so much. Take the Dieng Plateau for example. It ticks all the boxes – breathtaking views, scenic nature, rich heritage, volcanoes, tea plantations, unique food, and a cool climate. Yet, foreign backpackers mostly don’t know it. Domestic tourists love it though. Look, most have heard about the dazzling waterfalls Tumpak Sewu and Madakaripura…
Mount Bromo is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks of Java. Wait, I’ll double down. it is the most recognizable natural landmark in all of Indonesia! That’s right, practically all tourism leaflets, tour operators, and guidebooks prominently feature a picture of Gunung Bromo and its caldera. You may think visiting an active volcano ought…
Out of the over 17.000 islands that form Indonesia, two stand out the most when it comes to tourism. Bali, the world-famous holiday destination is a compact packing of beaches, surfing, Hindu culture, waterfalls, and an international crowd. On the other hand, Java, the most populous island, offers a more rugged travel experience complete with…
What is it that makes people visit Yogyakarta? Three words: Culture, Temples, Adventure. This 3-day itinerary devotes 1 day to each of them. Why listen to me? I first went to Jogja (Yogyakarta’s nickname) as a tourist, returned as a traveler 3 years later, and then stayed as a local for 6 months. I know…