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This travel story starts from Jakarta to Bali by visiting several tourist attractions in Java and Bali. I named this trip as Journey from Jakarta to Bali. This trip was with two important people from Austria, Mr. Chris and Mrs. Silvia. This romantic, fun and kind couple really enjoyed the trip which was their first time visiting Java and Bali. This article is a form of my appreciation for saving the memories of the trip that I experienced with foreign tourists.
Hopefully it can be useful for anyone who reads it and can be a recommendation for an itinerary for a land trip plan in Java and Bali. Let’s just start this travel story. May 28, 2025 is the day I have to pick them up at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Jakarta. Previously, we had indeed communicated about our travel plans. Because the distance between Yogyakarta and Jakarta is quite far, I had to leave early so as not to be late.
I started my trip from Yogyakarta at around 11 am and I invited my friend Hadi to accompany me or take turns driving. Thank God, at around 4.30 am I arrived at the hotel smoothly and safely. I deliberately went straight to the hotel to avoid traffic jams in the city of Jakarta. At 7.30 am I met Mr. Chris and Mrs. Silvia to start the journey to Yogyakarta via the Java toll road. During the trip they enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere and views. Starting from rice fields, mountains and the north coast. We also exchanged a lot of stories and discussed our travel plans.
Journey from Jakarta until Bali – Visit Prambanan Temple
Before arriving at the hotel we decided to visit Prambanan temple. Because we passed Prambanan temple and there was still enough time to enjoy Prambanan temple. We arrived at Prambanan temple around 3.30 pm and the right time to visit Prambanan complex.
After visiting Prambanan Temple, we immediately headed to the Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta, where they stayed while in Yogyakarta. This hotel with a classic and historic feel is a favorite for foreign tourists. Its strategic location in the middle of the city makes this hotel always full. After arriving at the hotel, they immediately took care of check-in and I said goodbye to go home and would pick them up again the next day. We planned to visit Borobudur Temple on May 29, 2025. But because there was a visit from the Indonesian President and the French President, Borobudur was closed to the public. We also discussed replacing the visit to Borobudur with a city tour in Yogyakarta.
City Tour Yogyakarta and walking tour in the village
The second day in Yogyakarta on may 29, 2025 we visited the Yogyakarta palace – Taman sari – bird market and walking tour in the village where i live. We started the journey from the phoenix hotel at around 8 am and went straight to the Yogyakarta palace. Approximately 10 minutes drive from the hotel and the entrance ticket price is quite cheap. After finishing visiting the palace we headed to the batik tulis making place in the city of Yogyakarta.
Mr. chris who likes batik and plans to buy some batik clothes to wear to the office. After buying and seeing the batik making process we headed to the next destination, Taman sari. That day the weather was very hot and the visitors were very crowded, so we didn’t spend too much time in Taman sari and immediately headed to the bird market. Here they are very interested in the uniqueness of the bird market, because this is their first experience visiting a bird market. Actually not only birds are sold here, but also other types of reptiles and birds.Journey from Jakarta until Bali continue to my village to doing tour and see the villager activity.
Before touring in my village, we stopped by my house for coffee and lunch. My wife Rita had prepared meatballs for us. After that we immediately walked around the village to see the activities of the residents, making keris and tempeh. Before that I also showed them the traditional market in my village. I also explained the names of the trees and fruits that we saw during the trip. The journey from Jakarta to Bali ended happily that day. They were also happy to be able to see firsthand the original village that was not designed for tourists.
Journey to Mount Bromo
Friday, May 30, 2025, the journey from Jakarta until Bali began again. Mr. Chris and Mrs. Silvia used train transportation, departing from Tugu Yogyakarta Station at 7 am and arriving at Mojokero Station at 10 am. Because I drove a car and had to arrive earlier than them, I left home earlier.
The train arrived at exactly 10 am and we headed straight to Mount Bromo, but before that we would visit Madakaripura Waterfall. In the previous article I have write this waterfall. This highest waterfall in East Java has extraordinary beauty. Before reaching the waterfall, we rented a motorbike to get to the entrance and started walking towards the waterfall.
After visiting the waterfall, we immediately went to the hotel to rest and prepare to see the sunrise at Bromo. At 4 am on May 31, 2025, we departed from the hotel to Seruni Hill to watch the sunrise from the top of the hill. Bromo is one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world. Spectacular natural scenery and looks like a natural painting. they really admire the natural beauty of Bromo and according to them Bromo is the most beautiful mountain among the mountains they have ever visited.
