Off on an adventure to Java (and a bit of Bali) (page 3 of 8)

I don’t know the Maldives, but the colors of the water can indeed remind you of the Seychelles 😎 Still, a few more photos would help get a better idea... Underwater:

Gorgeous, well-preserved coral gardens; plenty of fish and other little critters

But that’s not all 😉:

The urge to strip down and jump into that giant pool! Oops, already done...

For sure! If only out of respect for the readers

Wow! These islands are amazing! 😍

Actually, this little paradise is a mix of - Maldives

- Seychelles

- Thailand

PS: Don’t worry, Franck, photos other than those from the author of the travel journal aren’t counted in the 300 😉

Yeah, that’s a great summary! !

I don’t know the Maldives, but the colors of the water can indeed remind you of the Seychelles 😎 Still, a few more photos would help get a clearer idea... Underwater:

magnificent, well-preserved coral gardens; impressive quantity of fish and other little critters

but not just that 😉:

The urge to strip off and dive into that giant pool! Oops, already done...

Darn quotas! I really meant to post those photos! 😉

Hi Franck 🙂

I missed your travel journal. So excited! Plus, I’ve never been to Java (yet).

For underwater critters in Indonesia, you should check out Komodo.

Your photos also remind me of the Philippines.

Looking forward to the next installment

Hi Pascale! I’ll add your Komodo travel journal to my "To Read" list. Welcome to this journal—let me know if it makes you want to visit Java! See you for the next part! Franck

Well, the answer is actually already yes! 🙂 My travel journal about Komodo got stuck when the forum shut down… But I did one recently about Hawaii if you're interested

Day 6 – August 15, 2025

After traveling one last time—really, truly the last time—from north to south across Karimunjawa Island via our beautiful (if somewhat shell-shocked) road, we board our ferry and leave this little slice of paradise in the rearview mirror, drowning our melancholy in the Indian Ocean. Our bodies may have only intertwined for three days, but you managed to make us feel a bit like home. We promise, beautiful Karimunjawa, this is just a see-you-later...

Now, let’s talk boats! Apart from hearing, seeing... and smelling half the passengers vomiting during the three hours of rough seas, everything went smoothly... for us! "Uh, ma’am, you forgot your little surprise bag under your seat!" Just one step off the boat and into our shuttle, and we’re off again—this time for a six-hour drive to central Java and specifically the city of Yogyakarta. Djodja for those in the know! Three hours by boat, six hours by road... If you still have all ten fingers, you’ve counted that I don’t have much more chatter for you today. But hey, digging a little deeper, I’m sure I can find something to keep you entertained until tomorrow.

First, you should know that Yogyakarta is the artistic heart of the country, which is why you’ll find tons of street art in its different neighborhoods. As soon as we drop our bags at our guesthouse, we take advantage of the last bits of daylight from this transitional day to go discover some. After walking a few kilometers, we cover the rest in a becak. What’s that, you ask? A becak is a kind of cycle rickshaw specific to the island of Java.













This one takes us on a quick tour of the city before dropping us off at Djodja’s number one attraction: the alun-alun, a huge open square packed every evening with Indonesians. Its street food stalls, musicians, portrait artists, and especially its odong-odong—kinda like pedal carts pimped out by the local tuning club. Yeah, you might think it’s super kitsch, but here, both kids and adults love them... And since I’m rather tall and Flo’s petite, why not us? We nibble a bit from every stall, chat with some folks, and share plenty of smiles with others... It’s all very laid-back, and the evening is unmistakably Indonesian. Simply excellent!

We arrived in Java at Yogyakarta—I don’t remember going to see the street art 😅 But the sunrise in the mist at Borobudur was a magical moment... I’m really looking forward to the rest! 😊

It's happening tomorrow! Just a heads-up, the organization around Borobudur has really changed...

Day 7 – August 16, 2025

Back in March 1994, during a philosophy exam, I tackled the question "What is audacity?" Confident in my abilities, I simply answered that it was renting a scooter in Yogyakarta, riding it to Borobudur to visit its world-famous temple, then continuing on the long, winding road up to the Dieng Plateau with the intention of spending the night there. I got a 4 out of 20 with the comment, "My sweet dreamer, that’s not audacity—it’s purely impossible!" So today’s the day. The day I prove to my old teacher that it’s totally doable and that I deserved the only above-average grade I ever got in philosophy during my senior year! "Mr. Labeyrie from Lycée Monges in Charleville-Mézières, if you’re not dead and somehow stumble upon this philosophical travel journal by some lucky chance, know that I fully intend to show you today that you were wrong! And, if that’s the case, please reconsider my grade!"

You’ve probably figured it out by now—the real kickoff to our Javanese scooter road trip is happening right now. From our base camp in Yogyakarta, we’re setting out to explore widely, with our first goal for tonight being the town of Dieng after four hours on a road that’s notoriously tough on paper. "You want to go all the way to Dieng by scooter? Are you serious?" I get the feeling the rental guy is in cahoots with my philosophy teacher...

