The sharper edge to traveling in Asia

Malang, gateway city to East Java, Indonesia

The pretty Dutch colonial city of Malang is a great place to spend a couple of days, with good restaurants, nice hotels, interesting things to see in the city, and a good city from which to book tours to nearby temples and the extraordinary volcanic region of Gunung Bromo.  Malang Top 4  1) We found the […]

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Candi Kidal & Candi Jago temples in Java, Indonesia

These two small but interesting templesare best visited on a day trip from the nearby city of Malang, roughly 20 km away. Candi Kidal has wonderful examples of Javanese sculpture. Construction was begun in approximately 1250 as the funerary temple of King Anusapati. The temple is located at GPS S08°02.181’ E112°42.500’  Candi Jago, while in a state of […]

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Magnificent Panataran Temples in Java, Indonesia

The temples at Panataran are noted for their architecture as well as for their extraordinary sculptures, and are located in a beautiful setting. Considered by several scholars to be among the best examples of East Javanese architecture and sculpture, they were initially constructed in 1200 ACE, but took another 300 or so years to finish. […]

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The stunning Gunung Bromo volcanic area in Java, Indonesia

The volcanic area near Gunung Bromo is a not-to-be-missed experience in East Java, and is best booked as a two day trip from the city of Malang. Better still, add another day for a visit to the spectacular sulphuric atmosphere of the volcano Kawah Ijen as well, and stay overnight in a coffee plantation.  Prior […]

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Kawah Ijen sulphur haulers in Java, Indonesia: the world’s worst job?

The trek up the Kawah Ijen volcano, then down to the fiery natural sulphur furnace near the famed turquoise lake is one of the most interesting treks in Java. It’s roughly 2km up to the crater’s edge, then perhaps another 1 km down the steep interior to the beds of raging sulphur fountains, where workers […]

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Sukarno Museum and Memorial sites in Blitar, Java, Indonesia

Born Kusno Sosrodihardjo, Sukarno (also spelled Soekarno) was the first president of Indonesia. He was born in the city of Blitar on June 6, 1901, was overthrown by one of his generals, Suharto, in 1967, and died June 21, 1970.  Known affectionately as Bung Karno in his native city, his body was eventually transferred from […]

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Top 3 in Jogjakarta, doorway to Central Java, Indonesia

Jogjakarta (also spelled Yogyakarta) is a beautiful city replete with colonial and traditional buildings, cultural events, and is a terrific central location from which to visit nearby temples such as Borobudur. Travel in Jogjakarta is easy by renting any of the colorful three-wheel becak pedicabs that are plentiful throughout the city.  Jogjakarta Top 3 1) […]

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Meraki volacano lahar buries village of Kaliadem

Gunung Meraki, 30 km north of Jogjakarta, remains Java’s most active volcano. The destructive force of Meraki includes a series of lahars, one of which, in 2006, raced down the bebeng River and buried the town of Kaliadem. Today, a visit to Kalidem is interesting, both for the half-buried remains of the town, as well […]

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Kretek clove cigarettes Dji Sam Soe 234 from Indonesia

Wherever you go in Indonesia, you’re going to be feasting on the redolent fragrance of kretek clove cigarettes, and Dji Sam Soe 234 is by far the most popular brand. Blended from Maduro and American tobaccos, kreteks are laced with clove casings, and the tastiest are the unfiltered variety. They are inexpensive and hand-rolled, and […]

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Javanese Shadow Puppets at Jogjakarta’s Sonobudoyo Museum

Traditional shadow puppet theatre is an art form that attracts many to the island of Java, and one of the finest Javanese troupes we’ve seen performs nightly from 8 pm to 10 pm at Jogjakarta’s Sonobudoyo Museum. In this Ramayana show, the Walang Kulit Performance, you’ll see master puppeteers play out an elaborate story, accompanied […]

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