Java's Most Enchanting Destinations

• Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is a bustling town that can make one dizzy with excitement. I love this town with all my heart. Traffic cannot be separated from Jakarta. I heard a woman from Jakarta once say, “You waste your life in traffic in Jakarta,” of course, with a chuckle and sly smile. She was right. Traffic is never-ending gridlocked, so be prepared. Unless you visit Jakarta during Eid ul Fitri, when nearly everyone leaves town for the holidays. For this reason, I recommend visiting Jakarta during Eid ul Fitri, however, keep in mind that most bars, clubs and alcohol-serving establishments will be closed due to the sacred Islamic Holy Day. The rainy season is no joke in Jakarta. It typically lasts from mid-October to mid-March, and it usually floods quite heavily at least once a year due to heavy rainfall. I’d keep that in mind when planning your trip to enchanting Jakarta.

• What to do in Jakarta? Meander on over to the National Monument and ascend to the top for your eyes to feast on an enchanting view of the city. Take a leisurely stroll through Kota, Jakarta’s Old Town, soaking up historical statues and buildings, indulging in the street food and wistfully observing local families out and about. Visit the Obama Statue outside the school he attended as a boy. If shopping is your thing, you’re in the right place, as Jakarta is a haven of malls. The malls are vast with many levels and shops, activities and entertainment galore! You can find everything from designer clothes, local handicrafts, cinemas, local food courts, upscale restaurants, luxury spas, arcades and kid-friendly fun at any given Jakarta mall. Some of Jakarta’s best malls include Pacific Palace, Pondok Indah Mall and Mall Taman Anggrek. The latter is best recommended for families with kids / teenagers.

• For nightlife, go to Jalan Jaksa. It's brimming with backpacker / expat-style bars and clubs, most of which are run by locals. If reggae is your thing, check out Equal Park Reggae Bar. Live reggae music is performed on almost a nightly basis, even if it’s your first time, you’ll feel like family by the end of the night.

• The National Museum of Indonesia is home to nearly 70,000 prehistoric, archeological and ancient artifacts from Indonesia and other surrounding parts of Asia. It’s a place where everyone can learn something and feel more enlightened afterwards. For the foodies / adventure seekers, trek out to Ikan Pasar, the famous fish market, even Anthony Bourdain came to this enchanting destination on his visit to Jakarta.

• For family fun, a trip to Atlantis Waterpark, located in the north of the city on Jakarta Bay, will keep you cool in the equatorial heat. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Jakarta is luxury at its finest. It’s an enchanting retreat, which guarantees pure relaxation after a bustling day in this sensation-packed city.

• Jogjakarta (Yogyakarta) is Indonesia’s epicenter for art and artists and is credited for its importance of traditional Javanese art from batik textiles, puppets, handicrafts, poetry, music and dance. It’s definitely not a destination to miss while traveling through Java. Graffiti is actually legal here, meaning that street artists aren’t forced to rush through their murals in fear of getting scooped up by the police. They have all the time in the world to craft their masterpieces. Walking through this city is like walking through an outdoor museum, you never know what your eye will catch with each corner turned. Malioboro Street is the crux of Jogja, with shops, restaurants, street food, markets and live music / entertainment for both tourists and locals to enjoy.

Day Trips:

• For the true adventure-seekers, take a short ferry ride from the south coast of East Java to Pulau Sempu – a small, uninhabited island. This is probably the most enchanting destination I have visited in Indonesia. Nobody lives on this island, as its beaches dissolve into jungles that may be home to tigers and other wildlife. However, day trips to this island are in constant operation, and it’s a great secluded little spot to visit with a group of friends or your family to feel like you’re on your own private island for the day. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. as it is a remote location.

• Visit Kraton Jogjakarta, which is the Sultan’s Palace. There still is a royal family in this historic town, and this enchanting destination is open to visitors, operating much like a museum. The palace is extensive, built in 1756, and features several rooms and areas to peruse ancient Javanese art and culture. For a local meal, one must try gudeg while in Jogja. It's unripe jackfruit stewed in coconut milk and spices, creating a meat-like texture and heartiness, but still safe for vegans and vegetarians.

• The Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta is considered to be the most family-friendly hotel in Jogja, but welcomes every kind of guest. It embodies a humble elegance, and is situated in a park surrounded by lush greenery nearly six kilometers north of Malioboro Street. Multi-level swimming pools, golf courses, outdoor wedding venues and delectable local cuisine await you at this serene hotel.

• East Java has many sites to explore — Mount Bromo being the most enchanting destination of the bunch. It’s Indonesia’s most famous and prominent volcano, which remains active. Fun fact, the word for volcano in Indonesian is “gunung api” which literally means “fire mountain.” Tours are available for its majestic sunrises. Because the surrounding villages to this site are elevated and in the mountains, temperatures can be somewhat crisp, be sure to bundle up for sunrise! The majority of the Javanese follow the Islamic faith, however the region of Bromo has always been home to a Hindu population, so the culture here is a bit different from what you’d find in other parts of Java.

• Malang is a small city, resting nearly 53 kilometers west of Mount Bromo. It’s where I first lived in Indonesia. This is a very local town, not many expats exist, very few tourists will pass through it and many locals do not speak English. Don’t be scared or put off if locals stare at you, smile at you, take photos of you or ask to be your friend on Social Media. They’re just excited to meet you! The local dish to try in Malang is bakso, it’s an Indonesian style meatball soup with rice noodles, shredded cabbage and other toppings or condiments of your choice. President Obama said that bakso and nasi goreng (fried rice) remain to be his two favorite Indonesian dishes.

• Batu is a small mountain neighborhood just outside Malang with a family-fun nightlife. Street food is everywhere, and amusement park rides are available for kids of all ages to enjoy, and live street music is to be expected. Batu is home to the enchanting Cangar Hot Springs — natural, zesty springs and pools enjoyed by groups of friends and families. For girls / women who are used to wearing bikinis, or bathing suits that show a lot of skin, I suggest wearing a tee-shirt and a pair of shorts on top. Most of the locals here follow Islam, meaning female skin is not shown much. It's not illegal by law to wear western-style bathing suits. You'll just get a lot of unwarranted stares, and probably some dudes taking photos / videos of you. It’s more about showing the locals that you are making an effort to respect their ways, and they will respect you ten-fold in return.

• I recommend visiting Batu Secret Zoo (Jawa Timur Park), which operates more as an animal and wildlife conservation than a typical zoo. Animals can roam cage-free in various habitats that fit their wants and needs. Observe orangutans, tigers, tropical birds, lizards, snakes and more!

• The south of Malang is home to some magazine-cover-worthy beaches. Some feel like your own private island, and are much more remote than any Bali beach. Note about bathing suits above applies here as well. Gua Cina and Balekambang are great beach choices, both located about a two-hour drive south of Malang city. Local busses, drivers or tours can transport you to and from Malang.