KOMODO ISLANDS Once we run down Kawah Iljen and returned to the parking lot by 8.30 am, it already felt like a good days work has been done. But the day has just started. We still had to catch a bus, cross to Bali on one of the infamous Indonesian ferries and then ride to the 'capital' city of the island, Denpasar. On paper all looked doable and I hoped that we can still enjoy the afternoon in the city. Wrong! We got to our desired accommodation no sooner than 6pm, tired and

KAWAH IJEN We have changed cars twice before lunch and the last driver ditched us just after lunch break stuffing us into a almost full minivan with another group on same itinerary. In one hand that was more fun, but it was definitely less comfortable. This time we have arrived to our accommodation for Kawah Ijen still by daylight, but it was getting dark quick. Sempel is an unassuming little village and it was pretty much deserted the time we got there. There was however a c

MOUNT BROMO Since we were the only ones signing up for the Mount Bromo tour through our agency, we have enjoyed a private mini van for ourselves. Can't be good for our carbon footprint, but it was definitely comfortable. We both could take up 6 seats each although no matter how hard I've tried I could only take 3 at a time. By the time we have arrived in Cemoro Lawang, that was our base for Bromo, it was already well past sunset. At this time of the evening the village didn't

YOGYAKARTA ...is a university city of Java and many kids come from Sumatra, Sulawesi and even Papua to complete their studies here. The city is named after the Indian city of Ayodhya from the Ramayana epic. Yogya means "suitable, fit, proper", and karta, "prosperous, flourishing" (i.e., "a city that is fit to prosper"). It also sounds funny a bit to a Hungarian speaking. Yogi being a lovable bear character from Hanah-Barbera Studios and 'akarta' means wanted, as 'Yogi wanted

BANDUNG If you're traveling from Jakarta to explore any part of Java, I would very much recommend the trains. Executive ticket prices are still very affordable, ride is comfortable and the views are spectacular. For extra charge you can secure a ticket at an agent or you can just go to the station and use one of the kiosks, however it is advised to make your booking few days in advance, specially if you're planning to travel the most popular destinations. We were lucky and ar

JAKARTA I remember a geography class in my elementary school when with fascination I used to study the atlas. Indonesia seemed so far and remote that I thought there is not a chance that I will one day get there. Yet here we are, catching a flight from Singapore to Jakarta and so Java becomes a reality for us. A little bit wary too, Bali has a record of bomb attacks every now and then and just in January 2016 Jakarta has suffered a terrorist attack. We try not to think about

SINGAPORE The city state was not on the list and our visit is an accident rather than careful planning. We are entering Singapore on a Malaysian bus, which I must say are the most spacious and comfortable I have ever come across. Crossing the border is Visa free, officers are helpful and friendly, only the too frequent red signs reading something along 'Drug trafficking is punished by death penalty' seem a bit hostile. On the other hand the city state is famous for the strict