But this day isn’t just about riding for the sake of it—there are plenty of points of interest checked off along the way. The first stop is just on the outskirts of Yogyakarta, where we pay a quick visit to a very old lady who’s been the queen of Yogyakarta’s street food scene for nearly 70 years! She sets up on the sidewalk at Lupis Mbah Satinem from six to nine every single day, offering her take on local breakfast dishes. After tasting her food, I totally get why everyone raves about Grandma Nova’s cooking!



An hour later in traffic, our next stop is Setumbu Hill, famous for its clear views of the jungle and the Borobudur temple. If you’re ever thinking of doing a scooter road trip in the area, I’d recommend skipping this stop—it’ll save you time and the unjustified 50,000 rupiahs per person they charge at the entrance!



That said, just a short distance away, a stop at the Chicken Church is a must just for how unique the place is. Despite what the name suggests, it’s not really a church. Nor is it a chicken, for that matter. From what we gathered on-site, it’s actually supposed to be a dove, a symbol of peace. Either way, the building is original, the place is peaceful, and it’s open to all faiths.



After Flo said a little prayer to her new god, the esteemed "chicken satay with peanut sauce," we finally got to the number one reason for our trip in the area. I’d even say Borobudur is the reason I’ve been dying to visit Yogyakarta for years. Okay, but what *is* Borobudur? Borobudur is the photo from April 4th on the spiral-bound calendar that’s been on my desk for over 20 years. Just the name Borobudur has always fascinated me. Borobudur is nothing less than the largest Buddhist temple in the *entire* world! Built in the ninth century, this giant mandala with nine levels symbolizes the different stages to reach nirvana. Unfortunately, it was buried under lava from a major eruption of the nasty Mount Merapi in the eleventh century, then smothered by vegetation, so the temple pretty much disappeared from the radar until the nineteenth century, when it was rediscovered and cleared by two hundred villagers who got it back on its feet... though not for long. The sheer weight of the thing was slowly sinking it into the soft ground, dooming it to certain collapse. So, which superhero do we call in a situation like this? Unescoman, of course! In the early 1980s, UNESCO dismantled and numbered all two million stone blocks one by one to rebuild it exactly as it was on new concrete foundations. If you’re a huge Lego fan, apply to UNESCO—they’re hiring!















So, was all that effort—and money—worth it? Undeniably, yes! The temple is both massive and imposing, yet finely sculpted, exuding a rare spiritual elegance. I even found some similarities to what I felt a few years ago when I visited the temples of Angkor in Cambodia.

Day 7 (continued)

But... because yes, there’s a "but." A little rant about how Indonesian authorities have turned this World Heritage site into an ancient Disneyland that’s all about making money. Everything is signposted, sanitized, micromanaged, guided, timed, wrapped up—so much so that you lose the authenticity and that Indiana Jones sense of discovery.



And as a non-Indonesian tourist, you really feel like you’re being milked for all you’re worth—until the cow runs dry. It’s the same communication as French highways: “We’re raising tolls by 200%, and if you’re not happy, take the Nationale 7.” Seriously, I didn’t want to *buy* Borobudur Temple—I just wanted to visit it! Anyway, it’d be ridiculous to travel all the way to the other side of the world and skip this human heritage treasure, but go in with your eyes open after draining your savings. And here’s a little tip if you’re as bold and rebellious as we are: ditch your mandatory guide at the first chance to explore parts of the temple on your own. Slightly against the rules, but still on your own terms!

Next up, the biker in me takes over from the wanderer to devour kilometers like they’re spoon-fed. But not just any kilometers—top-tier ones, cutting through exceptional rural landscapes, sprinkled with friendly gestures from Indonesians amused by two *bule* (foreigners) on a bike in their remote neck of the woods.

Unfortunately, the planned three-hour ride doesn’t come easy, as it’s brought along two little sisters to help! Don’t panic—nothing serious. Just unexpected detours plus unplanned encounters equals wanderlust stories to tell! First, we’re forced to stop in a village in the middle of nowhere because of a folk parade. Turns out, no one warned us *we* were the guest stars of the fiesta! There’s Aunt Josette trying to mumble a few words at us, Bebert (who’s had one too many) wanting to shake our hands, and Brandon and Dylan, who woke up today with one goal: to take a selfie with two blondes...



Then, while innocently taking a photo of the scenery by the roadside, two Indonesians stop and strike up a conversation. It ends with us having tea at one guy’s place—he even invites us to dinner at his house tonight... Third, as night falls on a mountain road, we try to turn on our bike’s headlights—no luck. The last fifteen kilometers are done at a snail’s pace in pitch-black darkness, but at least we don’t crash into any walls. Finally, we’re in the mountains, cozied up in our *charmingly* shabby room.







