JAVA JOURNEY

Java (Jawa in Bahasa Indonesia) is an Indonesian island, home for 6 provinces : Banten, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Java. It's the 13th largest island in the world and the 5th largest island in Indonesia with its population about 143 million (57% of Indonesian population) which is the most populous island on Earth. It has 3 main languages, Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese and the other languages are Betawi, Osing, Banyumasan, Tenggerese, Baduy, Kangeanese and Balinese with Javanese being the dominant language. While the majority of the people of Java are Muslim, Java has a diverse mixture of religious beliefs, ethnicities and cultures. 

Java is almost entirely of volcanic origin. The highest volcano in Java is Mount Semeru (3.676m) and the most active of it (even in Indonesia) is Mount Merapi. More mountains and highlands help to split the interior into a series of relatively isolated regions suitable for wet-rice cultivation, the rice lands of Java are among the richest in the world. Java was the first place where Indonesia coffee was grown, starting in 1699. In the 19th and early 20th century, Javanese coffee gained global popularity. Thus, the name 'Java' today has become a synonym for coffee.  

Java is the most developed island in Indonesia since the era of Netherlands East Indies to modern Republic of Indonesia. The road transportation networks that have existed since ancient times were connected and perfected with the construction of Java Great Post Road by Daendels in the early 19th century. It become the backbone of Java's road infrastructure and laid the base of Java North Coast Road.

There are so many interesting places you should visit (based on my personal preference) when you do traveling in this beautiful island as I divided it into 6 regions. Natural tourism, cultural festival, historical area, village, sport recreation, old city, authentic culinary, museum, shopping mall, hotel etc. Well, are you ready for the journey through Java island? Here some recommended places to visit and hotel to stay. Let's go!

BANTEN
Ujung Kulon National Park

Tanjung Lesung Beach

Sawarna Beach

Umang Island

Peucang Island

Sangiang Island

Kanekes Village

Masjid Agung Banten

Anyer Beach

Karang Bolong Beach

Mount Krakatoa

DKI JAKARTA

Museum Fatahilah & Kota Tua

Museum Nasional

Museum Wayang

Monas (National Monument)

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Ancol & Dufan

Ragunan Zoo

Kepulauan Seribu

Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall

Plaza Indonesia Shopping Mall

Kempinski Hotel

Ritz Carlton Hotel

Grand Hyatt Hotel

WEST JAVA

Tangkuban Perahu

Gedung Konferensi Asia Afrika

Bosscha & Lembang

Saung Angklung Udjo

Kawah Putih

Situ Patenggang

Cihideng Flower Market

Trans Studio Indoor Park

Paris Van Java Shopping Mall

Cihampelas Walk Shopping Mall

Dusun Bambu

Lembang Floating Market

Kampung Daun

Puncak

Taman Safari

Taman Bunga Nusantara

Istana Bogor (Presidential Palace)

Istana Cipanas (Presidentian Palace)

Bogor Botanical Garden

Cibodas Botanical Garden

Green Canyon Pangandaran

Ujung Genteng Beach

Kraton Cirebon

Kampung Sampireun

Kampung Naga

Grand Preanger Hotel

Savoy Homman Hotel

Trans Hotel

CENTRAL JAVA
Borobudur Temple

Dieng Plateau

Kraton Kasunanan Solo

Masjid Agung Demak

Sukuh Temple

Karimunjawa

Kampung Batik Kauman Solo

Klenteng Sam Poo Kong

Pekalongan

Semarang

Sangiran

Amanjiwo Hotel

DI YOGYAKARTA
Kraton (Sultan Palace)

Taman Sari Water Castle

Prambanan Temple

Temple Tourism (Candi Plaosan, Candi Ratu Boko, Candi Mendut, Candi Pawon, Candi Barong, Candi Sambisari, Candi Tara, Candi Ijo)

Malioboro

Jomblang Cave

Affandi Museum

Sonobudoyo Museum

Kaliurang

Prawirotaman

Parangtritis Beach

Jogan Beach

Parangkusumo Beach

Malioboro Mall

Ambarukmo Mall

Jogja City Mall

Phoenix Hotel

Royal Ambarukmo Hotel

Tentrem Hotel

EAST JAVA
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

Baluran National Park

Meru Betiri National Park

Cheng Ho Mosque

Ijen Crater

Surabaya

Batu - Malang

Madakaripura Waterfall

Sempu Island

Gong Cave

Pulau Merah Beach
Tugu Hotel Malang
Tugu Hotel Blitar

Majapahit Hotel

INTERNATIONALIZE INDONESIA - INDIE BAND

I think everyone knows about Indonesian mainstream band such as Padi, Nidji, NOAH, Dewa 19, Sheila On 7, Samsons, Superman Is Dead to name a few, who famous not only in our country but also gain their fame -even they have their own fans base- in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Philippines. But don't forget that Indonesia has a great indie music scene as well, even their music, style, idealism and uniqueness got broaden recognation and appreciation not only in those countries that I mentioned above but also some countries in other continents. These Indonesian indie bands (group or duo) make Indonesian music scene more vibrant and colorful for its future. 