After enjoying the sunrise we went down to Mount Bromo to see the crater of Bromo up close. This still active mountain is included in the Bromo, Tengger, Semeru area. is a row of volcanoes in East Java. After enjoying the beauty of Bromo, we returned to the hotel for breakfast and continued the journey to the Ijen crater Banyuwangi.
Explore Banyuwangi
For the next trip is to visit the Ijen crater in Banyuwangi. But before that Mr. Chris and Mrs. Silvia wanted to visit a private plantation in Kalibaru Banyuwangi. This plantation is very special and interesting because there are many types of herbal plants and fruits. There are vanilla plants, pepper, cloves, pepper, ginger, cacao, and others. They are very interested in this kind of tour.
Not only see herbal plants, but we can also see the process of making Javanese sugar traditionally. Besides that we are also treated to dance performances from local children. After about 2 hours of plantation tour, we left for the Ijen Resort Hotel to rest. Throughout the trip we discussed how to see the blue fire in the Ijen crater. After considering several things, they finally decided not to climb the Ijen crater mountain and replaced it with visiting other tourist attractions.
The next day we checked out of the hotel and headed to a traditional coffee shop in the Kalibendo coffee plantation. My favorite place to enjoy coffee and buy coffee to stock up on at home. At a cheap price, under 10,000 rupiah per cup with original coffee quality. Mr. Chris and Mrs. Silvia also bought some to take home to Austria. After finishing enjoying the coffee, we immediately continued our journey to Bali. Passing through Ketapang harbor with a ticket price of around Rp. 230,000 per car.
Journey from Jakarta until Bali arrive at Lovina Bali
Around 3 pm we arrived in Lovina bali, Lovina is a tourist area famous for dolphin tours, snorkeling and diving. Lovina beach is located in the north of Bali Island. Besides dolphin tours, some Lovina beaches are also used for turtle conservation initiated by Mr. Putu and friends from Buleleng district.
In the morning after breakfast at the hotel, we planned to visit Sekumpul waterfall. The journey to the waterfall is about 1 hour with a relatively narrow road but still passable. There are several waterfalls around Sekumpul and all of them have beautiful views. There are 2 travel options to the waterfall after arriving at the parking lot, by renting a motorbike for rp 50,000 for a round trip. or we can also walk to the waterfall. In my opinion, it is better to rent a motorbike and also a local guide. After about 2 hours of waiting, they finished the tour at Sekumpul waterfall. Because they were tired we went back to the hotel to rest.
After two nights in Lovina, we continued our journey to Ubud. But before arriving in Ubud, we first visited the Ulan Danu Beratan temple in Bedugul. The temple located on lake Beratan has beautiful scenery. The air here is also cool because it is surrounded by mountains and also occasionally fog covers this area. Ulan Danu Beratan temple is also used for the image of the 50,000 rupiah currency which is still used today. After enjoying the beauty of the Beratan temple, we continued our journey to Ubud to check in at the hotel.
Explore Ubud area
The first day in ubud our program is to visit Tegalalang, Tirta Empul and Panglipuran village. We leave the hotel at 9 am and go straight to Tegalalang, to enjoy the view of the terraced rice fields. Tegalalang is a very famous tourist spot among both domestic and foreign tourists. Tegalalang is also famous as the filming location for eat, pray and love starring Julia Robert.
After enjoying Tegalalang, we head to Tirta Empul. It takes about 1 hours from Tegalalang to this place. Tirta Empul is a holy place that is believed to wash away sins or what is known as melukat. After enjoying the beauty of Tirta Empul, we continue our journey to Panglipuran village, a village famous for its cleanliness and the beauty of typical balinese houses.
After finishing the tour in the three places we returned to Ubud to walk around in Ubud center.
Travel to Sanur
Day 3 in Ubud, its time to check out and move location in Sanur Denpasar. But before continuing the journey to Sanur we first visited monkey forest. About 2 hours Mr. Chris and Mrs. Silvia enjoyed the tour in monkey forest, we continued to Sanur.
Today is the last day of my tour with Mr. Chris and Mrs. Silvia. So many memories with them, a kind couple, may they always be given health and happiness. Thank you very much for everything. God Bless You!!