Alright, want a bonus anecdote? As we’re about to leave the terrace of our *warung* after enjoying some *bakso*, a group of young Indonesians invites us to their table. It’s non-negotiable—they’re treating us to a meal! Second serving! Long live Indonesia... and Indonesians! And no, Flo, we’re not gonna die from the mold on the ceiling of our honeymoon suite!

Hey Franck! I was just passing by and thought I’d drop you a quick word of encouragement, even though I’ve already seen the movie and know how it ends! Where are you and Sullivan off to? See you!

Hey Guillaume! The end? I still have to write it! My brother and I are heading to Sri Lanka in less than 3 months. And this time, we're taking our dad along! We’ll be renting a tuk-tuk to tour the country—sounds like a blast!

I thought you’d only spend a day or two max in Bali... Sri Lanka! Can’t wait to follow your travels!

I thought you’d only spend a day or two max in Bali... Sri Lanka! Can’t wait to follow your adventures!

We ended up doing 5 in the end!

Karimunjawa looks amazing! A thousand kilometers on a scooter, a bit less though 😉

We're loving following your adventure...

Karimunjawa looks amazing! A thousand kilometers on a scooter, not so much ;)

We’re loving your trip updates...

But what a blast though!

Day 8 – August 17

Dieng... The name of this place where we are now means "the place where the gods reside" if translated from Javanese. As for the locals, they like to call it "the land above the clouds." Knowing we didn’t see any of that last night when we arrived, this bodes well for today, don’t you think? From these names, two lessons stand out. First, the area must be stunning, and second, our altimeter’s needle must’ve passed the 2,000-meter mark! Between yesterday morning and today, it’s like we’ve gone from "Endless Summer" to "Let It Snow"! Oh, and for the price of two pieces of info, here’s a third that’s worth its weight in gold for what’s coming next: Today, August 17, is Indonesia’s Independence Day, marking the country’s freedom from Japan in 1945!

Okay, the virtual scene is set, but with all that, what do we actually do here? Well, imagine this—we start our main activity of the day outdoors without even being able to see our surroundings yet. "Need a hint, Jamy?" If I tell you we beat the overzealous muezzin to the punch by lacing up our Salomons before he even clears his throat for his first of five calls, does that help? Yep, it’s still pitch black when we begin our first real hike of the trip... by headlamp! When you come to Dieng, one of the must-dos is catching the sunrise from one of the local peaks. To pull this off, two non-negotiable conditions: First, you’ve gotta be able to handle the elevation gain with your legs! And second, you need Lady Weather on your side—Dieng has a nasty habit of keeping its head in the clouds.

I planned two nights here to maximize our chances. For this first attempt, I set my sights on Gunung Prau, accessible via a 12-kilometer loop with 600 meters of elevation gain. What I can tell you is that for this first go, the planets seem perfectly aligned. Miraculously starry sky, steady pace... and most of all, we quickly realize we’re about to be gifted this natural spectacle alongside hundreds of young Indonesians for whom hiking on Independence Day is a tradition.





So, we’re treated to two shows. The first—why we climbed the mountain—is simply breathtaking: Not one, not two, but five volcanic silhouettes revealing themselves to us, dressed in their finest on this bright morning. Wow, the kind of sight that makes you feel truly alive. Then there’s the second: The electric atmosphere of this festival, with all these cheerful Indonesians whose only obsession seems to be getting their picture taken with me like I’m Messi! Well, when you think about it, the mix-up is almost understandable—aside from height, talent, bank account, and lifestyle, we’ve got roughly the same skin tone and a budding beard!







Anyway, this hike—already made incredible by that insane panorama in perfect weather—would’ve been more than enough for our happiness. But fate had to throw all these encounters our way, the real cherry on top, turning this hike into something unforgettable. But hold on, don’t leave before the credits roll! Because the biggest visual punch is still coming in the second half of the hike, the part we do in broad daylight. We’re walking through farmland that rivals the most beautiful terraced rice fields I’ve seen in the Philippines. Except here, it’s not rice fields—it’s potato fields! And I’ve gotta admit, I never thought I’d get this excited over potato fields. I can see you smirking, but careful, ladies and gentlemen, these aren’t just any fields! The Rolls-Royce of potato fields... The potato fields of the Dieng Plateau—no exaggeration! Way, *way* underrated, in my opinion! And get this—we were the only foreigners for miles around to enjoy all this! Instant love at first sight!!!

Day 8 (continued)





Once we made our way back down to town, the day was far from over—technically, it was only just beginning. Our scooter took us to Sikidang Crater, Candradimuka Crater, and Arjuna Temple. But really, these stops were just excuses to cruise the backroads of this stunning farming region and meet the locals, who are always so welcoming, charming, and smiling... and other "-ing" adjectives. On that note, sorry, but we’ll have to cut this short—we need to recharge early. Today’s scratch-off luck gave us the itch to try our hand at the draw again tomorrow morning... and it’s gonna be another *very* early start...

Nice of you to introduce us to Dieng—it’s another spot to add to the to-do list...