EFEK RUMAH KACA

Efek Rumah Kaca is Indonesian indie rock band that formed in 2001 with five members but in 2003 it became a trio. The band's name at first was Hush then Superego. They finally chose the name Efek Rumah Kaca after the release of their first album in 2007. They have released two albums Efek Rumah Kaca (2007) and Kamar Gelap (2008). The members are Cholil on vocal and guitar, Adrian on bass and Akbar on drums. The have said that music is their lives, what has happened in their lives is reflected in their music. They also have been described as a band with social and political messages in their lyrics. Their music is influenced by variety of music genres, including swing, jazz, rock and acappella. In 2007 they released Efek Rumah Kaca and the album sold more than 5000 copies. Two singles on this album Di Udara which tell the death of Munir Said Thalib and Cinta Melulu as a criticism of the increasing prevalence of insipid love songs in Indonesia. In 2008 they released their second album Kamar Gelap. Among the tracks from this album are Jangan Bakar Buku, Kenakalan Remaja Di Era Informatika and Mosi Tiodak Percaya. In May 2010 they founded a label Jangan Marah Records, hoping to accommodate creative bands that are not accepted by major labels.

GUGUN BLUES SHELTER

Gugun Blues Shelter is an Indonesian blues band formed in Jakarta in 2004. The current members are Gugun on vocal and guitar, Jono on bass and Bowie on drums. They were influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Betty Davis and Led Zeppelin. Initially, the name of the band was The Blues Bug which was later changed to Blue Hand Gang, later known as Gugun and The Blues Bug, and eventually Gugun Blues Shelter or Gugun Power Trio for United States and Europe market. They changed the band's name because a Greek band had already used the name Blues Bug for ten years. At the end of 2004, they released their first independent album Get The Bug which featured musician on the album were Gugun, Jono and Iskandar. In early 2007, they released their second album Turn It On on Sinjitos Records. The album was voted as one of the best Indonesian album of 2007 by Rolling Stone Indonesia. It was also voted the number one blues album of the year, with Gugun voted as the best blues guitarist in Southeast Asia in 2007 by MTV Trax Magazine. In 2007/2008 Bowie joined the band replacing Iskandar on drums. In 2010, they independently released a self-titled album Gugun Blues Shelter as a replacement for their Set My Soul On Fire album which failed due to conflict with their labels. They produced one single Satu Untuk Berbagi for Laskar Pelangi movie soundtrack and two international albums Far East Blues Experience (2010) and Solid Ground (2011) in United States. In 2011, Gugun Blues Shelter was chosen by a jury online votes from fans to win Hard Rock Cafe's Global Battle of The Bands competition, celebrating Hard Rock Cafe's 40th anniversary and they performed on Sunday, 26 June 2011 at Hyde Park alongside Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart and The Killers. 

MOCCA

Mocca is an Indonesian four-member band formed in 1997 in Bandung, West Java. The band's musical style is inspired by the retro sounds of the 70's with influences of swing, bossa nova, Swedish pop and jazz. The core of the band is Arina Ephipania Simangunsong, Riko Prayitno, Achmad Pratama and Indra Massad. When playing live, Mocca is supported by six additional players on keyboards, guitar, percussion, trumpet, trombone and sax. While in college, Arina and Riko decided to get together and form a band. For a year, they struggled with performing other people's music, finding themselves bored with the lack of innovation, at which point they decided to write their own songs. In 1997, they composed four songs that unfortunately were not well received by the rest of the band. After much squabbling and conflict the band split up, leaving only Arina and Riko with their songs. Then they asked Indra and Achmad to join and Mocca was born in 1999. Mocca's debut album My Diary contains 13 songs written from a girl's point of view and her diary entries. The lyrics are in English and the music mixes waltz, bossa nova, 70s disco and rock. Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine placed My Diary on their 150 Greatest Indonesian Albums of All Time list at number 59. The magazine also ranked Mocca's song Me and My Boyfriend at number 150 on 150 Greatest Indonesian Songs of All Time list. Having signed a contract with FFWD Records helped Mocca a lot to go international. FFWD is previously a distributor for international indie-pop labels from Japan and Singapore to Sweden. All Mocca's albums are distributed by FFWD's partner labels Fruit Records in Singapore, Small Room in Thailand, Apple Crumble in Japan, Beatball in South Korea and My Honey in Italy. With simple and beautiful songs, all in English, Mocca gained popularity in neighbors countries especially in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Mocca has performed plenty of times in these countries. In 2006 Mocca collaborated with Swedish singer Karolina Komstedt, lead singer of the Swedish pop group Club 8. In 2007 Mocca performed in Japan as one of the headliners, long before that in 2004 they have performed in Okinawa as well. In 2008 they held in Malaysia and several gigs in Singapore too. Mocca's latest international show was a solo concert held at Seoul, South Korea on May 2009. In 2010, their songs are used for several movie soundtracks in South Korea including Bandhobi, Personal Taste and Flower Boy Ramen Shop.

