Oct 2025 - Andhika - Inbound & Product Manager Indonesia

One of the most exciting moments last month was a journey through Central to East Java when I and our colleague from the Bali office conducted a FAM trip to cover most of the highlight of the destinations around those regions. Arrival to YIA Airport, we headed to the slope of Mt. Merapi for 4 WD Jeep discovery over some dramatical sites remaining the eruption stuff back to 2010. We immersed to the landscape scarred by past eruptions, visit the memorial Bunker Kaliadem, and the “Alien Stone,” all while enjoying the thrill of an off-road ride. This becomes one of the favourite soft adventures while in Yogyakarta, suggested to visit in the morning as we could clearly see the summit from the distance.
The next day we explored the city of Yogyakarta and Solo which are located in the heart of Central Java, both sites offer similar attraction where Historical temples blend into the city’s bustling streets. There is also a good mixture of tourists and locals; not too many tourists to feel overcrowded, but just enough to make you feel like you haven’t abandoned civilization. Explored the sultan palaces at both towns is a must meanwhile we learned the historical side of the relationship in between.
One place that is not to be missed is Taman Sari, situated just close by the sultan palace of Yogyakarta. This marvellously historical place was built and used in the 18th century as a bathing and meditation complex for the Royal family. After wandering in and around most of the buildings of the complex, our group made its way to the traditional clothing of batik home industry and Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet) exhibit. Getting a closer understanding of Javanese culture and tradition is one of the joyful ways to complete the trip with distinctive knowledgeable interaction. A part from there Prambanan Hindhu temple and the Buddhist temple of Borobudur are both the UNESCO Heritages that become a must visit while in Central Java a part from the palaces exploration.
Next, other days we spent East Java, heading on a panoramic train ride that offers scenic view of amazing landscape laid back the greenery of lush rice paddy, local villages as well as mountainous regions. This is fairly worth the journey for appx. 3.5 hrs. We disembarked at Mojokerto train station and jumped into our Van for another 2 hrs drive to the basecamp in the slop of Mt. Bromo near Ngadi Sari village.
Mt. Bromo, one of the sacred mountains that is very popular for the spectacular view over the sunrise. The next morning at the down we woke up at 3 AM where our 4 WD jeep awaited and took us to the start point to hike the crater rim. As we arrived, we walked down into the sand sea until we reached out the star to climb. We waited for a few minutes to get the sun rising up from behind of the rims and enjoyed this amazing view. Another way to enjoy the sunrise and see Mt. Bromo is from some points around Penajakan hill which is the highest spot view point in the area, we made our way there after the sunrise when the crowds was just over.
Finally, we drove down to Surabaya the second larger city in Indonesia for our flight back home to Bali with an opportunity to stop at a wonderful waterfall namely Madakaripura, nestled among the valley hideaway surrounded by natural peace. We made some part of hiking activities to the waterfall which is ended up our journey amazingly.