PAYUNG TEDUH

Payung Teduh was created by two close friends who used most of their time in playing music at the canteen of FIB as well as providing background music for Pagupon Theater of Indonesia University. These two close friends, Is and Comi, played their music anywhere from canteen of FIB UI, hangout places inside the campus complex, to the lake side near UI's Center Administration Building. Their togetherness in playing music has been supported by friends around them which then lead to the creation of a duo that eventually became the next big thing at UI. Payung Teduh was born in late 2007 with their first formation Is on vocal & guitar and Comi on double bass. After playing duo for some time, it was necessary for them to improve their exploration in their music as well as improving their stage performance. In doing this, they recruited Cito as a drummer and Ivan as a guitalele player in 2010. Angin Pujaan Hujan was the first song that eventually known as the signature composistion of Payung Teduh's music style. Then, they wrote new songs such as Kucari Kamu, Amy and Untuk Perempuan Yang Sedang Dalam Pelukan. They also played songs written by a colleague/mentor Catur Ari Wibowo (director of Pagupon Theater) such as Resah, Cerita Tentang Gunung Dan Laut and other songs from their good friend Amalia Putri like Malam  and Tidurlah that were then added into their album. Payung Teduh then recorder those songs and released their first indie album in late 2010. In the first album it can be said that the musical characteristic of Payung Teduh is sort of 60's with a blend of Keroncong and Jazz. 

SORE

Sore is Jakarta-based indie band which originally formed by Ade Paloh, Mondo Gascaro and Awan Garnida in 2002 who have been being close friend each other since their childhood. Other two members Bembi Gusti and Reza Dwiputranto was brought by Awan Garnida. In 2004 and early 2005 Sore contributed two songs in a couple of compilation albums, the first one was a compilation album of Jakarta's indie scene called JKRT:SKRG and another one was an original motion picture soundtrack of Janji Joni which both was released by Aksara Records. Sore released their first full-length debut album Cetralismo in 2005. The album title itself refer to the word central, which in this case refer to Central Jakarta, where the most band members grew up. The music varied greatly from track to track as each member contributed lead singing and song-writing in this album. Their vintage instrumentation, like the use of vibraphone, mellotron and horn section is reminiscent of popular music in 50's, 60's and 70's. The first album was praised by Time Magazine Asia as One of Five Asian Albums Worth Buying and Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine ranked it the 40th in 150 Greatest Indonesian Albums of All Time. The fifth single No Fruits for Today also ranked as one of 150 Greatest Indonesian Songs of All Time. While preparing their second album, they contributed to four original motion picture soundtrack albums Berbagi Suami, Kala, Quickie Express and Perempuan Punya Cerita. One of them became a hit single Pergi Tanpa Pesan, a reworking of an Indonesian classic from the late 1950s. In April 2008, three years after releasing the debut album, Sore released their second album Ports of Lima with Aksara Records as label. The album voted as the number one on the list of Best Album of 2008 by Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine.           

WHITE SHOES & THE COUPLES COMPANY

White Shoes & The Couples Company is Indonesian pop/punk/jazz band from Jakarta. The band is currently signed to both Indonesian label Aksara Records and American independent label Minty Fresh based in Chicago. Their music is influenced by Indonesian soundtracks from 1970's, 1930's jazz and 60's pop music. The band consists of Aprilia Apsari (main vocals), Ricky Virgana (kontra bass, cello, bass, vocal), John Navid (drums, vibes), Aprimela Prawidiyanti (piano, viola, keyboards, vocals), Saleh (electric guitar, vocals) and Yusmario Farabi (acoustic guitar, vocals). Apsari and Farabi met each other while they were both studied at the fine art faculty in Institut Kesenian Jakarta and the two formed the band with their colleague Saleh in 2002. In 2004, John, Ricky  and his wife Aprimela joined. The band came up with the name due to the fad of wearing white shoes at the school where they met. In 2005, the band released their self-titled album on Aksara Records and In 2007, they released an EP Skenario Masa Muda. Eventually, the band signed by Minty Fresh and re-released their self-titled album for an international release. White Shoes & The couples Company was honored by Rolling Stone as One of The Best 25 Bands on MySpace and honored by Allmusic as One of The 25 Most Crushworthy Bands of 2006.